PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!

Lakshman1645 · 20th October 2010, 10:12

The problem is not always with the car but also with service centre. They often don't reprogramme critical control modules after removal and refitment which leads to breakdowns. Many BMW's have had to be flat bedded because of this.

issigonis · 20th October 2010, 12:02

>>>

I think we have two issues being discussed here. GTO started with the thought of how German brands are supporting the growth of the flat bed lorry trade in India ( especially the larger cities) because these brands are carried by the flat beds when they are stricken. The other strand is the reliability issue of the German brands. GTO's point had the reliability of the Germans as the point of departure.

I think the second strand is of greater import because it concerns the credibility of the teutons re. reliability of machinery and possibly degree of fit for use in 'Indian' conditions.

There must be a thread on reliability of individual brands ( Skoda being a case in point) somewhere here. If there are not, then we should start threads on individual brands or perhaps drill down to models for better focus on the problems/issues objectively.

By the way, on our way back from the t-bhp eat on the 18th from Baghdadis, we saw an NHC being towed at the Kherwadi traffic signal on the Western Express Highway. No idea about the problem but a driver was at the wheel of the stricken car.

Regards

proton · 20th October 2010, 13:47

One would assume that the OP wished to dissuade others from falling prey to the perception that modern German cars were solid, reliable, high quality vehicles, based on a past reputation of the same (a reputation that is now in tatters in markets that were the traditional stamping grounds of the marques), and save them some grief.

Here in India we are slightly behind in the usage cycle, the teutons only being a recent freely available entrant in a scenario dominated by the Japanese brands. Past models definitely lived up to the reputation and the brands are trying to benefit from that image: see the recent VW ads.

Do the teutons live up to their value as status symbols? Yup!

Do they generally offer a better driving experience when they are up and running? Yup!

Do they spend inordinately more downtime in the workshop than low end Jap cars? Yup!

Is there something wrong with that picture? For the otherwise unsuspecting buyer, yup!

GTO · 26th October 2010, 12:37

S Class being towed away on Marine Drive. Surprisingly no flatbed for Merc's finest.

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-08102010412.jpg

Sahil · 26th October 2010, 13:16

Damn, that S-class must have had some serious breakdown. Perhaps the steering is jammed or engine refuses to start or else I don't see why it would be left in such a dangerous spot, right lane ! It would have been moved towards the shoulder otherwise.

PlatzdaTurbo · 26th October 2010, 13:23

Its not like sudden realization but seriously....that picture of the S class leaves me

What on earth is wrong with these cars anyway ??? Especially the Mercs ! It seems ridiculously frequent

Sahil · 26th October 2010, 17:05

Had clicked this pic a year back, just came across it on my comp. Quite unclear but its a S500 being towed !

pramods · 26th October 2010, 17:19

Here is one more German car on flat bed.

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-germancarflatbed.jpg

-Pramod

Pancham · 26th October 2010, 17:49

Add one more German to Flat bed collection.

to German reliability.

rjalihal · 26th October 2010, 19:35

Whats up with the Bentley being towed?? I mean, my car will probably cost as much as a door of that Bentley and still I have never asked to be towed or stranded on the road side. Are European cars really so unreliable? I always thought they were the epitome of craftsmanship!

vineethvazhayil · 26th October 2010, 19:53

So scary as to how many of them end up on flat beds (compared to the numbers BMW/Merc sell).. Till the government doesn't have strong lemon laws and manufacturer liability on warranties, this would keep happening. I would be very reluctant to buy any such thing even if I had the money because of this one reason alone.

suhaas307 · 26th October 2010, 19:58

I'd witnessed my neighbour's BMW 530d being pulled onto a flat-bed about two years ago. It was pouring cats and dogs that evening and it was the first time I'd ever seen a car being loaded onto a flat-bed (it's agonizingly slow!). The owner was standing next to the truck, in the rain.

