Are Mercs the new Audis?
Discussion
I think the faux amg mercs are the new s line audis, and the s line audis were the new "m sport" diesel bmws...
lots and lots of people require a 2ltr-ish diesel that returns 45mpg+
they have plenty of choice out there, so the VA's are fighting for market share, its only business, for most people who don't really care too much about cars, they probably still prefer a amg/sline/msport trim spec car if its not too much extra, and the cheap lease deals obviously help, I think Mercedes are really going for it at the moment, just look at the new Jurassic World movie and all the MB product...
I love cars, and would love any of the new model real/petrol AMG/S/RS/M/ALPINA/BRABUS cars..and the older ones too!
if you like and can afford it (or the monthly lease) buy it! (or lease it)
lots and lots of people require a 2ltr-ish diesel that returns 45mpg+
they have plenty of choice out there, so the VA's are fighting for market share, its only business, for most people who don't really care too much about cars, they probably still prefer a amg/sline/msport trim spec car if its not too much extra, and the cheap lease deals obviously help, I think Mercedes are really going for it at the moment, just look at the new Jurassic World movie and all the MB product...
I love cars, and would love any of the new model real/petrol AMG/S/RS/M/ALPINA/BRABUS cars..and the older ones too!
if you like and can afford it (or the monthly lease) buy it! (or lease it)
I think this thread is actually quite on the button. I've been seeing more and more aggressively driven Mercs lately, which never used to be the case. Usually blue efficiency 220 CDIs registered after 2010 in black! Merc used to be a bit like Jag; the cars were usually driven in a stately manner by "mature" gentlemen. Now it seems every stressed out company car driver is in an A4 or a C Class.
Its not a case of hating a brand or being jealous; I personally always quite liked a Mercedes, but disliking the way a vehicle is driven and yes I think Merc are up there with Audi now for attracting more than an average number of push on tailgating merchants.
As for BMW, better than they used to be, but let down by the 1 series diesel. There are plenty of chumps driving them still!
Its a pity; I am not sure which brand you turn to now if you want an exec size car with a positive image. Used to be Saab...perhaps Lexus?
Its not a case of hating a brand or being jealous; I personally always quite liked a Mercedes, but disliking the way a vehicle is driven and yes I think Merc are up there with Audi now for attracting more than an average number of push on tailgating merchants.
As for BMW, better than they used to be, but let down by the 1 series diesel. There are plenty of chumps driving them still!
Its a pity; I am not sure which brand you turn to now if you want an exec size car with a positive image. Used to be Saab...perhaps Lexus?
GetCarter said:
Everybody hated Porsche, then BMW, then Audi. Guess it's time Merc to have a turn.
Most people who hate them have never owned them. Funny that.
My dad used to say 'Ford drivers are idiots' as I grew up.Most people who hate them have never owned them. Funny that.
What he was really talking about was company car drivers, which used to be all Fords and Vauxhalls but now is predominantly German.
It isn't the cars - just the driver profiles; high pressure jobs, brand new cars, with someone else paying the fuel and running costs. It is always going to be a recipe for a certain pushy sort of motorist.
GreenArrow said:
I think this thread is actually quite on the button. I've been seeing more and more aggressively driven Mercs lately, which never used to be the case. Usually blue efficiency 220 CDIs registered after 2010 in black! Merc used to be a bit like Jag; the cars were usually driven in a stately manner by "mature" gentlemen. Now it seems every stressed out company car driver is in an A4 or a C Class.
Its not a case of hating a brand or being jealous; I personally always quite liked a Mercedes, but disliking the way a vehicle is driven and yes I think Merc are up there with Audi now for attracting more than an average number of push on tailgating merchants.
As for BMW, better than they used to be, but let down by the 1 series diesel. There are plenty of chumps driving them still!
Its a pity; I am not sure which brand you turn to now if you want an exec size car with a positive image. Used to be Saab...perhaps Lexus?
Seeing too many white E class mercs with black alloys, black roofs (rooves?) AMG badges and 220CDI badges on the boot lid. Just looks a bit chav.Its not a case of hating a brand or being jealous; I personally always quite liked a Mercedes, but disliking the way a vehicle is driven and yes I think Merc are up there with Audi now for attracting more than an average number of push on tailgating merchants.
As for BMW, better than they used to be, but let down by the 1 series diesel. There are plenty of chumps driving them still!
Its a pity; I am not sure which brand you turn to now if you want an exec size car with a positive image. Used to be Saab...perhaps Lexus?
Maybe Jaguar is the way to go?
