This German car showdown has been done to death, or has it? What forces Bimmer owners to look down at Merc-lovers? How come I’ve never heard a song sung about BMW cars like there are about Benzes? And to quote Jadakiss: why don’t they make the CL6 with a clutch?
This German car showdown has been done to death, or has it? What forces bimmer owners to look down at Merc-lovers? How come I’ve never heard a song sung about BMW cars like there are about Mercedes? And to quote Jadakiss: why don’t they make the CL6 with a clutch?
If you’ve never been in nor driven either car before, you’d first go to their respective websites and say, “Wow! Mercedes sells way more models than BMW” and you’d be right. Mercedes has a veritable alphabet soup of ways to drop a good chunk of your salary, while BMW sticks with the tried-and-true numerical naming conventions (save for the M or Xn models.)
Okay, so now that you’ve seen the models that each company has to offer, you’d be like any good car nut and check out the numbers, namely, horsepower and torque. We’ll jump to a $75-80,000 sedan range for both and check the numbers, and pull up the BMW 745Li as well as the Mercedes S430. Before we get to anything else, we would realize that the 745Li is a few thousand dollars cheaper and has 50 more horsepower and 35 more lb-ft of torque than the S430. Advantage: BMW
But maybe our hypothetical German car buyer isn’t into the sedan style, but would rather want a “I have puny genitalia so I need a fast car” drop top convertible, so let’s go see what BMW and Mercedes has to offer in that department. At BMW, our car buyer would have a choice between a 333-hp M3 and a 325-hp 645Ci, both very nice cars. Now for Mercedes, our buyer would momentarily rip his crotch seam wide open in excitement, for Mercedes offers the 604-hp SL65 AMG roadster with 730+ lb-ft of torque at your command. Say money is no object, hmm, I wonder which one he or she would buy? Advantage: Mercedes
Our potential buyer is very confused now, because they have absolutely no clue how any of these cars actually drive. Do they handle well? Do they feel like a Buick? Are they flat around turns, or do they feel like a boat hitting its own wake? Hmm, and how about the interiors? And what if I want a manual transmission, how difficult is it to find a Benz with a clutch?
I leave these questions up to you, faithful reader. Convince our hypothetical buyer which is better, BMW or Mercedes, and why. Let’s get this (car) party started!
65 comments so far
Technologically, I think it’d be very difficult to pick a winner. To be honest, I don’t think either is better. They’re different
I’ve always been in a Merc family - although my dad used to drive a Beemer 528i in the 80s (Why do you Americans say “Bimmer”, by the way?)
It’s just about style. BMW is a car for drivers who want to feel involved, where Merc offers that Sunday cruise (although lately, very fast Sunday cruise) feeling with minimal effort.
Pretty interesting how horsepower (or kilowatt) obsessed the AMG and M stables have become in the last year or three though… “Dude, have you seen the new CL65?”. “Yes, but have you seen the new M6?”.
I can’t pronounce a winner, but I drive a Merc…
October 27th, 2004 at 1:51 pm
I don’t get the whiole “bimmer” thing either. I say beemer. Won’t stop. But I am from Alaska, not America.
I don’t drive either (now), but I used to own a 1968 BMW 1602. That was fun to drive. I’ve driven a Merc before. Not so much.
To me the difference comes down to, do you want to drive through the world (Merc), or in the world (BMW)?
October 27th, 2004 at 2:32 pm
Okay, sorry Matthew, but I gotta lay the smack down. A “bimmer” is a BMW automobile, while a “beemer” is a BMW motorcycle. BMW motorcycles were made first, thus the reason why the term is more fitting.
If you need more information, please check this out. And by the way, .GIF is pronounced “jiff” and not “giff”.
October 27th, 2004 at 2:37 pm
Oh mike i love it when you get so nasty…. Breakin out the definitions just gets me going. Its jiff not giff haha!!!
I wouldn’t be able to say which one is better without owning or driving both of them but it seems that when i see a person driving a bmw, hes or she is much younger than people driving mercedes now maybe this is just where I live that this is the case but thats what I have noticed and older people don’t like stick… Well some older women still do but thats another story.
October 27th, 2004 at 3:26 pm
BMW makes cars?!
