Review of Merc v BMW v Audi

[hawk20]

Automotor und Sport have reviewed Merc v Audi v BMW in this English translation video: -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLbdK3S37sw

 

[jon_harley]

Another comparitive review here, this time Merc v Audi v Saab:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0406_luxury_sport_convertibles_comparison/

Especially interesting to me, as I'm considering the CLK320 cabrio or the A4 3.0 cabrio which are two of the three models compared!

 

[hawk20]

Worth driving on UK roads before you decide. Audi suspension very harsh, hates ridges and potholes, or as Clarkson says, 'designed to be driven on a surface as smooth as the designer's desk'.

 

[jon_harley]

The CLK320 was surprisingly smooth. Trying out the Audi tomorrow...

 

[angus falconer]

Worth driving on UK roads before you decide. Audi suspension very harsh, hates ridges and potholes, or as Clarkson says, 'designed to be driven on a surface as smooth as the designer's desk'.

I had a lift through North London on Friday in a mate's A4 Avant Quattro. It really banged and crashed over imperfections in the road that my C43 would have smothered.

Not very impressive. Nice engine (V6), interior and sound system (Bose). Which made the crash ride even more glaring.

 

[jon_harley]

I had a lift through North London on Friday in a mate's A4 Avant Quattro. It really banged and crashed over imperfections in the road that my C43 would have smothered.

I test-drove the A4 Cabriolet with sports suspension, and you could feel imperfections even on a recently resurfaced dual carriageway!

 

[angus falconer]

I test-drove the A4 Cabriolet with sports suspension, and you could feel imperfections even on a recently resurfaced dual carriageway!

Yes - not clever. The guy who sold me the C43 has a C55 now and if anything he thinks the C43 has harder suspension than the C55. So if the C55 can get away with more compliant suspension why do Audi need to fit concrete springs and dampers? I can only presume that it's easier to bolt on concrete than work out how to reach the best compromise.

 

[hawk20]

Yes. Merc have long been supreme at performance with great ride comfort. Arrive so much fresher. Important.

I fear the desire to please silly journalists who just seem to want to go round corners on two wheels, or race round an airfield (none of it relevant to normal UK driving), leads manufactures to go for more and more 'sporty', and harder and harder suspension.

 

[television]

I do not know if you all saw this one I put up from the boss of MB Sweden

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19690

Malcolm

 

[angus falconer]

Yes. Merc have long been supreme at performance with great ride comfort. Arrive so much fresher. Important.

Yes - I agree

I fear the desire to please silly journalists who just seem to want to go round corners on two wheels, or race round an airfield (none of it relevant to normal UK driving), leads manufactures to go for more and more 'sporty', and harder and harder suspension.

Yes this seems to be a trend. Also spurred on by the fact that big wheels/ultra low profile tyres look good to many (including me). I suspect the 18 inch wheels and v low profile tyres on the Audi probably created a lot of the problem.

Roll on the days when we can all have air suspension to give us sporty when we want and smooth at other times.

In the meantime merc seem to have a better way of reaching a compromise on conventional suspension set ups. People get into the C43 expecting a battering from the road and are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it actually is.