Is BMW The New Mercedes?

"MtrRider Just Wants Doritos" (MtrRider) 10/24/2013 at 18:30 • Filed to: None

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The Ultimate Driving Machine. That slogan has defined BMW for decades. They were sport luxury, the rwd purists of the premium sedan market. Known for sporty handling cars and silky smooth inline 6 engines, BMWs have always been well appointed cars with emphasis on the drive. Simple but effective. M cars have always been the ultimate expression of this, being well balanced cars with not too much power.

Mercedes Benz is known for building rolling bank vaults, crammed with enough technology to make a stealth fighter nervous. They have alwys been uber quiet and supple cars for people that listen to Tchaikovsky on the way to business meetings. AMGs have always been very fast bank vaults, with a focus on barreling down the Autobahnen rather than open days at the Nurburgring.

Now, it seems to me the roles have reversed. The new 5 series is, by all accounts, a rolling bank vault. It is so quiet they have to play engine sounds through the speakers. That's not good. On the other hand, Mercedes keeps making their cars sportier and making them handle better. Some say the new AMGs are better driving cars than the new Ms.

Have the poles reversed, or am I losing my mind?

Victorious Secret > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 10/24/2013 at 18:33

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Have you driven a new E63 AMG? I have.

It too is a damn bank vault on the inside.

Have you driven an E60? It too was a bank vault on the inside.

BMW hasn't lost its footing, AMG has just caught up. Credit to AMG, not a disservice to M.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Victorious Secret 10/24/2013 at 18:34

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I walked into a Mercedes dealership once. They chased me out with a broom.

Nibby > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 10/24/2013 at 18:35

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Oh really?

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Nibby 10/24/2013 at 18:37

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Yeah. Something about blah blah wearing pants blah blah....

ttyymmnn > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 10/24/2013 at 18:44

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That started out as a very interesting, well-written read. I just wish you had written more. I'll likely never be able to afford either of them, but I enjoy reading good opinion.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > ttyymmnn 10/24/2013 at 18:48

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I was going to write more, and I could have made a much better argument if I had, but I didn't have time. I was hoping for more of a discussion than just my opinion anyway. But thank you.

ttyymmnn > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 10/24/2013 at 18:51

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A solid opinion is always a good discussion-starter. If you find the time, you could write a very good piece arguing both sides.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > ttyymmnn 10/24/2013 at 19:01

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Thanks. I'll work on it.

Mosqvich > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 11/02/2013 at 13:41

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I think they're meeting in the middle. Though I cannot imagine driving a Merc. But I'm biased, I have a BMW. I don't hate on Mercs, they remind though of a line from the film Amadeus :

Emperor Joseph II : My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.

Mozart : Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?

So I'm not sure what I would cut from a Merc, but I'd do so. I do worry BMW is heading too far in that direction. I wouldn't consider a large BMW sedan. I just wouldn't. Too may notes already.