Respect

[jberks]

Been driving various motors on my 100 mile daily commute this week as they all seem to need a service at the same time. Brought the Jeep over on Tuesday and had the pleasure of a Corsa yesterday.
Apart from serving to remind me just how fantastic the E class is (do tend to take it for granted after a while), this experience also demonstrated how you are viewed by other drivers.

The jeep wasn't too bad though I did find it harder to change lanes, but in the corsa, I was carved up, squeazed out and people just sat on my bumper - in spite of the fact that I was doing the same speeds that I do in the Merc (80-90).
This morning, safely cossetted back in the E, people moved out of the way as I approached, others waited until I passed before pulling out and I had no difficulty pulling into the outside lane, a gap simply appeared.
The merc does seem to command more respect.
It made me wonder about the general female fear of motorways, if I had to drive a little shopping trolly, I might be more nervous too!

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

I had the exact same thing in the states just before I moved back here- I'd sold my 300E (sob) and had to hire a crappy little chevy roller skate. I was cut up, tailgated by trucks, had headlights flashed at me for changing lanes...

none of this ever happened in the Merc, people even moved out the way for me, which is rare on American roads.

 

[blassberg]

I'm driving a Renault Clio 172 Cup waiting for my new C. It's difficult for people to recognise it as a serious small car as the markings are very subtle, but it will do 60 in 6.9 so they realise after I've sprinted past.

I had a Saab 9000 that seemed to part the waves, and what's more people seemed happy to do it as if I had done them a favour. Maybe there were some unmarked police cars in the same colours...

 

[mlc]

An interesting thread. I drive a number of different motors, including company pool cars and our kids Ford Ka's. People do treat you differently depending on what you are driving, with the exception of BMW drivers how just seem to drive agressively regardless of what you are in.

This reminds me of two things:

I had my first brand new car in 1983 and was really impressed how much respect I got from other road users, it was weeks before it struck me that most of the other white escorts in Manchester were police cars so it wasnt me they were respecting.

At 30 I was made a director of the company I worked for and got an appropriate new car. I worked in the motor industry and people that I had dealt with for the previous 5 years suddenly starting calling Mr C rather than Mark - nothing to do with the job, because it wasnt particularly publisised, all to do with the car I drove.

I wonder where my Mondeo puts me in this pecking order.

mark.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

I wonder where my Mondeo puts me in this pecking order.

mark.

in the bin along with all other dagenham dustbins :razz:

you must stop dragging our forum down by banging on about fords. it seems every thread you post on you squeeze a ford in to it somehow. Do you work for Ford? :mrgreen:

 

[mlc]

Uncle - I am deeply hurt, even considering disowning you as the black sheep of the family.

I would point out that I also mentioned BMW, since you didnt complain about that do we assume you are slipping to the dark side.

Also worth noting that the three previous posts before mine on this thread mention a total of 5 none MB cars, may I assume that your going to complain about them as well, or are you picking on me because I'm younger and more handsome than my (Ex) favourite uncle.

Mark.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Not only did you mentioned fords you have also gone all blaspheimous on us by mentioning some Bavarian Motor Works company. Mind you, as they only produce clapped out bangers, I didnt think it was worth worrying about at the time.

Have your mouth washed out with soap.

I would complain about the others however I did note that they are all complimentary about MB's and rather less about what people think of drivers in other cars. As only MB owners can enjoy this experince, i didnt think it would be appropriate to complain.

However, As I have deeply upset you, and that wasnt my intent, I shall allow you this one grace. As the younger and more handsome, and also whiter, member of the tribe of slinky's, I shall have to be all grown up and say you really didnt know what you were doing and at your age, we cant expect you to either.

But should anyone else mention the above rubbish nailed together by monkeys, then may the sky fall upon their heads!



Just for info, I was over wollaston way last week. In an Iveco thingy. terrible it was....and even worse was the following day I was in a Renault Master.

have since been to the local MB dealers to avail myself of a new SLK as penance. worrying thing is, I have found the budget for the SLK 55AMG. was hoping I would be able to say, cant have it. so test drive Monday it is. hope it is rubbish so i can leave it and just await the 280 being built in November.

