Most of the worst sedans in Consumer Reports' ranking come from Europe, including this BMW 5-Series V8.
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023544&src=News
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023544&src=News
ConsumerReports.org - Best and Worst in Reliability
- Thread starter Tom
- Start date
As some of you know from previous threads, I don't put a lot of faith in CR surveys because they are not a random sampling by ANY measure - their data is biased and skewed.
IMHO, only a particular type/subset of consumer subscribes to CR, and therefore even has the chance to respond (Bias #1). Furthermore, those responding may have an agenda - an axe to grind, overwhelming praise, a brand fanatic, an employee of the manufacturer, etc (Bias #2).
SO HOW CAN IT BE AN ACCURATE SURVEY AT ALL???????? They tout their customer survey base as a "feature", but it really exposes a "bug" in their system.
"Our 2005 reliability survey, the largest of its kind, reached a milestone this year—we've gathered responses on more than 1 million vehicles from Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org subscribers, the most we've ever received. These results underpin the most comprehensive reliability data you will find anywhere. Here, we give you a first look at our new Predicted Reliability Ratings for new cars, based on this survey, and the models that we expect to be the most and least reliable."
IMHO, only a particular type/subset of consumer subscribes to CR, and therefore even has the chance to respond (Bias #1). Furthermore, those responding may have an agenda - an axe to grind, overwhelming praise, a brand fanatic, an employee of the manufacturer, etc (Bias #2).
SO HOW CAN IT BE AN ACCURATE SURVEY AT ALL???????? They tout their customer survey base as a "feature", but it really exposes a "bug" in their system.
"Our 2005 reliability survey, the largest of its kind, reached a milestone this year—we've gathered responses on more than 1 million vehicles from Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org subscribers, the most we've ever received. These results underpin the most comprehensive reliability data you will find anywhere. Here, we give you a first look at our new Predicted Reliability Ratings for new cars, based on this survey, and the models that we expect to be the most and least reliable."
My coworker said that they do these by how many people return the cars for repairs..
Which makes it even more inaccurate because if someone buys a Mazda miata and something breaks they’re more likely to say, “oh well.” But if you buy an expensive car (such as a new BMW 5 series) and something breaks you’re going to want to get that fixed since you just spent all that money.
That’s just my thoughts on it though.
![[:(!]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_angry.gif "Angry [:(!]")
Which makes it even more inaccurate because if someone buys a Mazda miata and something breaks they’re more likely to say, “oh well.” But if you buy an expensive car (such as a new BMW 5 series) and something breaks you’re going to want to get that fixed since you just spent all that money.
That’s just my thoughts on it though.
It's common knowledge that the electronics in European cars are somewhat more advanced than those in their Japanese counterparts, but of course the increase in technology means the more problems that arise. Reliability issues with BMW/Mercedes etc would most likely have to do with things such as software glitches, as opposed to the actual mechanics of the car failing.
I do believe CR is right on the 5 and for sure on the 7 series BMW's. They might be good in Germany but in North America they have lots of issues. Even my 328i although a nice car why if this is such a good car do I have to replace the plastic thermostat housing the radiator at 100K, change expensive coolant every year and I can go on. I am a retired engineer and I love the BMW but I have never seen so many problems on different BMW forums. One thing I cannot understand why this coolant thing as most cars have a cast iron block and alloy heads and radiator. Just my opinion.
