activa Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Just curious after reading such negative comments on the "63" post. My mate works for Merc so I get to drive most of the new models for "extended" journeys. The quality imo is back where it should be and most of them are very nice to drive. He has an SLK280 as an everyday hack and even though it's miles from being the top model it's a blinding car.230bhp,7 speed auto,goes round bends on rails,amazing brakes and excellent driving position. So why do you lot dislike them so much and think that you have to be old to drive one????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Not sure, I would've taken a new c-class sport estate over my 3 series sport touring if it had have been available, I love the new c-class, great design, nice interior, full of toys and drives like a dream. I think if any Audi owners took one out they would have a shock, the Merc certainly feels like a young sporty car, to me the Audi is the old mans sensible car these days with its built in underteer and 'safety first' handling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Had an SLK350 a little while back as a loaner and thought it was a cracking car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 I can't speak for anyone else, but Mercs have always left me cold. I don't give a stuff about the 'old man' image mentioned, as an ex-Volvo person, I can't say much. I have driven C, E and SLK Mercs and they're just, well, dull. The SLK (V6) looked great from a distance, but the quality of plastics/trim was crap, and I'm not impressed with the drive either. I think Merc are pusuing the BMW market by marketing 'drivers cars' but their true market segment is more big relaxed exec in my opinion. Oh, and building utter shite like the old ML (see JD Power) and the A class has not helped their cause much. Now I would like an old style SL, or a classic SEC Coupe, but can't see myself getting a new Merc, just too dull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Whereas I have no doubt that Merc engineering is excellent, personally I just don't like the styling of most of their cars. The fact, whether we like it or not, is that every badge has an image and it's most likely that the Mercedes image doesn't suit many of the Audi and BMW owners on this site. But I'll let others answer for themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 I'm certainly not Anti Mercedes... my dad has a e320d sport and my mother a 350slk... both lovely cars... but also suited to their age bracket (60's!). They are well built, comfortable and quick.. but as someone said above.. they leave me a little bit cold. They just lack that edge, that something special.. they miss that 'wow' factor. Nice cars, but a little dull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Never liked the interiors at all, although I do like the dashboards, they look really good. Mercs have never floated my boat despite some of the models (particularly the old shape C-Class) looking quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 I wouldn't say I'm anti-Merc However, when I worked in Germany, I would always hire cars and the default was always C and E class from Sixt and the like. I found them dull, poor handling and just not inspiring at all. Yes, they are reliable and will do a zillion miles, but if the only time you can get excited about a car is when you hear the rumble of the 6.2 V8, then I think the car doesn't have any soul. Take the BMW 335d - what a top car - BMW understand the market, they've developed a diesel that'll whip the ass of most petrol cars on the market. What have Merc got that competes...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 What annoys me most about Mercedes is the accelerator pedal.. I just can't get on with the bottom hinge.. I'm not sure if it's the way i position my feet or something, but i much prefer a pedal that you push down rather than press down.. if that makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 It tends to be fine if you're over a certain height. Not sure if that would make a difference, Dave..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 [ QUOTE ] I wouldn't say I'm anti-Merc However, when I worked in Germany, I would always hire cars and the default was always C and E class from Sixt and the like. I found them dull, poor handling and just not inspiring at all. Yes, they are reliable and will do a zillion miles, but if the only time you can get excited about a car is when you hear the rumble of the 6.2 V8, then I think the car doesn't have any soul. Take the BMW 335d - what a top car - BMW understand the market, they've developed a diesel that'll whip the ass of most petrol cars on the market. What have Merc got that competes...? [/ QUOTE ] Sixt once kindly rented me a C class from Hahn airport, but I got sooo lost en-route to a meeting in Koblenz, I ended up going round the Nurburgring instead. Stodgy car though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 [ QUOTE ] However, when I worked in Germany, I would always hire cars and the default was always C and E class from Sixt and the like. I found them dull, poor handling and just not inspiring at all. Yes, they are reliable and will do a zillion miles, but if the only time you can get excited about a car is when you hear the rumble of the 6.2 V8, then I think the car doesn't have any soul. [/ QUOTE ] Pretty well sums it up for me, too. I'm perfectly willing to consider Merc; I've bought one before (for Mrs P) and have given them a crack each time I've changed. But there is a degree of connectedness between the driver and the road that is missing in a Merc. Now, I miss that and therefore do not like the cars. But for others, that is a good thing; they want to proceed smoothly and comfortably to their destination. Horses for courses. TSN calls itself "the performance car community"; Merc markets itself (mainly) to a different group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 My experience with Merc's is a love hate one. They are supremely reliable, Ive driven 100's of thousands of miles in them with little or no issues as far as reliability is concerned. On the other hand we have the Avant garde spec which is supposed to be the sportier style, but you have no steering feel whatsoever and the rear traction isn't all that great. The newer ones have much more compliant suspension which is great for the poor quality roads we have here but you feel somewhat disconntected from the road. The quality is good but as far as enjoyment goes I'd rather drive one of our Skoda Superbs than our E Class. A contrast I know but the steering has a nice weight to it and you can throw it at corners with much more confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
962C Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Sixt once kindly rented me a C class from Hahn airport, but I got sooo lost en-route to a meeting in Koblenz, I ended up going round the Nurburgring instead. Stodgy car though. [/ QUOTE ] LMAO Accident Obviously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Personally, tasteless cars. There are well built cars with good reliability and lots of tech. from other brands. IMO they have no brand cache any more. Older models seem to have fallen in to the wrong hands. Just a yuk-yuk brand, atleast for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Never mind the older models - what about the current ones. Mmmmmm. nice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Why does TSN seem so anti Mercedes? Probably because the majority of TSNers are either driving enthusiasts or strongly image conscious. The Mercedes image is too old, and their cars aren't particularly performance oriented - even the AMG cars have an 'older' image than the BMW M and Audi S/RS series. Another factor is the strong perception that Mercedes lost their way both in terms of car reliability and dealer service. Both were certainly true in the late 90s/early 00s. The latest models have improved matters as far as the cars are concerned, I've not heard enough from Merc owners to know how the dealers are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 I agree mate, I think the tie up with Chrysler was a massive mistake. Instead of increasing Chrysler's product quality it bought Mercedes down to their level. It's only now that they are starting to put things right again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Merc? Yes please in C or E guises only. I do not like the other models much. The previous CL was a good looker in my eyes. Bargain now! I think the interiors are great now. The older model interiors were very dull and drab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 FWIW, here's a pic of the last car on earth I would spend my own money on - Shitty build quality, poor reliability, lousy image, poor performance, daft price, in fact, it only has the badge going for it, and that doesn't float my boat either.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
962C Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Well said I'd much rather have a Chelfing whatdoyacallit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Its the Lunge, and if you want one, that can be arranged Note integrated George Foreman Grill in dash - Mercedes can kiss my, sorry, Bisek Gidur's ass ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Note integrated George Foreman Grill in dash - [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Note integrated George Foreman Grill in dash - [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] That's awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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