[ON325i]

I do think it is a matter of target market and image building. I think MB is aiming for the high end promoting the image that the car presents the identity and reputation of the owner. (i.e. I don't care waht it is, the fact is, I paid $100,000,000 and that means I own everyone else.) While BMW aims for the image that it is a car that you want to get in and drive it and feel it. You will have fun conquering road with it together.

and about this thread, is it really that necessary to prey on peoples' observations and questions and bite their head off.

[ward]

hey spitty,

um do you understand handling or balance at all????

merc can have much more power, but it's only good in a straight line and if you don't like to drive stick.

having more HP does not by itself make a car better

[bimmerchild]

I have owed the following cars so can speak from experience
01 325i w/sport package stick
04 c320 sport stick
06 330i sport package stick

Bottom line. Driving a MB is like having sex with a condom. You see everything but dont feel anything. Bimmers connect you to the rode for a more "natural" driving experience .

Anyways...the above was a joke but it speaks the truth. I preffer Bimmers all the way..

[wchew]

Originally Posted by bimmerchild

Bottom line. Driving a MB is like having sex with a condom

Maybe you should say it is a condom with some holes....because I don't think MB is a saver car than BMW.

I think both are great cars, bottom line is, I wouldn't mind owning both. Just like I use condom when I don't want to have kids, I don't use condom when I want to have kids.

[LH1]

I'd like to test drive the new C350 with the 6 speed. If they ever decided to put that in the C55... oh man :rocks:

[carnuts3]

Hey! watch it. I'm 58 and own a Bimmer, not a MB. Wouldn't buy a MB - that's for old people or people who want to be driven, not for people who want to drive.

[ON325i]

Originally Posted by carnuts3

Hey! watch it. I'm 58 and own a Bimmer, not a MB. Wouldn't buy a MB - that's for old people or people who want to be driven, not for people who want to drive.

That is what Simon Cowell said in Top Gear about his Maybach purchase. I find it very true myself too.

[BMW F22]

i dont think we're actually picking on anyone here. PPl are just stating their opinions.

[zdognaylor]

Why has Mercedes sales fallen so much?

[BMW F22]

just wanted to ask a quick question since this thread is more current than the window tinting thread. ANy one knows a good place to tint cars??? I know this place called California Auto Tint. THey're supposed to be the best in the bay but it's pricey. For all the window, except the front windshield, would cost me $400. Any suggestions??

[visor]

Originally Posted by zdognaylor

Why has Mercedes sales fallen so much?

Quality has become worse.
Many instances of recalls for problems with transmissions, engines, door seals, etc. Much more so than for BMW and Audi.

[zdognaylor]

Exactly So I don't understand this thread, how is BMW so far behind.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by zdognaylor

Exactly So I don't understand this thread, how is BMW so far behind.

Guys;
I believe this poster's thread is addressing horsepower, and nothing else. He mentions suspension, but we all know nothing handles like a BMW. But if your competitor has more hp, he just might get to that twisty turn before you do.

Lately, MB seems to have upped the power of their engines relatively speaking. It wasn't that way before. The C320 used to be way behind the 330, and the E-Class eight cylinder used to be way behind the eight cylinder 5 Series. MB's new V8 is going to have more hp & much more torque than the 550i, as you can see that they've gone back to the BMW style of 4 valves per cylinder. The E500/E550 will get this engine in September.

I think if their cars cost much more than a BMW, then they should have more horsepower. BUT, MB's pricing on certain models has come down as well. Lots of them used to be waayyy above the Bimmers, but now its not so much so. This is in part due to the fact that BMW's cars have grown in size & in price as well. I say its going to be pretty tough for them unless they up the ante very soon.

Of course, this doesn't change the fact that they are still very different cars, so we should all hope that BMW's other characteristics makes up for any other possible shortfall in horsepower when it comes to selling cars. If it doesn't well, spitfire may have an interesting point after all.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by spitfire6000

most of mbs cars are less powerful than their bmw equivalents? not true whatsoever. In fact...bmw is BEHIND in every single model in terms of horsepower and torque. The bmws inline 6 in the 330i is inferior to the benz's 3.5liter V6.

