Vs BMW M vs MB AMG (posts moved from other threads)

[Merc1]

BMW and Audi aren't getting S class Coupe/Cabrio buyers because they don't have product in that segment yet. If the Prologue was on the market, I'm pretty sure it'd have no problems attracting buyers.

It's pretty much been established that a lackluster design is the cause of the 7 series luke warm reception. But like you said, it's as technologically advanced plus the material quality is on par which proves a lot of this talk of cachet among the German trio has a lot to do with perception.

Perception and previous generation products together build brand perception. The 7-Series was always the drivers car in the segment and it lost that years ago. Now it has become a sportier S-Class which isn't true to what it was so now it is seen as a runner up by a lot of buyers. I mean a perfume dispenser in a 7-Series, it just isn't true to being a BMW. If anyone here says that todays 7 is true to what it used to be they're just full of it. The new 7er features read just like the S-Class'. Other than Carbon Core and Gesture Control it didn't move the game foward at all. Audi and Lexus have their chance now.

It isn't MB's fault that Audi and BMW don't have a S Coupe/Cabrio, and we know they don't have a product in that segment, not sure what that had to be pointed out. The point is not that don't have it, but why don't they have it. No one buys the A8 W12 now, but you think a big FWD looking coupe from Audi would be a hit? I seriously doubt it.

Shoulda woulda coulda is all the Prolouge and about a dozen other concepts from BMW, Cadillac and others are. Irrelevant until they land on a showroom floor or come off an assembly line.

M

 

[domleo999]

Audi's hypothetical S Coupe rival would be doomed before its even created. Riding on that modular FWD platform.

If they want to compete with the big guns - develop a RWD modular platform!

 

[Rolf]

You keep referring to the top of the market and MB's dominance so lets talk about the other end for a change...

The 1 series is a mile better than the A class. Both in its design, layout and drive. It may not be as practical but the performance version (M140i) is so far above the lifeless transverse A45

The 2 series coupe and its 4 door competitor the CLA... shall I say anymore?

The X1 > GLA. They claim to be competitoirs, but the GLA is literally a raised A- The X1 is truly a mini SAV.

2er AT seems to be a better sales hit that the B Class

With regards to the 1 series been better looking than the A-class that is subjective but in my opinion it's not sharp enough to compete with the looks of the A-class, even after the FL the 1-series is not as good looking as other BMW models and its conservative next to the A-class and Volvo V40. Compare the 1-series interior to other rivals and it looks a bit boring, again not up to other BMW models standards. Mercedes are selling more small cars than BMW, they expanded at a quicker rate, BMW only recently launching a rival to the B-class after so many years been out of the MPV market and they don't have a rival for the CLA or CLA Shooting Brake. The A45 been lifeless is a gross error, have you actually driven one to make that assessment? It is one of the best driving of all current hatchbacks and one of the fastest.

Ok the new X1 is a different type of SAV to the GLA it is also far removed from the first gen X1, it is a much nicer car in my opinion than the GLA but also much more expensive.

 

[domleo999]

With regards to the 1 series been better looking than the A-class that is subjective but in my opinion it's not sharp enough to compete with the looks of the A-class, even after the FL the 1-series is not as good looking as other BMW models and its conservative next to the A-class and Volvo V40. Compare the 1-series interior to other rivals and it looks a bit boring, again not up to other BMW models standards. Mercedes are selling more small cars than BMW, they expanded at a quicker rate, BMW only recently launching a rival to the B-class after so many years been out of the MPV market and they don't have a rival for the CLA or CLA Shooting Brake. The A45 been lifeless is a gross error, have you actually driven one to make that assessment? It is one of the best driving of all current hatchbacks and one of the fastest.

Ok the new X1 is a different type of SAV to the GLA it is also far removed from the first gen X1, it is a much nicer car in my opinion than the GLA but also much more expensive.

I've had my brother A45 for 3 months last year. I liked the speed. The steering was awful, weight distribution bad and I wasn't convinced at times that the rear wheels actually did anything.

To me, it didn't feel 1 bit like a Mercedes vehicle. The 1er feels 100% BMW

 

[Merc1]

I can definitely see that, it's the FWD bias. Unnatural for a Mercedes.

M

 

[Sovereign]

.. and yet one can command a massive premium over the other, what does that say about Mercedes' brand cachet in comparison to Rolls-Royce?

It says that Mercedes has the brand elasticity that far extends any other automotive brand. On one side Mercedes is producing model to compete with Golf and on the other side they are being compared with Rolls Royce. I don't want Mercedes to compete with Golf but the reality is that this brand has amazing attraction for the public to be accepted at the highest level of the automotive aristocracy.

 

[Zafiro]

Ok the new X1 is a different type of SAV to the GLA it is also far removed from the first gen X1, it is a much nicer car in my opinion than the GLA but also much more expensive.

My father recently got his brand new X1 with M-package, LED lights and everything. The car looks good and the drive is nice but still, there are hard plastics here and there in the cabin.
But its the same with GLA, hard plastics...

Not that I care but its there....

 

[Rolf]

My father recently got his brand new X1 with M-package, LED lights and everything. The car looks good and the drive is nice but still, there are hard plastics here and there in the cabin.
But its the same with GLA, hard plastics...

Not that I care but its there....

Congrats to your dad and his new X1. The lower end of the Audi,BMW and Mercedes range do have noticeable hard plastic inside their cabins especially the lower part of the dash and between the gear lever in middle console. I have sat inside the A3, A-Class and 1-series and 2-series AT and all of them have inferior build and material quality to mid range models which can be a disappointment to some people who have downgraded when buying a new car.

 

[SCOTT27]

Just to point out. No one is downsizing from a Rolls-Royce to a Maybach.

 

[Munzmjs]

Just to point out. No one is downsizing from a Rolls-Royce to a Maybach.

Please elaborate because they both seems like very high end products to me, although I will say that Rolls has a one up on the maybach. A Rolls will always be a Rolls...many years and heritage behind the premium brand.

 

[domleo999]

Please elaborate because they both seems like very high end products to me, although I will say that Rolls has a one up on the maybach. A Rolls will always be a Rolls...many years and heritage behind the premium brand.

And the maybach will always be an S class

 

[Matski]

It says that Mercedes has the brand elasticity that far extends any other automotive brand. On one side Mercedes is producing model to compete with Golf and on the other side they are being compared with Rolls Royce. I don't want Mercedes to compete with Golf but the reality is that this brand has amazing attraction for the public to be accepted at the highest level of the automotive aristocracy.

I wouldn't argue that Mercedes have strength in depth and breadth of portfolio - it's one of things I like about them, but as you say, they do offer a Golf competitor, and that could well be the reason why someone who is interested in the highest level of the the automotive aristocracy, is prepared to spend far and above the price of an S-Class for a Rolls-Royce. Brand elasticity doesn't do much for brand exclusivity, and I suspect exclusivity is something Rolls-Royce owners value quite a lot (as evidenced by the amount of money some customers spend on personalisation).

You know what I'd like to see? I'd like to see Mercedes commit to Maybach the way VW did to Bugatti. (I'd like to see the same thing with BMW and Rolls-Royce come to think of it). That would be awesome.