BMW vs. Mercedes

[Awood14]

I know this is very broad question considering the numerous models both of these companies produce. However, in your mind, which company offers most bang for your buck. If you had to buy a new 2005 BMW or Mercedes which would you choose and why? (I mean comparing cars with similar engines and specs, not a 545i to a Mercedes wagon.) Thnx.

[RACER D12]

I love both companies but im a BMdub nazi 4life. I just like them because they seem to be more performance orientated then Mercedes.

[kman10587]

BMW. Benz offers conventional manual trannies on very few of their cars, and their cars are also boringly styled and overpriced.

[Neutrino]

What I would like to see is the merc twin turbo engines in BMW chassis with proper manual gearboxes.

[del]

i like and dislike attributes of both. i like that bmw is more sporty in nature, they're more of a driver's car than merc. but i prefer the styling and elegance of the benzes. both exterior and interior. just my personal tastes. it's a toss up. i wish mercs were more sporty and i wish bmw was more elegant and not so extreme in styling. but i tend to lean towards mercedes.

[DinanM3_S2]

BMW, easy decision for me. Anyone who has read my posts would know that im just about the biggest bimmer-lover on this entire site.

Being a "car guy," I like my cars to be "driver's cars." Cars that I would buy need to be built with the driver in mind and the passengers come second. Cars should be fun to drive. Mercedes does not fit into this discription. The Benz's are cars to be driven in, not cars to drive. I could never have the joy from an Automatic (which all AMG cars are) that I get from SMG or from a manual. When Mercedes is compared to BMW, or most any company for that matter, virtually every magazine says that Mercedes feels "disconnected from the driver."

For styling, I feel each company shows what they do best. The Benz's are elegant at best boring and sedate at worst. Elegance works for a big luxury car like the S-Class, and even the E-Class, but cars that should be a little more radical, like the SL-Class and the AMG cars, share the same styling cues as the rest of the line up.
BMW's styling is anything but sedate. BMW's, especially Chris Bangle's designs were made to stand out. Unless you see the AMG on the back of a Benz, you'd never be able to differentiate it from a similar model without a well trained eye, where as the M3 and M5 are pretty distinct from their base models (IMO). Cars that should look sporty, like the Z4, M3, and 6-series do. The only problem I see is that cars that should be a little calmer, like big luxury boats aren't (7-series).

[NISSANSPDR]

BMW...stick available...great motors...good steering...excelllent handling...nuff said

[mason_RsX]

Its such an easy comparison because each company is so fundamentally different. But if you are going to join a car forum, then you obviously like drivers cars....not snooty auto pure status cars.......so yeah my choice easily is bmw...they are insanely fun to drive and every bmw has a ton of r&d in it

[finally_retired]

Benz all the way!

I've owned a fair few BMW's, and heaps of Mercedes, and had more problems with the BM's:

In 64, I had a new 230SL. I still own it to this day with only one problem since I purchased it, and that was that it didn't start on afternoon in 2001.

1972, 250CE. Had it 6 years, no problems.
1978, 450SEL. 7 years, great car absolutly no problems.
1982, 450SL. 6 years. Sweet as a nut.
1985, 500SE. 4 years. Electric window failed in the rear.
1988, 560SL. 2 years. Not a glitch
1989, 560SEL. 3 years with a power stearing faliure after 2 years
1990, 500SL. 4 years and No problems
1992, Second hand '56 300SL Gullwing, Still own it. Few minor problems... nothing tha TLC couldn't fix.
1994, SL600. 3 years. No worries.
1995, S600. 2 years, Electric rear roller blind jammed.
1997, E55 AMG. 8 months old, written off. but no problems prior.
1997, SL60 AMG.5 years. Rattle on the dash for the first 2 weeks, but then disapeered.
1998, S500. 2 and a half years. Rolled it and wrote it off. Climate controll issues prior to that.
2000, S500. 3 years, no worries.
2002, SL55 AMG. 1 year, Brilliant Car
2003, S600 V12. Still own it, but is being replaced by CLS55. No problems.
2003, SL600 V12. 1 year. Even better than the SL55. No problems.
2004, SL65 V12. The jewl in the crown. Fabulous.

As for BMW's...

1984, 635CSi. 3 years, it never caused a problem.
1987, M5 (E28). Gearbox failed. Was sent back.
1991. M5 3.8, 2 years rear suspension difficulties.
1994. 740i V8. 3 months, engine blew up!
1996. 750Li V12. 6 weeks. Constant and total electronics failure.
2003. X5 4.6iS. 1 year, no problems, but changed for the 4.8.
2003. 745i. 2 months. I-drive was incomprehendable, and switched to german without reason.
2004. X5 4.8iS. No problems. Still have it.

