Current Mercedes line-up
Discussion
I’m sitting in a big Mercedes dealership waiting for my wife’s car to be serviced, and a wander round has really left me thinking how uninspiring the current range is. It doesn’t help that they are nearly all grey or black here, but each model looks the same as others, even including the AMG GT.
The only one that I think I’d like to buy is the AMG A-class, with a colourful interior and what I think is a good-looking shape.
I had the 6.2 litre C63 a few years ago, and more recently the last of the SL63s, but can’t imagine getting any of these, let alone being excited about it.
The only one that I think I’d like to buy is the AMG A-class, with a colourful interior and what I think is a good-looking shape.
I had the 6.2 litre C63 a few years ago, and more recently the last of the SL63s, but can’t imagine getting any of these, let alone being excited about it.
Ken_Code said:
I’m sitting in a big Mercedes dealership waiting for my wife’s car to be serviced, and a wander round has really left me thinking how uninspiring the current range is. It doesn’t help that they are nearly all grey or black here, but each model looks the same as others, even including the AMG GT.
The only one that I think I’d like to buy is the AMG A-class, with a colourful interior and what I think is a good-looking shape.
I had the 6.2 litre C63 a few years ago, and more recently the last of the SL63s, but can’t imagine getting any of these, let alone being excited about it.
I was in a dealer recently and though the same. I'm not a fan of the rounded blobby look they all seem to have at the moment, A Class aside.The only one that I think I’d like to buy is the AMG A-class, with a colourful interior and what I think is a good-looking shape.
I had the 6.2 litre C63 a few years ago, and more recently the last of the SL63s, but can’t imagine getting any of these, let alone being excited about it.
I agree entirely but if you're Mr New Build looking for a car within the narrow confines they think in what are your alternatives?
All the Audi/VAG stuff looks like it's a decade old already, BMW are making cars of such shocking ugliness even the professional consumers who buy them are noticing, and those are the only other two manufacturers most Morlocks with a half decent credit rating will consider buying now.
All the Audi/VAG stuff looks like it's a decade old already, BMW are making cars of such shocking ugliness even the professional consumers who buy them are noticing, and those are the only other two manufacturers most Morlocks with a half decent credit rating will consider buying now.
Ken_Code said:
.... but each model looks the same as others....
Mercedes pioneered the concept of a "corporate look" with every model being absolutely unmistakably a Mercedes. That though was at a time when they all looked absolutely majestic
Regarding colour choice, check this out
1976
2019
Half the problem I think is just the sheer number of slightly different models available. It's not only Mercedes who are guilty of that though.
If there was only an A-Class, C class saloon & estate and E Class saloon & estate in the dealership it would seem like a fairly decent range.
It's the huge number of different over-inflated not really SUVs which is the problem in my view, which were probably mostly what was filling the showroom up. This isn't helped by the electric cars being different models to those with petrol engines, but both are really just generic big grey blobs.
It's the same problem for a lot of the manufacturers, first of all they had a range of cars (saloon/hatchback/estate), then they added a range of SUVs/Crossovers, and now there is also a range of electric cars. This means there are three times as many models as there used to be a few years ago.
If there was only an A-Class, C class saloon & estate and E Class saloon & estate in the dealership it would seem like a fairly decent range.
It's the huge number of different over-inflated not really SUVs which is the problem in my view, which were probably mostly what was filling the showroom up. This isn't helped by the electric cars being different models to those with petrol engines, but both are really just generic big grey blobs.
It's the same problem for a lot of the manufacturers, first of all they had a range of cars (saloon/hatchback/estate), then they added a range of SUVs/Crossovers, and now there is also a range of electric cars. This means there are three times as many models as there used to be a few years ago.
I love Mercedes but really struggle to understand what they stand for these days. In the past a Mercedes had an edge on comfort, plus it was generally very solidly built. Classy stolid cars.
These days... they're not more comfortable than the main competitors, but they're also never more sporty / engaging. Right, so does that leave them as more "premium"... hardly so, especially when you look at the choices you have when buying, pratically zero customisation and boring colours. At least BMW has an edge on driver engagement plus more interior / exterior customisation, like does Audi.
These days I see Mercedes closer to Renault / Vauxhall almost. Controversial, yes a bit perhaps...
These days... they're not more comfortable than the main competitors, but they're also never more sporty / engaging. Right, so does that leave them as more "premium"... hardly so, especially when you look at the choices you have when buying, pratically zero customisation and boring colours. At least BMW has an edge on driver engagement plus more interior / exterior customisation, like does Audi.
