Farewell: Making the Jump: MB to Lexus
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
In the span of 20 years, we've gone from where nobody in their right mind would swap a Mercedes Benz for a Toyota.. to a time where the majority would (this forum not being a good sample).. 
I for one will stick with MB for many other reasons (safety being foremost), but as I said in my DC Merger problems thread in the W211 forum, MB needs to wake the F^%K up. They're loosing customers they should be keeping... people who spend $60K on a Toyota!
I for one will stick with MB for many other reasons (safety being foremost), but as I said in my DC Merger problems thread in the W211 forum, MB needs to wake the F^%K up. They're loosing customers they should be keeping... people who spend $60K on a Toyota!
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
The Japs, especially Lexus are rulling the luxury world.
Never had a little hottie look over at me at a redlight, smile and say, "Nice car..too bad JD Powers has decreased the quality of Mercedes over the past few years, sure hope they get their act together"
Regardless of how awesome Lexus is.....put them side by side with a Benz in front of 100 average Americans and see which one they pick.
Enjoy your car RJM....I am sure you will be happy, but let's not get carried away.
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'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
Originally Posted by BlownV8
The 210 E is rated as the safest vehicle on the road when looking at death rates in accidents:
http://www.autospies.com/article/ind...articleId=4330
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...ercedes/1.html
http://www.autospies.com/article/ind...articleId=4330
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...ercedes/1.html
Note that the Lexus RX330 SUV and VW Passat are near the top of the list. Do you think either of those cars is safer than the LS? The LS is conspicuously asbent, I think, because it was not included in the study.
Lexus LS430 Crash Test Rating
W210 Crash Test Rating
The bottom line is that both the W210 and the Lexus LS430 are exceptionally safe cars, but I don't think the W210 is any safer.
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Originally Posted by CE750
In the span of 20 years, we've gone from where nobody in their right mind would swap a Mercedes Benz for a Toyota.. to a time where the majority would (this forum not being a good sample)..
I for one will stick with MB for many other reasons (safety being foremost), but as I said in my DC Merger problems thread in the W211 forum, MB needs to wake the F^%K up. They're loosing customers they should be keeping... people who spend $60K on a Toyota!
I for one will stick with MB for many other reasons (safety being foremost), but as I said in my DC Merger problems thread in the W211 forum, MB needs to wake the F^%K up. They're loosing customers they should be keeping... people who spend $60K on a Toyota!
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by lexrex
You can say that the Lexus has no soul, but remember that the Jaguar & BMW folks view Benzes the same way.
And I seriously doubt that a W210 is any safer than a new Lexus LS.
And I seriously doubt that a W210 is any safer than a new Lexus LS.
The guys in the CDI walked away.. the Guys in the cop car all died.
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Originally Posted by Jakpro1
Never had a little hottie look over at me at a redlight, smile and say, "Nice car..too bad JD Powers has decreased the quality of Mercedes over the past few years, sure hope they get their act together"
Are you REALLY that insecure with the ladies?
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From: Arizona, USA
W205 C300
Originally Posted by rjm
I would rather drive a Toyota with a Lexus badge than a Chrysler product with a MB star on it.
The soon to be former DaimlerChrysler CEO is Juergen Schrempp.
The new CEO will be Dieter Zetsche.
Both from Germany, not the US.
Last edited by E-Klasse; Aug 10, 2005 at 03:14 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
Originally Posted by rjm
Thank you for your kind words....it shows a great deal of maturity on your part. 
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From: OC
AMG E55, Stage 1, Strait Pipe from Primary Cats
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjm
I would rather drive a Toyota with a Lexus badge than a Chrysler product with a MB star on it.
rjm..... You are yellow not green Grasshopper
Originally Posted by rjm
I would rather drive a Toyota with a Lexus badge than a Chrysler product with a MB star on it.
rjm..... You are yellow not green Grasshopper
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by E-Klasse
Hello... Mercedes (Daimler-Benz) bought out Chrysler, not the other way around.
The soon to be former DaimlerChrysler CEO is Juergen Schrempp.
The new CEO will be Dieter Zetsche.
Both from Germany, not the US.
The soon to be former DaimlerChrysler CEO is Juergen Schrempp.
The new CEO will be Dieter Zetsche.
Both from Germany, not the US.
On your first point.. true, but it was treated more so as a merger (read all of the financial papers stories about it, and it will be clear).
On your second point, the CEO has about as much effect on how a company that size operates as the President of the US has on the economy, i.e. very little. It's more about who he deputized to do the work that matters... Here in the US, MBUSA is run be many ex-chrysler types (part of the job protection some Chrysler execs got with the DC deal).. and with the exception of the top "Bean counting" management at Chrysler, it's still American.
