Why is it called "Luxury"? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 03-12-2003, 09:01 PM

Hi fellow-MBZers

I am new to the forum and new to MBZ ownership but sold on both. Great information to be had here. But...

Why does the world regard the MBZ's to be Luxury Class cars? Price only? I realize my E300 does not come close to the refinements of some of the other MBZ classes but they all carry the designation of luxury.

To wit:
1...they are built like a brick $#%^ house (engineering expertise)
2...they are built like a Panzer tank (safety)
3...they last forever (long term ROI)
4...the diesels will run on anything liquid that will burn (economy)
5...they are a work of art in their own right (beauty)
6...they never seem to change much in style (practicality since no laymen can ever tell me what my year model is this means it is stealth also!)
7...their hood stars attract thieves (attractive nuisance)
8...the Zebranowood (perhaps a little luxury in a plastic world)

I just wondered as I don't feel I am in a luxury auto when I'm tooling along in the Benz. I feel all of the above but I don't feel that RR or Bentley luxury.

Any answers?

bobbyv · #2 03-12-2003, 11:30 PM

I would view it as:

the luxury of engineering ...

the luxury of safety ...

the luxury of ergonomics ...

the luxury of durability ...

the luxury of peace of mind ...

and ...

the luxury of not needing to explain yourself ...

#3 03-12-2003, 11:39 PM

The consensus from MBz Owners is:

Benz' aren't luxury cars they are Fine Autos! I agree with the "vomit vote" by 123c - Like the land yachts (Caddys, Navigators, pitch-yaw-roll mobiles).

I am a ham radio operator and trying to install some high-tech radio gear in the MBz has been a challenge - they are well made and you really have to take one apart to appreciate it.

73MB280SEL · #4 03-13-2003, 12:16 AM

I totally agree. Mercedes Benz are misunderstood by your average American luxury car buyer. I took my work buddies out in the '73 280 SEL a while back and they did not get it: It doesn't ride like a Lincoln and that is what they were expecting.

For most people Luxury = ride comfort and too soft seats. I think that's what has handicapped MB and prevented them from bringing some of their manual transmissioned cars to the US.

Sholin

#5 03-13-2003, 12:39 AM

I used to have that little Honda CRX-SI (the 16 valve version) that was a five speed. The shift action on that car was pretty nice.

Compared to my dearly missed 240-D manual, I think the Mercedes was smoother. The only thing I didn't like about it was the long throw of the shifter. But the clutch was smooooooth as butter.

The Warden · #6 03-13-2003, 04:39 AM

My 300D is an excellently-built, bombproof, reliable vehicle that gets good fuel mileage. It is also the closest thing to a luxury car that I've ever owned (that's not saying much; I've owned 3 trucks including the F-250 I now have, a '65 Chevy with bad springs, and an old VW Bug

)...the front end needs more work, but after that's done, it'll be, by far, the smoothest-driving vehicle I've ever owned...right now, with the front end shaking and the loose steering (I need new guide rod mounts, need to tighten the steering box, and probably more), it's about on par with my truck. A nice ride would be nice, but to be honest, I don't need a luxury car...I would actually prefer cloth seats in the 300D.

The ACC (it's working, fortunately), power windows, sunroof, and such are nice features that come in handy, but I could live without them...the only things that I really "need" are air conditioning (I like cold weather

) and cruise control (I still need to replace my amp...)

Quote:

Originally posted by sflori
The only thing I didn't like about it was the long throw of the shifter.

If you ever come out to California, I'll let you drive my truck around...wanna talk about a long shift throw!!

I think that, at the knob, shifting from 1st to 2nd gives a linear travel of over 12 inches...and about 18 inches between the 1-2 row and the Reverse row. Now if there were only 2 or 3 more gears...

#7 03-13-2003, 07:55 AM

The best manual shifting auto I owned was the ZF six-speed in the LT-4 Corvette. The only problem was that you were always shifting up or down in that car.

Isn't ZF a German goup? That was a tight, crisp, close-ratio transmission.

Worst I ever owned was the almost-automatic in my VW Karman Ghia. Called auto shift, it clutched when you moved the shifter slightly. Really bad idea - you laid your hand on the knob to get closer to your girlfriend's leg and wham...the clutch disengaged and there you were doing 70 with the gas to the floor. Bad idea - over-rev city!

I don't think I have seen a luxury German car - just well built but not really luxury. American standards say that "it's luxury if it cost a lot..."

G-Benz · #8 03-13-2003, 10:26 AM

Mercedes is well-known in Europe for their truck division. The cars are a sideline!

And aside from the higher-end series, the sedans come equipped with cloth seats and are absent of jewel-encrusted appointments and exotic woods. So their are considered well-built mainstream vehicles elsewhere in the world.

When MBs were introduced to the US, there were marketed as luxury vehicles and were lavishly equipped (as were the stickers).

So they are branded as luxury vehicles today, and have an enviable history of quality and safety...although they may lose their reputation for "quality" if they don't fix things soon...

.

What I like best about MB is their typical 9-year model style runs. So you can procure an 8-year old vehicle for a fraction of the new car cost and still be driving a fresh design. I believe DC is shortening this to about 6 years though...