From your “information”:
BMW riders said Beemer as a way of saying BMW as a word. This was long before the popularity of BMW cars, so whenever the term Beemer was spoken, it referred to the motorcycle. In theory, one could apply Beemer to either cars or bikes since it is only a reference to the name BMW. In fact some folks do call BMW cars Beemers.
Your rebuttle confused me, Mike. But then I saw they URL of the site you linked to, saw the word “boston” and completely understood. Any West Coast natives out there say “bimmer?”
And .jpg is pronounced “geepeg.”
October 27th, 2004 at 5:32 pm
West Coast native, here: I say “beemer.” “Bimmer” reminds me of “primer” and that reminds me of school and I already graduated college, so we’ll have none of that, thanks.
October 27th, 2004 at 8:02 pm
You North Americans are a funny bunch with your pronounciations…
An interesting point brought up Dan is that of stick vs auto. Here in South Africa, where (almost) everyone drives “stick”, very few Beemers are automatic. It’s almost a case of “I buy a BMW because I like a manual transmission”. But, I think that’s all changing gradually as technology progresses - just look at the 7 series… How ridiculous would the starship Enterprise look with a stickshift…?
Geepeg? It’s like pronouncing ZA (our country code) as zee-ey, instead of zed-ey!
October 28th, 2004 at 11:18 am
To my knowledge, bimmer is the bike, beemer is the car. Atleast thats the distinction I see between the words in the states.
Anyhow, recently I test drove that nice new 605 bhp merc, and the newer m5. And I gotta say, I love the BMW. The Merc was quick, and handled well, but if i were to completely turn off it’s stability controls, there is asbolutely no way Id be able to feel the road as i did when i turned on ’sport mode’ in the BMW. As someone mentioned before theyre targeted differently on the consumer. Merc is well, for those who want a ‘Mercedez’, and BMW seems to be more of a driving machine as they say, rather than a machine to drive you(the merc).
I’ll get a merc convertable when I’m around 60, until then, it’s the M-Series all the way.
October 28th, 2004 at 1:32 pm
The reason that the CL6 does not have a manual clutch is because it is strictly a luxury sedan.
As for the comparisons of the M3 and the SL65 AMG, there is no comparison there at all. The SL65 costs more than three times as much yet does not have a three times increase in specs. If youre going to compare cars, at least keep them in the same price range.
Also, the 6 series and the M3 are not the only high performance cars that BMW offers. Ever heard of an M5 E60? I didnt think so…
October 28th, 2004 at 7:36 pm
Matt, in the article I note that I was comparing the highest end convertible coupes available from each manufacturer. In BMWs case, they have the M3 and 645Ci drop, while Mercedes has the high end SL65 roadster (as well as many others, but I was only looking at the high-end ones). And the point I was trying to make, is that Mercedes may appeal more to the “old person with lots of money, wants a fast convertible” market segment, and thus gives people in that market more of a choice when it comes to high-end convertibles.
And yes I have heard of the new M5, but it appears as though BMW won’t release it as a convertible, though I may be wrong.
Also, the CL600 or CL65 AMG are both coupes, not sedans. The day I buy a 500+ horsepower coupe that doesn’t have a third pedal is the day I die.
October 28th, 2004 at 7:42 pm
Nice article Mike! I must say I’m slightly biased towards the bmw (I drive a 325), but anything german will more than fulfillingly quench my thirst!
I find this a really funny topic (merc vs bmw) as we have the same conflict over here in Australia with the Holden Commodore VS Ford Falcon (on a much MUCH larger scale)…
I agree that it’s pretty sad that Merc prefer the “Dynamic duo” when it comes to pedals, but you know BMW are really pushing their “SMG” these days - who knows how that’ll pan out over the coming years.
P.S How hot is the new M4 going to be????
October 28th, 2004 at 11:15 pm
Oh man, the Falcon. That was the car in Mad Max. That movie was great.
October 28th, 2004 at 11:39 pm
ZIM ZIMMA, WHO GOT THE KEYS TO MY BIMMER WHO AM I
THE GIRLS DEM SUGAR. - Beenie Man (Who am I? - 1998).
