BMW Ranked Top Overall Car Brand by Consumer Reports

[AM20 BMW]

As someone who used to work at Mercedes, I would stay far from them as possible. Felt so good when I finished work to get back in my BMW, plus including me even a lot of employees including technicians and a long working senior salesman all drive BMW’s and say it’s better.

[TakeshiJin]

Originally Posted by vpatel867

Merc. What happen?

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

2.0 liter four banger with lots of batteries in AMG car…..

I would like to add all those stupid touch controls on the steering wheel. Also don't get me started with that Hyper Screen.... It's a giant wall of glass asking to be broken 😉. Once it does good luck changing your settings 🤣.

[JoeAyalaM]

Way to go BMW, keep up the legendary German quality.

[KingOfHuns]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Also interesting is Audi's rating. Several years ago they had a publicly stated goal of being the highest selling German luxury brand, or something like that. But while they show 8 of 9 models tested being recommended, their owner satisfaction is dropping according to CR. This doesn't help sell more cars.

I had a 2017 A4, and I loved it. Traded it in for a 2019 Q5 because I needed more cargo space. The Q5 had the exact same MMI (Audi’s infotainment system) as the A4, except it was full of bugs. You would think they would have spent the two years between the two cars squashing bugs, not introducing new ones! Plus, the MMI that was fresh in 2017 started feeling really dated. I tried to order a 2022 SQ5 from the factory, but after 4 months of waiting, they canceled my order because they were shifting production to ‘23 models. I could have re-entered my order for a ‘23, but it was $500 more with no changes (like I was being penalized for their delays) and I would have gone to the back of the line again. I told them to forget it, and ended up with my 2024 X5 last July. I totally love it, and I don’t see myself going back to Audi anytime soon.

[KingOfHuns]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

Not sure why this was CR report was reposted for “front page” news, as it’s old news. https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30887727

Those are different rankings, probably from last year. This chart just came out from CR today.

[amnt]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Mercedes build quality, while still good, isn’t what people say it is and it’s often overshadowed by pretty and aesthetically pleasing designs. Reliability is another area of concerned especially with the EQ cars and the C 43’s M139 engine which has the possibility to blow or just die.

Overall, outside of the S-Class, the rest of the line up isn’t as good as BMW’s offerings. People will still buy what they like but I couldn’t pick a Mercedes over a competing BMW model.

Unfortunately I have the latest S class and it's not a reliable car. I bought the m8 competition for the same amount of money and I still have the S class. I took the S class 3 times in service while the m8 is still without a problem.
S class is a very big mistake I've made even though I have 4 years warranty it's not a reliable car. I'd rather go with a Dacia than my Mercedes on a long drive..

[amnt]

Originally Posted by AM20 BMW

As someone who used to work at Mercedes, I would stay far from them as possible. Felt so good when I finished work to get back in my BMW, plus including me even a lot of employees including technicians and a long working senior salesman all drive BMW’s and say it’s better.

It really is. I have both

[sturgeongeneral]

Originally Posted by VANOS

I have a really hard time believing that report…

Why?

[crashoverride]

I'm surprised that Audi is so high on the list. As someone who has a Q5 with just 102k miles stuck in the driveway waiting to at my expense have a new engine dropped in as the piston ring problems that exist I've now learned for ten years and they will not pay a single penny to help out. No modern car should have to have an engine rebuild/replacement just criminal. Stack that on with there "Clean Diesel" Scandal and other misc recalls. Hard to believe there are people left that still like their Audi's

[Germanauto]

Mercedes quality control has been mediocre for nearly 25 yrs now.

Recently sat in a new S-class and the stitching on the back of the seat was crooked.

Mercedes is more style than substance. Besides S/E-class, G-wagon, and SL they don't seem to put enough effort into their products.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by AM20 BMW

As someone who used to work at Mercedes, I would stay far from them as possible. Felt so good when I finished work to get back in my BMW, plus including me even a lot of employees including technicians and a long working senior salesman all drive BMW’s and say it’s better.

At least you're out of Mercedes, I'm still in. I haven't seen so much recalls/issues in such a period of time and I've worked at both BMW and Audi before landing at Mercedes.

Mercedes has taken over the stigma of BMW in the 90's where they're good cars...if they work and you can get over the build/quality. I know we're on a BMW forum but BMW has really come a long way. If you can get over their controversial styling on some of the models, they really offer solid products across the entire line up and it's not that close.

[AM20 BMW]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

At least you're out of Mercedes, I'm still in. I haven't seen so much recalls/issues in such a period of time and I've worked at both BMW and Audi before landing at Mercedes.

Mercedes has taken over the stigma of BMW in the 90's where they're good cars...if they work and you can get over the build/quality. I know we're on a BMW forum but BMW has really come a long way. If you can get over their controversial styling on some of the models, they really offer solid products across the entire line up and it's not that close.

Yes exactly, before I worked at Mercedes I wanted one for my next car as I’m on my second BMW and my parents had many BMW’s I grew up with so just wanted something new to me and different but my experience at Mercedes and what I saw I’m so put off by them that I can never look at them the same anymore.

It is a shame as they’re design are really nice and their interior are really nice too but I don’t think BMW designs are as bad or as ugly as people say but that’s all everyone personal taste because yes they’re do have controversial designs right now with their latest line up but they’re tend to grow on you over time and at least you can’t say they’re boring or look the same as other brands out there. Got my eye on the newly released X2 M35i for my next car.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

BMW Road Test score higher than Porsche... laughable.

