BMW/ MERCEDES...perception?

[swils8610]

I’ve always considered Mercedes to be a bit more comfortable where BMW is a bit more of sporty and a drivers car. Any thoughts?


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[ttomczak]

I feel BMW lost its way, still looking to find itself.

The AMG versions of Mercedes are every bit a sports car as the M’s.

[Laszlo]

Mercedes are definitely the more cushy ride. But I find my Q7 to be the best, even better than any Land Rover I’ve owned, and they are the king of comfort. And it’s extremely quiet inside, almost spooky quiet. BMW are more ridged and sporty. Just depends on what you’re looking for.

[GB-man]

Both brands have changed a lot over the last 20 years. I’d say BMW thrives under 100k and Mercedes over 100k.

[Mr.Rolex1]

I prefer Merc but bmw is good

[CortlandtPT]

They’re both great cars, I lean towards Benz more though, better interior and safety features IMHO


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[steve099]

Currently driving an MB S350D and its very comfortable. Does 300KM on a quarter of a tank ( highway) and very very quiet. Driving it as punishment for some transgressions alleged in my Audi RS4 :|

[Futuristic]

BMW is great

[dxbtousa]

Mercedes > BMW

Not even a comparison on many models.

If you are not considering any AMG v //M then I dont think it really matters, buy what you like.

AMG absolutely a step above //M in many ways, in my opinion. Interior, performance, raw power, etc.

[snowgoat]

I think that is the common perspective but AMG makes for a very different Merc. I have found the basic cooking Mercedes to be a little boring. BMW not so sporting as they would like you to think unless you are stepping up to a full M not just one of those fey badges M- sport dealer specials. I have been biased towards fast Audi’s for years so my opinion is totally jaundiced and loaded with all the cognitive tricks required to reassure me I bought the better car. Now I’ve moved on to Porsche ..... no contest. None

[benlee]

Mercedes is more comfortable to be driven. BMW is more fun to drive.

[Zakalwe]

As already demonstrated once or twice on this thread, people’s opinions on this subject will be a product of their (often inflexible) beliefs rather than anything objective.

My dad is a MB man. He was a poor immigrant and in his mind the three-pointed star was aspirational and the epitome of great car-making. He eventually owned several after half a lifetime of back-breaking work. It was entirely irrelevant to him that in the late 90’s and early 2000’s MB produced some absolute dogs and the build quality of the cars experienced a steep decline. To him, the badge meant the car was great, regardless of objective reality.

Similarly, the average punter with little knowledge of cars thinks that the big three German marques invariably produce reliable, well built cars when objective reality, in the form of consumer surveys, shows that all three are at best average in terms of consumer satisfaction and reliability.

So personally if I’m after information about a particular car, random punters would be well down my list of potential sources.

[77T]

The perception IMHO is based on how the marketing work resonates with the culture of the customer. Those wanting a race bred octane burner can find nexus in either brand.

The SUV driver can think the same way.

When the companies blur the lines so completely it’s impossible to say there is a line between them anymore.

Just a trivial point, but BMW struggled so badly in the past that they hoped to be bought by M-B. I really see that as a possibility again.


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[superdog]

I do think BMW is losing this race.

Some nice models, but they are all rather boring these days.

And their engineers can’t appear to build a V8 that doesn’t require extra oil. Their M cars, their track cars, are known to burn so much oil that you need to bring extra with you to the track. And still they have overheating problems.

So their main lineup is somewhat boring. And their track inspired cars are a problem waiting to happen.

No thanks.

[Etschell]

If I said the stereotypes about both cars I'd be in trouble. Let's just say I will be quiet.

[DLRIDES]

My perception development ends at their reliability ratings. I’ve never subscribed to “status over reliability” on a car meant to be driven.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Etschell

If I said the stereotypes about both cars I'd be in trouble. Let's just say I will be quiet.

Well, you kind of just said it.

Sort of like the stereotypes of Rolex owners?

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by superdog

Well, you kind of just said it.

Sort of like the stereotypes of Rolex owners?

Exactly. With one correction I meant the vehicle not the owners themselves.

Both of these makers have had v8 issues. And both have lied and refused to admit it.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

My perception development ends at their reliability ratings. I’ve never subscribed to “status over reliability” on a car meant to be driven.

This is exactly where I’m at.

[GoingPlaces]

BMW have historically been the more "athletic" cars and the Benz Cars more luxurious and solid. Today is seems like a race to more and more tech. AMG of course added a new dimension to Benz, more brut power (and some might say better built) vs a more athletic M. I do however think Benz is losing it's way a bit as all their models look the same and the focus is all about tech. Anxious to see the new gen S class in 2020.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I’ve always considered Mercedes to be a bit more comfortable where BMW is a bit more of sporty and a drivers car. Any thoughts?


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I have owned two of each brand.

The BMW's are fun to drive for a while.

The Mercedes are (IMHO and in my case) fit and finished better and far more reliable.

In short as I shop for a new car, I would definitely buy another Mercedes. I will never buy another BMW.

[andromeda160]

I just see BMW as a more innovative company, pushing technology further while creating a great handling car, where I believe mercedes spends more on the luxury sports segment. Personally own 2 BMWs, my friends have Audis, none of us would touch a Merc with a 10 ft pole.

[Fat_ninja]

We have been a bmw family for well over a decade.... I like the fact that it’s slow evolutionary changes and the user interface is always familiar

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by benlee

Mercedes is more comfortable to be driven. BMW is more fun to drive.

This is the perception I’ve always had. BMW is more athletic and the Merc is more of a cushy nice riding car. The AMG and M models set aside...I was more referring to the non specialty models. The common models.


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[Fat_ninja]

I forgot to mention I love mercedes and hummers

[Grnvette65]

I find it’s hard to make a blanket statement across all the models, I have 2 Mercs and the sl being one of them. I find it to be reliable, quiet, good handling. With the hard top down it’s rigid and the smoothest convertible I’ve ever been in in terms of wind buffeting. The x5 w the m handling package is amazing allowing the suv to handle like a car and still deliver a very smooth ride on most roads. It kinda hides the weight of the suv. I’m a fan of both brands depending on my needs for the day.

[joli160]

BMW has a serious image problem where I live and I have not forgotten the dogs from MB as Zakalwe so nicely stated

I'll stick with my Audi

[nick c]

BMW is the ultimate driving machine. The Mercedes-Benz drives just OK.

[red1108nyc]

Both brands are symbols of luxury from perception standpoint. We bought a pre-owned 2014 E550 and our family likes it a lot. The drive is truly effortless and pure joy to step on the pedal when needed. Services are expensive but MB treats you tops and built quality is excellent.

[JasoninDenver]

I asked my mechanic shop owner which of the three German brands he preferred. He informed me that, of the seven people working in the shop, they own 14 MBs between them. He preferred their reliability, ease of maintenance and parts availability. All factors pointing to a lower total cost of ownership.

I do love the new X7 though. Solely tempted for this one unless MB new 2020 GLE update comes in strong.