October 29th, 2004 at 12:30 am
Take the other end of this scale. BMW was smart enough to keep the MINI when it sold the Rover Group to Ford. Now they have a fairly inexpensive, unique, money maker on their hands. BMW is VERY adamant that the MINI is NOT a BMW, it’s a MINI. They tried the small car market in the 90’s with the 318ti marketing bomb. The problem was it looked like a scaled down big BMW.
Then in early 2000, MB comes to the table with the C-Coupe- not having learned from BMW’s mistake. Now, be it a decent car, it’s still gives the thought that it’s a “cheap” Mercedes because it looks like a scaled down more expensive car. (Anyone with one, that comment isn’t meant as a slam on your car, I almost bought one)
From the small car market that is offered in the U.S., BMW is the winner- by a long shot.
October 29th, 2004 at 4:31 pm
If you are not worried about money why don’t you check out the SLR McLaren. I got the chance to work an event at Virginia International Raceway where they were showing the press this car. It is an extremely impressive car and handled extremely well on the intricate full course at VIR. It would out perform any of the BMWs I have been able to work with.
November 4th, 2004 at 10:12 pm
According to Dr. Helmut Panke and BMW historians, it’s not a matter of dialect in the case of Bimmer vs. Beemer. Historically, BMW motorcycles were referred to as Beemers when they debuted on the racing circuits of Europe (and no, BMW did not produce motorcycles first. The engineers at BMW began with the DIXI, before they were technically called Bayerische Motoren Werke. Before that, it was all aircraft engines.) It’s a clear distinction between motorcycles and automobiles. Anyone familiar with the company’s heritage would use the nicknames accordingly.
And I agree that the comparison between the M and the SL65 was a bit outlandish. You may have been saying a rich old guy would prefer the Mercedes, but that doesn’t mean they’re comparable. At that stage - from my own experience - it’s not a debate between Bimmers and Mercs, it’s between Ferrari and Aston Martin, or McLaren and Lotus.
Finally, on the M5, of course they won’t come out with a convertible. BMW’s first concern has nothing to do with zero to sixty or horsepower. Their first concern is the all-around driving experience, including safety. You just wouldn’t get the same kind of rigidity in the chassis if it were a convertible. It’s contrary to BMW’s brand image and what their engineers seek to achieve. Basically, you can’t really compare BMW and Mercedes anymore. Mercedes has strayed from its original German intents and purposes since the merge with Chrysler. They’ve become a whole different animal.
November 17th, 2004 at 1:34 am
Really, why doesn’t the CL6 have a clutch I ve been trying to find out.
March 14th, 2005 at 1:08 pm
BMW beats Mercedes hands down. Looks wise- Mercedes is super flashy , overdone , it reminds me of an old persons car, same with cadillac.- older people would drive those. I do like Mercedes but as far as youth, looks , performance, quality i’d take a BMW. You have to love the new design they have going now- and the BMW emblems pop out, its like nothing ive seen before. And its not a question of money because i can afford a mercedes yet i chose a BMW. Some mercedes are the same price as bmw or less. James Bond drives BMW.
September 9th, 2006 at 8:36 am
well um, i drive a c55 amg and , i was confused between the m3 and this, i have test drived an m3 before and it does handle very smooth and runs nice, but i like my c55 way better considering it has more horsepower than the m3 and u can definetely get it for like what? $5000 more? but yea they are both great and both look great in all their models.I prefer benz though =).
September 30th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
I like Mercedes for style, the BMW’s style is unattractive in my eyes, and I’m only 24, I’ve always been more attracted to the MB’s sleek lines and soft touches rather than the sharp edges of the Beemers (and yes I say beemers, I’m from California) I’ve never driven a bmw, but I have a friend who owns one and I’ve been in it and didn’t see anything that special about it, sure it’s fast but in Los Angeles, does speed really matter? I love MB hands down, it fits my style and taste, I guess it’s cuz I grew up in Cadillacs and Buicks, maybe I’m a luxury design kinda girl! As of now though, I drive a toyota corolla….vroom vroom… lol yea, someday though, I’ll be cruising in my SL65 AMG
October 9th, 2006 at 9:16 am
both are horrid on the mean streets of nyc.Japan does it right,germans second then us italians
October 10th, 2006 at 4:14 am
Maybe BMW is just as bad but be forewarned. Mercedes does not stand behind their cars anymore. My recent S500 had a dashboad failure at 51000 miles. No odometer, speedometer, dash lights, etc. Parts & labor was $2500 and while just out of warranty, I would have expected Mercedes to stand behind the car. This was a failure that should never happen, but certainly not right at warranty expiration. Dealer referred me to Mercedes corporate and they would not do anything! While tempted by Mercedes advertising and car styles, my last experience speaks volumes about Mercedes. I suggest anyone thinking about a Benz understand what Mercedes thinks about customer relations. I hope to have a better experience with my BMW 745il.