So out of 19 Mercedes i've had 5 quite minor problems.
Out of 8 BMW's, I've had 5 quite big problems.

MB it is.

[Sm00vEwRx99]

We went to europe for a holiday we did a shit load of driving we rented both BMW and Mercedes, to be honest with I always loved BMW but after being in both cars for long periods of time you really get to notice everything, we drove in a new 3 series and 5 series BMW and a C class (C220) and Eclass Mercedes (E240). Ok when it comes to interior Mercedes kicks BMW, when it comes to stock sound systems Mercedes edges over BMW, when it comes to acceleration BMW is better, the handling was the same, the Looks i honestly think are both Mad, but these are just my opinions

[Jimster]

I'll have a BMW everyday of the week. They offer manual gearboxes on every car except the 7 series (Which is better off without one) and they are designed with the driver in mind.


Add to that, they don't look as crass as most Mercedes (My opinion being that Mercedes with the exception of the first SL and the very latest CL and SL have always been ugly), of course Bangle made a bit of a cock-up on the 5 series, I'll certainly admit that, BUT the 1 series, 7 series, Z4, 6 series and forthcoming 3 series (which was de-Bangled IIRC) look fabulous.

Recent quality surveys in Europe, UK and the United States also show that BMW's build quality is far better than that of Mercedes of late.

Though in Mercedes' favour, they certainly have better interiors than BMW.

[finally_retired]

Originally Posted by Jimster

Recent quality surveys in Europe, UK and the United States also show that BMW's build quality is far better than that of Mercedes of late.

I'm afraid I just can't agree with that. I will admid that the service from mercedes retailers is shocking but as said above, have experienced more problems with BMW than any other manufacturer.

Its fair to say, that I have owned a Mercedes through thick and thin, only I have never really seen a big problem.

And manual transmisions aren't the be all and end all. Mercedes, along with Jaguar, are acclaimed worldwide for their auto boxes, and my SL's have always provided me with "sports car thrills".

[mason_RsX]

Originally Posted by Sm00vEwRx99

We went to europe for a holiday we did a shit load of driving we rented both BMW and Mercedes, to be honest with I always loved BMW but after being in both cars for long periods of time you really get to notice everything, we drove in a new 3 series and 5 series BMW and a C class (C220) and Eclass Mercedes (E240). Ok when it comes to interior Mercedes kicks BMW, when it comes to stock sound systems Mercedes edges over BMW, when it comes to acceleration BMW is better, the handling was the same, the Looks i honestly think are both Mad, but these are just my opinions

Thats what I've been saying...Mercedes is all about style, luxury and comfort while BMW is bout performance, handling ect...its all a matter of what you want more

[blindside.AMG]

Honestly, if I had to pay full price for them, I wouldn't buy either. German cars today are far too unreliable and overpriced for me to spend that much money.

But, if I had to buy on or the other I'd choose a Mercedes since I work for the damn company and get discounts. I also know the vehicles front to back and inside and out so even if the vehicle is unreliable I can fix it at a minimal cost

And if someone were to just give me one of the vehicles I STILL say Mercedes. I mean, honestly, SL65, CL65, SLR. BMW needs to hang their heads and sulk in the corner. 738 lb-ft. of torque > Manual gearbox.

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by blindside.AMG

And if someone were to just give me one of the vehicles I STILL say Mercedes. I mean, honestly, SL65, CL65, SLR. BMW needs to hang their heads and sulk in the corner. 738 lb-ft. of torque > Manual gearbox.

Personally i place driver involvement above sheer pace so i would have to choose BMW. The SL65, CL65, and SLR are all massively potent and blisteringly quick, but none of them is a driver's car. I think Merc's power craze is completely pointless. Sure, the 65's have 600bhp, but they need it weighing in at a ridiculous 2 tonnes +. Yeah, they're quick in a straight line but that's about it. Braking and handling? Lose 500kg's. Besides, what's next for Benz? If they're playing the numbers game, 700bhp isn't too far away and how sensible is that in a road car?

Even their lesser powered models, such as the SL55AMG, which has been praised for its balance and handling, have nannying TC systems that don't allow the driver to really drive the car. Like i said, give me a BMW any day of the week. Merc can play the power game on their own.