Disqualified results just on that alone. Watch their Youtube channel to realize who is reviewing these cars and it will tell you all you need to know.


CU (CR) has definitely faltered in recent years. They have their own biases in tests now (not just automotive) and I have actually spent a large amount of time in my job reverse engineering their evaluation criteria in other categories. The conclusion is that it's flawed and that they bake in assumptions that are wrong in many cases - i.e. projected reliability (based on some of their own flawed parameters) and consumer satisfaction which is survey based and not 100% accurate due to their respondent counts.

Like most things today, the quality of their reporting has gone downhill.

My former employer would invest a huge amount of time and engineering resources into getting a CU #1 rating on their new models because it yielded significantly higher sales. Not sure it always yielded a better product though.

Aside from that, I'm not sure the road test score of Porsche vs BMW tells the full story unless you know what that score really means.

[Crusader]

I've had a number of bimmers (E9, E39, E92, F30, G20) and a Porsche. I think the E39 (530i sport) was the most BMW of the bunch. I still have the E92, and its a great (largely analog) car. My wife went from a 2019 to a 2023 G20 and the experience (new Idrive and dash) hasn't been very good ... she wants her 2019 back. My 992 Porsche is an incredible machine, but it does have a door rattle which just shouldn't happen at the price level. I wonder how these rankings are a function of expectation vice reality. A Porsche owner expects perfection. A BMW owner (particularly from the new client base vice the old school owners) may have lesser expectations. Mercedes worked hard to devalue their brand and deserve everything they get (I toured the factory in the mid sixties ... it was almost a bespoke and hand crafted car back then).

[terrywang]

Wow, Mazda is doing well in North America. It has always been popular and doing well in Australia (reliable, good looking, good driving dynamics for the price tag). CX-5 has been the best medium SUV for many many years (lost count).

Not surprised that it surpasses Toyota (I believe Mazda USA works closely with Toyota USA, some models share plants?). I own 2 Mazda models (GH 2 Mazda6 Hatch, KF CX-5 AWD) and an OG F87, happy with all.

For daily, I prefer the GH 2 Mazda6 hatch due to practicality and the overall bad traffic conditions in Sydney metro area...

[FrozenGT]

Bmw to me has always been the enthusiast brand the affordable approach. Porsche is all in all the upscale brand and you get what you pay for.

Bmw would have to pull back on various models and consolidate down to building ultimate driving machine so compete with Porsche. They have their hands in everything and they are continually adding new models to their lineup which to me is just horrendous.

I live in a pretty well to do area in northern Virginia and a lot of people around here by BMW, Mercedes Audi, Porsche, Ferrari Lamborghini yada yada. There was a guy who just picked up a brand new i5 M60 sport in frozen black that thing is huge. I just don’t see how that could be a performance car.. off the line It’s very quick, but that’s about it.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by KingOfHuns

Those are different rankings, probably from last year. This chart just came out from CR today.

Yes, and the article stated that BMW was number one for the second year.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by terrywang

Wow, Mazda is doing well in North America. It has always been popular and doing well in Australia (reliable, good looking, good driving dynamics for the price tag). CX-5 has been the best medium SUV for many many years (lost count).

Not surprised that it surpass Toyota (I believe Mazda USA work closely with Toyota USA, some model share plants?). I own 2 Mazda models and a F87, happy with all. For daily, I prefer the GH 2 Mazda6 hatch due to bad traffic conditions in Sydney metro area...

I have owned 4 Mazdas and they were great cars. Two RX-8s, 1 Mazda 6, and 1 CX-9. They use Nappa leather, nice wood trim, alacantara type material. Doors, dash, are all clad in soft materials. I never had a mechanical issue. Very solid cars.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

There was a guy who just picked up a brand new i5 M60 sport in frozen black that thing is huge. I just don’t see how that could be a performance car.. off the line It’s very quick, but that’s about it.

I manage twisty roads at high speed with my i5 M60. You would be surprised if you drove one. I did an extended test drive before buying.

[VANOS]

Originally Posted by sturgeongeneral

Why?

I’m a big fan of BMW and will always be, but I gotta say Porsche really should’ve been number 1 and VW should’ve definitely been within the top 3 along with Subaru (which Subaru is). I see so many on the road nowadays and anyone who owns one of those cars absolutely loves it. Don’t get me wrong, can’t argue that BMW makes one of the best cars, but its competitors like the VW group are definitely making BMW run for its money along with Tesla (although Tesla has the worst quality control issues/service).

[terrywang]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

I have owned 4 Mazdas and they were great cars. Two RX-8s, 1 Mazda 6, and 1 CX-9. They use Nappa leather, nice wood trim, alacantara type material. Doors, dash, are all clad in soft materials. I never had a mechanical issue. Very solid cars.

I love my GH2 Mazda6 Hatch and relatively new KF CX-5, both have 2.5L NA + AT but two completely different generations (MZR L5-VE + 5AT vs Skyactiv-G + 6AT) for comparison.

Mazda cars offer good value for $ spent, with good design overall (exterior and interior), low maintenance cost, reliable, no complaints.

It's a shame that Mazda is ending Atenza / Mazda 6, I was hoping to see an inline 6 3.3T + RWD/AWD hatchback version. Not sure if Mazda will change mind but I hope Mazda lives on.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by terrywang

It's a shame that Mazda is ending Atenza / Mazda 6, I was hoping to see an inline 6 3.3T + RWD/AWD hatchback version. Not sure if Mazda will change mind but I hope Mazda lives on.

I was waiting for that inline 6 and when they killed it along with the Mazda 6, I deserted them.