If it isnt rubbish, expect my funeral anytime I drive near a tree. I shall remember you in the will. what was it you wanted again?

 

[mlc]

Now that I realise that you are not only my old uncle but wealthy as well I am happy to forgive you this one last time.

Please do buy the 55AMG as we need the inheritance ASAP. Number one Son has just got into University (Computer Science at Manchester - Very Proud), Number one daughter is starting her third year and the next Son is only two years younger so we need the money now, used notes any denomination happily accepted - now you know why we can only afford two MB's and I have to drive a - World car.

Mark.

(extended Family and Very extended overdraft)

 

[SLinKyjoe]

am looking into the finance/death warranty as we speak.

my goal is to go out owing £4m. no point being richest man in the graveyard! rather have a rich life dont you think.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

am not dead but guess whats coming next week?

 

[mlc]

The 2nd week of September? The week before my holidays? The big payout when its Uncle SlkinKy RIP?

put us out of our misery!

 

[SLinKyjoe]

AMG mine from wednesday..and its my hols the following week 2. shall go where all them chav's hang out and lounge about in the 55. i must dawdle to annoy them. shall be going down the A1 on saturday the 10th during the morning. slowly too. well 50ish.

if i hear a horn i shall know you read it here.

 

[davidsl500]

Getting back to the original thread, the old respect thing, what an interesting subject !

When you are sat in a car the only thing that you can be judged on is the vehicle that you are in. I find that there is a very mixed response depending on the other drivers age, vehicle, perceived status etc..,

The younger Chav and semi chavs want to have a go at you and are less courteous, company car drivers tend to do their own thing regardless, women are to busy looking in shoe shop windows to notice other road users and other merc drivers seem to ignore you....(whilst comparing cars first...)

Then if you want to enter the "status" argument then which has more "cred" - a 10 year old merc picked up for a few thousand or a brand new family car at 10 grand+ ?

What do other drivers really think if you merc isnt the latest thing ? - do they look at you and think "who are you trying to fool with your cheap old merc, trying to pull the wool, my mondeo cost more" or do they see the merc badge and are oblivious to the price? (same applies to old jags,bmw's etc). Of course with a good polish and a private plate you can keep em guessing even more...

Then of course you can add into the argument all the brand new cars on personal finance schemes or company lease where they never own the cars at all..

Personally, i could never buy anything major that loses half of its value in three years - what a waste of money. (in my view) and i dont believe in company cars either - the taxman gets enough of my hard earned already thank you very much. So I will stick to the older cars and take pleasure from the fact that some poor geezer lost serious money on it ! And do I care what other road users think - nope, cant see them thanks to a V8.....

Can of worms now thoroughy opened......

 

[996jimbo]

Let's not get over excited

People don't see you as competition in a Merc, that's why they let you in etc. People assume you're not some thrusting twat and let you get on with it.

Respect, maybe; the sort of respect one offers seniors (as in senior citizens).

:| :-D :x :twisted: :arrow: :-o

Dontcha hate smilies?

 

[jberks]

Then if you want to enter the "status" argument then which has more "cred" - a 10 year old merc picked up for a few thousand or a brand new family car at 10 grand+ ?
What do other drivers really think if you merc isnt the latest thing ? - do they look at you and think "who are you trying to fool with your cheap old merc, trying to pull the wool, my mondeo cost more"

I find that outside us MB anoracks, few people have any knowledge of Merc models so very few know whether its old or new. MB's don't deteriorate like the Japanese bean cans so a 5 year old MB with a private plate looks classier and in better nick, and subsequently newer than a 12 month old ordinary car, even though its probably worth less. MB's also don't change every 5 minutes. You can date most Jap cars by the styling - often down to a 6 month period, even BM's change almost annually. I challenge anyone to tell the difference between an 01 C class and an 04/5 one, plus I still think the W201 looks the business, with an age less plate and a good coat of polish, to most people, its new.
Interestingly, when selling it, we transferred his plate and put the normal plate back on my dad's 123 a few years ago. It suddenly looked old.

