Why do you drive an Mercedes Benz?
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
I own a 1992 500E, 2006 E500 and a 2003 BMW X5 4.4. 1992 500E is the best car I've ever owned and I still enjoy driving it and detailing it. I traded a 2002 M3 for the E500. The M3 was unreliable and poorly put together. I don't have any illusions that the 2006 is as stout as the 1992 but its been fine for the first 6000 miles and seems to be much better put together than my M3 or 2001 BMW 540i i had for 3 years. Despite recent quality problems, I still think MB has the best engineered cars on the market. A second reason is service, which is largely a local issue, but my local MB dealer has much better service than BMW.
Moreover, BMW's roadside assistance is no more than third party towing services and I have found close to useless.
Moreover, BMW's roadside assistance is no more than third party towing services and I have found close to useless.
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From: Long Island, NY
2004 E320
I am sure that we all have different reasons for driveling the car that we do but I am interested in what made you choose the car that you did.
When I went to collage I had a side job as a cab driver (much, much different than driveling a cab in the US) and the cab owner had 3 E class cars (W124) and I had the opportunity two drive all of them.
When I went to collage I had a side job as a cab driver (much, much different than driveling a cab in the US) and the cab owner had 3 E class cars (W124) and I had the opportunity two drive all of them.
I bought my first '98 320 because of AWD, which BMW didn't have. Never looked back, once the Bangle styling came into play.
Thread Starter
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From: North Carolina, US
'06 E500, '99 ML430 and '07 SL65
Please don't say that I can't spell.....I can, my grammar just suck.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Some of the "reasons" why individuals who replied to this thread "bought" a (or more) Mercedes-Benz vehicle(s) are some of the reasons why I think the Mercedes-Benz brand name is going down the drain.
But at least these individuals are honest.
Acquiring good vehicles isn't about the prestige, it's about safety; both active safety and passive safety. Naturally, the active safety aspect provides a more interesting and rewarding driving experience.
But at least these individuals are honest.
Acquiring good vehicles isn't about the prestige, it's about safety; both active safety and passive safety. Naturally, the active safety aspect provides a more interesting and rewarding driving experience.
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From: Jakarta, Indonesia The Land of Milk & Honey
W211 / E280
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From: Los Angeles
w211 E320
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I am sure that we all have different reasons for driveling the car that we do but I am interested in what made you choose the car that you did.
Let me start out be telling you what I have an MB and not a...say Toyota!
Well, as you might know E class cars are used as cabs in many countries in Europe. When I went to collage I had a side job as a cab driver (much, much different than driveling a cab in the US) and the cab owner had 3 E class cars (W124) and I had the opportunity two drive all of them. They were all diesel and over the time I worked for him he had 250D, 250TD, 300D and 300TD models. What always struck me was how fast the 300 was compared to other gas cars.
Now, cabs in Europe, or at least where I grew up, can be bought without sales tax - a significant chunk of money - if you had the car for at least 2 years and 250000 kilometers. After that you could sell it without having to pay sales tax to a private party or as part of a trade. The thing to keep in mind here is that the owner could sell the car privately for what he paid for it (without tax). That is how good MBs reputation is. That would never happen here.....of course our sales tax is somewhat lower.
One of the other cabs at the time was an older model (W123 200D) and it had at the time 600000 kilometers on it and the only thing was that it had the transmission rebuilt. Trust me when I say that the cars were not driven gently... !
The sheer quality of MB or at least at the time made me promise myself that when I was at a point in my life where I could I would get a Mercedes Benz. While I might be first time owner I have driven a significant number of miles in MBs before I got my own.
What comforts me is that drivability, and my impression of engineering quality hasn't changed. Of all the cars I have had until now this is by far the best handling SPORTS sedan.
Why do you drive a Mercedes?
Let me start out be telling you what I have an MB and not a...say Toyota!
Well, as you might know E class cars are used as cabs in many countries in Europe. When I went to collage I had a side job as a cab driver (much, much different than driveling a cab in the US) and the cab owner had 3 E class cars (W124) and I had the opportunity two drive all of them. They were all diesel and over the time I worked for him he had 250D, 250TD, 300D and 300TD models. What always struck me was how fast the 300 was compared to other gas cars. Now, cabs in Europe, or at least where I grew up, can be bought without sales tax - a significant chunk of money - if you had the car for at least 2 years and 250000 kilometers. After that you could sell it without having to pay sales tax to a private party or as part of a trade. The thing to keep in mind here is that the owner could sell the car privately for what he paid for it (without tax). That is how good MBs reputation is. That would never happen here.....of course our sales tax is somewhat lower.
One of the other cabs at the time was an older model (W123 200D) and it had at the time 600000 kilometers on it and the only thing was that it had the transmission rebuilt. Trust me when I say that the cars were not driven gently... !
The sheer quality of MB or at least at the time made me promise myself that when I was at a point in my life where I could I would get a Mercedes Benz. While I might be first time owner I have driven a significant number of miles in MBs before I got my own.
What comforts me is that drivability, and my impression of engineering quality hasn't changed. Of all the cars I have had until now this is by far the best handling SPORTS sedan.