Bottom line... ANYONE who thinks the DC deal was good for MB is smoking crack.
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From: Arizona, USA
W205 C300
Chrysler was both a money drain and a managment drain for the Daimler (Mercedes) side. The CEO has a lot of effect on where the funding goes. Chrysler needed a lot of help and that put a crunch on the Mercedes line.
The point was that a Mercedes car is NOT a Chrysler with an MB star on it.
Mercedes has done more for Chrylser than the other way around. One of the problems is that they are so divided. They don't share enough part suppliers like Toyota does with Lexus. A Lexus is a Toyota while a Mercedes will never be a Chrysler and vise versa.
The point was that a Mercedes car is NOT a Chrysler with an MB star on it.
Mercedes has done more for Chrylser than the other way around. One of the problems is that they are so divided. They don't share enough part suppliers like Toyota does with Lexus. A Lexus is a Toyota while a Mercedes will never be a Chrysler and vise versa.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by E-Klasse
Chrysler was both a money drain and a managment drain for the Daimler (Mercedes) side. The CEO has a lot of effect on where the funding goes. Chrysler needed a lot of help and that put a crunch on the Mercedes line.
The point was that a Mercedes car is NOT a Chrysler with an MB star on it.
Mercedes has done more for Chrylser than the other way around. One of the problems is that they are so divided. They don't share enough part suppliers like Toyota does with Lexus. A Lexus is a Toyota while a Mercedes will never be a Chrysler and vise versa.
The point was that a Mercedes car is NOT a Chrysler with an MB star on it.
Mercedes has done more for Chrylser than the other way around. One of the problems is that they are so divided. They don't share enough part suppliers like Toyota does with Lexus. A Lexus is a Toyota while a Mercedes will never be a Chrysler and vise versa.
All true.. but we can then agree that the net result of all of this is a big (-) for MB and a big (+) for Chrysler... and possibly a (-/+) for DC.
If that makes any sense..
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From: Arizona, USA
W205 C300
DaimlerChrysler CEO, Juergen Schrempp wanted to make the company a bigger player in the autoworld but that didn't make it better. Like you said, it hurt Mercedes. If they would just focus on making quality high-end cars like the business plan of BMW. DaimlerChrysler went in to making ulta cheap cars like the "Smart" car to the ulta rich Maybach. Talk about a range that does nothing for your profits and causes the Luxury line to suffer.
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From: Music City
2010 E63 AMG, 2000 E430 Sport, Dodge Charger SRT8
Dude, you did the right thing. I have been considering it for a while myself.
I am seriously looking at Infiniti G35 and M45 and Chrysler 300C SRT-8.
Good luck with the Lexus!
I am seriously looking at Infiniti G35 and M45 and Chrysler 300C SRT-8.
Good luck with the Lexus!
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Mikey: If you're comparing the interiors of the Infiniti's to any of the cars you're looking at, you'll notice that they suck 
Keep that in mind before you go and buy a car. I have one too many friends that got caught up in the G35 stuff and hate it now, just because the interior sucks.
Keep that in mind before you go and buy a car. I have one too many friends that got caught up in the G35 stuff and hate it now, just because the interior sucks.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Safety
Just look at the video of the crash tests on the G35 vs the W211..
I'll stick with the Benz, for now thank you.
Both are under lux car/suv 2003...
http://www.progressive.com/RC/VSafet...ash_videos.asp
I'll stick with the Benz, for now thank you.
Both are under lux car/suv 2003...
http://www.progressive.com/RC/VSafet...ash_videos.asp
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
My next car will be a big SUV or truck. The German spent lot of money into building a crumble zone and cage structure in a car frame, so that driver & tagger will be okey when accident happen. However, the way I see it, if you truck/SUV big and tall enough, you just jump on top of other car. Save for you, (hopefully) save for them. No direct impact 
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Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Mikey: If you're comparing the interiors of the Infiniti's to any of the cars you're looking at, you'll notice that they suck
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The car just looks too much like a Toyota Avalon. Though the interior is nice the seats look as if they do not have any side bolstering. The car is basically a luxo cruiser meant for heading straight down the road. If that's what you want, more power to you. There is no doubt that it will be dependable. You'll look like every other 60 something that got tired of their Cadillac's breaking down. Boring but dependable.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Sorry man, but even though I am very critical of MB for a lot of things, the interior of that Lexus looks like a Toyota or Honda... Can't escape it..
I just wish MB would return to their roots.. But even where they are now, is ahead of the Japanese cars.
I just wish MB would return to their roots.. But even where they are now, is ahead of the Japanese cars.
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Originally Posted by CE750
I just wish MB would return to their roots.. But even where they are now, is ahead of the Japanese cars.
Last edited by rjm; Aug 11, 2005 at 04:44 PM.