They've lost their restraint in the styling department, definitely. The AMG Sport models look as though they ought to have 600bhp, what with the aggressive styling. Two colleagues have new-shape C Classes, one is the 220CDi and the other the C300 diesel hybrid.
The 300 is considerably more potent, but it's owned by an older bloke and is in "ordinary" (SE?) trim, whereas the 220 is owned by a younger lad and is the AMG Sport version, in black, and looks like a prototype Batmobile.
Both nice cars, and I particularly like the interiors, but externally one looks the way a mid-range Merc should, whereas the other one is trying way too hard. IMHO of course and I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to tell me my opinion counts for nought because I don't own a Merc...
The 300 is considerably more potent, but it's owned by an older bloke and is in "ordinary" (SE?) trim, whereas the 220 is owned by a younger lad and is the AMG Sport version, in black, and looks like a prototype Batmobile.
Both nice cars, and I particularly like the interiors, but externally one looks the way a mid-range Merc should, whereas the other one is trying way too hard. IMHO of course and I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to tell me my opinion counts for nought because I don't own a Merc...
jjr1 said:
Are you guys talking about me again?
Younger than 50
Driving a C Class
Driving a diesel
Driving an AMG with lots of glossy/shiny bits
Also on a lease.
Yep I must change my car now because of what others think!
Or enjoy the fact that you drive a very nice vehicle, and chuckle at the rest. Younger than 50
Driving a C Class
Driving a diesel
Driving an AMG with lots of glossy/shiny bits
Also on a lease.
Yep I must change my car now because of what others think!
My C-Class has yet to see the inside of a repair shop in 5 years and drives and looks new.
scherzkeks said:
jjr1 said:
Are you guys talking about me again?
Younger than 50
Driving a C Class
Driving a diesel
Driving an AMG with lots of glossy/shiny bits
Also on a lease.
Yep I must change my car now because of what others think!
Or enjoy the fact that you drive a very nice vehicle, and chuckle at the rest. Younger than 50
Driving a C Class
Driving a diesel
Driving an AMG with lots of glossy/shiny bits
Also on a lease.
Yep I must change my car now because of what others think!
My C-Class has yet to see the inside of a repair shop in 5 years and drives and looks new.
Jonny_ said:
and I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to tell me my opinion counts for nought because I don't own a Merc...
I wouldn't say not currently owning a Merc means your opinion counts for nothing... but often people are commenting on stuff and even saying they'd never buy one. If you're never going to buy one anyway then yes your opinion counts for absolutely f
k all 
I'm a big Merc fan and I agree that their latest design language has taken a turn for the more "sporty" look but it seems like a sensible business direction. Why only have older people buy their cars when young people will as well.
The C63 AMG was the real start of this change I think, when they started being the "street" car of choice over Range Rovers / X5 etc
I don't blame Merc, if it makes them more money that's their business.
As a young person myself, I quite like it. And as much as the AMG Sport kit can make a diesel rep mobile look a bit nicer there's still a world of difference between the trim level and what the true AMG cars look like.
I really find it hilarious though when people not just debadge their diesel poverty spec entry level cars and put ///AMG badges on but also leave the A160 or whatever on the car. Ridiculous.
The C63 AMG was the real start of this change I think, when they started being the "street" car of choice over Range Rovers / X5 etc
I don't blame Merc, if it makes them more money that's their business.
As a young person myself, I quite like it. And as much as the AMG Sport kit can make a diesel rep mobile look a bit nicer there's still a world of difference between the trim level and what the true AMG cars look like.
I really find it hilarious though when people not just debadge their diesel poverty spec entry level cars and put ///AMG badges on but also leave the A160 or whatever on the car. Ridiculous.
CoolHands said:
KFC said:
CoolHands said:
I don't have much interest in cars but I've noticed lately that Mercedes seem to have changed their model line up from boring old grandad to aggressive young wannabe stylee; al la noughties era Audi strategy. Lots of flashy bits, chrome stuff, aggressive 'aero' glued on trinkets, silly wheels & badges, more exhausts than you can shake a stick at, stupid LEDs etc
They (round here at least) are also now driven by complete wkers who want to look like they're amazingly more successful than yow. So just wondering really, have Mercedes taken on where Audi have left off? Is Audi becoming more grown up?
Every time I see a post like this I think "this poor guy must be a bit jealous and just lamely bashes x brand for no real reason, I bet he drives something sThey (round here at least) are also now driven by complete w
kers who want to look like they're amazingly more successful than yow. So just wondering really, have Mercedes taken on where Audi have left off? Is Audi becoming more grown up?t"profile clicked, stereotype confirmed.
