Myth about former luxury car brands
Discussion
Having a chat with my parents about cars and they’re very much of the view that BMW and Mercedes are expensive luxury cars that cost a fortune to run. We’re talking about 3-4 year old entry level cars here like a 420i or C200. I don’t think they’d cost any more to run than a Focus or a Golf going to a good local non franchises dealer for work.
Modern cars are ridiculously good on fuel. I’m not talking older 6 series or SL55s here just the mass market stuff.
They seem unaware that BMW and Mercedes etc moved significantly mass market about 20+ years ago and do several ranges of cars that compete with Fords and Vauxhall’s.
In some cases you can buy a C Class for less than a similarly specified golf.
That’s my view, What do people think, who is right?
Modern cars are ridiculously good on fuel. I’m not talking older 6 series or SL55s here just the mass market stuff.
They seem unaware that BMW and Mercedes etc moved significantly mass market about 20+ years ago and do several ranges of cars that compete with Fords and Vauxhall’s.
In some cases you can buy a C Class for less than a similarly specified golf.
That’s my view, What do people think, who is right?
emperorburger said:
HealeyV8 said:
I was a young lad in the 80's and worked for a while in a Honda / Alfa dealers. Back then BMW were seen by us as low quality because of the European attitude towards trim levels. Unless spec'd BMW came with rubber floor mats, window winders etc. As Brits we were used to the base model being "L" luxury which meant carpets etc.
Back in the day, if you sat in an E12 or W123 you were left in no doubt that these were a big step up from a more run of the mill saloon from one of the less prestigious manufacturers. Yes, they were sparsely equipped in their most basic forms but they felt entirely different to anything else.That was a long time ago and the differences now are really in most peoples minds.
sasha320 said:
Ok, one more time, then we should agree to disagree.
Goals and objectives of the German Labour Union.
Step 1: Get the SA or any other competing factory closed down.
Step 2: Secure German production for staple models e.g., Golf, SUVs etc. Let niche models like the Passat coupe and the Beetle get produced elsewhere.
Step 3: Secure employment for members at the German plant based on the full operating capacity of the factory (not on the actual demand going through the factory).
Step 4: Negotiate guaranteed pay for a 5 day week whilst only requiring workers to come in whilst there is demand for them.
How many cars produced all this equates to is management’s problem; because the Labour Unions believe that after VW has produced exactly 47 cars per year they are rolling in profit and the other x million cars sold each year are all pure profit for shareholders. No amount of open book accounting will persuade them otherwise.
It’s a mindset, not logic.
I’m no leftie but you can’t fault their approach. If I have a day at work that is less busy or not busy at all I expect to be paid. If I have absolutely no work to do then that is not my fault and there is no point being at work if I have nothing to do. These demands should force the factory to phase their production to be more consistent. The flip side is they need to accept regular reviews maybe annually, on workforce numbers and accept that if production demand has fallen they will be liable to lay off.Goals and objectives of the German Labour Union.
Step 1: Get the SA or any other competing factory closed down.
Step 2: Secure German production for staple models e.g., Golf, SUVs etc. Let niche models like the Passat coupe and the Beetle get produced elsewhere.
Step 3: Secure employment for members at the German plant based on the full operating capacity of the factory (not on the actual demand going through the factory).
Step 4: Negotiate guaranteed pay for a 5 day week whilst only requiring workers to come in whilst there is demand for them.
How many cars produced all this equates to is management’s problem; because the Labour Unions believe that after VW has produced exactly 47 cars per year they are rolling in profit and the other x million cars sold each year are all pure profit for shareholders. No amount of open book accounting will persuade them otherwise.
It’s a mindset, not logic.
Edited by sasha320 on Saturday 18th January 05:42
I know but you can hardly blame a Union for protecting their members. Do t hate the player hate the game. Unions shouldn’t exist and shouldn’t need to exist. In a world with fair regulation of work, unions would just be pressure / bullying groups. Problem is we don’t have fair regulation so unions exist and then exploit their position
I’ve had 4 Porsches, they are fantastic cars to drive and look at but many models, like a lot of cars, are riddled with weak points, design faults, expensive common repairs, and catastrophic failure points. The parts and labour are much more expensive than normal cars. If you go to Porsche they’ll charge you over £1k for discs and pads all round on a Boxster
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