Mercedes as a brand

[The Boss]

i read something interesting on a site...

kinda summed it well from my point of view aswell

"As much as I l.o.v.e. LOVE Mercedes-Benz, I've kind of lost interest as of late. They (and nobody else) make their cars the way they used to. Before, you could buy a Mercedes-Benz where every non-wear part was designed to last 30 years. The designs were penned to look fresh for 30 years.
Now, to me it seems they're designed to start falling apart around the time their warranty is up. There's no more free lifetime roadside assistance. They're (new E-Class) goofy and way too trendy looking. And worst of all, everyone has one now. Poor sods who don't know any better wreck themselves buying second-hand S-Classes which they get for next to nothing and slap chrome and rented wheels all over them.
I always thought I'd be a Mercedes purist for life, but they're losing me fast. I'll go ahead and put my monocle away now. Sorry for ranting.."
2/23/13 5:33pm

Is This The Next Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

 

[redbaron]

From a man who put aftermarket "rented" wheels on his gold E and fake stick on vents to make it look like a child owns it..... I think all this does is prove you are fishing.

 

[markjay]

Reading other people's comments on this site regarding faults with thier cars, I would agree, but surprisingly my own experience is quite the opposite.

My South African built car has been as reliable as Mercedes Benz of old, only developed two minor faults in 7 years, and does feel as if it has quite a few more years and miles in it.

The car still feels solid, the interior is hard wearing, and the design still looks reasonably young.

Where I do agree is when it comes to dealers - my experience with main dealer servicing was not good at all.

 

[grober]

I think the UK Mercedes owning "experience" is largely skewed by the UK "ownership model" where cars are purchased and possibly serviced on financial packages for 3 years and then moved on. Not saying this bad or good- just the way it is. Anyone not fitting that profile can possibly experience ownership difficulties down the line ? I would be interested to hear of the experiences of forum members from other countries to see if their ownership experience does taly with the UK one. There were for example a few posts a couple of years ago where members in the South of England found it cheaper to take their car to France do a spot of duty free shopping and get their car serviced at a local French MB agent at the same time and still come back in pocket!

 

[bpsorrel]

My honest opinion of Mercedes (and I'm trying not to let my experience with three out of four I've owned skew my perspective!) is that in recent years they've tried to lower (dramatically) their buyer demographic. The styling now seem to be an attempt to strike at Audi head on and pull away a chunk of the younger Audi/BMW crowd as opposed to appealing to their traditional "older" audience.

Also, profit is king and so purchasing cheaper, lower quality components is lowering the reliable longevity of the cars.

So, we have more blinged up, trendy youth orientated cars, built to a price (but selling at a way higher one!) and slotting in to the whole "throw away" culture we have now.

But, saying all that, I still love 'em and despite pondering alternatives (something I do a lot! LOL) I still come back to the star. Maybe it's the history or just something I feel when I drive them.... (and not the burning feeling my wallet feels when another repair has to be paid for )

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mercedes could restart production of the cars which people remember so fondly, and they would sell.

In tiny numbers. To enthusiasts. Who'll buy one, and say they're still not what they used to be, and not buy another. They'll be hugely expensive too.

To survive Mercedes must design, build, and sell cars which people will buy. That means they must appeal to the market, designed to appeal to people who buy new cars.

So they'll be designed to visually appeal, and that means huge wheels and popular colours. They'll also be designed to a price which enables people to buy them in sufficient volumes.

Mercedes-Benz is dead. Long live Mercedes-Benz!

 

[bpsorrel]

Sad, but true...

 

[Riverside Red]

I'm on my third Merc now since 2008 and all new, 219 and 218 CLS and a demo R172 SLK and I really like the style and position in the market Mercedes are holding, I find BMWs to be too expensive for what they are, and although I loved two Audis I previously owned I just don't like the style of any of them now save the R8. The other big positive I've had with both CLS was a cheap finance package via Agility meaning similar Audis or BMWs couldn't come close on monthly payments. I was also looking at a new E63 but see that Mercedes don't currently have any cheap finance package offers.

When I purchased the last CLS I looked at the A5, A6, A7 and BMW 5 series and to be honest considering the spec of the CLS (with a sport pack) Audi and BMW didn't come close financially or styling wise.

