BMW & Mercedes - no longer a prestigious brand?
Discussion
jdw1234 said:
In fairness, I do think my W164 ML is a great car. I just don't know if it is any better than a Ford or whatever.
IMHO, generally, if you compare like-for-like (e.g. saloons) the prestige brands will still have the edge in terms of driver comfort and NVH, silly wheel/tyre combos aside.Ari said:
What's that got to do with 'reps cars'?
If you've got a business selling widgets are you really going to buy your sales team a Mercedes each rather than a Ford Focus or a Toyota Avensis?
Quite a few sales guys I know would opt for C-Class, 3 series or Audi. Are you suggesting that the C180 isn't high on the list of cars that reps use?If you've got a business selling widgets are you really going to buy your sales team a Mercedes each rather than a Ford Focus or a Toyota Avensis?
The cost to borrow money was a lot higher back in the 80s where as its cheap now. I remember as a child going on holiday to the Mediterranean and not believing that a Merc was being used as a Taxi. In Edinburgh most taxi's are Skodas, Toyotas, Vauxhalls or similar.
I think people just direct their money elsewhere now. Because more people have a BMW etc then they feel the pressure to buy/lease one too. Where as before there would just be the odd household which had this. I still think the Mercs, BMW, Audi and Lexus are premium when compared to Ford, Vauxhall etc. But these brands have improved their quality also.
I think people just direct their money elsewhere now. Because more people have a BMW etc then they feel the pressure to buy/lease one too. Where as before there would just be the odd household which had this. I still think the Mercs, BMW, Audi and Lexus are premium when compared to Ford, Vauxhall etc. But these brands have improved their quality also.
Prestige - means different things to different people. It's a perception.
In this respect German cars are still prestigious - most people still attach a sense of value to Audi, BMW and Mercs. VW also have the air of a better quality that Ford etc. whether it is true or not.
For those of us that know how easy (or hard) it is to get one of these cars the idea of prestige changes. It seems the more common something is the less prestige it has.
Bentley is prestigious, but some see it as a footballers, cheap roller - it really depends on what you value.
In this respect German cars are still prestigious - most people still attach a sense of value to Audi, BMW and Mercs. VW also have the air of a better quality that Ford etc. whether it is true or not.
For those of us that know how easy (or hard) it is to get one of these cars the idea of prestige changes. It seems the more common something is the less prestige it has.
Bentley is prestigious, but some see it as a footballers, cheap roller - it really depends on what you value.
jonny70 said:
jdw1234 said:
I
I think I paid something like £14.5k for a 3 year old ML on 60k miles.
from a dealer, privately or auction?I think I paid something like £14.5k for a 3 year old ML on 60k miles.
That seems a great deal
When I got it, it was the "old" model having been supersceded by the W166.
It was absolutely immaculate. Not one mark.
I really think buying 3/4 years old (when they come off lease) is the way forward.
pti said:
How old is that?
The strength of a brand often lies in how it is perceived and marketed. Range Rover is, to my mind (most) a prestigious brand, yet in many reliability surveys they perform poorly. The desire to own one, be seen in one however doesn't wane. I accept there are loads of people (and I'm one of them) who place a high value on image, what others think. I know many will say I'm a fool for this and I should buy what I want and not worry about others, but the reality is I do buy what I want, and I want is to be seen in a prestige car whether its better or worse than a Kia or Vauxhall makes no odds.W124 said:
The only prestige cars these days are those bought with actual money by people outside the great Ponzi scheme - if it's biting you on the arse every month, it's not prestige. Wealth is not what you can finance. It's what you can buy.
I don't get this.Whether or not I can get finance to pay for a car has no bearing on whether it is a presitigious car or not. Is there a limit on how much a bank will lend?
I have known some very well off people who lease a car because they don't want to put cash into it. If I can use my cash to make money why would I want to tie it up in a car if I can get fiance/a lease for less?
Devil2575 said:
I don't get this.
Whether or not I can get finance to pay for a car has no bearing on whether it is a presitigious car or not. Is there a limit on how much a bank will lend?
I have known some very well off people who lease a car because they don't want to put cash into it. If I can use my cash to make money why would I want to tie it up in a car if I can get fiance/a lease for less?
I think the point he is making is due to how easy people have access to finance, it means that they can purchase a premium brand vehicle, but in doing so they are left with little expendable cash left over each month for other things or to maintain the car...Budget tires, skimping on repairs or servicing etc I think their is a difference between affording a premium brand vehicle and being able to get finance on one. (I'm not saying most people who finance a car cant afford it, just there are people living beyond their means)Whether or not I can get finance to pay for a car has no bearing on whether it is a presitigious car or not. Is there a limit on how much a bank will lend?
I have known some very well off people who lease a car because they don't want to put cash into it. If I can use my cash to make money why would I want to tie it up in a car if I can get fiance/a lease for less?
Thankyou4calling said:
I accept there are loads of people (and I'm one of them) who place a high value on image, what others think. I know many will say I'm a fool for this and I should buy what I want and not worry about others,but the reality is I do buy what I want
your not though, your buying something that you think others will be impressed with.Edited by TLandCruiser on Friday 31st January 12:31
TLandCruiser said:
Thankyou4calling said:
I accept there are loads of people (and I'm one of them) who place a high value on image, what others think. I know many will say I'm a fool for this and I should buy what I want and not worry about others,but the reality is I do buy what I want
your not though, your buying something that you think others will be impressed with.If that is his main buying criteria then he is getting what he wants.
Ari said:
Wills2 said:
Here we go again.
Quite. Sad that on a supposed car enthusiasts site the image seems to be so many people's primary (and often it seems only) concern. People who can afford nice cars must be doing reasonably well money wise. People who do well are frequently competetive.
For some people cars and image are all part of the picture of how well they are doing compared to other people. In the big competition that is life there are some people who like to know (or think they know) that they are doing better than other people.
So image means a lot. If all of a sudden everyone gets the same car as them then this is a problem. Now they don't appear to be winning as much as they were before.
Mercs are still seen by many as a prestige brand, however now lots of people have them. Does that mean that lots of people are now beating me? Am I now being out competed by more people? Well not if I can convince myself and others that Mercs are no longer prestigious.
You read comments that allude too or even directly demonstate this kind off attitude all the time on PH. Post that put the drivers of certain cars down i.e. Rep spec, and posts that put down people who pay using certain methods i.e. I'm better than you because even though your car is more expensive I paid cash and you got finance aka I'm still beating you! Posts complaining about brands being devalued because of new cheaper models or options that mean a basic model can look visually similar to the top spec version i.e. My car used to make me look really successful, now it doesn't because your rep spec version looks the same to most people...
I'm not saying this is everyone and i'm not directly it towards anyone in particular, it's just an opinion based on observations I've made over the last few years.
When was the last time someone with a nice car was pleased about the release of a cheaper, more affordable car from the brand? More people can enjoy the brand I love...
People want exclusivity because it makes them stand out as being more successful than others.
Edited by Devil2575 on Friday 31st January 13:05
And another thing. People say about a basic spec BMW 316 not being prestigious and that its bought solely for the badge. I'd be keen to know how many basic 316's are actually sold. All the 3 series I see have big wheels, leather, M sport accessories etc etc, very few seem to be basic. I read that is also the case with Dacia, whilst people buy it because its a cheap new car, 90% are going for the top of the range. The entry level models aren't stripped bare when they leave the showroom, far from it.
king business anyway!!!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff