Mercedes or BMW???????????????????????????????????

[redgtxdi]

Obviously, most of us geeks are not going to be driving around in these, but I'm sure most of us know someone with one, and/or have ridden in/driven one, so we can certainly form some small semblance of anal opinion about them, eh??

FWIW, I'd be a Lexus guy loooong before buying either German counterpart, but these German flagships obviously have their uber-strong following and I wonder why anymore??

My .02 is that I'd probably choose Mercedes only because my sister drives a '98 328i and I've driven it many times. While it's an "OK" vehicle, I was very surprised a couple of things........

#1.) It's not as mechanically refined as one might think....(at least not in comparison to today's Lexus/Infiti options

#2.) I was very surprised at how the interior components suffer horribly from design/long-term quality.

 

[ironcrotch]

B

 

[Rainsford]

BMW...if only because Mercedes are rather well known for spending a lot of time in the shop. If I'm going to pay a lot for a car, I'd like the reliability to reflect that.

 

[Malfeas]

It's called badge whoring. Most luxury brands are simply expensive because of the name, nothing else.

 

[RU482]

Mercedes owner here

 

[dug777]

Meh, say for example the BMW M5 is an drive experience that the Japanese can't match (at least that's what the reviewers tell us)...

 

[geckojohn]

I'd choose a BMW, b/c i've heard about terrible reliability issues with Mercedez... Also, i like the look and the interior's of BMW way more. They look more like an executive office inside and I like the orange/ red lights on the dashboard.

 

[Black88GTA]

I wouldn't buy either one based on nameplate alone.
I purchase cars based on features I value, not the badges on the fenders.

That said, I was very seriously considering buying a used E31 BMW (8-series) but decided against it for various reasons.

 

[yourdeardaniel]

bmw

look nicer

 

[suse920]

BMW for sure

 

[wasserkool]

BMW's headlights and overall design are much more sleeker than Merc.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Rainsford
BMW...if only because Mercedes are rather well known for spending a lot of time in the shop. If I'm going to pay a lot for a car, I'd like the reliability to reflect that.

Yep. They both have their problem (as do most european cars) but BMW is much better then Mercedes

 

[BillGates]

Lexus - but I'm biased... If I had to choose between the two, it'd BMW for sporty driving, MB for the luxury side.

 

[Argo]

I drive a Mercedes but I like BMW designs better. They make more cars angled at younger audience.

 

[knyghtbyte]

Mercedes SLK Kompressor Coupe ftw!

BMW cant even begin to match that much power, style and comfort in such a small package......

however, my parents Rover 45 has a BMW sports engine in it...heh the thing shifts like you wouldnt believe cuz the Rover 45 is fairly lightly built...lol

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: knyghtbyte
Mercedes SLK Kompressor Coupe ftw!

BMW cant even begin to match that much power, style and comfort in such a small package......

however, my parents Rover 45 has a BMW sports engine in it...heh the thing shifts like you wouldnt believe cuz the Rover 45 is fairly lightly built...lol

I toyed with the idea of getting an SLK but I simply don't like how small they are. They need to take a look at Lexus SC430 and add a back-seat. No matter how small and inconvinient, it's an insurance policy for when your family comes to visit you.

 

[Fenixgoon]

audi's are way sexier than either

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: Argo

Originally posted by: knyghtbyte
Mercedes SLK Kompressor Coupe ftw!

BMW cant even begin to match that much power, style and comfort in such a small package......

however, my parents Rover 45 has a BMW sports engine in it...heh the thing shifts like you wouldnt believe cuz the Rover 45 is fairly lightly built...lol

I toyed with the idea of getting an SLK but I simply don't like how small they are. They need to take a look at Lexus SC430 and add a back-seat. No matter how small and inconvinient, it's an insurance policy for when your family comes to visit you.

unless your family members are amputated from below the hip, you probably won't fit them into a SC430. besides adding more leather seats means more weight. more weight in a sports car is never a good thing.

 

[knyghtbyte]

Originally posted by: Argo

Originally posted by: knyghtbyte
Mercedes SLK Kompressor Coupe ftw!

BMW cant even begin to match that much power, style and comfort in such a small package......

however, my parents Rover 45 has a BMW sports engine in it...heh the thing shifts like you wouldnt believe cuz the Rover 45 is fairly lightly built...lol

I toyed with the idea of getting an SLK but I simply don't like how small they are. They need to take a look at Lexus SC430 and add a back-seat. No matter how small and inconvinient, it's an insurance policy for when your family comes to visit you.

the SLK Coupe isnt for families...lol..its YOUR car, for YOU....u shouldnt even have a passenger in it....that space should be for your ego.....hehe......

SLK Kompressor Coupe for you and a Jaguar XJ6 for the family....heh

 

[clarkey01]

BMW.......untill chris bangle came along.

 

[Nebor]

BMW, for those who enjoy driving, not just sitting comfortably.

 

[JImmyK]

Well IMHO it totally depends onw hat your looking for. Here are the vehicles we have:

S500 Mercedes 2002
SC430 Lexus 2003
745i 2002
Lexus LX 450 1997 33s 3 inch lift front and rear lockers
4Runner 1999 lifted 33s rear diff lock

Comfort the S500 is our favorite, but it is very detached formt he road its just like your floating and guiding it not really driving, plus its distronic cruise control puts it leaps and bounds ahead of our other vehicles for long drives.
(4 problems all under warranty still annoying, VERY expensive repairs front strut leaking = 1200 dollars, on a regular vehicle = $200 with labor)

745i my favorite more sporty, surprisingly nimble, and STILL extremely comofortable. (3 issues but all fixed QUICKLY)

SC430 All around best service/reliability/sporty but a little stiffer then the BMW and Merc (obviously its a sporty convertible) I just cant get over how well lexus treats us, that will always make me a lexus customer for life.

4Runner zero problems since day 1 almost 90K miles now, not a single problem.

Lexus 450 niecst 4x4 relaible vehicle out there also is SASed.

If I was to go with one company I would go with Lexus, with one vehicle I would go with the 745i.

They are all amazing but the lexus reliability is honestly far superior. also mercedes service SUCKS arrogant and snooby. We bring in a $96,000 vehicle for service and they give us a friggin galant or escort as a loaner.

Lexus ALWAYS gives us a new 05-06 vehicle, and my father loves that. Plus they came to our house and picked up the SC430 when the battery prematurely died.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Lexus - but I'm biased... If I had to choose between the two, it'd BMW for sporty driving, MB for the luxury side.

 

[Crappopotamus]

mb's are cushy luxury cars for old people. (the slk being an exception... its gorgeous)
bmw's are modern, and are a more exciting drive.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Mercedes, hands down because of two words: Chris Bangle