People with new fords often say to me, 'I'd like a car like yours but I'd be afraid to park it anywhere" - They look surprised when I point out that their ford is probably worth more.

A good nick oldie is probably one of the classiest things on the road. E.g a mint but old SEC or SL says "Sure, I can afford a new Mondeo, but I don't want one".

 

[mlc]

I agree with Davids comments, I think they are a good summary of the situation.

MB's dont really fall into the normal groups, they dont (in the main) look "flashy" and most other drivers dont seem to see them as a threat, which is where the senior citizen bit comes about. MB drivers are probably assumed to be sensible and mature - shows how wrong they can be! I personally love the Chavs though, nothing gives me more fun than a good burn off from the lights against a Saxo with a drain pipe rather than an exhaust, although MrsC. doesnt approve.

On a final note I have to apologise to Uncle Sllinky for bringing the association into disrepute. The magazine this month has a quote from this forum where I mention Fords. Sorry Uncle, does this mean that I won't be mentioned in your will anytime soon?

Mark.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Fords...damn...anyhow, at least they are going bust. (sad loss, bye and thanks for coming, you have been a great laugh)

As with the other comments on this thread. the first time i bought a merc i was expecting not to be let out at junctions, but i was shocked. I found that in the main almost everyone let me out. I put it down to the car and the fact that people probably thought it was nice. I also had a lot of people say it was a nice car. whereas the scooby gained looks from rally jacket wearing men of wanting to be an owner or chavs knowing. I also noticed that huge numbers of unworthy car types attempted to race the WRX. almost all lost. those that won had not seen the local police car!!!!!

but yesterday I had a young girl of around 10 say i had a nice car. her brothers were to embarrased to say anything, but when i looked, her mother had obviously encouraged her to say something, judging by the size of her smile. I beamed back and said thanks.

But to attempt to add some underclass to all this. I shall be taking the SLK55 'cruising' in a chavtasic manner on satuyrday the 10th sept. if the weather is ok. i shall be amongst the Essex people by the pier.

i shall report back what the next generation thinks of mercs.

altho my nieces Friend, who happens to be a boy (I have to put it like this or risk being sliced apart by her rapier like laser optioned phone) was 'dead' impressed that Uncle me had a merc slk.

so maybe its a class or quality thing.

people aspire to a BMW but you know when you are there when you buy a merc.

I saw to 55reg cars today with 55 on. one lexota and one ford dump mobile.

but travelling passed the merc dealers i saw 4 new (55 reg) mercs being handover and they all had private plates. this measn that even tho it was 01/09 Merc drivers dont need to give it away.

 

[nicky]

Well i have to disagree,merc owners dont even look at each other on the road,they are too rapped up in there own selves to give each other the time of day..I also have a Landrover Defender and when you meet another one they always wave or give you a flash of there lights,,this never happens with merc drivers........

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Well i have to disagree,merc owners dont even look at each other on the road,they are too rapped up in there own selves to give each other the time of day..I also have a Landrover Defender and when you meet another one they always wave or give you a flash of there lights,,this never happens with merc drivers........

i am sorry! a defender? it isnt waving, it is the constant battle with the steering that throws your arms about which you mistake as waving. and as for the flashing of the lights....well thats just faulty connections.

merc drivers dont wave at each other, they just take a knwoing look at the other mercs knowing that other people share the right idea about cars. when you have that confidence you dont need to wave.

anyhow a young lady in a SLK waved at me the other day. I Must have been a disapointment to her when she got close enough to see me fully.

 

[nicky]

i am sorry! a defender? it isnt waving, it is the constant battle with the steering that throws your arms about which you mistake as waving. and as for the flashing of the lights....well thats just faulty connections.

merc drivers dont wave at each other, they just take a knwoing look at the other mercs knowing that other people share the right idea about cars. when you have that confidence you dont need to wave.

anyhow a young lady in a SLK waved at me the other day. I Must have been a disapointment to her when she got close enough to see me fully.

Dont think so,You just proved that,merc owners are big headed and love themselves...I drive many types of cars and driving a merc does not allways get the best attitudes from other drivers...