What got you into a Mercedes Benz?

[DSK]

I was born in 1979 and growing up, I recall successful family members driving Mercedes between the 70s/80s and 90s.

Some memorable cars were : Mercedes 230CE's, 300E's, 190 2.5-16, 300SE, 420SEL, 500SEL and 400E. Each was unique, but brilliant and not something I find in todays cars, Mercedes or otherwise. Even jumping into similar BMWs, Ford RS/Cosworths and Triumphs at the time, the Merc's felt like sheer quality. As a result, I'm a huge fan of the Mercedes models and some of their most rare brutal creations upto the late 90's era.

I now have a 2007 CLS, partly because it's a low mileage, carefully family driven example from new which was my uncles, and partly because its a diesel and surprisingly spacious to cart the family around. Everything else I own is considerably less fuel efficient and not so family friendly. Additionally the cls 219 is one of the best shapes, in my eyes, within recent years that's simple yet, elegant (especially in AMG form). However, its doesn't feel like anything special or unique, its just OK.

 

[mioba]

Interesting thread.
For me it was fundamentally the reputation for the build quality and when I got my first merc a w124 E200 it certianly was that. It was brand new in 1995, when ,merc only done a very few models of car (look at the range now), something for everyone.
I think to this day still the best engineered (from every screw and bolt) merc I have owned - amazingly well put together.
I also had a test drive in 5 series BM at the time. The BMW saleswoman was great and very knowledgebale about the car, the Merc salesman was totally unhappy and unfriendly. But I was always sold on being in a Merc myself.
I got rid of it 3 years ago as it had rusted too much.
To this day merc are still pioneers in quality engineering but over the years one sees a drop in quality due to squeezing the life out of suppliers on part material cost.

 

[Bay Leaf]

Christ they must have been fast, or maybe it was a ship?

Now theirs no need for that just for the sake of a decimal point.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Now theirs no need for that just for the sake of a decimal point.

Sorry couldn’t resist

 

[Jasandjules]

I used to have a Passat. Clients would make snide comments about expecting me to be in a Merc....

 

[Ron240]

Clients would make snide comments about expecting me to be in a Merc....

Or a BMW. Both are aspirational.
Sorry I do not know your profession to have "clients" but Dawn from Emmerdale has made this reference often.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Needed something affordable to facilitate the assorted work schleps, at that time regularly 8-12 hrs of driving a day, around a full working day. Saw a very tidy W203 C220 CDI on an 06-reg, Elegance spec... not sexy in any way, shape or form, but simply very docile and relaxed on dual carriageways & motorways. And 50+mpg all day long.

Ran that for 18 months, decided I quite liked the waftability, and whilst e-window shopping one eve, discovered that a car I had liked from its launch, the W219 CLS, was very much in budget once 3-5 years old. Man-browsing ensued... found a lovely 1-owner car, Tanzanite Blue, grey leather interior, sunroof, CD changer & a few other bits... bought it. Loved it. Had it remapped, loved it a bit more.

Loved it so much, that at change time, decided I wanted to get a W218. Spent 6 months looking for right spec... struggled... got a tiny wee bit distracted... ended up in a W204 C63! #whoops

Kept that for 4 years, absolutely loved it. Mrs RH hated it (apart from colour and heated seats!) Nearly 3 yrs on, still miss it, even though the fiscally-driven UnMerc is actually very good, good fun, etc.

One day Rodders... one day!

 

[Jim2]

Like a few on here, retired mechanic ( from the the time you could check the cylinders by pulling off the plug leads, without getting electrocuted and an ammeter was the height of technology ) So starting with a 1995 Skoda that I bought S/H for 30 pounds ( you could buy a lot for 30 pounds back then )I progressed through a long list of vehicles.....Ford Escorts, Orions, Cortina's, Morris Minor BMC Mini's ( inc Cooper S ) 11'00's, VW Beetles( several ) Audi A6 Sport, plus I had driven a good assortment of other vehicles in different Country's, mainly off road 4 x 4's. But I began my affair with MB when my brother bought a C class about 4 years ago and I drove it and liked it so much that I went and bought a E Class, which I drove for 2 and half years before buying my 2nd merc....and now I'm already looking into the future ( again after 2/3 years) and setting my sights on what I'd like to get then.

 

[Vx-Man-G]

Im on here because we bought my dad his first Merc a few years ago.

He had been a life-long Vauxhall driver, Cavalier, Astra, Vectra, Insignia, the lot, and many times over.