Why do you drive a Mercedes?
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From: Wisconsin
C240
Honest answer!
Prestige & Status. I luv it when other ppl on the road are staring at me just becuz i'm in a Benz. Ofcourse i luv the power of 302HP and styling too. But be honest ppl we luv the name MB. These politically correct answers are just denying the truth.
Prestige & Status. I luv it when other ppl on the road are staring at me just becuz i'm in a Benz. Ofcourse i luv the power of 302HP and styling too. But be honest ppl we luv the name MB. These politically correct answers are just denying the truth.
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From: North Carolina, US
'06 E500, '99 ML430 and '07 SL65
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From: NYC/FT Lauderdale
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From: So Cal
04 SL 500, 09 R350, 09 E63, 2010 Prius
did it because the SL is the best looking car that came out in 03, when I finally made enought money to buy my first car. Wife's family have been driving MB's... it runs in her family. Now we get it because it looks good. My take on the cars is that German cars got souls... when you drive it, you feel like you are "driving" and acclerating and you are just on a cloud. Japanese cars are very well rounded, very reliable, good styling... but boring... the styling goes out of date in a couple years and now, you just have another Jp car... American cars, well, I love the USA but what the hell happened to our automakers... Aside from the Cadillac Escalade, I can't find a sedan that I would buy... I have been in Corvettes, nice engin but the interior is cheap. Vipers are cool but not an everyday driver. Most American cars handle like bath tubs on wheels... I would love to do my patriotic duty and buy GM or Ford if it builds something as beautiful as an MB... 
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
I have been a fan of mercedes since I could remember... I loved Porsche, Lambos, and Benz... At 21 I wasnt able to afford a porsche(one worth while) or a lambo so I purchased my ML55.
I had a two toyotas prior to my Benz... a 92 Camry with 150k miles on it that was totalled in a horific accident, and a toyota supra that had a nasty problem of blowing headgaskets... Im not knocking the brand as they were both my first cars and will always miss them.
The car that replaced my camry had to be a tank, heavy, safe, unstoppable... Thats what I purchased... my car that replaced my ML had to be stylish, inexpensive and practical...
I looked at new and pre-owned G35s, 3 series, CLKs, 350Zs and a great lease deal came in to my lap for the E class... $500 a month, 12k miles a year, 0 down... I found a white E500 sport with pano roof... And about a month after I purchased it, someone sideswiped me but I pretty calm and collected the whole time.
I had a two toyotas prior to my Benz... a 92 Camry with 150k miles on it that was totalled in a horific accident, and a toyota supra that had a nasty problem of blowing headgaskets... Im not knocking the brand as they were both my first cars and will always miss them.
The car that replaced my camry had to be a tank, heavy, safe, unstoppable... Thats what I purchased... my car that replaced my ML had to be stylish, inexpensive and practical...
I looked at new and pre-owned G35s, 3 series, CLKs, 350Zs and a great lease deal came in to my lap for the E class... $500 a month, 12k miles a year, 0 down... I found a white E500 sport with pano roof... And about a month after I purchased it, someone sideswiped me but I pretty calm and collected the whole time.
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From: Northern Kentucky
2011 E350 4 Matic,1994 C220,1965 Mustang, 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600
[QUOTE=sgaar;1766958]Keeping in mind that I misspelled college and assuming that this is a honest question I will tell you that I went to Engineering College of Odense in Denmark.[/QUOTE
Just poking a little fun, no harm intended
Just poking a little fun, no harm intended
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From: Dallas, Texas
SL550
The E-Class was the best option for my overall needs (real estate sales). Just the right size --- not too big nor too small, plenty luxurious, comfortable ride, navigation system, attractive w/a classy yet not flashy image for clients, etc. I was a very loyal and happy BMW customer but couldn't warm up to the ugly new 5-Series to replace my 2003 540i 6-speed, so I went with the E350 last December. I wanted the E550 but didn't want to wait for 9 months to get one.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
I drive a Mercedes because I simply like them more than any other brand. If I could not have a Mercedes then I would go with Audi. Other than that, any German car would do. It is hard to pin point why I prefer Mercedes, but there are many reasons.
It is similar to the reason why I have a Steinway B grand piano in my living room. Some people might argue that they are overpriced and that there are some recent years with flaws, but in the end, when I am into a piece of great music, there is just something special about it that makes it all worth it. My piano, like my Mercedes is a relatively new one, but I have been lucky with both and I got good ones. Yamahas are nice, but not the same. Steinways, unlike Japanese piano brands and most all cars, actually go up in value.
In the end, I usually end up buying things that I like and that make me feel a bit of emotion. Mercedes cars have done this for me and that is why I have had a Mercedes for the last 12 years +, not counting the ones in my family.
Steve
It is similar to the reason why I have a Steinway B grand piano in my living room. Some people might argue that they are overpriced and that there are some recent years with flaws, but in the end, when I am into a piece of great music, there is just something special about it that makes it all worth it. My piano, like my Mercedes is a relatively new one, but I have been lucky with both and I got good ones. Yamahas are nice, but not the same. Steinways, unlike Japanese piano brands and most all cars, actually go up in value.