October 14th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
i think mercedes is better than bmw with the new cars and old cars …spichally s sedan and sl
October 24th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
“James Bond drives BMW”
Only because BMW paid megabucks for it.
November 7th, 2006 at 11:34 am
Check the engine compartment of a McLaren F-1 and see who Built the engine.
November 14th, 2006 at 3:48 am
Mercedes SLR might be faster than any BMW on the road, but look who helped make one of the worlds fastest cars ever!! if it wasnt for BMW, the McLaren F1 would have never existed. Have MB ever made a car faster than a Mclaren F1?? i didnt think so. And the fact that it was almost two decades ago jus tells us what BMW are really capable of. Imagine if BMW put that engine in one of their cars, Mercedes will never be able to match that. BMW dont care about putting so much horsepower in car, they focus on the handling. A BMW M3 CSL will rip apart the MB SL65 around a track and look at the horsepower difference, 605hp vs 350hp!! and the BMW costs half the price of the SL65.
December 4th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Poor me ..I have a Kia Spectra 2003 ..Hope to be behaind a german machine someday.. the comments have been enlightening…
December 5th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
Im a BMW 5 series owner…and I must say that Mercendes does have a lot of nice looking cars with way more options. But pound for pound, overall driving experience goes to BMW…..its the Ultimate Driving Machine.
December 12th, 2006 at 5:50 am
I drove MB C class and BMW 3 series. And what can i say about my experience? MB is a car for passengers but BMW is for drivers. I’m a driver. I like to feel the car and it’s power. I like safe and quick riding, so I prefer BMW. When you are in MB, it feels like the car just doesn’t accelerate!
Yes, some AMG are more powerfull then BMW, but you must undestend that AMG is not proper MB. AMG is just a tuning version of MB. But I saw tuned 1000HP BMW M3! Try to imagine, how fast it was, in spite of BMW’s better handling!
December 12th, 2006 at 9:27 pm
I am a proud owner of a BMW 328i , and i love it. I get so many compliments of the street. Im 21 and i think ill stick to having a BMW rather a mercedes!!!
December 13th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
I’m female and I’ve owned 8 BMW’s (three X-5’s,
two 3 series, two 5 series)& now one Mercedes (the S550). This week I decided to trade the X-5. I drove a Mercedes E Class, Lexus & a BMW 530i. It became very apparent after driving the three cars that the BMW is the ultimate driving machine. I must also add the interior features and comfort of the BMW was also a big factor in my decision.
December 15th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
I believe Mercedes-Benz takes down the BMW. Mercedes-Benz offers sleak lines, very enthralling and a sex appeal, if it were a female. Plus, who doesn’t notice the hood emblem, silly sticker on a bmw hood.
December 20th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
I’m a current owner of bmw-5 series. I’ve never actually driven a merc but I’ve been a passenger in one, and they don’t seem to handle the road in the same way BMW does. That is probably my favorite thing about them, speed aside. I can’t believe how you feel complete control over the road. They are soooo much fun to drive.
December 27th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
OK….I am a Canadian and I own both, I have a BMW and a Mercedes. They are both very nice cars and absolutelya dream to drive. These are both the high end models with lots of HP. What it boils down to is preference and style. The BMWs are more of a driver’s car, i.e. you feel every turn and you are driving tjhe car like you are riding a race horse yet to be tamed. The Mercedes is a nice cruising car that does nopt need much effort to drive but still extremely nice. The BMW allows you to get your adrenalin f;lowingf whereas the Merc relaxes you for a nice drive but still a fast one at that. OK….I am a Canadian and I own both, I have a BMW and a Mercedes. They are both very nice cars and absolutelya dream to drive. These are both the high end models with lots of HP. What it boils down to is preference and style. The BMWs are more of a driver’s car, i.e. you feel every turn and you are driving tjhe car like you are riding a race horse yet to be tamed. The Mercedes is a nice cruising car that does nopt need much effort to drive but still extremely nice. The BMW allows you to get your adrenalin f;lowingf whereas the Merc relaxes you for a nice drive but still a fast one at that.
