Is BMW out, and Mercedes in?

"Berang" (berang)
07/06/2017 at 19:17 • Filed to: None

As the car of choice for jackwads?

It finally came to me, as a man in a Mercedes was holding up rush hour traffic to make an illegal u-turn - that over the past year or so I’ve observed the number of dillhole BMW drivers has been decreasing precipitously, while the number of mercedes being driven by total ass goblins has increased exponentially.

So it seems mercedes is now the car of choice for the expertly stupid who can’t drive well. BMW has for decades been the car of choice for those who think they know what cars are, but don’t actually. Now, apparently, the crown is being passed to another German brand.

Has anybody else observed this change occurring in the automotive universe? Or is this possibly a phenomenon located entirely within Austin, Texas?

DISCUSSION (23)

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:20

You missed the Audiholes. Where I live, they all drive Audis.

Berang > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
07/06/2017 at 19:23

Audis aren’t ostentatious enough to attract this peculiarly specialized breed of A-hole driver, who wants to make sure you see them and how little they know about operating a car on the surface of a planet.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:23

I agree that BMW drivers are becoming way less likely to be total ass goblins, although I would swap Mercedes for Audi. Especially any Audi with the carbon-effect wheels, they are invariably piloted by a complete numpty.

Audistein > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:24

Meh, I feel like there has always been a few bad/aggressive drivers for every premium German brand.

In my experience the number of those drivers still goes:

BMW > Audi > Merc

And that’s coming from someone who has a couple BMWs.

That said, I have seen a lot of new C-Classes around, more than new 3 Series even. It’s just a numbers game so the more people who buy a car the more bad drivers there will be with that car, even if the model doesn’t especially attract jerk drivers.

Berang > Audistein
07/06/2017 at 19:27

I think there’s an image problem for BMW. The brand is known for being driven by jerks, so maybe now jerks are avoiding it. Also the brand lately seems to have picked up more of an “old man” vibe. Whereas Mercedes has been losing that, and gaining a “this is what you need if you’re new money!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!! ” vibe.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:30

In most of the US it was BMWs until the early 2000s, then they switch to Audis. The idiot drivers drive anything where I am (because they’re all idiots), but the advanced assholes strongly prefer Audi SUVs.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:30

I saw a Dinan-badged E39 M5 being a typical BMW driver today, passing people in the merge lane 20 above the speed limit and riding his brake the whole time. Then shortly afterward I saw an SL63 AMG droptop driving normally. So short answer, no.

Berang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
07/06/2017 at 19:30

I may not be noticing audi drivers as much because audis themselves are not particularly noticeable.

jkm7680 > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:33

BMW, Audi and Mercedes are equally bad.

BMW drivers will always be by far the worst though.

C62030 > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:36

No shh Mercedes good forever

CaptDale - is secretly British > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:49

It is fucking Nissan driver here that you have to watch out for. Fucking christ they are bad

Discerning > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:56

Every luxury manufacturer has their share of entitled/selfish owners.

I was getting gas at Costco today when a Mercedes CLA driver pulls in and cuts in front of the entire line next to mine. Needless to say, there were a few upset individuals.

RPM esq. > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:59

As it has been for at least ten years, it’s still Audi. I’ve owned all three within the last year, so I’m not biased but you’re going to stereotype me anyway, and in my observation Audi “wins” this distinction and it’s not close. That said, BMW is still worse than Mercedes—a lot more younger owners who drive like idiots.

Although where I live, Subarus tend to be even worse.

RPM esq. > Berang
07/06/2017 at 19:59

yes they are, they just attract the eye by putting ri-fucking-diculous wheels on their Audis.

nermal > Berang
07/06/2017 at 20:14

MB has been outselling BMW recently. My guess is that the relative assholery of the average BMW and MB drivers hasn’t changed, just the number of each.

Honeybunchesofgoats > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
07/06/2017 at 20:16

This. Audi and VW are second and third to Toyota drivers for people I see driving recklessly on my daily commute. Oddly, Porsche drivers tend to be some of the best, so it’s not all VAG.

Berang > nermal
07/06/2017 at 20:41

Makes sense.

fintail > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
07/06/2017 at 20:58

Ah my fellow PNWer

Lexus IS can be up there too.

And Tesla.

fintail > Berang
07/06/2017 at 20:59

Must be a Tejas thing.

In the PNW it is:

Audi

Tesla

BMW

Maybe not in that order, but they have to be top 3. MB is still for old people here, and I am fine with that.

razorbeamteam > Berang
07/06/2017 at 21:21

I prefer the term “understated”

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Berang
07/06/2017 at 23:25

Mercedes has moved very downmarket lately with cars like the CLA and GLA. All of a sudden your average schmuck can afford one and they let it get to their heads and act like an entitled jerkwad.

Meanwhile BMW has started presenting itself as a more mature, sober choice and I betcha if anything their average owner age has gone up over the last decade.

MGS315 > Berang
07/07/2017 at 01:40

Aye that’s the vibe I get between BMW and Mercedes too here in the U.K. Audi is also seemingly too cliche middle management for most these days.

Alfa Romeo on the other hand. You never see anyone doing asshat stuff in those. Mostly because you never see anyone driving the damn things!

Deltatango > Berang
07/10/2017 at 12:18

It’s still Audi.