BMW, Mercedes or Audi?
Discussion
I think Mercedes make the best cars at the top end of the market - the S-class really is an incredible thing even compared to the competition from the other two which are hardly bad cars. I generally prefer BMWs at the bottom end of the market - ie the 1/3-series sized cars. In the 5-series/E-class/A6 sized market, I don't think there's much to choose between the three brands.
If I could have any current car from any of the brands, it would be an Audi (the R8).
So for me, they offer different things, but none of the brands is objectively "better".
If I could have any current car from any of the brands, it would be an Audi (the R8).
So for me, they offer different things, but none of the brands is objectively "better".
BFG TERRANO said:
I just bought an A4. For no other reason than good reviews I've read and there are lots for sale with mega miles. Says something, does it not?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9815860/G...
I aspired to BMW ownership because it was a realistic attainable goal whilst Porsche 911's, Ferrari's et al were dream cars to 'aspire' to in the future.
BMW 3 and 5-series for me over the C and E-Class Merc's, they feel better to be in, look better, drive more like I want etc.
Merc for the high-end sports cars like the SLS etc. as BMW don't really have anything special at that level at the moment.
Don't really like Audi's at all. They are an alternative to the other two, sure, but for me, not as special as either as they feel a bit bland overall.
I've now had several BMW's including M and liked them a lot, they really were the cars I had thought them to be.
I've often thought I might end up in a Merc but only when I was in my 50's as I do see them as an older person's car - down to how they drive, they 'waft' more. Fortune has favoured me since and I've realised the Porsche dream so might not get to a Merc, we'll see.
BMW 3 and 5-series for me over the C and E-Class Merc's, they feel better to be in, look better, drive more like I want etc.
Merc for the high-end sports cars like the SLS etc. as BMW don't really have anything special at that level at the moment.
Don't really like Audi's at all. They are an alternative to the other two, sure, but for me, not as special as either as they feel a bit bland overall.
I've now had several BMW's including M and liked them a lot, they really were the cars I had thought them to be.
I've often thought I might end up in a Merc but only when I was in my 50's as I do see them as an older person's car - down to how they drive, they 'waft' more. Fortune has favoured me since and I've realised the Porsche dream so might not get to a Merc, we'll see.
AB said:
BMW are in a different class in terms of driving dynamics.
That's why I have one.My last car was a TT and it had all sorts of failures.
I've never owned a Mercedes, and the last two times I've been speccing up my car their C-class was long in the tooth (this was when they introduced the W204 in 2007, and then when they facelifted it in 2011).
I have driven the 2011 version on a test drive and it's not bad, but neither as sporting nor as refined as the equivalent era BMW (blame a diesel engine ibn the C class - OM631 - that belongs in a Mercedes Sprinter van for that).
My BMW is one of the few that doesn't have stupid suspension and tyres though!
BE57 TOY said:
I'm on my third Audi in a row now. Next car I'm thinking an Audi again or possibly Mercedes. Not BMW though.
Interesting. I sold my second Audi A4 a while back and thought I'd check out BMW and Mercedes as possible alternatives. I hired a BMW 5 Series and a Mercedes C class for a weekend each. Though not directly comparable, the BMW far exceeded the Mercedes.For me...
People who tend to drive BMWs tend to not like Audis, and vice versa.
Mercedes have always had a relatively staid image and the average age of Mercedes drivers is quite old. Mercedes are actively trying to address that, with cars that are more appealing to younger people. Dynamically though the likes of the new A Class isnt that great, though it looks the part.
Of the three, Audi has, and always will have the weakest image because there is so much platform and component sharing between them and VW, Skoda and SEAT.
I personally dont "get" Audis. Given most A4s are common or garden 2.0 TDI's and the bulk of those are SEs, i dont understand what the advantage is over a VW Passat. Likewise an A3 in "standard" trim offers little advantage over a Golf.
People who tend to drive BMWs tend to not like Audis, and vice versa.