In the end, I usually end up buying things that I like and that make me feel a bit of emotion. Mercedes cars have done this for me and that is why I have had a Mercedes for the last 12 years +, not counting the ones in my family.
Steve
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From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
Real Estate Sales Cars.
The E-Class was the best option for my overall needs (real estate sales). Just the right size --- not too big nor too small, plenty luxurious, comfortable ride, navigation system, attractive w/a classy yet not flashy image for clients, etc. I was a very loyal and happy BMW customer but couldn't warm up to the ugly new 5-Series to replace my 2003 540i 6-speed, so I went with the E350 last December. I wanted the E550 but didn't want to wait for 9 months to get one.
Guess that Real Estate Biz not so good last few months here in So.Cali.
The Lady that owned it downsized to a Audi. She was paying $ 1900.00
a month on a 2 year lease. Hit the milage cap in 11 months and had to bail out. That deficiency check must have been ugly. She was selling Mil+ RE
here in So. Cal. Got a feeling more RE people are going to be bailing on leases as the insane housing market cools off or completly collapses with all the wacko loans out there.
Its my second Benz. Always wanted an AMG car. After the CL needed to try the SL. Decided to keep both. Maybe someday the 65. Bought the AMG
for my 50th B-day. You cant die with it? Lease? Screw that. Paid cash.
Plan on keeping the miles low and moving up in 2-3 years. So far the 2005
has been flawless.
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From: Dallas, Texas
SL550
I got my SL55 from a Dealer. Early Lease return.
Guess that Real Estate Biz not so good last few months here in So.Cali.
The Lady that owned it downsized to a Audi. She was paying $ 1900.00
a month on a 2 year lease. Hit the milage cap in 11 months and had to bail out. That deficiency check must have been ugly. She was selling Mil+ RE
here in So. Cal. Got a feeling more RE people are going to be bailing on leases as the insane housing market cools off or completly collapses with all the wacko loans out there.
Its my second Benz. Always wanted an AMG car. After the CL needed to try the SL. Decided to keep both. Maybe someday the 65. Bought the AMG
for my 50th B-day. You cant die with it? Lease? Screw that. Paid cash.
Plan on keeping the miles low and moving up in 2-3 years. So far the 2005
has been flawless.
Guess that Real Estate Biz not so good last few months here in So.Cali.
The Lady that owned it downsized to a Audi. She was paying $ 1900.00
a month on a 2 year lease. Hit the milage cap in 11 months and had to bail out. That deficiency check must have been ugly. She was selling Mil+ RE
here in So. Cal. Got a feeling more RE people are going to be bailing on leases as the insane housing market cools off or completly collapses with all the wacko loans out there.
Its my second Benz. Always wanted an AMG car. After the CL needed to try the SL. Decided to keep both. Maybe someday the 65. Bought the AMG
for my 50th B-day. You cant die with it? Lease? Screw that. Paid cash.
Plan on keeping the miles low and moving up in 2-3 years. So far the 2005
has been flawless.
Thank goodness for the (relatively) stable Texas real estate market. My year has been well beyond goals and things are already looking really good for the next couple of quarters. In general we never saw that crazy appreciation here, so we don't have much room to fall. I grew up in Laguna Beach and go back frequently, so I've seen the madness out there and it needed to cool off in a big way. Any good established agent in SoCal shouldn't have a problem making an SL55 payment, but the newbies who jumped in during the boom for quick money and got the SL55 to show off their earnings but don't have established businesses have no choice but to bail in a soft market.
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From: Chicago Suburbs, USA
2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
I love cars, especially luxury cars. When I was a kid I wanted a Caddy. In college I wanted a Lincoln. Back then, Mercedes seemed too spartan and I assumed they were too expensive to be part of my reality.
Now as a mature adult with extra funds, I bought the E because I loved the styling. It is the Goldilocks of cars for me. I love the interior, the dash, the guages. The outside feels modern and classic. The size is just right. Not too big, not too small. The ride is controlled and plush. As a bonus it has a huge trunk and gets great gas mileage. I look forward to driving the car. I drive slower to prolong my time in it.
People do make assumptions when I arrive in my E. I wish they wouldn't. I don't like it, but then I'm not going to live with an RL just to avoid a few stares.
I do worry about reliability, but am willing to put up with a lot in this car.
I didn't get it for prestige, safety or a durability.
Now as a mature adult with extra funds, I bought the E because I loved the styling. It is the Goldilocks of cars for me. I love the interior, the dash, the guages. The outside feels modern and classic. The size is just right. Not too big, not too small. The ride is controlled and plush. As a bonus it has a huge trunk and gets great gas mileage. I look forward to driving the car. I drive slower to prolong my time in it.
People do make assumptions when I arrive in my E. I wish they wouldn't. I don't like it, but then I'm not going to live with an RL just to avoid a few stares.
I do worry about reliability, but am willing to put up with a lot in this car.
I didn't get it for prestige, safety or a durability.