When it came to replacing his Insignia or Vectra a few years ago, he needed an Automatic.

We always wanted him to buy something a more classy, something a bit more fitting with style of drive and age, etc.
Having scanned the market place a few times over, we looked at something like a 2012 Insignia Auto, which to be honest was difficult to come across for good money at low miles that had been looked after.

Then started looking at Merc's, with no real intent (but always been an admirer and window shopper), but with more looking came more desire and want. Needless to say we went to look at one and abslolutely loved the drive; effortless, smooth and very solid.
To be honest, it was me who wanted dad to buy one rather than him wanting it.

Anyway, we bought it, first footsteps into the unknown.
Never had a Mercedes before, never had German before, never had a rear wheel drive before and never had an Auto before, so was a little nervous to say the least, as with a Premium Brand comes higher running and maintenance costs.

However, he loves the Merc, W204, now had it for around 3 years.

We are looking to replace soon due to CAZ requirements in Birmingham, really want him to get a W205, but he is also looking back at to see what the Insignia B offers, and also at the A4's.

Once lockdown ends, will step up the search and find something else. Hopefully a W205 CDI.

 

[A.J.]

Im on here because we bought my dad his first Merc a few years ago.

He had been a life-long Vauxhall driver, Cavalier, Astra, Vectra, Insignia, the lot, and many times over.

When it came to replacing his Insignia or Vectra a few years ago, he needed an Automatic.

We always wanted him to buy something a more classy, something a bit more fitting with style of drive and age, etc.
Having scanned the market place a few times over, we looked at something like a 2012 Insignia Auto, which to be honest was difficult to come across for good money at low miles that had been looked after.

Then started looking at Merc's, with no real intent (but always been an admirer and window shopper), but with more looking came more desire and want. Needless to say we went to look at one and abslolutely loved the drive; effortless, smooth and very solid.
To be honest, it was me who wanted dad to buy one rather than him wanting it.

Anyway, we bought it, first footsteps into the unknown.
Never had a Mercedes before, never had German before, never had a rear wheel drive before and never had an Auto before, so was a little nervous to say the least, as with a Premium Brand comes higher running and maintenance costs.

However, he loves the Merc, W204, now had it for around 3 years.

We are looking to replace soon due to CAZ requirements in Birmingham, really want him to get a W205, but he is also looking back at to see what the Insignia B offers, and also at the A4's.

Once lockdown ends, will step up the search and find something else. Hopefully a W205 CDI.

If he likes the W204 he will love the W205

 

[Vx-Man-G]

If he likes the W204 he will love the W205

Im sure he will, and im sure I will too , but im still not convinced its the right car for him, probably does best part of 15 miles a day to and from work in city driving, he wants a Diesel, he wants an Auto, hardly does any motorway driving. Thats the dilema.

 

[Avnt]

My friend had a c63 estate and i fell in live with the s204 shape. A year late i bought my pre facelift c350 estate which has been a good family bus for the last 5 years and 74k ive put on it. Its done 5 european road trips and sat on the autobahn cruising at 120 for a constant 4 hours without feeling anything other than smooth. Shame they dont put that engine in a 205


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JBell]

Shame they dont put that engine in a 205

Isn't it!!!!!

 

[Avnt]

Isn't it!!!!!

C43 it is then


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JBell]

C43 it is then

Was thinking E53

 

[Srdl]

Im sure he will, and im sure I will too , but im still not convinced its the right car for him, probably does best part of 15 miles a day to and from work in city driving, he wants a Diesel, he wants an Auto, hardly does any motorway driving. Thats the dilemma.

Then it’s totally wrong for him. Euro 6 engines are even more fussy about DPF regen etc than the Euro 5s and that use pattern will lead to problems. If he wants economy, they do some small petrol engines in the 205, even a 1500cc, I believe, in the current C200.

 

[coxyhog]

Then of course there's Janis....

Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.
My friends all drive porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends.
So oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz

 

[Avnt]

Was thinking E53

Is that the new inline 6 twin turbo petrol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rotorhead500]

Is that the new inline 6 twin turbo petrol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I believe it is, with a bit of Hybridity thrown in to assist for good measure.

 

[Vx-Man-G]

Then it’s totally wrong for him. Euro 6 engines are even more fussy about DPF regen etc than the Euro 5s and that use pattern will lead to problems. If he wants economy, they do some small petrol engines in the 205, even a 1500cc, I believe, in the current C200.

I agree Steve, and thanks for the advice. I will look into the 1500cc model. Seems a small engine for such a heavy car?