Has anyone left the brand & regretted it?

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Over the past 25 years I've owned (most from new) 2 BMW coupes, VW Corrado, Golf Vr6,Passat CC, Audi TT Mk1 & 2 , Mercedes SLK , W203 W205 & 2 C207 coupes , not in this order and I can't honestly say I regretted moving between marques as generally different types of car. You can't really compare moving from an Audi TT to a Passat CC (the things you do for grandchildren) . The comparison has to be as near to like for like as possible.
 
CLS to ford Kuga to c 250 to e350 . That's where it ends . Have looked at Toyota chr and lexus hybrids . But can't justify today's prices on used cars .
 
Iv had various BMW and Mercedes cars over the years. Performance models include a C55, C63....had an E350 CDI, CLK 320 CDI.......BMWs iv had more including an E36 M3, E39 M5, M135i, M235i......for me BMWs are much better drivers cars and much more reliable in my opinion. They are much more driver focused and I think they look smarter as well. Mercedes look great but I dont think they are as driver focused as a BMW. Then again I would have another W204 C63 but other than that Id always choose BMW.
 
Between the wife and I in the last 10 years or so we mainly had Audi’s or BMW’s…2008 Audi S3, 2010 Audi Audi A4 2.0 Avant special edition, 2012 BMW M3, 2013 Audi A6 2.0 Avant black edition, 2015 Audi SQ5, 2015 BMW M4, 2018 BMW 535 X-drive Touring….At the moment my wife has the BMW X4 M40i and I have a W205 C63 Coupe, out of all those cars the C63 is far and away the best drive, if it’s comfort you’re looking for the 535 touring takes some beating, but of course that’s only my opinion.
 
Went for a Jag and then a Tesla and no regrets
 
Thinking of leaving C Class for an Audi A5 or A6 diesel then a rolling road remap for a bit more of the cherry pie... 190hp and sub 300lbsft torque isn't enough!
 
Hi , I had a Mazda Xodus 6 as a company car in 1998.

I understand that Mazda lost their shirts on every car they produced.

The 2 Litre V6 was unbelievable but was fairly heavy on fuel and the car had a small petrol tank.( Range was poor )

The automatic gear box if driven briskly was rough changing gear.

The rest of the car was typical Japanese, reliable and the supplying dealer was superb.

Lucky they stopped making the sub brand because I doubt I would have looked at Mercedes
 
Had all E class from MY1989 to MY2010 and moved to Jaguar as somehow Mercedes lost it’s mojo with the latest W/S213 models. To me, just don’t look and don’t “feel” like Mercedes should. Haven’t regretted the move a bit and I’m still turning head whenever I see a nice example of “old” E class.
 
Well i had a 13 plate w204 facelift coupe in white and i loved that car, looked amazing. Now we bought a caravan and needed something to tow it and i did consider getting a tow bar fitted but decided it was too expensive considering the car was 8 years old and not the most powerful, so i looked at buying a brand new w205, so since i needed a towbar the only version was the 4 door, now i could get past the rep mobile styling, the generic look of it and i could get used to the weird column shift, but since it was my very first brand new car i wanted it exactly the way i wanted, ticked the box for no chrome outside and it defaulted to a particular set of wheels and a black interior, i didnt want any of these options, now dont get me wrong there was nothing wrong with them but it wasnt what i wanted, it was a compromise too far, so i bought a Jag instead, do i miss my old w204, hell yea, but my Jag wow the styling, interior and toys is a cut above what merc had to offer. I dont think i would have been so happy with the w205
 
My contribution to your choice is just to say get out there and actually drive the things. It's only by driving that you really sense just how good or bad it feels, both at general level and at specific engine / spec.

I love changing cars, and have "settled down" into running a family E class, a 3 series BMW and an Mx5, although the exact mix changes year to year.

Loved VW's and Audis, "Clarkson style" in the 80's & 90's but find them too basic now. Struggle to ignore the indicators ("Audi style").

Alfa's are a good example of choose the right engine. Lots of people choose the bigger engines "for power," but the smaller engines are the better drive.

Love the build quality and luxury of a top spec E class, which feels just right, "three bears style."

But the BMW 3 beats the C class, in my eyes. Haemorrhoid maybe ("sooner or later everyone gets one'), but very solid, while the C class can feel a bit too fragile at the user-interface.

I convinced myself that a C350e estate would be an interesting replacement to both my E Class and my 3 series. And then I drove it. (Too plasticky, too remote a driving sensation, non-existent fuel economy)

Later I thought a 2016 E350d estate could replace both cars. And then I drove it. (Too modern, cavernous, & diesel)

And, for completeness, I know I would love a SWB S500, even though the depreciation brings tears.... put my wife in one and there's a clicking noise from the nearside. (Too big, too big, too big)

.
 
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I shouldn't have changed my last MB.
The E350 coupe did everything I wanted, but I had money burning a hole in my pocket and wandering eyes.

I looked at and tried many different cars and brands, but broke many personal rules, buying only an updated version if the car, the E400.

I love it, but spent money and taking a small loan that, today, or moreso tomorrow, I would have been sensible not doing.

Some pressure to stay MB came from SWMBO (yes, genuinely) but having sat in Audi, BMW alts, as well as some left field Japanese and VW options, I defaulted back the MB and the E400

If Saab had still been around I would prob still be in one of them and if I need to downsize (financially in the coming year) Saab will be top of the list.
 
I shouldn't have changed my last MB.
The E350 coupe did everything I wanted, but I had money burning a hole in my pocket and wandering eyes.

I looked at and tried many different cars and brands, but broke many personal rules, buying only an updated version if the car, the E400.

I love it, but spent money and taking a small loan that today, or moreso tomorrow, I would have been sensible not doing.

Some pressure to stay MB came from SWMBO (yes, genuinely) but having sat in Audi, BMW alts, as well as some left field Japanese and VW options, I defaulted back the MB and the E400

If Saab had still been around I would prob still be in one of them and if I need to downsize (financially in the coming year) Saab will be top of the list.
 
Yes, sold my R172 SLK 55 and put the cash into refurbishment of our new (old ) house. We were in the German Kitchen Centre buying a new kitchen last week and unfortunately the next warehouse unit was a specialist high end sports car dealer. Had at least 3 GT 63’s which they kept starting up and driving outside to polish them , I regretted selling my Mercedes every minute I was in there. 😢😢😢
 

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