Why is it that people seem to be so critical when it comes to Mercedes automobiles? My very first car was a 1992 Mercedes 190E. It's a great car and I still own it. It seems that a very strange thing happens when someone asks me what kind of car I drive and I tell them that I have a Mercedes. If there is anybody around who knows what year it is they'll say something like "but it's an older one."

This past weekend I heard someone say, "Yeah, but it's only a C-class", when they saw one on the road. This coming from someone who drives a Honda. It seems that if you're not driving a brand new S-class people will go out of their way to prove that you're not driving an expensive car. It's interesting that this happens with Mercedes but not with the domestic cars. Whenever someone says they drive a Chevy I never hear anybody add, "but it's not a Corvette." If someone says they own a Dodge nobody adds, "but it's not a Viper."

It's interesting how the Mercedes name seems to make people very defensive. I'd be interested in hearing stories on this topic from other members. Has anybody else here experienced strange reactions just because they own a Mercedes?

Before the popularity of leasing and other financing programs, owning a Mercedes meant a substantial financial outlay. When you got your W201, a similarly equipped Honda Accord was about half the price for roughly the same performance/utility, albeit with a lesser build quality.

I'm not sure I agree that the Honda has a lesser build quality. They are different cars, built to meet different criteria, but, IMHO, Honda quality is as good as any car I have seen.

I think it really depends on who you talk to and how image conscious they are. A lot also has to do with it's appearance. The people I know would have no idea what a Mosler is but anyone in the car arena does and the older models are weird and ugly as ever....but they sure are blistering fast! Perhaps it's branding snobbery I think the same applies to a $20k Rolls Royce or a Bentley. It has the badge but it's not the latest and greatest model.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

An S-Class cost 70k and up. A C-Class is around 30-40k. The price difference should be enough to put them in different categories. Most car companies separate their high end cars from their low end cars. They even give them different names. Manufacturers like Mercedes don't do this so its human nature I think to distinguish the models by price when nothing else comes to mind.

All Honda's are around the 35k mark and lower. If you want to go upscale on a Honda you go to Acura, or Lexus if its Toyota. Try calling a Honda an Acura in front of an Acura owner and see how upset he gets

I find most people do not have a clue. I get asked all the time if my car is a new car and if it is a 500 this or that.

They are shocked when I tell them what year it is.

That to me means one thing. still looks better than most new cars ont he road.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

You'll have to jump into the "Wayback Machine" Sherman . . . back in the mid-80's when the W201 was introduced, the Honda Accord SEi was still a rust prone econobox and didn't have doors that reminded you of a bank vault. Honda has come a long way since then,

Now that you mention it, some of those older Hondas did look pretty rough as they aged.

Two possiblities:
[1]When they ask you what you drive, just say "I drive an old German economy car."

[2]Hang with a better class of people.

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62 220sb
67 250S
72 280SE 4.5
74 280C
77 300D
82 240D
85 190E 2.3
86 300E RIP 12/28/09
85 300SD
92 300D 2.5
00 E320 Current
Over 1,000,000 miles in Benzes, Since66

....and a whole passel of BMW 2002 and Tii

What an absurd waste of money. How do they get people to sign up for it?

It's simple.

EGO.

Insecurity.

"Look at me...look at me"

unless of course you simply have a ton of $$$ to spend on such non-sense.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

well someone has to buy them so that we can pick them up in 10 years used. someone bought my s-class new and its a 6-cylinder.

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Jonathan
1998 S600
2001 E430
1994 E320
1991 560SEL
1994 Turbo R

If you are say Self employed and have a profitable gig - then it's a business expense. Give money to Uncle or give money to leasing company.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Though MBs are prolific in Texas, those that don't own one are ignorant of make/model/year/ etc.

Never mind that my newest MB in the fleet is over six years old, friends and associates think I own three new MBs and must be pretty well off.

Most folks here make up their minds about what you drive based on condition rather than age. Add to the fact that MB typically ran 6 to 9-year model runs, a decade-old R129 in excellent condition can seem like a new car to the untrained. And until the 06 ML is introduced, no one is the wiser about the age of my 99 W163, despite the exterior nuances that have evolved since then.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Good point. I guess my beef is that these people are smart enough to make a bunch of money, but they don't seem to know how to spend it. I know these guys who have big houses and lots of expensive toys, but they buy the wrong toys. They should give their money to me. I would do a much better job of being rich.