mercedes benz vs bmw

[Sdracing]

Originally Posted by mretzloff

All of my relatives from Germany tell me that Audi is known as the poor man's Mercedes in Germany. How true that is, I don't know.

I have not heard that before. Audi has a significant racing history. All three companies entry level sedans are in the same price category with Audi being more than BMW.

Here is an article from a German review of all three cars.
http://www.germancarblog.com/2007/12...-3-series.html


All three make great cars!

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by betrezra

We've got a couple MB's in the family and zero reliability issues so far.

Regarding benz performance...... when I was a young punk in a z06 years ago I pulled up next to an old fella in a convert MB V-12 bi-turbo..... he was drinking a big mug of coffee at 5am ........ I eased off the light briskly as I always did in my z06..... and he nails it...... so I nailed it too..... working as hard as I could with each gear with partial traction......... well..... this old fella blew my doors off with one hand on the wheel and the other holding his coffee..... I believe he even took a sip of coffee during this pizzing-competition..... the mb had zero traction issues, zero drama, and zero effort on the part of the old-fart :)..... MB can build performance cars.

The wife is chatting more about an offwhite 400+HP BMW as he next car though..... so we'll see. I'm not sure what model would fit this description..... I'm thinking M3?

MB can build performance cars and the V-12 bi-turbo is a great car with a hefty price tag.

The only design that like is the CLS. The current C class has tail lights that remind me of the old Acura CL.

As for a 400+ HP BMW, any of the Ms will fit the bill.

[xblk33360]

Originally Posted by vh_bu98

MB can build performance cars and the V-12 bi-turbo is a great car with a hefty price tag.

The only design that like is the CLS. The current C class has tail lights that remind me of the old Acura CL.

As for a 400+ HP BMW, any of the Ms will fit the bill.

well, i think most people when they talk about performance, they don't only talk about horsepower. yes, mercedes do build cars with V12 bi-turbo (ie. S65, CL65) but those cars really only have good 0-60mph performance. they have 500+ HP too but when it comes to actual performance of the car (which includes balance, weight distribution, cornering, even the feel of the drive), bmw wins.

[brainbizz]

Originally Posted by xblk33360

well, i think most people when they talk about performance, they don't only talk about horsepower. yes, mercedes do build cars with V12 bi-turbo (ie. S65, CL65) but those cars really only have good 0-60mph performance. they have 500+ HP too but when it comes to actual performance of the car (which includes balance, weight distribution, cornering, even the feel of the drive), bmw wins.

This is a gross generalization how about SLR, Black series etc. I have driven most bmws as well as mercs and comparing an m series to an e series sure I would agree but not to black series or slr.

[simoesm]

IMHO, I have had both and still have a BMW, the MB is more for the family and comfort, the beemer is for you, man.
Love both cars but, much more fun driving a BMW.

[xblk33360]

Originally Posted by brainbizz

This is a gross generalization how about SLR, Black series etc. I have driven most bmws as well as mercs and comparing an m series to an e series sure I would agree but not to black series or slr.

well obviously it was a generalization concerning the V12 biturbo engine. my reply mostly regarded the V12 engine. the SLR doens't have the V12 engine, and the only reason why the SLR is what it is is because of McLaren. and BMW actually doesn't offer a car at that price range, so you can't really have the SLR compare to anything from BMW... (until BMW remakes the M1 !!)

now back to the black series, the only vehicle from mercedes that is a black series and has a V12 biturbo engine is the SL65 black series, but that car isn't even out yet, so unless you work for merc, u haven't driven that car yet. the only other black series would be the CLK63 Black Series, but the CLK63 sports a 6.2L V8, and not the V12. and the only car that BMW produce that is comparable to the CLK63 Black Series would probably be the M3 CSL, and the M3 CSL can blow the CLK63 Black Series away anyday.

[mretzloff]

Originally Posted by xblk33360

well, i think most people when they talk about performance, they don't only talk about horsepower. yes, mercedes do build cars with V12 bi-turbo (ie. S65, CL65) but those cars really only have good 0-60mph performance. they have 500+ HP too but when it comes to actual performance of the car (which includes balance, weight distribution, cornering, even the feel of the drive), bmw wins.

Please let me know when in life you'll ever use the "actual performance of the car". In the city, you cannot even go that fast. On 99% of the highway, there is no major cornering.

[brainbizz]

I obviously have not driven a black series SL but have the CLK black and SLR. I was asked if i wanted a black series sl and passed. Quite frankly in general I think they both lack passion and lack feel the clk black series captures it to an extent. I will stick with Ferrari my wife can drive the mercs. In regards to the v12 bi turbo I have found the performance of the supercharged v8 to be very close except for noticeable torque. My wifes sl55 gave my cl65 a close race and the sl65 was not much faster. So why buy a v 12 bi turbo which will drop 20k just driving it off the lot.