These days I see Mercedes closer to Renault / Vauxhall almost. Controversial, yes a bit perhaps...
GeniusOfLove said:
I agree entirely but if you're Mr New Build looking for a car within the narrow confines they think in what are your alternatives?
BMW are making cars of such shocking ugliness even the professional consumers who buy them are noticing,
Given that BMW are currently the second biggest selling brand in the UK and have growth rate of 40% YTD I'm not sure your assumptions are borne out by the evidence.BMW are making cars of such shocking ugliness even the professional consumers who buy them are noticing,
In 1995, I think the Mercedes-Benz core range just consisted of;
C Class
E Class
S Class.
In 1997 the SLK and A Class were introduced, with a huge number of other additional models subsequently.
Some thought that offering models in the VW Golf market sector, would harm sales of MBs more expensive traditional models.
We now know that it did not make any difference.
The fillip to Mercedes UK sales really took off with the arrival of PCP (lower monthly payment debt to finance depreciation, rather than the whole vehicle cost). Sales doubled within a few years. Customers moved from Ford HP to Mercedes PCP, for a similar monthly payment. When they discovered not being able to afford the 'balloon' money, they simply obtained another new PCP Mercedes.
I agree about the sameness, particularly front appearance and the excessive dominance of black and grey colours, but sales do continue at a strong level (perhaps not the EQ range, where one PHer thought he spotted a Renault, when looking (side view) at a £120,000 EQS).
New model launches are often in more eye catching colours. The 2024 W214 E Class was launched in metallic green, but we will probably never see that colour on UK roads. Buyers now just love black SUVs with black interior, blacked out trim and black wheels.
I recently bought an E Class, but could not face black or grey. It was a case of which colour is perhaps just acceptable. Silver was all the rage in the early 2000s but not so common now, so that was eventually selected. Black looks lovely in the showroom but later, owners must realise it is far too popular and only ever looks clean for a brief time after every (frequent) wash. At least silver remains looking fairly clean, even when it is not.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Friday 10th May 19:35
I agree with the OP. A couple of years ago I was in our local MB dealers and everything in the showroom was either grey or white, with lots of cheap looking plastic chrome everywhere.
A few years ago I was fortunate to find this, complete with cream leather inside. In the unlikely event I decided to change it anytime soon, I would struggle to find a current model Benz that I would like.
A few years ago I was fortunate to find this, complete with cream leather inside. In the unlikely event I decided to change it anytime soon, I would struggle to find a current model Benz that I would like.
Ken_Code said:
I’m sitting in a big Mercedes dealership waiting for my wife’s car to be serviced, and a wander round has really left me thinking how uninspiring the current range is.
Had the same in a BMW dealership recently. The horrifically ghastly XM, a 7 Series with illuminated pink interior trim that looked like something Katie Price would spec, right down to an M2 with those horrid black bits around the wheel arches that look like decals that came free with a copy of Max Power. My eyes were eventually soothed by some older vehicles in the used car area outside. There is literally nothing new that excites me in the car world - everything seems to be tacky, tasteless, over-styled, over-sized rubbish.MitchT said:
There is literally nothing new that excites me in the car world - everything seems to be tacky, tasteless, over-styled, over-sized rubbish.
I'm pretty much the same. We went from Merc two years ago to a Passat estate. petrol, just as economical as our 2010 C250 Cdi was, and build no worse than a current C.Ive almost no interest in any super or hypercars now.
2.5 tonne EVs should be banned.
Cars over 1.9m wide should be banned from town and city car parks.
And ugly cars should be taken out by an airstrike.
Tony1963 said:
MitchT said:
There is literally nothing new that excites me in the car world - everything seems to be tacky, tasteless, over-styled, over-sized rubbish.
I'm pretty much the same. We went from Merc two years ago to a Passat estate. petrol, just as economical as our 2010 C250 Cdi was, and build no worse than a current C.Ive almost no interest in any super or hypercars now.
2.5 tonne EVs should be banned.
Cars over 1.9m wide should be banned from town and city car parks.
And ugly cars should be taken out by an airstrike.
I'm not suggesting that I disagree; having owned (not pcp'd, if it bothers people) MBs for 35+ years, things have certainly changed, and not for the better. When I see new MBs nowadays, I often struggle to tell which model it is (with some exceptions). It isn't just MB though, today I pulled up behind a large black SUV (all black, incl badges, wheels,
side & rear windows). I couldn't tell what it was, until I was much closer and could then make out the black ASTON MARTIN letters on the rear hatch. Ah, a DBX. Prior to this model, never before have I not been able to spot (and know which model it was) an Aston from a loooong way away (had I seen the DBX from the front, the grille would have identified it).