January 5th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I think BMW is a BMW ….simply irresistible ,also its lot lot easy to maintain in the long run ,and spares not so exorbitantly priced as the benz ,also so many added features as against the benz ….i have both c class220cdi and 320d ….320d is lot more fetures like the prewired phone ,more bhp ,more torque ,run flat tyres, set memory ,etc…………….here in india bmw kills mercedes by miles
January 9th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I own both, and Mercedes is a type of car where you would want to have a relaxing drive, where as the BMW is a car where you want to race, giving it’s name “THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE”
January 14th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Bond drives BMW because it fits his IMAGE. Its the perfect car for a guy like that. Can you picture Bond in a big old boat like Mercedes? Sure theyre nice but the car is big and more slow than a BMW. It is an old persons car.
February 10th, 2007 at 1:00 am
The BMW’s emblem is more classy than the Mercedes emblem. Its more subdued also. The Mercedes emblem says ‘LOOK AT ME’ with that big silver thing on the front. I see that emblem it does nothing for me. The BMW emblem is recognizable right away and I get a better feeling looking at it. It looks better. The BMW emblem is no sticker, its a well crafted, well made emblem. To the guy who wrote this article, There are many songs that mention BMW just like Mercedes. And Brent BMW has MUCH more sex appeal than a Mercedes. Get real.
February 10th, 2007 at 1:06 am
I have to agree with Jacob.
February 19th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I live in Hong Kong and I have a E60 5 series BMW made in Germany, it looks more modern and is more well built then a Merc E class which is made in South Africa.
It has aluminium front panels and hood/bonnet and alu front/rear axles=50:50 weight distribution, and I don’t know if the E class has it
The BMW wins easily, the Mercs of late are too much like Chryslers, look at the new S class, they copied the rear end from a BMW 7 series (lexus also copied it) and the i drive…. BMW diesel engines are also way ahead.
the guy who mentioned the Mc F1 which was made in the 90s sums it up, BMW has already overtaken Merc who rely on an old image to sell.
I was a Merc fan till 2001,driving 300Coupe, CLK, etc,.
Since after 2001, Mercs have gone downhill, styling and dynamically.
They now rely on larger cc engines to obtain comparable power, a bit like the Detroit V8 philosophy, and does not fit in with the warming atmosphere and the real world.
I mean why do you need a AMG6.3 engine to compare against a 5L M5??? get a Mustang instead.
if BMW were to use a tuned 6.3 V12 in a M5, they will slaughter Merc, the guys at Merc need to get back to German designs, eg.most power and efficiency from an engine, those nerds from Chrysler are killing them.The only nice original looking car that Merc has is the CLS which is nice.
February 22nd, 2007 at 1:23 pm
The Bimmer is a vehicle for teenage girls while the MB is something the president of the united states would drive. MB look way better than the BMW “honda” look and you know what I mean.
March 30th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
BMW IS undoubtedly the WORLD’S FAVOURITE BRAND! surveys have been done and the results confirm this obvious fact. Ask any pre-school child what car they want when they grow up. . . . . A Bee Em is the inevitable answer and sometimes a Ferrari. They have uped car maker standards and started many many trends. The C-class together with the A4 and S40 all owe their existance to the advent of the 3 Series BMW. The new S class has so so copied the 7 series in it’s rear and even the concept of a central navigation button in the interior.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
BMW rapes mercedes in all apsects. i own a E60 530i & a E90 330i. it comes down to this: are you looking for something to enjoy as a driver? or are you looking for a show off car to scream: look at me i have soo much money im going to spend it on a repulsive S class that screams slap some C4 under me and blow the shit. and yes, that drivers car is a BMW.
