Interesting Edmunds article on new DIESELS!

I love the drive of this van, and it's an Auto which is why I bought it, but there are so many problems with it and the dealer service is just not good, I'll not be replacing it with a Mercedes of any description.

I really had thought a lot of the bad press was simply that...bad press but it's much deeper than that, Chrysler have infected Mercedes with American build quality, not something I'd shout about.

It'll be Japanese for the vans next time.

Alan.

We have much more luck with Renault/Vauxhall/Nissan vans. They are all the same van really. Ford Transit is also fairly bomb proof but expensive.

Huw

Perhaps for the last 5-10 years, I'd find it very hard to believe for anything older than that. The two Hondas I've had took quite a bit of abuse, one I ran out of water with and drove until choked, but was OK after. Perhaps greater tolerances in the design or something.

Aren't the recent ones from Renault? (or at least the top end ones)

cp

Oh yes. I have experience with many older Japanese and European vehicles and the quality and longevity of things like track rod ends and suspension bushes is so much better on the Japanese brands. European brands and built vehicles may well have caught up by now, as they have to, but I have no proof of this yet personally.

There is a certain amount of cross pollination. I think the Micra diesel has a Renault sourced engine. Nothing wrong with that if it raises Renaults game and quality, which has already improved by leaps and bounds over the last twenty years. They produced some good little cars before that mind you, thinking of the 4 and 5.

Huw

London black taxis have Nissan diesels (the newer ones at least). The drivers like 'em.

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling

the quality and longevity of things like track rod

hmmmmmm such things are secondary, if not tertiary matters.

Renault sourced engine. Nothing wrong with that if

bounds over the last twenty years. They produced some

Yes, too bad we don't get any of those small sensible diesels here in Canada.

cp

Yes, I noticed those, now what would it take to import one of those, perhaps a Q45D =)

cp

Neither have I found either drivetrains or bodies to be of a lower standard.

If fuel sulphur was reduced then you might. Is there a demand though? Perhaps your petrol is cheap enough that economy is next to unimportant? Maybe your petrol storage rules allow anyone to store petrol at their home in bulk or your fuel stations are all conveniently two minutes down the road?

Huw

Yes, I have the same engine. I did have three until I sold them. Totally reliable and last almost indeffinately. Not the latest technology and therefore not the cleanest exhaust but reliable.

Huw