BMW & Mercedes - no longer a prestigious brand?

[TP321]

A friend of mine recently bought a brand new CSL350 with AMG body kit for £41k (full list £58k). Are these cars still considered as a rich mans car or has the sheer number of them (all classes of Mercedes and BMWs)on the roads has made them "ordinary". When i see a brand new Merc, i just think its on Contract Hire for £399 per month....

[TP321]

They are good quality cars but they are no longer anything special - even the top end stuff. Just too mass produced and too many running round.