OT : Merc copies BMW !!

Thavash · 06-21-2005, 02:48 AM

A bit off topic , but did you guys see the new Merc S-Class ? It's a total series rip off !!

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...183.A8798.html

They've copied the I-Drive controller, the dual binnacle dash, the gear lever on the steering , the air vents and central section of the dash and even the "Bangle Butt" rear end styling !!!

I guess when pics of this car first surfaced , howling laughter was heard in Munich

Armen52 · 06-21-2005, 03:10 AM

I agree. I think that the new S-class does not look like a vehicle that commands an $80K price tag.

Those fender flares are so cheap looking they look like they came off a Ford Focus.

And in terms of originality in the interior, there is none, its a total rip of the 7 Series.

timzerofive · 06-21-2005, 03:20 AM

The car looks a lil Maybach-ish.

Kiwi · 06-21-2005, 03:33 AM

I agree when I saw these photo's I thought it was a copy of the 7. I think the dash looks cheap.

I like the first Bangle design

not the lastest face lift of the 7 series.

Broken1 · 06-21-2005, 05:21 AM

I think the new 7 is refreshing. I really thought the old one had alot of presence, and if i was in that legue I might have bought one, but the new one...wow...it looks brilliant...just look at those new rear lights...
that new sporty profile...

why anyone would touch that hideous S class....is beyond me:-/

Mark · 06-21-2005, 09:56 AM

that S class interior looks awful (as does the exterior and those cheap looking fender flares!)...

... but im not sure if i would say the interior is a rip of a BMW, more of a rip of the new audi A6 or a rip of a '80s Buick. its just horrible.

llaroo · 06-21-2005, 10:15 AM

that interior dash design belongs on a Buick Park Avenue. That is horrible and so is the side profile. I think Audi has been pushed up to the top of the list for interior design, then I guess BMW!

RichReg · 06-21-2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armen52

I agree. I think that the new S-class does not look like a vehicle that commands an $80K price tag.

Those fender flares are so cheap looking they look like they came off a Ford Focus.

And in terms of originality in the interior, there is none, its a total rip of the 7 Series.

Correction: you mean worthy of an $86,000 price tag.

Bloomberg Television just announced today that per MB, the new S-Class will increase in price by about 7 percent.

Yeah, that E.D. 750Li is looking better and better every day...

Armen52 · 06-21-2005, 02:33 PM

Quite frankly in this league of cars my choice would be the Audi A8. I think that car looks expensive and is gorgeous, inside and out. Trumps both BMW and MB and don't even talk about Japanese competition. LS340, blah.

That said, I haven't driven any of these cars so take that as you will.

llaroo · 06-21-2005, 04:52 PM

I agree, the Audi A8 wins hands down. Well thought out, classic lines, fine details and no gimmicky styles like the 7 series. If you sit in an A8 you'll know what I mean. Hell, sit in an A6 and compare it to a 5 series, once again Audi rules. Yeah I know this is a BMW site. I'm here for the 3 series only!!

romeo26 · 06-21-2005, 05:25 PM

wow it does look like a bmw!!!
holy cow why did they have to copy?
well, well, well now i got something to show my sister that mercs. are starting to copy BMW!!!!ahhahahahahahahaha.

roburado · 06-21-2005, 11:04 PM

Holy cow. I posted a pic of the exterior at some point in the past. The interior makes it look like an even more blatant 7er copycat.

RedStripe · 06-22-2005, 01:55 AM

For the full photo gallery, go here:
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...s/pages/01.htm
For the accompanying article, go here:
http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102612

My 2 cents is that it looks pretty good and I am sure it's going to be a very worthy car befitting its S-class lineage. However, I will also agree that such pronounced fender flares are seriously questionable for a car of this class and pedigree.

About the iDrive"ish"controller. To me, this is a natural evolution we'll see in all cars. It only makes sense that all cars will soon have powerful functioning computers and the most likely input mechanism will be a iDrive type controller or knob. I think it was Jack Welsh that said something like "in business, best practices legitimize copying", or something like that. Anyways, also notice also how the screen sits high, like in the e90 iDrive. I'm sure most all cars will be moving toward this type of design.

