Mercedes-Benz Diesel Record Attempt

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes-Benz Leads the Way for a Diesel Future

- Record Attempt to Demonstrate Reliability and Efficiency in 100,000 Mile Drive -

LAREDO, Texas, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz, inventor of the
world's first diesel car, is setting out to establish a new endurance record
for diesel passenger cars. To help showcase the latest in advanced clean
diesel technology, three Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI (Common-Rail Direct Injection)
diesel sedans will each complete a 30-day, around-the-clock 100,000 mile
endurance drive on Sunday, May 1.

====> <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050429/nyf099.html?.v=7"> article</a>

[jdc1244a]

That the engine can do it is a given, how the rest of the car holds up is another matter. Will the cars exhibit DCX’s reputation for poor build quality and lack of reliability?

[Wolfgang]

The E-class did pretty well in the latest German quality report.

They are the so called "yellow angles" providing roadside assistance about 3.5 million times per year all over Europe. A bit like AAA.

<B>ADAC Breakdown Statistics for 2004: Mercedes Models Demonstrate Their Reliability</B>

Stuttgart, Germany, April 28, 2005
Mercedes-Benz is one of the winners in this year’s compilation of breakdown statistics by the German motorists’ association ADAC. The brand’s passenger cars received top marks in three automotive categories.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class was the winner in the “Lower Mid-Range� category, making it the most reliable compact car on Germany’s roads, according to the breakdown statistics compiled by ADAC. The average breakdown rate for the 2004 models of the A-Class was only 2.3 per thousand.
Equally impressive was the performance of the M-Class, which won top honours in the “Off-Roader� category. The average breakdown rate for the 2004 models of the M-Class was only 2.5 per thousand.
<B>The experts at ADAC were especially pleased by the models of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the S-Class, whose extremely low breakdown rates won them top spots in the “Upper Mid-Range/Luxury Class� category.</B>