I guess these opinions may change when I'm due to change in 2014, but at the moment I don't see anyone giving me the wow factor and if 8 can get a good deal on a E63 estate I probably stay with Mercedes.

RR

 

[st4]

I am happy with Mercedes at the moment

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/gene...ve-years-since-i-found-my-first-mercedes.html

LOL

 

[BigSilverEstate]

if 8 can get a good deal on a E63 estate I probably stay with Mercedes.

RR

There was a thread a week or so ago quoting some incredible contract hire deals for E63s. sub 600 a month iirc.

 

[WDB124066]

I am happy with Mercedes at the moment

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/gene...ve-years-since-i-found-my-first-mercedes.html

LOL

Well, it is one of the very nicest looking modern mercs around Steve, that and the new SLK. For some reason I feel they got these right...

 

[bpsorrel]

I am happy with Mercedes at the moment

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/gene...ve-years-since-i-found-my-first-mercedes.html

LOL

Well, you are lucky enough to drive the best car in the World, so you would feel good I guess..

 

[st4]

The new SLK is good, the 204 is good but fear for the 205. The CLS 219 and 218 are good, the 222 stands to be ok, but the 212 and new SL, what a mess.

But I've been happy driving Mercedes cars, I'm five years in and see myself in nothing else...but...the styling is so bad on the 212 and if the new C is ugly, I will have to get a BMW or Audi

 

[bpsorrel]

I will have to get a BMW or Audi

 

[st4]

I'll be able to change my sig line from "There is no finer car than a C class estate" to "I love BMWs"

 

[Dryce]

Also, profit is king and so purchasing cheaper, lower quality components is lowering the reliable longevity of the cars.

The whole car industry has moved on a lot since the 80s.

Even basic cars are stuffed with complicated extras and technology. And they're larger. You can't differentiate a premium car from an ordinary one by adding power steering or a radio.

What's the average number of turbochargers per vehicle sold for the likes of C or E class these days? 20 years ago - virtually none perhaps - these days for new models it will be over 1 and possibly close to 2 in the UK market.

If MB held their prices higher the likes of Ford would still be selling Granadas and most of us here would be driving Fords, Vauxhalls, or possibly VWs, and maybe Toyota and Honda.
And MB's volume would be lower.

The problem for the likes of MB and BMW is that if they drop their volume their vehcle prices go up. Development and marketing are cheaper to amortise across a larger sales volume - lose that volume and your price goes up (and/or your margins drop) and your volumes drop. Vicious circle.

And the old MBs might have had longevity - but compared with what? You don't see rust buckets the way you used to. So a MB looking good at 5 years or 10 years actually doesn't look much better than it's contemporary VW or Ford.

The real problem for longevity isn't the quality of the big metal bits but the cost of the technology doo-dahs and labour vs the cost of a new vehicle. Things like springs are relatively cheap in terms of MB ownership - and the bodywork / paint last quite well these days. But the cost of a replacement ECU or SBC pump or turbocharger or even doing a major dealer service with extras makes the vehicles appear very expensive against their value.

 

[The Boss]

From a man who put aftermarket "rented" wheels on his gold E and fake stick on vents to make it look like a child owns it..... I think all this does is prove you are fishing.

each to their own Redbaron

 

[MOCAŠ]

Quite frankly, the idea of MB as a "brand" is of no interest to me whatsoever. It just reflects the degree to which everything is driven by marketing these days, which in itself is largely influenced by our transatlantic cousins.

I remember when Mercedes-Benz was a marque, and to me it still is and ever shall be.

 

[st4]

Quite frankly, the idea of MB as a "brand" is of no interest to me whatsoever. It just reflects the degree to which everything is driven by marketing these days, which in itself is largely influenced by our transatlantic cousins.

I remember when Mercedes-Benz was a marque, and to me it still is and ever shall be.

Not like you and I to agree but this is better worded than I could do.

Mercedes make cars, they have a heritage and tradition, this is what makes them a marque.

Next, Nike etc, these are brands.

 

[Dieselman]

Quite frankly, the idea of MB as a "brand" is of no interest to me whatsoever. It just reflects the degree to which everything is driven by marketing these days, which in itself is largely influenced by our transatlantic cousins.

Brands are for sheep with no identity of their own.