Please understand from the outset of this post that I am NOT flaming or arguing with you. I do like Mercedes but my passion is for BMWs.

If I can just state that your comparisin between a 3.5 litre and 3 litre engine is perhaps a little unfair. Its like comparing the 325 and the 330 - 2.5 with 3 litre (the European/Australian spec cars anyway).

Might I kindly suggest we copmare the 330 to the Mercedes C320 sports coupe that has a 3.2 litre V6 that outputs 160kw, far inferior to the 330 that outputs 190kw. Even comparing the 3.5 litre V6 to the 330 inline 6, although the MB figures are higher and even though the rated 0-100kmh specs are 0.2 sec faster than the autmatic equivalent 330i, the top speed of the MB is "only" 210kmh.

So a much higher rated engine (200kw & 350Nm) V6 is not all that superior to the new N52 3 litre. Straight line acceleration difference of 0.2 sec between the 2 is not a big deal. Ok, we are talking about the MB car being 105kgs heavier than the 330 BUT we need to ensure that the cars have the same equipment level. There IS an advantage to the MB, on the base setup.

Pleae remember, I am NOT trying to argue your points down in flames, just pointing out that your comparison may not be very fair BUT in the end I would suggest that the 330 and the C350 are a VERY close match. This indicates to me that the N52 engine IS every bit a good as the 3.5 litre V6.

But in a fair comparison, the 3.2 litre V6 is no match to the 330 inline 6. Would you not agree?

My wife's C180K is rated @ 105kw and 220Nm. The equivalent 320i is rated @ 110kw and 200Nm. We can call this a draw as the 0-100kmh for both autos is around 10 sec with both weighing the same.

I would appreciate your feedback on the 330/C350 comparison that you made worthy of further friendly discussion.

Please bear in mind Spitfire that my post is NOT a personal attack, rather a friendly debate.

Hope to hear from you.

[Sage]

How many of you really own MB/AMG or driven one for more then a test drive? The grass might look greener on the other side but if you’ll look close its not real… get the point?!

I owned E55 between 2001-2004 so I think I can provide an inside perspective:

1. E55 – defiantly an eye catcher.
2. My wife loved taking the car for shopping.
3. My friends loved when we stop at a red light next to Corvette and waiting for the green light.
4. I enjoyed driving the car often between DC and NY on I95
5. Whenever I wanted to feel the need for speed on the curvy roads I drove the Z3 – with less then half of the HP!!!!
6. On track-days I parked the E55 rode my db2
7. I sold the E55 on 2004 and never looked back – for ME it wasn’t the right car. I prefer driving fast around the corner with a slow car then to drive slowly with a fast one!!!!
8. I still own the Z3 and just added an 330i RWD, MT with SP and PP and on I think it’s an amazing car for the money! Knowing how much the MB cost I defiantly gets so much MORE for the money out of the 330 – with double the fun.

The one thing to remember is, the car was good even excellent but just not for me.

You guys should have fun debating this knowing this is not life and death issue – keep it real.

[ABR]

Originally Posted by Sage

I prefer driving fast around the corner with a slow car then to drive slowly with a fast one!!!!

Excellent post.

[visor]

Sage, thanks for the insider view.

[lux.sh]

I prefer driving fast in straights as well as corner. how do I resolve this issue?

[visor]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

I prefer driving fast in straights as well as corner. how do I resolve this issue?

Hmmm... I think you need... the Lotus Elise!

[Xens]

Originally Posted by visor

Hmmm... I think you need... the Lotus Elise!

I vote for S2000.

[purreplayya69]

All im gonna say is MB had to start supercharging and increasing their engine displacement to really start to compete with BMW

[visor]

Originally Posted by Xens

I vote for S2000.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=6
Lotus Elise 0-60 in 4.4 sec!
Skidpad 1.06 g!
It's like a bike on 4 wheels!
However, it does cost close to the E46 M3...