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by mretzloff

Please let me know when in life you'll ever use the "actual performance of the car". In the city, you cannot even go that fast. On 99% of the highway, there is no major cornering.

If you ever visit Dallas, I'll introduce you to a few people who use the "actual performance of the car". Besides the 160+ MPH on the highway, they take their cars to the track as well. For some odd reason, the majority of them drive BMW M's.

[jas55]

I would favour a Mercedes over a BMW.

[simbal]

I have owned several from each brand. To me they are not like watches. When I buy my watches, it is usually love at first sight. But for my cars, I have to drive it. My last comparison was Bimmer 6 versus MB CLS. After a test drive, I usually have already made up my mind!

[xblk33360]

Originally Posted by brainbizz

So why buy a v 12 bi turbo which will drop 20k just driving it off the lot.

exactly.

[xblk33360]

Originally Posted by mretzloff

Please let me know when in life you'll ever use the "actual performance of the car". In the city, you cannot even go that fast. On 99% of the highway, there is no major cornering.

well, we are talkign about the actual performance of the cars from each brand for the sake of this thread, and for the comparison of the two brands.

if you actually want to talk about the power and performance that you will ever need just for city drive, we might as well be talking about a nissan, a toyota, and honda, an acura, a lexus, or actually even about the new hyundai genesis if you want.

[Cato]

[Ashley]

Benz all the way!!

[astcell]

Originally Posted by Cato

The new "Handicapped" placard?

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Benz all the way!!

Have you driven both?

[Soarhead2]

BMW 3 series e90 in jet black. Goes great with white face turn o graph

[kzm40]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Benz all the way!!

X2 .. Have driven both... Never had a problem with Benz, I've had lots of problems with the only BMW that I had.

[cowincanada]

for me, it depends on which year / model. In my opinion, from the 80's - 1992 MB was better than BMW. From 1993 - 2007ish, I preferred the BMW. The new C and E class though are great sedans, but 3 series if you want a coupe.

For cars though, its never a good idea to buy brand new. It depreciates the minute you take it round the block for a test drive.

[drtooth73]

Originally Posted by CharlieG

I too have owned both. Current rides are X5 and M3. I prefer the BMW's. Overall, I like the sportier feel and handling characteristics of the BMW's.

Nice.
I have a 5 series and wife has X3.

[djhiram]

I own 2 bmws....have driven many mb...to me it's bmw hands down. Drive one and you'll understand

[Tools]

Another old post from a year ago...........

Well, I still drive this one:

[KJacques]

They are both fine car makers that appeal to different tastes. I've had a couple of BMW's and they have decent driving feel. Mercedes feel a little more luxurious and of higher quality but also a little more mature. I think the original 635 is one of the most beautiful car designs ever. And the gull wing mercedes is an icon of classic styling.

Because BMW seems more oriented towards a sportier car, they leave me cold with their busy, generic looking designs and overweight feel in their handling. They also feel way too electronically over assisted for my taste in a "driver's car".

[Dr.B]

MB=classic
Rolex=classic

BMW=sporty
Tag=sporty

sorry guys...MB takes it for me, currently E320....but looking at the new S500

[East Bay Rider]

I'm looking at used Mercedes C class 4-matic for my wife this year or next.
They seem nice.

[shandy]

Neither, it would be a Lexus for me if I were ever in the car market again, something about the quality of those cars and there is less of them as well.

Not sure what it is like everywhere else but in my city Mercs and Beemers are ten a penny, it seems to be rarer to see a ford!

Of the two if I had to though it would be the Merc, but then I am getting older and care less about handling than I do a comfy ride!

[Dr.B]

Originally Posted by shandy

Neither, it would be a Lexus for me if I were ever in the car market again, something about the quality of those cars and there is less of them as well.

Not sure what it is like everywhere else but in my city Mercs and Beemers are ten a penny, it seems to be rarer to see a ford!

Of the two if I had to though it would be the Merc, but then I am getting older and care less about handling than I do a comfy ride!

You are right....
The lexus LS is probably the best luxury car for the money.
MB is for class and durability
BMW for the sporty look

It's so sad that all these cars depreciate so fast.
A new MB S500 is about 95-100K, however I can buy a 4 year old one for 28-32K.....so,so sad but good(for a buyer).

[onkyo]

Getting an X5 with the 4.8 L engine in a few days.

Can't wait to give back my Land Rover LR2.... tired of it.

[Leasky]

I got my first BMW aged 21.

22 years later, I am still driving BMW's.

I had one Merc about 4 years ago for about 1 year but other then that one car, it has been all BMW.

The build quality of BMW has been very consistant, whereas Merc took their eye off the ball for several years when they moved some of their work outside Germany to save on costs.

This proved to be a false economy and I am told that the build quality is now back to what it used to be about 10 years ago.

I think that it all depends what you want from the car, what sort of driving you intend to do and how much wonga you are going to part with.

I have never bought a new car as the depreciation would break my Scottish heart.

Good luck and enjoy!