Random observations from a brief walk through the MB showroom

[FC]

The C63s (reason for my visit) is far more impressive up close than from far away. Gigantic brakes. In general, the C-class exterior looks a bit molten, but the interiors blow away the 3er. The C63S seems expensive (~80K loaded) but discounts of $10k seem common.

They had an S600 Maybach. Sure, $192K sticker (on sale! $20K off!! $2500/month lease with $10k down!), but damn that is an impressive car with a V12. If I win the lottery, I may pick one up for 50c on the dollar after 3 years. It seemed about 20' long, but who cares?

Walked by an E400 cab and that looked like a really nice 4-seater to cruise around with the top down.

The AMG GT looks great.

Overall, I must say, they had a much more impressive selection of cars compared to BMW. Yeah, I probably have some closet bias form my youth, but still.

[John V]

Not that any current BMW interests me at all, but Mercedes is all autotragic only.

Fail.

[FC]

Not that any current BMW interests me at all, but Mercedes is all autotragic only.

Fail.

This is true.

[Jeff_DML]

I am not against my wife getting one but reliability scares me a bit. I plan to show the c class suv.

[John V]

Whoops, looks like you can get a manual on this dumpster:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Mercedes-Benz_CLA_200_%28C_117%29_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C _13._April_2013%2C_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg/280px-Mercedes-Benz_CLA_200_%28C_117%29_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C _13._April_2013%2C_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg

[bren]

...exterior looks a bit molten,

Molten. :lol:

The droopy ass look is awful.

[Theo]

I still wish my partners C55 was a manual. It would be so cool.

[Nick M3]

I just drove a recent GL350. All I can really say is that is was a gigantic heap of shit. Bad ride, SLOW, apparently the torque converter from a 4L60... AWFUL visibility...

Ugh.

[ff]

Not that any current BMW interests me at all, but Mercedes is all autotragic only.

Fail.

BMW is almost there, too.

[equ]

Just did BMW drive for a cause.
- 650 gran coupe (presumably xdrive). Good looking & powerful, but that's about it. Not a truly soft ride, nor engaging handling in the least, very unimpressive.

- 340i sedan, xdrive with track handling package and a boatload of special options. Peppier than the n55, the new engine has a good barky note with the exhaust. The car is about the right size for many purposes, but the cabin materials/design let it down as well as ride/handling, even with the upgrade. Stickered up to $75k, other than the engine, felt like a $30-35k car.

- 750i (new launch). This was spectacular. It did not like 2nd gear tight turns, but everything else was grand. A very special car and the $110k seems "well spent".

- X5, some kind of hybrid thingy. 2.0T + plug-in electric. Ride was great, handling good up to a point, otherwise repetitive sway set in over bumps. Still much better than my std suspension 2011 s5. The electric/gas combo is rather transparent/seamless at first (few minute) drive. Fast 0 to 40, not so afterwards. Feels like most american/japanese machines in that regard. Shit brakes.

[SARAFIL]

The C63s (reason for my visit) is far more impressive up close than from far away. Gigantic brakes. In general, the C-class exterior looks a bit molten, but the interiors blow away the 3er. The C63S seems expensive (~80K loaded) but discounts of $10k seem common.

They had an S600 Maybach. Sure, $192K sticker (on sale! $20K off!! $2500/month lease with $10k down!), but damn that is an impressive car with a V12. If I win the lottery, I may pick one up for 50c on the dollar after 3 years. It seemed about 20' long, but who cares?

Walked by an E400 cab and that looked like a really nice 4-seater to cruise around with the top down.

The AMG GT looks great.

Overall, I must say, they had a much more impressive selection of cars compared to BMW. Yeah, I probably have some closet bias form my youth, but still.



I like the exterior styling of the new C, E, S class. Also think the S class and new E class have beautiful interiors, but the new C (as well as CLA, GLA, etc) doesn't do it for me. That huge dash trim panel looks cheap and I hate their nav screen "integration" into the dash. They did do a much better job in the new E though. E300 with the 4 cylinder is a snooze though, would want to see what the E43 offers.

[SARAFIL]

- 750i (new launch). This was spectacular. It did not like 2nd gear tight turns, but everything else was grand. A very special car and the $110k seems "well spent".




Interesting feedback. I have yet to drive a new 7 but glad to hear you liked it. I'm guessing the new 5 will be a smaller version of the 7, curious to see how things work out when they shrink it down to a smaller scale.

[clyde]

- 340i sedan, Stickered up to $75k

Woah, really? Wow...I have not been paying attention.

[SARAFIL]

Woah, really? Wow...I have not been paying attention.



I'm sure it had some accessories on it. A very well loaded car from the factory barely crosses $60k. They do all of the carbon fiber add ons and also wheel/tire kits etc that could possibly add $10k+ and they do that sometimes.