Since I didn't mind getting drenched, I went up to him and asked him about it. Apparently, he had just reached when it broke down completely. He seemed quite unhappy about it and then I heard him mumble something about his brother's Lexus!

srishiva · 28th October 2010, 14:37

Consumer Reports released its reliability data this week and Germans are at the bottom with the exception of Porsche. Quoting below..

Europe's Bumpy Road
While European reliability had been improving, momentum seems to have stalled. All Porsche and Volvo models are rated average or better. But Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the worst automakers overall in terms of reliability.

BMW had a bad year, with five of its 11 models scoring below average. While the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1-, 3-, and 5-Series models with the 3.0-liter turbocharged (N54) engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other gripes.

Six of Mercedes-Benz's 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average. However, the redesigned E350 sedan was above average—a promising start. The new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car from the E-Class sedan, languished in the bottom ranks.

Nearly three-quarters of the Audi models Consumer Reports analyzed were below average. The A6 3.0T with the new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 was tied with the Jaguar XF for the worst new car prediction score. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf, formerly the Rabbit, doing very well and the various Jetta models scoring average or better.

PlatzdaTurbo · 28th October 2010, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva

Consumer Reports released its reliability data this week and Germans are at the bottom with the exception of Porsche. Quoting below..

Europe's Bumpy Road
While European reliability had been improving, momentum seems to have stalled. All Porsche and Volvo models are rated average or better. But Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the worst automakers overall in terms of reliability.

BMW had a bad year, with five of its 11 models scoring below average. While the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1-, 3-, and 5-Series models with the 3.0-liter turbocharged (N54) engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other gripes.

Six of Mercedes-Benz's 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average. However, the redesigned E350 sedan was above average—a promising start. The new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car from the E-Class sedan, languished in the bottom ranks.

Nearly three-quarters of the Audi models Consumer Reports analyzed were below average. The A6 3.0T with the new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 was tied with the Jaguar XF for the worst new car prediction score. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf, formerly the Rabbit, doing very well and the various Jetta models scoring average or better.

Which means I can expect to spot EVEN FEWER A6s on the streets now.LOL

mallumowgli · 28th October 2010, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva

Consumer Reports released its reliability data this week and Germans are at the bottom with the exception of Porsche. Quoting below..

This seems to be in interesting report, shrishiva. can u post the full report or send the link? would like to read the full report

20th October 2010, 10:12	#76
Lakshman1645 BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 51 Thanked: 126 Times	The problem is not always with the car but also with service centre. They often don't reprogramme critical control modules after removal and refitment which leads to breakdowns. Many BMW's have had to be flat bedded because of this.
	(1) Thanks

