BMW has lost its rather simplistic performance oriented piloting accomodations for more power luxury features that arecomplicated, and are unnecessary- Styling has also become overdone....

Mercedes has lost the quality control of yesteryear, and has begun to make cars for the masses that are getting harder and harder to distinguish from the rest of the cars on the road. They have also added more complicated systems that are unnecessary.

In my eyes both marques have become less desireable in similar ways as mentioned above... but they both still retain the same driving characteristics that they always have had.

Mercedes are luxury oriented with an edge on performannce.
BMW's are performance oriented with some luxury.

If you can get these charateristics in an OLDER model of either marque, without so many flaws, over done styling (BMW), or generic styling(MB), than why even consider buying a new MB or BMW..... seems to me knowing both marques current flaws, the purchase of one is purely to have a car that appears to be better and newer than the neighbors car.

Purists know better.

I agree... the 2000 BMW 7 series- is a FAR better car than the current 7.
And I'll say the same about the last gen S class over the current S class (though id prefer a cherry 1991 W126 over either!)

I have no doubt that my W123 (obviously) and W202 will last longer than a W203, or the upcomming W204....
And My BMW E9 coupe has proven to be more solidly and simply built than newer more complex cars, and has lasted longer than many already. Yet all cars perform exceptionally, offer great accomodatiions, and have features of necessity and some for indulgence..

I'll proudly stick my middle finger up TODAY to both Marques, and pray for a return of the traditional corporate values both companies used to posess before they decided to build cars loaded with bull**** features and horrid or bland styling.

Consumerism is at an all time peak- a time when the masses determine what is important in a product, while designers and engineers opinions take a back seat.

__________________
Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


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