But - the main point I'm making is they are all made to look aggressive now, and it has lead to owners thinking they are indeed the big I Am. They think they are successful. They think they are important. They need the aggressive nature of the car (and cheap lease deal) to project a tough, aggressive, brash image.
Whereas I'm an actual.
who drives a outwardly unassuming boring car. So when I cut you off, or block your pathetic attempts to intimidate me by fking you up, it makes me better. Comprende?I saw it written in here recently (and I can't remember the thread, possibly the new Q7?) That most folk don't really care about what the car is, they just "want something aggressive looking with A premium badge on the front" which to be honest seems pretty much bang on and it looks like MB are just giving the masses what they want, all for a manageable monthly payment.
I'm sure they'll have every success with this strategy, although if they have too much success they may end up as ubiquitous as Audis have the past few years, I don't know how the great unwashed still consider driving an Audi to hold any exclusivity or elevated status is beyond me as the things really are fking everywhere yet somehow to many a diesel A3 is seen as a premium, almost aspirational car? (As long as it's <3 years old!)
I'm sure they'll have every success with this strategy, although if they have too much success they may end up as ubiquitous as Audis have the past few years, I don't know how the great unwashed still consider driving an Audi to hold any exclusivity or elevated status is beyond me as the things really are f
king everywhere yet somehow to many a diesel A3 is seen as a premium, almost aspirational car? (As long as it's <3 years old!)Edited by Timfy on Monday 6th July 08:20
Zyp said:
Although I do now tend to find Merc drivers a tad more enthusiastic to see the contents of my boot than any of the others.
This is due to Mercedes fitting a you're-driving-too-close-to-the-car-in-front light on the dash on some models. There is a specific distance that the car has to be from the car in front at a particular speed and if you get too close then the light comes on.Of course, if you're driving close to the trigger point of the warning light then it's far too close anyway, but the car isn't reporting any problems to the driver so you must be ok, right?
I was helping my dad look for a new car at the weekend. The interior on a BMW is no where near as nice as a merc and an Audi.
The leather is like someone has laminated a rough grain on it. The M3/4/5 didn't get the same leather but M135i, 330d and X5 all had this rough leather.
I can see why there are so many more Audis about than there used to be. Merc seemed nice but not a fan of the tablet style satnav and the boot on the A45 was far too small.
The leather is like someone has laminated a rough grain on it. The M3/4/5 didn't get the same leather but M135i, 330d and X5 all had this rough leather.
I can see why there are so many more Audis about than there used to be. Merc seemed nice but not a fan of the tablet style satnav and the boot on the A45 was far too small.
It's all about what the interior looks like (I personally think BMW does them well - simple but effective) these days - the way it drives hardly seems to matter.
Hence the zillions of "fully loaded" faux AMG/S-Lines with base diesel engine.
Audi is a master at tapping into this obsession with dashes that "look and feel" nice but which are actually very fussy indeed. Although for fussiness the Cayenne and Macan are hard to beat - HOW many central dash buttons?!!
Hence the zillions of "fully loaded" faux AMG/S-Lines with base diesel engine.
Audi is a master at tapping into this obsession with dashes that "look and feel" nice but which are actually very fussy indeed. Although for fussiness the Cayenne and Macan are hard to beat - HOW many central dash buttons?!!
The last gen of the big 3 was definitely won by Merc, BMW might have had the best car computer with I-Drive but their interiors just seemed very plastic and not as good quality as the other two.
I found the Audis on par with Merc for the cabin quality but their system was just crap compared to COMAND.
Not sure what the latest set are like as I've only been in the F30 and W205, both of which are very close in quality terms.
I found the Audis on par with Merc for the cabin quality but their system was just crap compared to COMAND.
Not sure what the latest set are like as I've only been in the F30 and W205, both of which are very close in quality terms.
There seems to be no WOW factor in them anymore. They look brilliant i must admit but they're absolutely EVERYWHERE. I know it shouldn't affect your choice of car but i'm afraid it does in this instance for me. I'd want something a little bit more exclusive. I even see C63s absolutely everywhere and i live in Manchester!
Thing is German cars of any make/model are the norm now. If you say you have one no one actually cares these days because they've probably got one too. It doesn't seem to matter what age, spec, power, fuel type (mostly all diesel anyway) they are. It's most likely the cheap lease and PCP deals that make them look even more attractive all in all.
Thing is German cars of any make/model are the norm now. If you say you have one no one actually cares these days because they've probably got one too. It doesn't seem to matter what age, spec, power, fuel type (mostly all diesel anyway) they are. It's most likely the cheap lease and PCP deals that make them look even more attractive all in all.
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