So what bugs me is that BMW had the foresight to see this way before any other manufacturer, and yet have fallen so short in the implementation. There is so much potential with the iDrive setup. I hope that within this generation of 3 series, we'll have some real hard-core enthusiasts that really try to push the iDrive to its limits. I'm thinking adding a computer (Mac mini, anyone?) and designing a new or customizing the existing iDrive interface to give it incredible capabilities. I wish they would make everything open source so we can tap all the talents of BMW fans worldwide. e90/iDrive lovers of the world, unite!

PS. Take a look at the antenna on the new S-Class, and compare with the e90 fin. Come-on, it's not even close, and for a car of that price, they can't evey color code it to the vehicle. It's official, the e90 has the best exterior antenna out there. Bar none.

Gnosis · 06-22-2005, 02:06 AM

Actually I wouldn't buy either a BMW 7 or the new S-class. Those cars simple have too much problems. I've heard so many stories, and had so many friends and people I know of who had nothing but trouble with them.

If I were in the market for such a veichle I'd probably buy a Lexus LS430. Not as cool or elegant but "it just works". And a car should work...

kchika · 06-22-2005, 03:07 AM

The rear center armrest controls are almost a 100% copy.

Kiwi · 06-22-2005, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

I think the new 7 is refreshing. I really thought the old one had alot of presence, and if i was in that legue I might have bought one, but the new one...wow...it looks brilliant...just look at those new rear lights...
that new sporty profile...

why anyone would touch that hideous S class....is beyond me:-/

The exterior looks old. Looks more like an old 5 series

voltron1011 · 06-22-2005, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llaroo

I agree, the Audi A8 wins hands down.

Yeah, if I were in the market for a car that size, it would have to be the A8.... Sorry 7 series. :mad:

davinet78 · 08-22-2005, 10:38 AM

yes we can clearly see that merc is clearly copying bmw

06-21-2005, 02:48 AM	#1
Thavash Private First Class 22 Rep 166 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 320i Red Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 320M [0.00] 2005 320i [0.00]	OT : Merc copies BMW !! A bit off topic , but did you guys see the new Merc S-Class ? It's a total series rip off !! http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...183.A8798.html They've copied the I-Drive controller, the dual binnacle dash, the gear lever on the steering , the air vents and central section of the dash and even the "Bangle Butt" rear end styling !!! I guess when pics of this car first surfaced , howling laughter was heard in Munich
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06-21-2005, 03:10 AM	#2
Armen52 Captain 34 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I agree. I think that the new S-class does not look like a vehicle that commands an $80K price tag. Those fender flares are so cheap looking they look like they came off a Ford Focus. And in terms of originality in the interior, there is none, its a total rip of the 7 Series. __________________ E90 330i delivered 6/29/2005, ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/Step, Arctic/Gray/Walnut
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06-21-2005, 03:20 AM	#3
timzerofive there is no spoon 254 Rep 867 Posts Drives: 330i manual Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	The car looks a lil Maybach-ish.
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06-21-2005, 03:33 AM	#4
Kiwi Captain 151 Rep 917 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M Sports Convertible Join Date: May 2005 Location: Auckland New Zealand iTrader: (0)	I agree when I saw these photo's I thought it was a copy of the 7. I think the dash looks cheap. I like the first Bangle design not the lastest face lift of the 7 series. Last edited by Kiwi; 06-21-2005 at 03:59 AM..
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06-21-2005, 05:21 AM	#5
Broken1 Addict 208 Rep 2,075 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I think the new 7 is refreshing. I really thought the old one had alot of presence, and if i was in that legue I might have bought one, but the new one...wow...it looks brilliant...just look at those new rear lights... that new sporty profile... why anyone would touch that hideous S class....is beyond me:-/ Attached Images
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06-21-2005, 09:56 AM	#6
Mark Administrator 7028 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [8.36]	that S class interior looks awful (as does the exterior and those cheap looking fender flares!)... ... but im not sure if i would say the interior is a rip of a BMW, more of a rip of the new audi A6 or a rip of a '80s Buick. its just horrible. __________________ BMW 1M. BMW M2. BMW M2.
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06-21-2005, 10:15 AM	#7
llaroo Private First Class 18 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 06 325i MonacoBlue Join Date: May 2005 Location: toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Yikes!!! that interior dash design belongs on a Buick Park Avenue. That is horrible and so is the side profile. I think Audi has been pushed up to the top of the list for interior design, then I guess BMW!
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06-21-2005, 02:33 PM	#9
Armen52 Captain 34 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Quite frankly in this league of cars my choice would be the Audi A8. I think that car looks expensive and is gorgeous, inside and out. Trumps both BMW and MB and don't even talk about Japanese competition. LS340, blah. That said, I haven't driven any of these cars so take that as you will. __________________ E90 330i delivered 6/29/2005, ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/Step, Arctic/Gray/Walnut
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06-21-2005, 04:52 PM	#10
llaroo Private First Class 18 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 06 325i MonacoBlue Join Date: May 2005 Location: toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	I agree, the Audi A8 wins hands down. Well thought out, classic lines, fine details and no gimmicky styles like the 7 series. If you sit in an A8 you'll know what I mean. Hell, sit in an A6 and compare it to a 5 series, once again Audi rules. Yeah I know this is a BMW site. I'm here for the 3 series only!!
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06-21-2005, 05:25 PM	#11
romeo26 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 354 Posts Drives: e30 325 (no lette) Join Date: May 2005 Location: anaheim, cali iTrader: (0)	wow it does look like a bmw!!! holy cow why did they have to copy? well, well, well now i got something to show my sister that mercs. are starting to copy BMW!!!!ahhahahahahahahaha.
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06-21-2005, 11:04 PM	#12
roburado Lieutenant 39 Rep 446 Posts Drives: '03 Passat, '09 Cayman S Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Troy, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 1991 318is [0.00]	Holy cow. I posted a pic of the exterior at some point in the past. The interior makes it look like an even more blatant 7er copycat. __________________ E30 1991 318is, Red on Black Leatherette Family History: Two E21 320i, One E28 535is, One E34 535i, One E34 540i
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06-22-2005, 01:55 AM	#13
RedStripe Captain 100 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	For the full photo gallery, go here: http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...s/pages/01.htm For the accompanying article, go here: http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102612 My 2 cents is that it looks pretty good and I am sure it's going to be a very worthy car befitting its S-class lineage. However, I will also agree that such pronounced fender flares are seriously questionable for a car of this class and pedigree. About the iDrive"ish"controller. To me, this is a natural evolution we'll see in all cars. It only makes sense that all cars will soon have powerful functioning computers and the most likely input mechanism will be a iDrive type controller or knob. I think it was Jack Welsh that said something like "in business, best practices legitimize copying", or something like that. Anyways, also notice also how the screen sits high, like in the e90 iDrive. I'm sure most all cars will be moving toward this type of design. So what bugs me is that BMW had the foresight to see this way before any other manufacturer, and yet have fallen so short in the implementation. There is so much potential with the iDrive setup. I hope that within this generation of 3 series, we'll have some real hard-core enthusiasts that really try to push the iDrive to its limits. I'm thinking adding a computer (Mac mini, anyone?) and designing a new or customizing the existing iDrive interface to give it incredible capabilities. I wish they would make everything open source so we can tap all the talents of BMW fans worldwide. e90/iDrive lovers of the world, unite! PS. Take a look at the antenna on the new S-Class, and compare with the e90 fin. Come-on, it's not even close, and for a car of that price, they can't evey color code it to the vehicle. It's official, the e90 has the best exterior antenna out there. Bar none. Last edited by RedStripe; 06-22-2005 at 02:29 AM..
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06-22-2005, 02:06 AM	#14
Gnosis Private 21 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 330i on order :-) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Actually I wouldn't buy either a BMW 7 or the new S-class. Those cars simple have too much problems. I've heard so many stories, and had so many friends and people I know of who had nothing but trouble with them. If I were in the market for such a veichle I'd probably buy a Lexus LS430. Not as cool or elegant but "it just works". And a car should work...
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06-22-2005, 03:07 AM	#15
kchika Lieutenant 55 Rep 532 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Evo, E46 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	The rear center armrest controls are almost a 100% copy.
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08-22-2005, 10:38 AM	#18
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,832 Posts Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	yes we can clearly see that merc is clearly copying bmw __________________ e90 320d,arktis,lumber support, hifi speaker, alarm, dakota beige, 162 18", xenon with washer spray,window chrome trimmings, professional radio, 6 cd changer wood trimmings 6 speed manual.
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