If There Were No BMWs
- Thread starter poboyis
- Start date
Most likely would give Porsche a try (911 or the new model 2005 Boxster). I also think Audis are amazing cars, but a little boring to look at (especially with that new Chrsyleresque mouth they are putting on the A6, A8, the new A4 and new TT).
Mercedes is still a big thorn in my eye, but most of their designs are real head-turners....and since they are broken down so often...we can all get plenty of time staring at them![[;)]](/images/smilies/wink.png "Wink [;)]")
Mercedes is still a big thorn in my eye, but most of their designs are real head-turners....and since they are broken down so often...we can all get plenty of time staring at them
It's a toss up for me between Audi and Mercedes. The new A6 and A8 have definitely forced me to take a serious look at Audi, and like MrE hinted at, their interior are drop dead gorgeous. On the other hand, a Benz is a Benz is a Benz. What else can a I say: AMG, anyone?? Personally, I don't think Porsche should be on the list; I know they make the Boxster (Z4 competitor) and Cayenne (X5 competitor) in addition to the 911, but I still relegate them to the sports/supercar realm, and don't think they qualify as a reasonable alternative to the majority of the 4-door sedan BMWs....
I guess this is the best substitute for what I purchased. It's even $4,000.00 less! I think I would like this car as well.
So this would be the one. There are others that I would like better but I didn't spend that kind of money so this would be my like-kind choice.
A4 3.0 6-speed quattro® Base MSRP: $33,590
Price as configured: $38,260
So this would be the one. There are others that I would like better but I didn't spend that kind of money so this would be my like-kind choice.
A4 3.0 6-speed quattro® Base MSRP: $33,590
Price as configured: $38,260
Well said. I'm definitely a fan of Mercedes's. Sure Mercedes has recently had its share of electrical problems, but so has BMW, and the 2002, and to a lesser extent, 2003, 7 series were a joke with the Idrive. I realize that M-Bs COMMAND NAV. system is complicated and prone to problems as well, but it wouldn't bother me much. M-B interiors are beautiful, and aside from the electrical stuff, their chassis and drivetrains are really solid. I've never heard/read anyone complain about squeeks or rattles coming from a Benz. And like Robert said, they're committed to RWD same as BMW, though I realize 4Matic is an option. Nonetheless, I like the idea of the standard RWD.
I've always liked the way Benz's looked too; I never found myself wondering: "what the hell were they thinking" when a new Benz rolled out, like I have with BMW recently. To be fair though, the upcoming CLS has made me question their logic in offering another midsize 4-door. Furthermore, I love the look of the AMG sport kits, and the actual AMG performance cars are mind-blowing. You gotta give credit where credit is due...![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
I've always liked the way Benz's looked too; I never found myself wondering: "what the hell were they thinking" when a new Benz rolled out, like I have with BMW recently. To be fair though, the upcoming CLS has made me question their logic in offering another midsize 4-door. Furthermore, I love the look of the AMG sport kits, and the actual AMG performance cars are mind-blowing. You gotta give credit where credit is due...
![[burnout]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_burnout.gif "Burnout [burnout]"){kind=icon}
Wallie05 said:
Well said. I'm definitely a fan of Mercedes's. Sure Mercedes has recently had its share of electrical problems, but so has BMW, and the 2002, and to a lesser extent, 2003, 7 series were a joke with the Idrive. I realize that M-Bs COMMAND NAV. system is complicated and prone to problems as well, but it wouldn't bother me much. M-B interiors are beautiful, and aside from the electrical stuff, their chassis and drivetrains are really solid. I've never heard/read anyone complain about squeeks or rattles coming from a Benz. And like Robert said, they're committed to RWD same as BMW, though I realize 4Matic is an option. Nonetheless, I like the idea of the standard RWD.
I've always liked the way Benz's looked too; I never found myself wondering: "what the hell were they thinking" when a new Benz rolled out, like I have with BMW recently. To be fair though, the upcoming CLS has made me question their logic in offering another midsize 4-door. Furthermore, I love the look of the AMG sport kits, and the actual AMG performance cars are mind-blowing. You gotta give credit where credit is due...
I've always liked the way Benz's looked too; I never found myself wondering: "what the hell were they thinking" when a new Benz rolled out, like I have with BMW recently. To be fair though, the upcoming CLS has made me question their logic in offering another midsize 4-door. Furthermore, I love the look of the AMG sport kits, and the actual AMG performance cars are mind-blowing. You gotta give credit where credit is due...
I love Mercedes a lot, there are just two cons to them:
1.) No option of manual transmission on most of their cars, including ALL of the AMG cars.
2.) The regular Mercedes models (non-AMG) do not come close to giving you that "rush" that BMW, Audi, and other companies give you when you push the cars.
It's not that intuitive. Intuitive means everyone can use it. Even the non-techy people. I've played around with the Comand on my friend's car and I gotta stop and figure things out. Even ask questions on some of the stuff. An easy to use NAV system doesn't require much thinking and even less button pushing. The COMAND system isn't impossible, it's just that the interface has a LOT of room for improvement. No biggie tho. It's not exactly a secret that German engineers and electronics don't mix. Maybe it's the culture or something.
If I didn't have my BMW right now, I'd be driving an Accord. Hondas are decently respectable cars when not riced up. They're reliable and last for ever and are efficient. But they tend not to be very comfortable.
I'd have to go with something German, if I had my own choice, though. Those Germans know how to engineer, and stuff. I'd probably go with Audi. I don't have any experience with them, but I do prefer modest styling.
I'd have to go with something German, if I had my own choice, though. Those Germans know how to engineer, and stuff. I'd probably go with Audi. I don't have any experience with them, but I do prefer modest styling.
Every car has a learning curve. I'm not sure which model you were playing around with, but my parents' vehicles (2004 models) are both the easiest to use. Their previous cars had the COMAND systems but their cars now have a new version of it that is much easier to use. And as I was saying before, every car nowadays has a learning curve. There is no way you can jump into any car nowadays and just start operating its functions (stereo, climate control, etc.) without learning it all first.
epj3, BMW and Mercedes have many 'firsts' in the auto industry and the list is still growing.
epj3, BMW and Mercedes have many 'firsts' in the auto industry and the list is still growing.