Mercedes has real competition
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2024 GLE, 2022 GLC , 2022 GLC
Mercedes has real competition
I must admit when shopping for a new car over the past many years I’ve basically only considered buying a Mercedes Benz. Initially I did shop other upscale brands, however, recently I’ve just shopped other MB dealers for their inventory and price. My last 7 purchases have been MB. Looking around there are some very interesting and IMO attractive options for car buyers to at least consider. The Genesis is beautifully designed vehicle, as is the high end offerings from Hyundai and Kia, as well as other European luxury brands.All the Asian brands rated very highly, if that matters, by auto publications such as CR, KBB, and Edmunds. Most recently I had the opportunity to get an up close up look at the new Mazda CX-90. In all aspects such as design, which is just personal preference, performance, handling, fit and finish, quality of materials, and comfort it was outstanding. Just like the GLC is a new design, so too is the CX-90. I would venture to say that it will more than likely have better resale value than the GLC. Admittedly, none of those manufacturers have the same panache as the name Mercedes Benz.
I think that I will begin to take a more serious look at what is being offered in addition to MB. I was just curious if new GLC owners looked at other brands and why they decided to go with the MB. The MB name and long standing reputation, which in my opinion is somewhat diminished, is such a lure to car buyers, that it puts blinders on at least seeing the entire field of other worthy choices. Thanks
I think that I will begin to take a more serious look at what is being offered in addition to MB. I was just curious if new GLC owners looked at other brands and why they decided to go with the MB. The MB name and long standing reputation, which in my opinion is somewhat diminished, is such a lure to car buyers, that it puts blinders on at least seeing the entire field of other worthy choices. Thanks
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2023 GLC 300W AMG, Pinnacle, white
The GLC is my first Mercedes.
I looked and test drove Infiniti, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Cadillac and Genesis.
MB was the last stop and was the only one I liked.
I’m just saying gut feeling, but the others were not for me.
I looked and test drove Infiniti, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Cadillac and Genesis.
MB was the last stop and was the only one I liked.
I’m just saying gut feeling, but the others were not for me.
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2024 GLE, 2022 GLC , 2022 GLC
Mercedes has real competition
I too make some decisions based upon my gut feeling. They usually turn out well, as I hope yours will. I was just wondering if I limit my options because deep down inside my gut feeling is that I’m going to get the Mercedes anyway, I’m just going through the process of “ car shopping “. I think that now I am coming to the realization that some of the Mercedes competition should be honestly considered because they are in certain ways an overall better choice.
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2024 GLE, 2022 GLC , 2022 GLC
Real MB competitors
Kia and Mazda surely do not have the same storied reputation as Mercedes Benz, however, recently sitting in a nicely equipped CX-90 I was impressed with the quality of materials, design, and quality of build. The Telluride as well is a vehicle that can compete on several important levels with the MB. We sometimes have a mindset of what a Mercedes is and what a Kia is. I have not owned anything but a MB for many years however I’m beginning to come to the realization that a car should be evaluated on its actual merits and not what the nameplate wants us to believe. I want the MB to be the best of the best, I own 3 of them. I am however not like some individuals who take it personally if something negative is said about the MB. I am not saying you are a staunch MB defender, I don’t know you. A friend of mine purchased a Telluride around the same time that I bought a GLE. I said to my wife that at the end of the day it’s still a Kia. I have rethought my comment and now believe that he too bought a well made vehicle that happens not to be made by MB. I respect your opinion, I once held that same opinion, however, I remember when a Toyota was just a Toyota until it became a Lexus.
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The new CX-90 is nice, but it is more of a GLS competitor being that its over 200 inches long and has a 3rd row. Apples for Apples would be a CX-5 or CX-50 which are also very nice cars for their class, but they are not as nice as the CX-90 with its higher price point and new platform.
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The new CX-90 is nice, but it is more of a GLS competitor being that it’s over 200 inches long and has a 3rd row. Apples for Apples would be a CX-5 or CX-50 which are also very nice cars for their class, but they are not as nice as the CX-90 with its higher price point and new platform.
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I test drove a Kia and Hyundai and while they are ok, they are not even close to the Mercedes Benz. Not even a little. We also have a Mazda CX-5 as a second car and it is such a letdown to have to drive. My neighbour told me the Mazda felt the same as driving a Mercedes. It does not.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
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GLE 580
I test drove a Kia and Hyundai and while they are ok, they are not even close to the Mercedes Benz. Not even a little. We also have a Mazda CX-5 as a second car and it is such a letdown to have to drive. My neighbour told me the Mazda felt the same as driving a Mercedes. It does not.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
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2024 GLE, 2022 GLC , 2022 GLC
I test drove a Kia and Hyundai and while they are ok, they are not even close to the Mercedes Benz. Not even a little. We also have a Mazda CX-5 as a second car and it is such a letdown to have to drive. My neighbour told me the Mazda felt the same as driving a Mercedes. It does not.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
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From: SW Florida
2023 GLC 300W AMG, Pinnacle, white
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The interior on my $65K GV80 was much nicer than the $100K EQE SUV I'm currently driving. Dune leather with a dark navy blue carpeting and noise cancellation... it was a very serene place to be. Their service department (Hyundai's service department), on the other hand, can't even do an oil change right. It's a first class car with third world service.
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Size wise (ignoring price for a sec) the CX70 is what more likely to compete with the GLE, the CX90 as mentioned is more GLS but not quite the luxury of one. So just comparing with size really. That said, not denying that the CX90 is a great vehicle, the inline-6 while everyone moves to four cylinder or full electric is just refreshing and the fact it is RWD, they really want to compete with the Germans. The AWD, if TFL's slip test is any indication is impressive and surprised me.