My best freind is a MB Fanboy. Im a BMW Fanboy. the battle never stops. ill get random text messeges frm him in the middle of the night just so he can say some lame anti bmw shit. looser. anyways, he always argues how my car (3 series) cant be compared to his C class… hes right, it cant. my 3 series is a little pocket rocket! it handles like a dream, and your REALLY driving the car. yeah, ive tried his C class. i got bored three minutes into this “tour”. you never feel the car accelerate. a good thing if your sitting in the backseat reading the stock exchange.
But my 5 series mutilated his E class in comfort. my ass started to ache after a 2 hour drive in it. my baby? i drove for about a little under 5 hours, and my butt was the least bit sore! *smirks* and the E class’s interior feels suffocated compared to mine! sorry, but clearly, BMW is superior. no question, no doubt. BMW is for driving enthusiests, and MB is for rich-badge-whore-show-off-penis-compensating sons of bitches. but hey! thats just my opinion.
BUT, rest assured, i like MB, but you cant compare it to a BMW. MB is something more of a lexus or infinity standard, after chrystler bought it and fucked it all up.
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:54 am
Honestly, am totally torn between the MB and the BMW. I test drove the CLS550 couple weeks ago and I test drove the BMW 550i and I gotta say… BEEMER hands down. Price tag on CLS 70K, 550i 60K. I got lots of stares driving the CLS but then, what’s more important? Looks or performance? Definitely PERFORMANCE…BMW wins!
April 24th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
the president would drive a mercedes? so what? why would i want to be like the president. The BMW fits my image of myself. Young sporty exciting. Maybe if i was an old slow poke idiot id go for the mercedes.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:29 am
Mercedes is superior IMO because it drives super well, the interiors are more comfortable (layout and whatnot), and they are much more reliable over the years. And they’re just all around classy. BMW is sporty, not my style.
My next car is going to be the new 2008 C 350 sport or maybe luxury sedan. Looking forward to the new suspension, handling improvements.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Mercedes is superior IMO because it drives super well, the interiors are more comfortable (layout and whatnot), and they are much more reliable over the years. And they’re just all around classy. BMW is sporty, not my style.
My next car is going to be the new 2008 C 350 sport or maybe luxury sedan. Looking forward to the new suspension, handling improvements.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Mercedes is such a disapointment! Sies. They make huge cc engines just to compete with small BMW cc. Look when the beemer made the 3.2L straight six M3. Merc came up with a very mediocre C32. the BMW totally raped the merc, then merc created an even bigger C55 just compete with the M3. Shame on you merc.
June 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Artiemaan, BMW is definitely a race car oriented vehicle. Mercedes is much more of an easy ride, smooth, silent, and georgeous.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:38 am
just saw the president of China on TV
riding in a 7 series BMW, and the police cars that followed were 5 series!!
I have a 5 series E60.
Commies always ride in the best, and today’s best is the BMW.
MB are good, but need to get back in the game, hope the new c class delivers, it looks better than the 3 series, but the E class, it looks dated.
July 11th, 2007 at 6:20 am
The BMW is worthy for its ancestry, which has its roots in precision applications for aviation. Some of the engines that powered the aircraft flown by the Red Baron’s legendary “Flying Circus” during the First World War were built by BMW. Since switching to auto manufacture in the late 1920’s, BMW has built vehicles that are the epitome of luxury, style and drivability - a smart investment by any measure. Even the best-engineered machines require regular maintenance, however, and the BMW is no exception. A small investment in BMW parts today will save substantial money in the future as well as ensure dependable transportation for years to come. BMW parts that are part of regularly scheduled maintenance include oil filters as well as fuel and air filters, spark plugs, radiator hoses, belts and BMW 330ci parts. These kinds of discount BMW parts are not the most expensive ones you’ll need to buy, but they represent a small investment that will have great returns when it comes to fuel economy and performance.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:20 am
I used to drive a BMW when I was younger, this is because I couldnt afford a Merc. Beemer’s just gave me pain & suffering with constant problems. My family drives BMW and they enjoy it. However one day I bought my first Merc - C220 Komp - Now my whole family wants a Merc.
BMW is a cheap mans car with cheap instrumentations and drives like a corolla compared to the Merc. I have driven BMW’s for 12 years and the Merc for only 6 months and I am sold.
