What's with Mercedes and its ugly steering wheels?

[LaArtist]

^yep cause they have lacked enthusiasm in the past

 

[Mr. M]

It's really very simple.

MB want's/is to dump the "MB is an MB mentality" (read comfy-luxo poseur car) and go for the we're sporty too aproach (to get some enthusiasm).

I just wish it was better executed.

 

[Merc1]

It's really very simple.

MB want's/is to dump the "MB is an MB mentality" (read comfy-luxo poseur car) and go for the we're sporty too aproach (to get some enthusiasm).

This may be true, but Mercedes was never a "poseur" car either. That is just plain wrong. Just because they didn't make their name on sportiness doesn't mean they're a poseur car, which to me mean something phony or fake. To call MB a poseur car is to discredit all the things they've done over the years. We aren't going to call BMW a poseur car because it doesn't have the status of a MB or beause they didn't make their name through innovation, safety and luxury like Mercedes did.

M

 

[Imhotep Evil]

All premium car manufacturer are poseur-ised.

Some of the meanings for poseur:

poseur


1. A Conformist: someone who does what everyone else is doing b/c its "in", "trendy", or "cool" to do at the time.

So you buy a Benz, Bimmer, Porsche because it's the "cool" thing to do. To say I've made it, and so on.

Unless we're talking about a quite select clientele, there's definately a
poseur/badge factor involved in purchasing german premium cars.
The do have their practical sides too.

MB more so than anyone else in their history due to their superiour prestige.

And the fact that old Porsches and some BMWs too had a tendency (tail happy-ness, over-steer) of making yuppie (stockbrokers) ending up in trees near roundabouts (in the 80's).

 

[PC Valkyrie]

All premium car manufacturer are poseur-ised.

Some of the meanings for poseur:

poseur


1. A Conformist: someone who does what everyone else is doing b/c its "in", "trendy", or "cool" to do at the time.

So you buy a Benz, Bimmer, Porsche because it's the "cool" thing to do. To say I've made it, and so on.

Unless we're talking about a quite select clientele, there's definately a
poseur/badge factor involved in purchasing german premium cars.
The do have their practical sides too.

MB more so than anyone else in their history due to their superiour prestige.

And the fact that old Porsches and some BMWs too had a tendency (tail happy-ness, over-steer) of making yuppie (stockbrokers) ending up in trees near roundabouts (in the 80's).

By your definition, buyers of the extremely popular BMW 3 series are the perfect example of "poseurs".

You know and I know that most 3 series owners (including M3 owners) do not or do not have the skill to take advantage of the 3 series' sporty advantage over the competitors. Most never take their cars to the track. Most 3 series owners bought their cars because it is "in", "trendy", and "cool", NOT because it can outrun a C-class or A4 on a short twisty track. BMW has done a superb job of marketing the 3 series as the sportiest of the bunch. Certainly, the +ve reviews that the 3 series consistently gets adds to the impression that the 3 series is the "best", and that helps immensely to sell cars to young hip professionals who are earning a decent income.

We've both agreed before in the past that the handling advantage the BMW cars have over the MB or Audi cars cannot easily be expoited on everyday roads for the average driver. BMW cars have a sporty image and style, and THAT is what most people buy their cars for.

But to get back on topic of ugly steering wheels. I agree that the W204 steering wheels are not that pretty, in my opinion. Of course, I may be biased because I own a W203. I still think the facelifted W203 sport sedans have a pretty good interior and a decent looking steering wheel.

 

[Merc1]

By your definition, buyers of the extremely popular BMW 3 series are the perfect example of "poseurs".

You know and I know that most 3 series owners (including M3 owners) do not or do not have the skill to take advantage of the 3 series' sporty advantage over the competitors. Most never take their cars to the track. Most 3 series owners bought their cars because it is "in", "trendy", and "cool", NOT because it can outrun a C-class or A4 on a short twisty track. BMW has done a superb job of marketing the 3 series as the sportiest of the bunch. Certainly, the +ve reviews that the 3 series consistently gets adds to the impression that the 3 series is the "best", and that helps immensely to sell cars to young hip professionals who are earning a decent income.

We've both agreed before in the past that the handling advantage the BMW cars have over the MB or Audi cars cannot easily be expoited on everyday roads for the average driver. BMW cars have a sporty image and style, and THAT is what most people buy their cars for.

Bingo. Saying that Mercedes prestige makes them the ultimate poseur car doesn't slight the fact that BMW also play heavily to the same group. If anything BMW is even moreso now with a lot people thinkng a BMW is just as prestigious as a Benz.

M