Mercedes is no longer a proper premium brand

[grober]

Mercedes can still sell on their image- deserved or not. Their mistake at present is changing their image in the pursuit of "volume" and thus diluting their essential character. In their search for sales if they are not careful they will become indistinguishable from BMW and AUDI. This is not to say better just different with particular road presence/image unique to the marque.

 

[EmilysDad]

Interesting old ads. I wonder how they could supply the German cars within 10 days in any colour. Did they re-spray used ones?

I didn't notice that! It shows how old the paper is, the fact that they've to explain who Audi is :lol:

 

[EmilysDad]

.... In their search for sales if they are not careful they will become indistinguishable from BMW and AUDI.

That implies that they are distinguishable from them now ..... I wouldn't say that they are.

 

[d215yq]

It doesn't matter one bit how common they are or who drives one, what matters is that the quality has come down hugely, as has that of your bmw as a result in the drop of prices/greed/focus on gimmicks than quality.

You're also forgetting that the real rich (or the real rich that have class and don't need a status symbol) don't buy expensive cars anyway. When you own a £5m house, villas around the world, and have plenty of leisure time to enjoy them why would you waste your money on a gadget laden s class that will just breakdown and /or get vandalised/attract trouble/theft, etc. Just get an anonymous but comfy practical volvo estate for the family car and a hyundia for the shopping/car parks and keep them til they break and enjoy your life.

Where my parents live you can see how worse and older the cars get as the houses get more impressive.

 

[Peter C1974]

What's wrong with wanting to drive a status symbol? That's what Mercedes owners did 30 years ago! They bought expensive, well engineered cars and paid a premium for the privilege. Nowadays you don't buy a Mercedes for its quality and I am suggesting that the image has suffered due to mass production and finance deals.

 

[Remenham]

Can't help commenting on the ads again as in 1967 my Dad had a Ford Corsair 2000. Another Dad in the village who shared the school runs had a BMW 1800 which was an incredibly rare car at that time and considered the absolute DBs. I still remember the way the other Dad (an RAF pilot) threw the BMW around on the school run B roads.

 

[Peter C1974]

In 1984 my best friend's dad drove a new red W123 230E. Everyone at school respected that car and knew what it stood for. What car would your old man have to turn up in outside the school gates nowadays to make the same impact?

 

[EmilysDad]

What's wrong with wanting to drive a status symbol? .....

Nothing .... if that floats your boat. Some people want to drive a new car every year or two, I'd prefer to spend mine on an older car with the toys & comfort.

 

[whitenemesis]

In 1984 my best friend's dad drove a new red W123 230E. Everyone at school respected that car and knew what it stood for. What car would your old man have to turn up in outside the school gates nowadays to make the same impact?

There is no respect for achievement any more.

 

[EmilysDad]

In 1984 my best friend's dad drove a new red W123 230E. Everyone at school respected that car and knew what it stood for. What car would your old man have to turn up in outside the school gates nowadays to make the same impact?

In the very the very late 70s my Dad would take me back to school after dinner in a Daimler DS420 .......... nobody really knew what it was, they thought it was a Rolls Royce. That drew the crowds .... both pupils & staff! :lol::lol::lol:

 

[Remenham]

There's a chap who collects from my daughters school in a DB9 Convertible who I must admit to having noticed. I console myself with the fact that he is fat and almost completely bald.

 

[EmilysDad]

.... I console myself with the fact that he is fat and almost completely bald.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Developer]

My S211's seemed to attract "prestige" type comments when I arrived at places in them.

I consider them a premium car, as did my lads and their friends on the school run.

The quality is great too.

 

[klenzza]

In 1984 my best friend's dad drove a new red W123 230E. Everyone at school respected that car and knew what it stood for. What car would your old man have to turn up in outside the school gates nowadays to make the same impact?

a c 180k coupe with leather interior lol

 

[obduro]

Define "common" please?

Anyhow, I'm 28 and will be buying my first Merc soon (lord willing), my friends, family and ESPECIALLY the mrs with the price view mercs as a premium marque. Especially over BMWs and Audis which are often viewed on the same level. I have two very good friends who drive BMWs and I assure you after the "drug dealer car" remarks they often get they themselves view mercedes as the premium brand!

The quality may have slipped recently but to the onlooker I think the view is still that mercedes is a premium brand.

 

[LTD]

Oh dear. I've touched a nerve.

I think the only nerve you have touched is your own.

Times have changed in this consumer-based world. Have you noticed ?

It is widely regarded that the W124 was the last bastion of Mercedes quality where the engineers built to last and the accountants sweated.

Following that mantra, today there would be NO Mercedes-Benz cars on the road as the company would have gone bust. Pure and simple - Nada, Zilch, Nil.

Today, Mercedes-Benz attempt to build luxury cars at the top of their sector (S-Class, SLS-Class, SL-CLass) whilst maintaining a historical prestige in other sectors.

I think they are succeeding. Look at how many people aspire to a Mercedes.

How many people do you know have a, cash paid, S-SLS-SL these days ???????

Good God, I have a mortgage - and a Mercedes Benz. Burn me in HELL !!!!

 

[EmilysDad]

Define "common" please?

Anyhow, I'm 28 and will be buying my first Merc soon (lord willing), my friends, family and ESPECIALLY the mrs with the price view mercs as a premium marque. Especially over BMWs and Audis which are often viewed on the same level. I have two very good friends who drive BMWs and I assure you after the "drug dealer car" remarks they often get they themselves view mercedes as the premium brand!

The quality may have slipped recently but to the onlooker I think the view is still that mercedes is a premium brand.

If a Merc is 'better' than a BMW, does that mean you'd have an A Class in preference to a 7 series? In fact I think the finish inside my Omega Elite is better than that of my R Class ..... certainly better thought out.

 

[EmilysDad]

Who was it that put himself on a pedestal & was upset that a lad from ECP called him mate ...... just because he drove a Merc .... don't you know.

 

[lwbnick]

Interesting old ads. I wonder how they could supply the German cars within 10 days in any colour. Did they re-spray used ones?

I doubt there were many colours or options back then.

 

[obduro]

If a Merc is 'better' than a BMW, does that mean you'd have an A Class in preference to a 7 series? In fact I think the finish inside my Omega Elite is better than that of my R Class ..... certainly better thought out.

Don't think I used the word "better" once but if we're honest a lot of people probably did purchase an A class just because they wanted to own a Merc...

The thread title referenced brand comparisons though rather than individual cars, thought that was what we were discussing?