If you can afford a Merc then shut up and drive your poor mans Beemer
August 31st, 2007 at 6:20 am
BMW handles like a dream, I don’t know what this guy above me has been smoking. the newer Mercedes models (not including the AMG models) have serious reliability issues, especially the M class. Newer MB models also have inferior quality plastics inside and feel to much like a Ford. And BMW’s aren’t for poor people, I hardly see how a new M3 in the UK which costs over £50,000 (100,000 USD) is for a poor person?
December 6th, 2007 at 6:40 am
I am still in dilemma to decide between BMW325i Sport or Mercedes C230K. Perhaps some people out there could enlighten me on the best car between the two.
Regards.
December 11th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Bimmer is a vehicle for RICH PEOPLE. Mercedes is for old timers.
December 15th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Mercedes is a car for teenage girls and old men. Bimmer is a real mans car.
December 15th, 2007 at 8:37 am
MERCEDES is owned by Chrysler/ BMW is an independent company, nough said.
December 15th, 2007 at 8:44 am
I have taken the time to read all the comments on this page, and I noticed how low class and uneducated the Mercedes fans sound by posting comments like “Plus, who doesn’t notice the hood emblem, silly sticker on a bmw hood.” That goes to show you the difference between BMW and Mercedes. Mercedes is just a name now, no longer a quality car that’s worth your money. Mercedes is for status hungry people who have a lot of money and want to show off, not for educated, modest and well balanced people.
So, if you are asking which one is better, it is not a matter of taste, it is a matter of fact that BMW is much better in quality, handling and overall performance. As far as taste, BMW looks a lot more exciting and young, than the old-fart style of the Mercedes. As far as pricing, well you arleady know BMW wins =)
Mercedes should be ashamed of overpicing their Chrysler junk. However I was so happy when BMW told Ford to take their American junk and shove it.
December 24th, 2007 at 8:04 am
I have read the article and the comments. The comparisons are not apple to apple. The correct comparisons would be 650i coupe/convertible to SL500, M6 to SL55, M3 E46 to C32, M5 to E55, etc.
In terms of price the two cars are almost the same. This is especially true when you add options such as Sport Package, Convenience Package, etc to the BMW.
The two brands are DUFFERENT and appeal to different tastes. They are not for “rich” people. They are for people who value a well built luxury car. In addition the 3 series and C class are priced competitively (in the United States) to many other domestic and Asian vehicles.
The gross error in many of the postings is that Chrysler did not buy Diamler, they merged. It is a well known that the Diamler management took over many of the key roles at Chrysler. Chrysler products benefited from the merger and Mercedes was not diminished. This argument is null since Diamler sold Chrysler.
The lower quality of Mercedes is due to the fact they they sell many more cars than they did in the past. Also the cars have become lighter so that they could become more fuel efficient. The interior quality of Mercedes and BMW have both diminished over the years.
The comment that the BMW emblem is high quality is laughable because all BMW emblems fall off after three or four years. The glue that holds the emblem to the metal bracket decays and the emblem blows off while you are driving down the road.
Not all Mercedes have hood emblems. AMG models do not have them and you can order a “badgeless” model with no hood emblem.
In my experience high mileage Mercedes have less maintenance issues than high mileage BMW’s. Also people who say that BMW’s are of such high quality have never dealt with the original I-Drive in the 745’s.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I myself drive a c32 amg I know the new c63 amg with 451hp is going to be a monster.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Whats everyone think about the new Mercedes C63 vs BMW’s M3?
DiscountBenz.com
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Hi Jacob.
I too drive the C32 but i dont think i would be prepared to pay the price tag of the new c63.. would you??
http://www.autowirez.co.uk/blog
June 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Ahhh, thank you jacob nc, for once again proving to us that Mercedes Owners know absolutely nothing about, well, anything. DAIMLER merged with Chrysler and as a result of the merger, the majority of Mercedes Models are now NORTH AMERICAN BUILT. Do you want an example of the quality of an American Built Car? Hint *both major NA automakers are going to be declaring bankruptcy soon - hopefully* *cough Ford and GM cough*
Do you OWN either of these vehicles? I doubt you do, because if you do, you wouldn’t be so hasty as to vehemently defend a Mercedes.
