Mercedes-Benz Gains, But Still Lags Rivals

[coolraoul]

Dr.Z makes a very good job, putting MB on the right track.

Concerning A and B-Class, I hate them. The C Sportcoupe, however, is a car that appeals to me, I see it as the real entry-level Mercedes.
And I don't like the 1-Series...

 

[Centurion]

Yes a real coupe would be nice.

M

Yeah by the name BLK, a B-class coupe.

 

[Zafiro]

It would be very intresting to see M5 vs E63 sales.
M3 probably sell more then C55/CLK63 and I also think bmw sell more M5's than E63.
I think MB sell more SLK55 AMG than Z4 M.

 

[Merc1]

Yeah by the name BLK, a B-class coupe.

I don't like that designation, sounds like some sort of sandwich.

M

 

[RikfromBelgium]

The reason I asked because you seem to always imply that Mercedes' problems and/or situation is unique. The CLK is just like another car, BMW, Audi, etc. that has aged and whose sales have dropped.

M

the CLK I gave as an example has been dropping the last 2-3 years or so, that has nothing to do with aging.

 

[RikfromBelgium]

Quality issues obviously had an affect, but it's not like every Mercedes is unreliable. When I rode in taxis I always talked with the driver and many of them were happy with their W210 and W211 E-Classes.

BMW also had some quality problems during this period, don't forget that. They might not have been as terrible as those at MB, but they were there.

Lastly, I stand by my opinion that BMW's youth appeal has also helped them become the global luxury car sales leader.

Different more nuanced statement than the first one and one I can agree with.

 

[Merc1]

the CLK I gave as an example has been dropping the last 2-3 years or so, that has nothing to do with aging.

In the last 2 to 3 years the car has aged, time doesn't stand still. Again you're just reaching for something negative here that really doesn't make any sense and/or is no different from any other aging model in a market crowded with newer entries.

M

 

[RikfromBelgium]

if you can not even admit that the CLK is the perfect example of a failing startegy and one of the reasons why MB changed it's course, you're a bigger fanboy than I thought. Most MB fans can admit it is one of their weakest cars. And you do know that in those 2-3 years it also had a facelift right?

 

[bmer]

if you can not even admit that the CLK is the perfect example of a failing startegy and one of the reasons why MB changed it's course, you're a bigger fanboy than I thought. Most MB fans can admit it is one of their weakest cars. And you do know that in those 2-3 years it also had a facelift right?

Why is it such a big failure and how did it change MB's coupé strategy? Last time I checked there was a new CLK coming in accordance with the life cycle.

 

[Merc1]

if you can not even admit that the CLK is the perfect example of a failing startegy and one of the reasons why MB changed it's course, you're a bigger fanboy than I thought. Most MB fans can admit it is one of their weakest cars. And you do know that in those 2-3 years it also had a facelift right?

You know I've come to realize that your posts about Mercedes-Benz are pretty much just hater's posts. No substance, just why Mercedes is always in the doghouse. Now tell me exactly why the CLK is such a failure? The car came out for 2003 and has aged like any other car would have. Sure it hasn't been the brightest star in the Mercedes-Benz stable, but a "failing strategy"? What the hell is that? Now either it is one of their weaker cars due to age or it is a outright failure which is it? You are in no position to call anyone a fanboy when you only dawn the robes to post here for 1 of two reasons, to trash Mercedes or to cheer BMW, anything BMW.

No I didn't know it had a facelift with the different interior, 3-slat grille, re-tuned suspension, new engines...gee slipped right past me.

Now please explain to me what what a "failing strategy" is concerning the CLK? Also, due tell about how Mercedes-Benz changed their "course" and what this has to do with the CLK?

M

 

[RikfromBelgium]

Why is it such a big failure and how did it change MB's coupé strategy? Last time I checked there was a new CLK coming in accordance with the life cycle.

1° I didn't say it was the sole reason
2° I never said anyting about coupé strategy

 

[RikfromBelgium]

You know I've come to realize that your posts about Mercedes-Benz are pretty much just hater's posts. No substance, just why Mercedes is always in the doghouse. Now tell me exactly why the CLK is such a failure? The car came out for 2003 and has aged like any other car would have. Sure it hasn't been the brightest star in the Mercedes-Benz stable, but a "failing strategy"? What the hell is that? Now either it is one of their weaker cars due to age or it is a outright failure which is it? You are in no position to call anyone a fanboy when you only dawn the robes to post here for 1 of two reasons, to trash Mercedes or to cheer BMW, anything BMW.

No I didn't know it had a facelift with the different interior, 3-slat grille, re-tuned suspension, new engines...gee slipped right past me.

Now please explain to me what what a "failing strategy" is concerning the CLK? Also, due tell about how Mercedes-Benz changed their "course" and what this has to do with the CLK?

M

pure fanboy in distress talk.

- never mentionned BMW to glorify it in this topic
- if you know it had a facelift, you know that dropping figures for more than 3 years or so IS NOT normal
- I gave plenty of reasons, you chose to focus on this one, igonoring the other reasons and displaying the perfect fanboy in distress behaviour

The clk is the perfect example of latest generation MB: big, heavy, not sporty enough for it's segment and failing quality. I was at the launch of the CLK cabrio in a Mercedes centre in Belgium. During that 2 hour happening the roof failed and the glovecompartiment broke.

What has mercedes done with the newer generation? Try to make the cars sportier and improve quality. So I'd say the CLK would be a pretty darn good example, wouldn't you?

 

[Merc1]

- never mentionned BMW to glorify it in this topic

I didn't say you did, just saying what I've seen here before.

if you know it had a facelift, you know that dropping figures for more than 3 years or so IS NOT normal

If you knew anything about the coupe market you'd know that they have a limited shelf life in the first place. Again, you act like the CLK is the only coupe that has ever had a sales drop towards the end of its production cycle.

Again, you're making something out of absolutely nothing. With a new Audi A5/S5 and 3-Series coupe on the market what do you expect for the CLK's sales to do? Increase?

I gave plenty of reasons, you chose to focus on this one, igonoring the other reasons and displaying the perfect fanboy in distress behaviour

You haven't said squat other than that CLK was a failure and that it was a "failing strategy", whatever the heck that meant.

The clk is the perfect example of latest generation MB: big, heavy, not sporty enough for it's segment and failing quality. I was at the launch of the CLK cabrio in a Mercedes centre in Belgium. During that 2 hour happening the roof failed and the glovecompartiment broke.

I'm going to assume you mean the last generation MB, not the "latest", if not you're just plain lost. Do we really want to get into what goes on with cars at auto shows and debuts? That debut years ago must really give you some insight as to how the facelifted or all CLKs must be. To think the CLK has one of the highest resales values of any car sold in the U.S. Yeah that pretty much makes it a failure. The CLK is big and heavy? You do realize that the earth doesn't revolve around clipping apexes and track times? The CLK isn't trying to be the sportster in its segment. Big and heavy huh? Compared to what?

What has mercedes done with the newer generation? Try to make the cars sportier and improve quality.

Again, nothing more than progress. I'm waiting for the reasons why Mercedes switch course due to the CLK and why the CLK was the car that caused them to do this? Everyone in the known world clearly knows the current S-Class was beginning of any real change at Mercedes-Benz.

Just say you don't like the CLK because nothing you've mentioned here is of any substance to support your claim that the CLK is a failure and/or a "failing strategy". Still waiting on a definition for what a "failing strategy" is.

The CLK is what I said at the beginning, an older Mercedes, in fact along with the E, the oldest of the MB's car lineup. It is very easy to single out the oldest of the bunch and label it a failure in the face of newer competition.

Pure (clueless) hater behavior.

M

 

[RikfromBelgium]

well, I've said enough here and you chose to ignore it because you appear to have a star very far up your *** so that's that. I choose to ignore this topic and you for that matter.

 

[SDNR]

LOL -- now come on boys ....play nicely

 

[Merc1]

well, I've said enough here and you chose to ignore it because you appear to have a star very far up your *** so that's that. I choose to ignore this topic and you for that matter.

Nice intelligent post, this from one cheers any and everything BMW. Very rich.

You're so clueless and hell bent on making something out of nothing (a normal product cycle) to the point where you're beyond ridiculous. I've ignored you for ages until you say something particularly stupid as you have here.

M

 

[cawimmer430]

if you can not even admit that the CLK is the perfect example of a failing startegy and one of the reasons why MB changed it's course, you're a bigger fanboy than I thought. Most MB fans can admit it is one of their weakest cars. And you do know that in those 2-3 years it also had a facelift right?

Rik, take it easy. No "namecalling" (FANBOY) in this thread.


By the way, how is the CLK a "failing strategy"? If you mean the sporting capabilities of that car compared to the Audi A5 and BMW 335i, keep in mind that the CLK is the oldest car here and recently got a facelift that made it sportier and more capable, yet equally still biased towards comfort. The CLK doesn't really have a "bad strategy" in my book. It was meant to be a "sporty cruiser" and it does this job just fine. If you want a sporty and really capable CLK, you need to look at the CLK63 AMG.

 

[cawimmer430]

pure fanboy in distress talk.

- never mentionned BMW to glorify it in this topic
- if you know it had a facelift, you know that dropping figures for more than 3 years or so IS NOT normal
- I gave plenty of reasons, you chose to focus on this one, igonoring the other reasons and displaying the perfect fanboy in distress behaviour

The clk is the perfect example of latest generation MB: big, heavy, not sporty enough for it's segment and failing quality. I was at the launch of the CLK cabrio in a Mercedes centre in Belgium. During that 2 hour happening the roof failed and the glovecompartiment broke.

What has mercedes done with the newer generation? Try to make the cars sportier and improve quality. So I'd say the CLK would be a pretty darn good example, wouldn't you?

This is not an example of a "failing strategy" at all. The CLK was always meant to be a cruiser. I don't think any serious person comparing a CLK to a 3-Series Coupe will expect the CLK to better the 3er in the "driving department".

Right now we don't know what the next-generation CLK will be all about. My best guest is that it will be even sportier than the current one, but as usual with a biased towards comfort. Mercedes' might adapt to the sports strategy employed by Audi or BMW in this segment, but they'll equally enforce their traditional values.

And please, Rik, no more "namecalling" or this thread will be locked.

About the CLK's interior quality, I really don't know what you're talking about. It came out at a time when MB interiors were improving. It's not a great interior overall when compared to the recent MB's, but it is not exactly a bad one either. Bottom line is that the material and build quality all appear to be decent.

well, I've said enough here and you chose to ignore it because you appear to have a star very far up your *** so that's that. I choose to ignore this topic and you for that matter.

Ok that was totally uncalled for. Thread locked.