BMW icon cars vs Mercedes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spugeddy · #1 03-05-2007, 11:02 AM

I was talking to my brother lately about my love for the MB 300SL gullwing and lately he has been looking at old BMW 3.0's, (60's-70's )etc...

For me the 300SL gullwing is the ultimate for Mercedes (a true icon car for them), but I don't know much about the history of MB.

For BMW I told him the M1 was about the first one for me that is trully an icon car for BMW. Although I really like the 3.0, 6-series prior to like 1980.

What do you think. Has Mercedes or BMW had anything bigger in your opinion than the gullwing, or M1.

lkchris · #2 03-05-2007, 11:16 AM

Today's SLR is pretty special, too.

david s poole · #3 03-05-2007, 12:32 PM

for bmw it was the 3.0sil where l stood for lightweight.it was a sixties era car and was built so that almost the entire interior[except for drivers seat]easily came out so that you could race it on the weekends.

david s poole · #4 03-05-2007, 01:12 PM

correction it was the bmw csil.

Jim B. · #5 03-05-2007, 07:06 PM

The Mercedes 540K Speziale Roadster from the late 1930's is hard to top

http://www.supercars.net/cars/1208.html

Since66 · #6 03-05-2007, 07:31 PM

Not that it is in the same price class as those that you mention, but the 2002 was the car that put BMW into the public's awareness. For years, 1968 through 1976, the 2002 was the car that put BMW on the map in the US. It still has a cult following among aficionados.

Jim B. · #7 03-05-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Since66

Not that it is in the same price class as those that you mention, but the 2002 was the car that put BMW into the public's awareness. For years, 1968 through 1976, the 2002 was the car that put BMW on the map in the US. It still has a cult following among aficionados.

Yeah, and it's a pretty big "cult", too. Those on its lunatic fringe declare the 2002 tii is the only true 2002.

Since66 · #8 03-05-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Yeah, and it's a pretty big "cult", too. Those on its lunatic fringe declare the 2002 tii is the only true 2002.

Not quite that fervent but I've "Been there, done that, got the T-shirt."

spugeddy · #9 03-06-2007, 01:22 PM

Great point.

But so did the Mustang...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Since66

Not that it is in the same price class as those that you mention, but the 2002 was the car that put BMW into the public's awareness. For years, 1968 through 1976, the 2002 was the car that put BMW on the map in the US. It still has a cult following among aficionados.

The Swede · #10 03-06-2007, 02:23 PM

BMW icons: As mentioned, 2002(esp tii), M1, and Isetta. However, that wasn't technically a BMW.

E30 M3 might be reaching that status (?)

thorsen · #11 03-06-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david s poole

correction it was the bmw csil.

Was that the "Batwing"?
http://www.marque.com.au/historic/030707_BMW_3.0_CSL.htm

The Swede · #12 03-06-2007, 02:31 PM

I recall that it was referred to as a "CSL". Alexander Calder did some interesting paint jobs. Along with Warhol and Lichtenstein on some of the other BMW's.

Calder's CSL:

Frank Stella:

Dee8go · #13 03-06-2007, 02:38 PM

I always love it when I see a 2002 that's in mint condition go by. I loved the 850 from more recent days, too.

Jim B. · #14 03-06-2007, 03:02 PM

The BMW 850i was the dead on competion against the 560SEC. Each was *very* good looking. The third entrant against them was the Jaguar XJS with its 5.3 liter V12. Comfort and refinement was its forte, which it really delivered in spades.

The 850i was the newest design of the three cars, as it was introduced in 1990, but according to some, even though it was marketed as a technological tour de force, its electronic stability controls robbed it of the hard edged driver appeal that BMW purists demanded. It had a Teutonic glamour but in the end, few drivers warmed to it.

Dee8go · #15 03-06-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

The BMW 850i was the dead on competion against the 560SEC. Each was *very* good looking. The third entrant against them was the Jaguar XJS with its 5.3 liter V12. Comfort and refinement was its forte, which it really delivered in spades.

The 850i was the newest design of the three cars, as it was introduced in 1990, but according to some, even though it was marketed as a technological tour de force, its electronic stability controls robbed it of the hard edged driver appeal that BMW purists demanded. It had a Teutonic glamour but in the end, few drivers warmed to it.

Maybe so, but the 850i looks quite dated next to the 560SEC in my opinion. I'm sure I won't get much argument from you on THIS, Jim. I wouldn't turn down either one of them, though.