I have owned three MB’s. The first, when I turned 19 was a C class. Seven months old and the car stalled out in the middle of the road on my way to work. It was towed to the dealership and I was told the gas gauge was malfunctioning (the car was empty when it told me there was half a tank left) and needed to be replaced. Four days after getting it back I was stopped at a red light and took my foot off the brake at the green light. The car lurched forward and almost hit the car in front of me. The car then stalled in the intersection. They thought there was air in the fuel line (they never drained? the line when they fixed the gauge). The car was in the shop (luckily, under warraty) another FOURTEEN TIMES over the course of the next EIGHT months. I had spent almost more time in a rental car than I had in my own vehicle. From everything I was told, apparently I was driving the wrong CLASS of Mercedes.
So, being a logical female, I sold the C280 and went the SUV route after having our first child. I purchased a GL550. The interior wood trim started cracking (it was plastic) and the ashtray FELL OUT of the center console after pulling my cell phone charger out of it. They replaced it TWICE. Finally, I just left it broken. Then there was a recall on the oil dipstick. Then something was wrong with the transmission. Then the passenger side fog light would bust spontaneously. It did that four times.
So, again, being a logical and rational being - I gave the GL550 to my sister and bought myself a new car after having our second daughter; I couldn’t possibly go wrong with the S600. Or could I? The car was in the shop five times before I finally called it quits. From the air intake, to the oxygen sensor, to the computer that CONTROLS THE ENGINE BEING REPLACED - I finally had it with Mercedes. I filed several complaints with MB Canada Corporate - even sending correspondence to the President. They send a field representative to the dealership to investigate, write their report and DO NOTHING. Why? Because MB Corporate has no control over the individual dealerships and won’t accept responsibility for the fault y vehicles.
DO a GOOGLE search of MERCEDES SUCKS and you can draw your own conclusions about this “Oh, so wonderful” car company.
After listening to me complain about the cars, my husband dragged me into a BMW dealership. I test drove the 535xi and was hesitant about falling in love with it (even though I was already secretly in love with it!). I was scared I was going to buy it, only to have something happen to it.
One month, two months, three months, two years go by and nothing happens to the car. And I was SHOCKED that I didn’t have to pay $584 dollars every 20,000 kms for what was basically a synthetic oil change as I did with MB!!! Imagine that! Free service for cars under warranty?! Imagine THAT!
I was so delighted with the BMW that I bought an X5 to be able to cart our two kids around and an M5 Sedan for my personal vehicle. The cars handle so wonderfully. My MB’s were awful as far as cornering go, but my Beemers hug the road and just don’t let go. With the MB’s there was always a delay when you floored the gas but the BMW reacts IMMEDIATELY.
Want cost differential? I paid 99K for my GL550, 45K for the C280 and a whopping 188K for the S600. I paid $75K for the 535xi, $119K for my M5 (same hp as the S600 -500hp vs 503) and 73K for the X5.
Anyone who is SERIOUSLY going to make the argument that they would purchase the MB because it is more aesthetically pleasing should consider having their head checked. Would you marry a woman just because she was RED HOT? Resign yourself to years of mindless chatter, wishing you had chose the attractice smart girl instead?
I didn’t think so. Only an idiot would do something like that.
AE
June 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
P.S.: Again, to i-dont-know-what-im-talking-about jacob nc - my step father drives an S65 AMG and it DOES have a hood ornament. So your comment about AMG’s not having the MB badge is not accurate.
A BMW roundel will come off as easily as the NEW MB roundel found on the hoods and in the grilles of the 2008’s. They also come off as easily as the emblems for Lexus, Infiniti. However, the bottom line is that the badge is more likely to be STOLEN than to fall off of its own volition.
iDrive is not complicated unless you have the Intelligence Quotient of a tick or are perhaps 70 years old and don’t understand computers. It’s the Navigation system that lags and is difficult. Fix: Order your car without the NAV system. It is otherwise more user friendly than when originally launched.
The sad reality is that Mercedes is no longer a quality car company. This was said best in the words of the tow truck driver who towed my old C class….
“That’s what you get for buying a Dodge”
June 5th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Straight line speed pick the AMG. Track junkies pick the M.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:01 am
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