20th October 2010, 12:02	#77
issigonis BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 956 Thanked: 96 Times	>>> I think we have two issues being discussed here. GTO started with the thought of how German brands are supporting the growth of the flat bed lorry trade in India ( especially the larger cities) because these brands are carried by the flat beds when they are stricken. The other strand is the reliability issue of the German brands. GTO's point had the reliability of the Germans as the point of departure. I think the second strand is of greater import because it concerns the credibility of the teutons re. reliability of machinery and possibly degree of fit for use in 'Indian' conditions. There must be a thread on reliability of individual brands ( Skoda being a case in point) somewhere here. If there are not, then we should start threads on individual brands or perhaps drill down to models for better focus on the problems/issues objectively. By the way, on our way back from the t-bhp eat on the 18th from Baghdadis, we saw an NHC being towed at the Kherwadi traffic signal on the Western Express Highway. No idea about the problem but a driver was at the wheel of the stricken car. Regards
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 13:47	#78
proton BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 208 Thanked: 413 Times	One would assume that the OP wished to dissuade others from falling prey to the perception that modern German cars were solid, reliable, high quality vehicles, based on a past reputation of the same (a reputation that is now in tatters in markets that were the traditional stamping grounds of the marques), and save them some grief. Here in India we are slightly behind in the usage cycle, the teutons only being a recent freely available entrant in a scenario dominated by the Japanese brands. Past models definitely lived up to the reputation and the brands are trying to benefit from that image: see the recent VW ads. Do the teutons live up to their value as status symbols? Yup! Do they generally offer a better driving experience when they are up and running? Yup! Do they spend inordinately more downtime in the workshop than low end Jap cars? Yup! Is there something wrong with that picture? For the otherwise unsuspecting buyer, yup! Last edited by proton : 20th October 2010 at 13:50. Reason: spelling
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 12:37	#79
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,886 Thanked: 323,254 Times View My Garage	S Class being towed away on Marine Drive. Surprisingly no flatbed for Merc's finest.
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 13:16	#80
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,360 Thanked: 8,090 Times	Damn, that S-class must have had some serious breakdown. Perhaps the steering is jammed or engine refuses to start or else I don't see why it would be left in such a dangerous spot, right lane ! It would have been moved towards the shoulder otherwise.
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 13:23	#81
PlatzdaTurbo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,304 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Its not like sudden realization but seriously....that picture of the S class leaves me What on earth is wrong with these cars anyway ??? Especially the Mercs ! It seems ridiculously frequent
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 17:05	#82
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,360 Thanked: 8,090 Times	Had clicked this pic a year back, just came across it on my comp. Quite unclear but its a S500 being towed ! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 17:19	#83
pramods BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nagpur Posts: 993 Thanked: 858 Times	In Nagpur Here is one more German car on flat bed. -Pramod
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 17:49	#84
Pancham Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kolkata/NCR Posts: 1,849 Thanked: 3,164 Times	Add one more German to Flat bed collection. to German reliability. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 19:35	#85
rjalihal BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 714 Thanked: 103 Times	Whats up with the Bentley being towed?? I mean, my car will probably cost as much as a door of that Bentley and still I have never asked to be towed or stranded on the road side. Are European cars really so unreliable? I always thought they were the epitome of craftsmanship!
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 19:53	#86
vineethvazhayil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,514 Thanked: 459 Times View My Garage	So scary as to how many of them end up on flat beds (compared to the numbers BMW/Merc sell).. Till the government doesn't have strong lemon laws and manufacturer liability on warranties, this would keep happening. I would be very reluctant to buy any such thing even if I had the money because of this one reason alone.
	() Thanks

26th October 2010, 19:58	#87
suhaas307 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 9,167 Thanked: 14,601 Times	I'd witnessed my neighbour's BMW 530d being pulled onto a flat-bed about two years ago. It was pouring cats and dogs that evening and it was the first time I'd ever seen a car being loaded onto a flat-bed (it's agonizingly slow!). The owner was standing next to the truck, in the rain. Since I didn't mind getting drenched, I went up to him and asked him about it. Apparently, he had just reached when it broke down completely. He seemed quite unhappy about it and then I heard him mumble something about his brother's Lexus!
	(1) Thanks

28th October 2010, 14:37	#88
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,372 Thanked: 2,260 Times	Consumer Reports released its reliability data this week and Germans are at the bottom with the exception of Porsche. Quoting below.. Europe's Bumpy Road While European reliability had been improving, momentum seems to have stalled. All Porsche and Volvo models are rated average or better. But Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the worst automakers overall in terms of reliability. BMW had a bad year, with five of its 11 models scoring below average. While the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1-, 3-, and 5-Series models with the 3.0-liter turbocharged (N54) engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other gripes. Six of Mercedes-Benz's 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average. However, the redesigned E350 sedan was above average—a promising start. The new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car from the E-Class sedan, languished in the bottom ranks. Nearly three-quarters of the Audi models Consumer Reports analyzed were below average. The A6 3.0T with the new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 was tied with the Jaguar XF for the worst new car prediction score. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf, formerly the Rabbit, doing very well and the various Jetta models scoring average or better.
	() Thanks