Instead of going back to study, I web surfed around and ended up re-watching the Top Gear episode were the Stig takes the CL 65 for a test lap. And I wondered why do Benz's tend to have poor handling? From the reviews I've watched or read, they all said the same thing about various models. So I'm trying to find out why. Or maybe there's no explaination?

Enligthen me.

The car being huge has to have something to do with it.

Never really thought about that. Thanks bro.
BTW
Nice ride. And Just my luck, I've been looking to see how those gunmetal rims look on a pewter color. Finally founded one. I'm sure glad you responded. =]

By bad handling I presume you mean that they are terminal understeerers? Benz do that for safety to accommodate crap drivers.

if its not 4matic than just do aftermarket coilover or springs and get 4 nice tires and the handling and cornering will be much better

not really on the size though... its the weight... top gear finally got a bugatti on their track which lose to the pagani zonda.... bugatti = enginerring masterpiece... pagani zonda = a car masterpiece... unless u wan the gumpert which look ugly...

In my opinion, Mercedes is Good all the way around, With 2 Strong points, Power (Hp and Such) and luxury/luxury cruisers. BMW's are better as far handling goes (M series) but they are usually not as powerful to the same class to them (e36 - 225hp = C36 - 265hp, E46 M3 - 330hp, C32 - 354hp) Audi are aimed more toward safety and handling/comfort
Again this is my take on the different manufactures

Here's how I've broken down these Euro car manufacturers =/

Bimmers - Handling
Merc's - HP + Luxury <<<-- My Pick (:
Audi - Interior

Yeah, but Merc's are pigs for the most part, and Bimmers with the less power are still neck and neck or surpass the Benz.

Handling is subjective unless you're on a track. I prefer the softer ride of a Benz over a BMW. I'm an old fart. Most reviewers write to the 'enthusiast' which translates to experienced drivers and racer wannabees. I don't like riding a buckboard anymore and MB handling is perfect for me.

"Bad" is a bit strong. Just not the best. But far from the worst. And they keep getting better.

Oddly, I personally most enjoy the S from a handling perspective. Maybe my expectations are just lower for such a large car?

I've never driven the current SLK. It's supposed to handle quite well, though, perhaps better than the Z4 and certainly better than the TT.

Audi's in the worst spot for handling, because they're wedded to the idea of positioning the entire engine ahead of the front axle.

+1, but check the bugatti vs zonda 1/4 mile and you will see the zonda humilated..



the bmw handling is better not only for the M series...



+1
thats why m3's comes only in manual, while benz most dedicated track car (clk 63bs) comes in automatic

even their build quality is improving...

actually m3's come in manual or dct. The e46's came in manual or smg.

dont hold top gear reviews as the gospel. Lot of there reviews are bias and some exeraggerations for entertainment purposes. Just like there tesla review that showed it running out of power on the track.

It didnt really run out of power, but they pretended it did for laughs.

Later when tesla corrected them, top gear said it was a simulation of what would happen if it ran out of power.

thx for the info... and i found this """Our most recent three-pedal M3 outran the SMG by 0.3 second, with the entire advantage gained in first gear."""

yeah there smg had some problems. but the dct is actually a lot quicker since its using a duel clutch..similar to audi's dsg. The dct is actually faster around the track then the manual.

Similar to evo x dsg vs evo x manual or the audi tt dsg vs audi manual.

I beg to differ. I think Audi has some of the worst interior around.

It's pretty simple - Benzes are geared towards middle to elderly aged people who get wet about hp numbers, status, or luxury, and don't really care about a car that's fun to drive. Look at the average age of ownership - that's stewed prune territory right there.

As far as transmissions, true mannies are still more fun, even if they're now slightly behind the girly options on the track.

then the veyron is girly hahahaha
and about average age, its about people who can afford benz, and people loooking for luxury.... and not about being fun (or not) to drive...
you want fun ? go to japan.

i dont understand why people judge whether a car is good or not just from track performance. the kind of people who buy these cars..99.9% of those people never track the car in ther first place. Those .01% that actually track the car only do it once in awhile the other 90% of the time there just driving it from a to b.

Track performance is a factor but shouldn't be the only criteria judged whether a car is good or not.

I would prefer a luxury feel and comfort for a daily driver. But some power when i need it on tap. Hence why i drive my c32..since it fits those preferences.

Thanks

I would have never guessed, my black series corners just fine

the bs is a dedicated car, we're talking in general, for exemple c32 or c55 amg's...

I don't think benz are but at all in cornering. It depends on the model. For example my sportcoupe is not but, I go stock and in a mountain roads with lots of cornering, cars with more power such as civic typer's and golf gti with 200hp aren't able to escape from me. Is not the car is the pilot. Otherwise other models I've tested such as clk they aren't as good in my opinion I supose a higher version would go much better. As someone said above good tyres do a lot in that type of driving.

Well, yes, it is a girly car, at least as far as I'm concerned. Seriously, how much fun can you extract from a car that doesn't let you control it? Electronic nannies are getting way out of control.

Average age is much lower for BMW, which does say something.