Talking about price for a bit though, the CX90 is more expensive than the mainstream competition so they do want to go upmarket with all the premium materials, they also don't have a luxury brand like Toyota has Lexus or Honda have Acura. Would you pick a Volvo over them though?
Talking about price for a bit though, the CX90 is more expensive than the mainstream competition so they do want to go upmarket with all the premium materials, they also don't have a luxury brand like Toyota has Lexus or Honda have Acura. Would you pick a Volvo over them though?
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GLC
The '23 GLC was first on our list but the problems people are posting here about not starting had us go to our second choice. We have one more car to buy, hopefully by year end, and I hope MB has those issues fixed on the '24's. And yes, there are a lot of good choices oput there, and the line is blurring between 'luxury' and top tier/packaged non-premium brands.
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From: San Francisco
2011 E350 4MATIC Estate Wagon
GLC vs. E Class
When i have my E350 Wagon (V6 port injectiion)
serviced, MB Marin provides a 4 cylinder GLC.
i found the several I’ve had underwhelming, in power, smoothness & overall finish.
In short, I would not buy or even rent a GLC.
E Class is it for me for 3 decades…
serviced, MB Marin provides a 4 cylinder GLC.
i found the several I’ve had underwhelming, in power, smoothness & overall finish.
In short, I would not buy or even rent a GLC.
E Class is it for me for 3 decades…
Last edited by Jack McCarty; Oct 9, 2023 at 07:10 AM. Reason: Spelling
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From: Vermont
2023 GLC 300, 2021 VW ID4
When I drive my dealer’s GLE loaner I find it underwhelming in power, smoothness and overall finish compared to my GLS. And when I drive my GLS I find it quite underwhelming in power, smoothness and overall finish compared to my wife’s Rolls.
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Well, there is always something better. Buy what you like and need/want for the price that works for you : )
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'23 GLS450
I too make some decisions based upon my gut feeling. They usually turn out well, as I hope yours will. I was just wondering if I limit my options because deep down inside my gut feeling is that I’m going to get the Mercedes anyway, I’m just going through the process of “ car shopping “. I think that now I am coming to the realization that some of the Mercedes competition should be honestly considered because they are in certain ways an overall better choice.
Took my 4 month old GLS into service to fix some error message popups (loose connections apparently). I would have an X7 by now if it weren't for my wife!
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Well...until MB can figure out how to make a seat cover that doesn't rip, or a vehicle that isn't so overtly computer-complicated that is freaks out and shuts off completely, I won't be back for another any time soon. I have two, a 2014 and a 2020. And wouldn't you know it, both have splitting "indestructible" MBTex seats. While the 2020 waits for now the 3rd week for the passenger side seat cover to come in, the brand new GLC loaner I had, went into 48v meltdown at the Dunkin' Donuts near my house this morning and would not start. 1,200 miles (500 of which are mine). D.E.A.D. No thanks. Life's too short to pay $60k for vinyl seats and being stranded by the side of the road....
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From: NV
'25 GLC 63, '23 GLS600, '24 z06, '25 Maverick, '24 Wrangler
I test drove a Kia and Hyundai and while they are ok, they are not even close to the Mercedes Benz. Not even a little. We also have a Mazda CX-5 as a second car and it is such a letdown to have to drive. My neighbour told me the Mazda felt the same as driving a Mercedes. It does not.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
We previously had an Audi Q5 - it handles very well and is a great car but the dated interior has it at a serious disadvantage to the GLC. Test drove a BMW X3 - was very nice to drive but the interior style of the GLC 300 is still the big winner.
I don't know how to say this politely but, no the Asian cars are not in the same league AT ALL.
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2024 GLE, 2022 GLC , 2022 GLC
I’m not saying that the Mazda is a better or worse car, the point that I was trying to make is that many MB buyers are swept away by the nameplate. I too am perhaps in that category, it’s difficult to shop for a new car and try to pretend to totally disregard the brand name and what it represents. I do however never lose sight of the fact that the Japanese vehicles have a fit and finish, reliability, and resale value that surpasses its German competitors.
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'23 GLS450
I’m not saying that the Mazda is a better or worse car, the point that I was trying to make is that many MB buyers are swept away by the nameplate. I too am perhaps in that category, it’s difficult to shop for a new car and try to pretend to totally disregard the brand name and what it represents. I do however never lose sight of the fact that the Japanese vehicles have a fit and finish, reliability, and resale value that surpasses its German competitors.
I started out w/Japanese cars and then migrated to German over time. Now I know why it makes more sense to lease a German car. It's like babysitting nieces/nephews: you can return them at the end of the day!
Luckily my DD is an X3 that comes from the #1 brand and my wife's DD comes from #26. The GLS will be at the dealer twice w/less than 5k miles (her headaches will soon be my headaches).
Last edited by EWL5; Oct 19, 2023 at 07:45 AM.
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I mean, having options are good. It just encourages the often call themselves "the best or nothing", to do better otherwise without such competition, a monopoly will be born.
I do indeed feel that cheaper or otherwise known as economy cars are getting better in build quality, luxury amenities and features, some even focus on NVH. Just missing are probably soft close doors, perhaps horsepower/performance, maybe crash safety (but even that is getting good for mainstream brands), and some creature comforts like executive seating in an S-Class for example, etc.
That said, vehicle prices in general has been going up as well so that needs to be factored in.
I do indeed feel that cheaper or otherwise known as economy cars are getting better in build quality, luxury amenities and features, some even focus on NVH. Just missing are probably soft close doors, perhaps horsepower/performance, maybe crash safety (but even that is getting good for mainstream brands), and some creature comforts like executive seating in an S-Class for example, etc.
That said, vehicle prices in general has been going up as well so that needs to be factored in.
