Audi to overtake Mercedes?

[Dieselman]

Current Car - Mercedes C250 CDI: 41000 miles in 2 years, faults - windows continually misting, paint peeling off alloys, bonnet badge delaminated, auto wipers not working, recalls 4 - Fuel pump software, replacement injectors, power steering leak, fuel injector wiring loom.

Mercedes cars are only expensive because of the archaic manufacturing methods and high pensions costs.
To pay for that the actual quality of product has to be cut back.

 

[millo777]

I am amazed. Are you sure it hasen't been in an accident? All MBs of that age are galvanised.

My 54 plate E class has never been garaged or even washed (well twice in 7 years) and I live in a damp river valley - but there is not a spot of rust on it.

How do you know if you've never washed it?

 

[Ant-toe-knee]

I am amazed. Are you sure it hasen't been in an accident? All MBs of that age are galvanised.

My 54 plate E class has never been garaged or even washed (well twice in 7 years) and I live in a damp river valley - but there is not a spot of rust on it.

Just bought it last week from Sytner Mercedes. Work being carried out Thursday.

 

[Troon]

yes they probably do need the Long wheel based cars in China....

Seems to be something they like in some parts of Asia.

In Malaysia they have made stretch versions of the Saga, Wira (Persona), Waja (Impian), and Perdana.

Many Chinese and SE Asian customers buy the car for their chauffeur to drive them about it, particularly at the more expensive end of the market.

 

[Rory]

Just spat my drink out there.

Every other rep is now in a C-class as a result of super cheap lease deals.

Really? I have two colleagues with MB's but we buy our cars so tax isn't an issue. I honestly can't think of anyone else I work with (colleague or business associate) who drives a Merc. In my last corporate job they weren't on the list at any level.

 

[WesLangdon]

Mercedes cars are only expensive because of the archaic manufacturing methods and high pensions costs.
To pay for that the actual quality of product has to be cut back.

So there's no hope? Without improved quality sales will continue their decline relative to the other 2 German Companies. Perhaps another merger...with a Japanese Company with investment cash?

Or a sale to Volkswagen...how does V.A.D.G sound

 

[grober]

Don't mess with "VAG MAN" Porsche tried it and see what happened to them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche-- see corporate structure.

 

[BillyW124]

i bloomin hope not.

stay away from Vee DUB

 

[gIzzE]

They have their proponents - and the FWD does mean a bit more space in the back. And unlike MB and BMW they offer 4WD saloons in the UK. Not to mention the A3 and TT (It's like a Golf but not a Golf).

I think since the styling became more aggressive a few years back that's also been reflected in a portion of the customer base for the higher end A4s. In the last 5 years if you have somebody in a German car trying to sniff your posterior then it's more likely to be an Audi A4 than a BMW 3 series.

An interesting fact.

Up until 2007 BMW were the no.1 European AWD manufacturer, outselling even Audi.
In 2006 25% off all BMWs sold were AWD and that percentage is climbing.

Just that Audi sell more as a percentage and as their figures have caught BMWs it took them ahead.

 

[HB]

i bloomin hope not.

stay away from Vee DUB

Best cars on the road mate by far

 

[gIzzE]

Best cars on the road mate by far

Depends what you want from a car.

I find them so incredibly dull it is untrue. I would rather just spend more money on the train and taxis than own a VW.

 

[AJA]

I had the misfortune to drive an 10 plate Audi A4 TDi avant pool car as I needed to visit our head office yesterday. It had 14k miles on, and (once I'd figured out how to start it) wasn't impressed at all.

It was crashy over bumps, very sluggish with masses of turbo lag and the quality of the plastics was poor. The seats weren't particularly supportive either and the interior was pretty dull. It's redeaming feature was the main display for audio, heating etc. It was a full coulour screen and very easy to use. Would I buy one? - I don't think so.

 

[Triv]

best cars on the road mate by far

roflmfao

 

[BillyW124]

Best cars on the road mate by far

ok mate

 

[petermansell]

I'll let you all know if Audi is better than MB when I get my hands on my new A5 Coupe.

It looks an awful lot different to my CLK55 AMG. Automated manual as opposed to torque converter; four wheel drive rather than rear wheel; diesel rather than petrol. what have I done!

 

[BillyW124]

I'll let you all know if Audi is better than MB when I get my hands on my new A5 Coupe.

It looks an awful lot different to my CLK55 AMG. Automated manual as opposed to torque converter; four wheel drive rather than rear wheel; diesel rather than petrol. what have I done!

No doubt you are going to love your new Audi, but i bet you down the line you are going to come running back home!

 

[Mercinsussex]

ill appreciate the audi A5 looks nice but other than that i just see bmw's and audi's as fashion icons. boys buy bmw and audi's men buy mercs. on the sales figures all you have is sales hungry reps selling cars to sales hungry reps lol

 

[ss201]

On behalf of a pal, just test drove an Audi 3.0 diesel A6 All-road as he was too far away from the seller to do it himself. 2007 model, 80k miles with main dealer history and 6k of extras. Lovely car to drive, very quick and supremely comfortable. A lot of car for less than £14k. He's absolutely delighted with it now he's bought it. I can see why.

 

[gIzzE]

ill appreciate the audi A5 looks nice but other than that i just see bmw's and audi's as fashion icons. boys buy bmw and audi's men buy mercs. on the sales figures all you have is sales hungry reps selling cars to sales hungry reps lol

That's a bit unfair.
I think a lot of people have bought BMWs despite the badge, even BMW owners know the image is not the best, however, they have been the only choice over the years if you want such a focused drive from an everyday car, that is changing with the current line up, well the flagship 5 series anyway, but still very, very good cars.

The Audi I do agree though, most people buy FWD and they are far from inspiring and can be awful in some regards, just try pulling away from a damp roundabout in one, even worse if you have their multitronic gearbox.
But some of the big estates with Quattro do a job and do it pretty well, but I would rather an E350cdi 4matic over the A6 3.0tdi Quattro.

 

[V12]

Maybe it's a taste thing but the VAG cars have interiors that may feel solid most of the time, but they are just SO boring and i've been shocked to get in an A6 to find that the interior is barely an improvement over the A3!
BMW aren't much better, my mate's 2005 M5 is ok, but we both agree the E55 is a much nicer place to spend time. (maybe because we both hate that awful i drive thing)
That said, the c class has always had a pretty crappy interior...the 203 is just so much worse than the 202 and apart from the 204 feeling much fresher and up to date, it just lacks German Prestige Quality. If i ever step into an e class that feels like an a-class, then i'll be thinking about jumping ship!