Mercedes have always had a relatively staid image and the average age of Mercedes drivers is quite old. Mercedes are actively trying to address that, with cars that are more appealing to younger people. Dynamically though the likes of the new A Class isnt that great, though it looks the part.
Of the three, Audi has, and always will have the weakest image because there is so much platform and component sharing between them and VW, Skoda and SEAT.
I personally dont "get" Audis. Given most A4s are common or garden 2.0 TDI's and the bulk of those are SEs, i dont understand what the advantage is over a VW Passat. Likewise an A3 in "standard" trim offers little advantage over a Golf.
daemon said:
I personally dont "get" Audis. Given most A4s are common or garden 2.0 TDI's and the bulk of those are SEs, i dont understand what the advantage is over a VW Passat. Likewise an A3 in "standard" trim offers little advantage over a Golf.
For the 90% of compact executive buyers who wouldn't know chassis balance if it bit them on the nose, what advantage does a 3-series or C-class offer than an A4 doesn't? going back to the original post, ie what the more desirable Audi, BMW or Merc.
For me I would rate an Audi over a BMW - had both, but for me the Audi has the nicer looking interior, more intuitive to use controls - that may be as I've had more, (though I've always find the BMW interior ergonomics slightly better). The fact that quattro is more available in more Audi's is a big bonus to me, I found my BMW absolutely terrible in snow, or icy weather, especially trying to get up the hill to my house.
Mercedes I see as bit of an old person car, - the interior all too look similar and shiney plastic. The tacked on radio thing in the current Mercs really annoys me. Though the A45 AMG does look tempting.
For me I would rate an Audi over a BMW - had both, but for me the Audi has the nicer looking interior, more intuitive to use controls - that may be as I've had more, (though I've always find the BMW interior ergonomics slightly better). The fact that quattro is more available in more Audi's is a big bonus to me, I found my BMW absolutely terrible in snow, or icy weather, especially trying to get up the hill to my house.
Mercedes I see as bit of an old person car, - the interior all too look similar and shiney plastic. The tacked on radio thing in the current Mercs really annoys me. Though the A45 AMG does look tempting.
richs2891 said:
The fact that quattro is more available in more Audi's is a big bonus to me, I found my BMW absolutely terrible in snow, or icy weather, especially trying to get up the hill to my house.
xDrive (BMW's 4wd) is available on the vast majority of 3ers and 5ers in the UK as of this year.If you'd said the same thing in 2012 I'd have agreed though, it's a pretty recent thing.
Simply having it on the 320d means that most UK 3ers buyers have the option.
I'm on my third Beemer. Wife has one too.
I tried Mercs - like driving a pillow, except the C63 which is too bonkers for commuting. And the interior was horrible.
I tried Audi's - S4 dynamics are good but it didn't tickle me. And I dislike the interior (a personal choice)
I tried Lexus - Hated it. Nasty overpriced Toyota.
I tried Jags - Liked the XF-R driving but hated the bloody stupid touchscreen console that controlled everything.
In the end the Beemer is far from perfect but it was closer (for me) than any of the other marques available around the 40-50k price bracket.
Stuff like the iDrive is very marmite but I find it intuitive. The new Electronic steering isn't as good as the old E9x steering but put it in sport and overall it drives well enough (Not the xDrive ... the sDrive)
I tried Mercs - like driving a pillow, except the C63 which is too bonkers for commuting. And the interior was horrible.
I tried Audi's - S4 dynamics are good but it didn't tickle me. And I dislike the interior (a personal choice)
I tried Lexus - Hated it. Nasty overpriced Toyota.
I tried Jags - Liked the XF-R driving but hated the bloody stupid touchscreen console that controlled everything.
In the end the Beemer is far from perfect but it was closer (for me) than any of the other marques available around the 40-50k price bracket.
Stuff like the iDrive is very marmite but I find it intuitive. The new Electronic steering isn't as good as the old E9x steering but put it in sport and overall it drives well enough (Not the xDrive ... the sDrive)
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff