The best interior out of the 3 big Germans?

[King-B]

Of course! I off loaded my previous generation528i two years ago, and if I might add the end of comfortable BMW's. I was certain I was going to buy a 745Li when it was released, but I was rather disappointed with how tuff the leather was, so I got a S55AMG instead. I'm one of the very few people you'll meet who puts more stock in the interior than the exterior. I figure you don't drive the exterior so I make my decisions accordingly.

I understand what you mean, however BMW should continue to make tuffer, but supportive seats. This is why many people compare Mercedes to Lexus or Cadillac. All 3 brands are known for making plush interior. BMW should never go this route.

 

[RICHBOY]

I understand what you mean, however BMW should continue to make tuffer, but supportive seats. This is why many people compare Mercedes to Lexus or Cadillac. All 3 brands are known for making plush interior. BMW should never go this route.

Why not? I love BMW's but I want top of the line comfort as well. The old 850i BMW managed to find that perfect balance between comfort and sport, as well as the previous generation 7-Series. I don't think will have these gripes with the next generation 7-Series comes out however.

 

[Matt]

You think BMW seats actually got less comfortable? Usually when newer models come out -progression occurs. I highly doubt they got less comfortable since the previous generation-they probably got better.

 

[SDNR]

The seat adjustment buttons are located on the door-thats what i mean.

I have always thougt the Merc seat adjustment switches were very intuitive - although some of the adjustments on the new models have to be made via the COMAND system.

 

[Deutsch]

Each and every one of the brands designs interiors that I love and others that I don't like so much, so I'll give a break down:

Great place to be: E70 X5, C6 A6, B6/7 A4, MKV GTI, B6 Passat, W221 S-class...

Palace of mediorcity: E90/2 3er, E60 5er, Q7, 997, Cayenne, W211 E-class...

Hell: G-class...

 

[SDNR]

Well I'm sure the inside of a Maruti 800 would be closer to the décor of Hell than the G-Class -- but I am not crazy about the G-class interior either.

 

[RICHBOY]

You think BMW seats actually got less comfortable? Usually when newer models come out -progression occurs. I highly doubt they got less comfortable since the previous generation-they probably got better.

I know! It's rather strange to me as well but that's my honest opinion. I believe they chose a new direction with the this current generation.

 

[RICHBOY]

Each and every one of the brands designs interiors that I love and others that I don't like so much, so I'll give a break down:

Great place to be: E70 X5, C6 A6, B6/7 A4, MKV GTI, B6 Passat, W221 S-class...

Palace of mediorcity: E90/2 3er, E60 5er, Q7, 997, Cayenne, W211 E-class...

Hell: G-class...

Q7

 

[Deutsch]

Q7

Nothing really special about it, feels like I'm sitting in another Audi. Doesn't have a real sense of uniqueness to it, generic Audi interior then. Cars w/ an elevated ride height and capacious feel need specialized interior designs, they're not cars.

 

[RICHBOY]

Nothing really special about it, feels like I'm sitting in another Audi. Doesn't have a real sense of uniqueness to it, generic Audi interior then. Cars w/ an elevated ride height and capacious feel need specialized interior designs, they're not cars.

Yeah but how can the A6 be one of your favorites and the Q7 be one of your least favorites when their basically the same layout? So you give it poor scores for lack of originality not lack of comfort?

 

[Deutsch]

So you give it poor scores for lack of originality not lack of comfort?

Correct.

 

[Merc1]

I have always thougt the Merc seat adjustment switches were very intuitive - although some of the adjustments on the new models have to be made via the COMAND system.

I agree, they are the best in the industry. Lincoln and Infiniti tried to copy this and got sued right into changing their designs a little while back. The control is shaped like the seat and it is where you can see it, highly logical, yet simple as dirt IMO. BMW tried to re-think this is just made the most absolute mess possible for adjusting their seats in the 7-Series.

M

 

[RICHBOY]

I agree, they are the best in the industry. Lincoln and Infiniti tried to copy this and got sued right into changing their designs a little while back. The control is shaped like the seat and it is where you can see it, highly logical, yet simple as dirt IMO. BMW tried to re-think this is just made the most absolute mess possible for adjusting their seats in the 7-Series.

M

I agree, I'd rather eat a brick than try and ajust the seats in a 7-Series!

 

[SDNR]

Hmmm ...Lincoln and Infiniti got sued eh ....Rolls-Royce and Bentley have used similar switches for two decades.

 

[Merc1]

Hmmm ...Lincoln and Infiniti got sued eh ....Rolls-Royce and Bentley have used similar switches for two decades.

Well I read one time that Mercedes gave certain companies that weren't direct competiors permission to use their design. Infiniti of course wouldn't be allowed to use it in the U.S. of course. Correction about Lincoln they were allowed to use it during production of the last Continental, not sure what they use today.

All car makers (well most) use a "similar" design, but usually the seat and seatback switches aren't "connect" to form a seat like MB's are, hence the reason why others can use something similar. Now if Bentley and Rolls used the exact same thing I'd wouldn't be terrribly shocked, because they aren't "direct" competitors in the way Infiniti is.

M

 

[SDNR]

The recent Bentleys don't use them ...but the older models (Mulsanne, Turbo R, Brooklands, Continental R, etc) did use similar switches for the front seats, they were located on the center console. However, they were not as well thought-out or as adjustable as the Merc ones.

 

[Matt]

I have always thougt the Merc seat adjustment switches were very intuitive - although some of the adjustments on the new models have to be made via the COMAND system.

intuitive, could be? I just know that they are harder to use than BMW's or Audis...Its much easier when the controls are on the seat so the driver doesnt have to adjust himself in order to reach them. So while the seats moving you dont have to reach further and further to continue moving the seat.

 

[SDNR]

I understand your point Matt ...it does make sense what you are saying.

 

[Merc1]

intuitive, could be? I just know that they are harder to use than BMW's or Audis...Its much easier when the controls are on the seat so the driver doesnt have to adjust himself in order to reach them. So while the seats moving you dont have to reach further and further to continue moving the seat.

Yeah I've heard this before too, I guess that is why they moved the controls to the seat on U.S. built models. I have to tell myself that because otherwise it was done for cost reasons, which I don't want to believe is the real reason (though it is!).

M

 

[Matt]

Yeah I've heard this before too, I guess that is why they moved the controls to the seat on U.S. built models. I have to tell myself that because otherwise it was done for cost reasons, which I don't want to believe is the real reason (though it is!).

M

Well, us fat Americans are pretty lazy