No Guy, the C450/C43 uses the existing twin turbo V6 as the basis - ramped up to 367hp.
No Guy, the C450/C43 uses the existing twin turbo V6 as the basis - ramped up to 367hp.
D
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It might sound like I'm critical of the brand but it is the current style that I object to, a good example of the direction MB are taking can be seen in their current advert that only seems to show on a Sunday morning during the TV programme Sunday Brunch, it is dire.
Agreed and there should be a V6 diesel in the C-Class as well, to round out the range and for those who prefer 6 cylinders to 4!!
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Now we're getting somewhere.
I couldn't believe it myself! It's all C36fan. He's made us all into an AMG pyramid. I tells ya!!!
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I guess times change and styling moves on. All manufactueres have to move with the times or get left behind.
Our daughter loves the current MB ads as they're modern, music filled and fun. I guess it's all about target audience. Trying to keep all age ranges interested must be a challenge for all.
I'm not a mad petrolhead. I love cars but I'll never drive fast enough to know a good car from a bad. What I do know is most modern day cars are amazing. When I think back to my dads Cortina and my MG Metro they were horrible compared to today's great motors.
I like MB. A lot
Ant.
I agree Ant - today's cars are (for the most part) a quantum leap better than cars of 40/50 years ago, not that we should be surprised by that really but am I the only one that thinks they've lost something along the way??
My disappointment with modern cars, especially Mercedes & BMW is that:
1) They've lost some of the character of the respective brand/models and almost feel diluted - I mean, when you sit in a Merc/BMW from the 70's you almost didn't need to see which car you were sitting in - you could tell from the way the door closed, the switches felt or even from the smell - 'thunk', 'click', 'sniff' - Mmm, I'm in a Merc.
Sounds crazy but to me the DNA of the brand was more apparent in every single area. It's one of the reasons I've always loved the G-Wagen (as it will always be to me), because it's remained relatively un-changed.
2) In a bid to chase volume, Mercedes and BMW have become cars of the masses (and I know that sounds a bit elitist - apologies) they've lost some of the specialness that made them aspirational purchases.
Sit in a classic Merc from the 1970's or even 1980's and the difference between then and now is really noticeable, so much so that for my last car I seriously contemplated stepping back to a classic 'C' or 'E' but in the end came more up to date for better dynamics.
Some days I'm not sure I made the right decision.
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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Totally agree with the above modern cars have no soul or character
Yugguy
MB Enthusiast
My 58 plate merc feels tighter, better built and just classier than the 14 plate Astra Elite (top of range) that I test drove the week before. The Guiletta was nice but some of the dials and displays were a bit gimmicky. Turbo boost guage on a boggo diesel, bit pointless imo.
D
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Yes Mark. I agree totally.
Just a thought though and playing devils advocate. Maybe that the older BMW's and MB felt so special because all the other more common brands Ford, Vauxhall, etc etc etc were REALLY bad so the difference was much more apparent. Maybe the rest have upped their game 10 fold?
I agree that the likes of BMW & MB were very much premium brands back then.
I know exactly what you're all saying but maybe it's just the way of the world that the quality has diluted over time. Same with many things in life.
Look at new build homes, no character compared to homes of years gone by.
Cheap as chips clothing & shoes etc. White goods that are disposable.
Similar Comparisons can be made with most things in modern day life. But honestly, does it really matter? I know which decade I'd rather enjoy life in.
Ant.
Just a thought though and playing devils advocate. Maybe that the older BMW's and MB felt so special because all the other more common brands Ford, Vauxhall, etc etc etc were REALLY bad so the difference was much more apparent. Maybe the rest have upped their game 10 fold?
I agree that the likes of BMW & MB were very much premium brands back then.
I know exactly what you're all saying but maybe it's just the way of the world that the quality has diluted over time. Same with many things in life.
Look at new build homes, no character compared to homes of years gone by.
Cheap as chips clothing & shoes etc. White goods that are disposable.
Similar Comparisons can be made with most things in modern day life. But honestly, does it really matter? I know which decade I'd rather enjoy life in.
Ant.
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D
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That is it in a nutshell. Now MB and BMW are mainstream brands catering to the masses who can afford their cars. Costs have been cut, and unless you are buying their flagship, the premium S class, quality isn't what it used to be.
But MB are selling plenty of cars and won't change their plans whilst sales are reaching their expected figures.
Its just a shame the AMG logo is thrown on to so many models now
D
Deleted member 113659
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Its just a shame the AMG logo is thrown on to so many models now
"How Very Dare You!!! I've got an 'AMG' E220 Bluetec. A true AMG. :bannana:Ant.
Yes Mark. I agree totally.
Just a thought though and playing devils advocate. Maybe that the older BMW's and MB felt so special because all the other more common brands Ford, Vauxhall, etc etc etc were REALLY bad so the difference was much more apparent. Maybe the rest have upped their game 10 fold?
I agree that the likes of BMW & MB were very much premium brands back then.
I know exactly what you're all saying but maybe it's just the way of the world that the quality has diluted over time. Same with many things in life.
Look at new build homes, no character compared to homes of years gone by.
Cheap as chips clothing & shoes etc. White goods that are disposable.
Similar Comparisons can be made with most things in modern day life. But honestly, does it really matter? I know which decade I'd rather enjoy life in.
Ant.
Vauxhall? Wash your mouth out!
D
Deleted member 113659
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Nowt wrong with my Vauxhall Astramax Van. My lil pocket Rocket. Fastest joiner in Town. :bannana:
JBD
MB Enthusiast
Rather than mercedes getting cheaper, it's expanding in all directions. We still have models for the elite, it's just a brand that covers more areas now.
They wouldn't survive otherwise. It's all well and good criticising, but nobody can suggest a different solution that's commercially viable. The money is in volume, whether you like it or not.
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They wouldn't survive otherwise. It's all well and good criticising, but nobody can suggest a different solution that's commercially viable. The money is in volume, whether you like it or not.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Oh defo, new Mercs still feel a 'step above' most cars on the market and Mercedes rarely get the feel wrong (they've been doing it longer than anyone else, so should know by now) it's just that the n'th degree of 'Mercedesness'
) ) now seems missing....to me anyway.The hewn out of a solid piece of billet, engineered way beyond what was necessary (usually 50% over engineered), classy & elegant but always durable & practical, including new technology but never at the expense of reliability, solid & dependable from here to the moon and back, those were just a few of the elements that underpinned Mercedes and IMHO they have been watered down and to a greater or lesser extent across the range.
The money is NOT just in volume, nor is it true that Mercedes wouldn't have survived otherwise, it's just that the Board took decisions that led down the path of volume, which as a result led to compromises in certain areas to meet the commercial requirements of the products/markets. Much to my chagrin, exactly the same scenario has been played out with my other two favourite marques, Porsche and BMW.
I'm sure everyone would agree that the Chrysler years were amongst the worst for Mercedes and the values that had been a cornerstone of the brand were badly damaged as a result. It's been encouraging to see the recovery taking place but there's still much to do and for some (like me), it seems unlikely that the type of Mercedes we remember of old will ever be seen again.
Lamenting the changes that have taken place with the brand is not the same as criticising it or ignoring the commercial implications but Mercedes didn't have to sell volume to the masses to remain in business it could just as easily have gone down the Rolls/Bentley route and although (for a variety of reasons) those companies are no longer British owned, both are still profitable businesses with a major place on the worlds stage, so the money is not just in volume.
Mark
