How Does the World Rank BMW, Audi, and Mercedes Benz?

[kpeng]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsch

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...0cf50c950cf1o0

I don't know about you, but that looks like a precision machine that can tear up the twisties and compete in some races.

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by kpeng

I don't know about you, but that looks like a precision machine that can tear up the twisties and compete in some races.

I can see where he is coming from regarding the Alpha chassis ATS V. It apparently drives very well. So does the new CTS V. But Cadillac still can't shake the stigma of old heads being the overwhelming majority of owners. That and, for the umpteenth time, the interior, with exception of the Recaro seats, absolutely sucks ass.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsch

I can see where he is coming from regarding the Alpha chassis ATS V. It apparently drives very well. So does the new CTS V. But Cadillac still can't shake the stigma of old heads being the overwhelming majority of owners. That and, for the umpteenth time, the interior, with exception of the Recaro seats, absolutely sucks ass.

And there it is... "yeah, but the interior sucks" LOL

Every automotive publication has stated for the past 3 years now that the Cadillac ATS and CTS offer best in class handling that is better than BMW. Now even the recently introduced CT6 has been tested to be better handling than the new 7-series. My personal experience with the ATS found the same.

Non-M BMW's are no longer driver's cars, and the majority who own them buy them for the status symbol the Roundel earned as a real driver's car ("The Ultimate Driving Machine") from decades past.

[kpeng]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

And there it is... "yeah, but the interior sucks" LOL

Every automotive publication has stated for the past 3 years now that the Cadillac ATS and CTS offer best in class handling that is better than BMW. Now even the recently introduced CT6 has been tested to be better handling than the new 7-series. My personal experience with the ATS found the same.

Non-M BMW's are no longer driver's cars, and the majority who own them buy them for the status symbol the Roundel earned as a real driver's car ("The Ultimate Driving Machine") from decades past.

So why do you have 2 BMWs?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by kpeng

So why do you have 2 BMWs?

I have 3 actually and a fourth that was a '89 E30, which I owned for 18 years and 256,000 miles. Been a BMW owner since 1988 and been around them since the E21 came out and have a combined 760,000 miles of ownership on them. My E90 has 312,000 miles as of this week, and I'm on E90 post all over the place touting how great a car it is. I Love BMWs, but I call a spade a spade when I see one. The current Cadillacs simply drive better than the current BMWs, and if BMW wants to tout it's the Ultimate Driving Machine, then make cars that are (not just the M-division cars).

If you guys are still touting the stigma that Cadillacs are "an old man's car", or "drive like a boat", then you are either uninformed, or just BMW fanboys not will accept the fact that other manufacturers build very good cars too. And if all you can point to is the "interior sucks ass", then you've not been in a ATS, CTS, or CT6. The main purpose of a driver's car interior is to help the driver drive the car better (BMW used to advertise this point back in the 1970's and 1980's). The Cadillac interiors are more than adequate to assist in driving the car well.

[c63er]

It's very easy to answer. If I said you could own 1 of those 3 companies and you would be able to pass it down to your family for generations to come, which one of the three would you pick ?

The answer should be obvious and that is the one with the best rank.

[Outlaw 06]

Originally Posted by Figurka

Well.... to be honest... right now it's definitely MB ...

THIS!

Mercedes AMG has been dominating F1 for the past 4 seasons while BMW’s second-rate Motorsport Division continues to sit on the sidelines…

[scoobysaurus]

Speaking of status and prestige this is how the German brands rank here in Dubai:

Porsche
Mercedes
.
.
BMW
Audi

This mostly has to do with halo cars and brand perception. Benz is an older and more respected brand with regular production models that easily cross $200k and a never-ending onslaught of halo models (SLR, SLS BS, G63 6X6) that cost from $300k all the way to $600k, and the upcoming AMG hypercar will cost even more! When it comes to status neither BMW or Audi can hold a candle to MB. The R8 is Audi's saving grace but even that barely touches $200k. BMWs and Audis are considered more "youthful" FWIW.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by c63er

It's very easy to answer. If I said you could own 1 of those 3 companies and you would be able to pass it down to your family for generations to come, which one of the three would you pick ?

The answer should be obvious and that is the one with the best rank.

I get it... late post, but when I read this two weeks ago I thought it was very insightful, but didn't have time to answer.

To answer, I'd go with Mercedes. It has the broadest model portfolio of the three: cars, SUV, and light and heavy duty trucks.

Good question.

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by scoobysaurus

Speaking of status and prestige this is how the German brands rank here in Dubai:

Porsche
Mercedes
.
.
BMW
Audi

This mostly has to do with halo cars and brand perception. Benz is an older and more respected brand with regular production models that easily cross $200k and a never-ending onslaught of halo models (SLR, SLS BS, G63 6X6) that cost from $300k all the way to $600k, and the upcoming AMG hypercar will cost even more! When it comes to status neither BMW or Audi can hold a candle to MB. The R8 is Audi's saving grace but even that barely touches $200k. BMWs and Audis are considered more "youthful" FWIW.

THIS! I couldn't have said it better myself. Even if one was to take out the 'halo' cars from consideration, MB still offers a much bigger 'high line' portfolio than BMW or Audi. You've got the entire Mercedes-AMG sub brand that has about as many models as the entire main line BMW or Audi cars. Then you've got the Mercedes-Maybach sub brand that will soon proliferate into SUV's (GLS Maybach), Coupes (Mercedes-Maybach 6 concept) etc.

Lastly, Audi shouldn't even be part of the conversation in this thread. Their sister-brand Porsche is a brand more on par with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Considering the extensive parts sharing and likeness between most Audi's and VW's, I liken Audi to a tier 2 brand like Lexus, Acura, Infiniti etc rather than one that competes head-on in market perception with BMW or Mercedes-Benz.