No wonder they now put the name in block capitals on the rear.
TarquinMX5 said:
Oh dear, feeling your age?
I'm not suggesting that I disagree; having owned (not pcp'd, if it bothers people) MBs for 35+ years, things have certainly changed, and not for the better. When I see new MBs nowadays, I often struggle to tell which model it is (with some exceptions). It isn't just MB though, today I pulled up behind a large black SUV (all black, incl badges, wheels, side & rear windows). I couldn't tell what it was, until I was much closer and could then make out the black ASTON MARTIN letters on the rear hatch. Ah, a DBX. Prior to this model, never before have I not been able to spot (and know which model it was) an Aston from a loooong way away (had I seen the DBX from the front, the grille would have identified it).
No wonder they now put the name in block capitals on the rear.
I'm not suggesting that I disagree; having owned (not pcp'd, if it bothers people) MBs for 35+ years, things have certainly changed, and not for the better. When I see new MBs nowadays, I often struggle to tell which model it is (with some exceptions). It isn't just MB though, today I pulled up behind a large black SUV (all black, incl badges, wheels, side & rear windows). I couldn't tell what it was, until I was much closer and could then make out the black ASTON MARTIN letters on the rear hatch. Ah, a DBX. Prior to this model, never before have I not been able to spot (and know which model it was) an Aston from a loooong way away (had I seen the DBX from the front, the grille would have identified it).
No wonder they now put the name in block capitals on the rear.
The 2018 Vantage started the 'what is it' period, when the traditional front grille (of 70 years) was ditched, replaced by a black hole and some black metal gauze. That was a costly mistake, which has at last now been rectified with the recently revised Vantage.
Are you happy for your post to appear on the Aston Martin forum?
Your comments would be of interest, particularly as a current DBX with some options, now costs over £200,000.
For that money, I doubt DBX buyers would want their car to be mistaken for a £30,000 Ford Kuga.
Had the new SL not followed the rest of the range in terms of styling I may well have bought one. An S-Class coupe from a few years ago is now probably the only likely choice if I’m to go back again.
I’d have upgraded my wife’s Smart in a couple of years had they not pretty much doubled the price.
I’d have upgraded my wife’s Smart in a couple of years had they not pretty much doubled the price.
Jon39 said:
The 2018 Vantage started the 'what is it' period, when the traditional front grille (of 70 years) was ditched, replaced by a black hole and some black metal gauze. That was a costly mistake, which has at last now been rectified with the recently revised Vantage.
Are you happy for your post to appear on the Aston Martin forum?
Your comments would be of interest, particularly as a current DBX with some options, now costs over £200,000.
For that money, I doubt DBX buyers would want their car to be mistaken for a £30,000 Ford Kuga.
, although I suspect I'd then be persona non grata Unfortunately, if that's the correct word, I've been spoilt by seeing a near'ish-neighbour's DB5, a local DB4 Zagato and a 90's Vantage V550 over many years, cars that, to me, really stood out in their day, and still do.
Unfortunately, safety regns., crash tests and computer design have led to many lookalikes, making it increasingly more difficult to stand out (ie the Bentayga suffers the same identity issues, IMHO). I'm also well aware of Aston's financial history from its pre-David Brown days (at cost price? Certainly, that''ll be another £1,000 please) to the present day, including almost certainly owing its current existence to Hayes and Ford, and am pleased that it's still a 'British' brand, but, and it's a big but for me, shouldn't an Aston Martin (and Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley etc.) stand out?
Having said that, if I were to actually drive one, perhaps I'd be more persuaded, even with its MB running-gear etc..
I hate the way they have made the rear lights so similar between many of the models
Just makes the cars look like Russian dolls. Who wants a 100k E63 that looks like a 5 year old CLA?
Interiors have become more and more tacky.. maybe trying to appeal to Insta brain dead morons?
I have a C63 W205... the only other models I would consider are the AMG GT (not very practical in London - the bonnet is the size of Texas) and the S class coupe from a few years back
Just makes the cars look like Russian dolls. Who wants a 100k E63 that looks like a 5 year old CLA?
Interiors have become more and more tacky.. maybe trying to appeal to Insta brain dead morons?
I have a C63 W205... the only other models I would consider are the AMG GT (not very practical in London - the bonnet is the size of Texas) and the S class coupe from a few years back
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