BMW 5 series or Merc E Class

[F1ngolf]

The 5 series is at the end of it's life and will be replaced by a new model. I've never imagined this day but here goes, 'I would buy the new MB E class over BM 5 series!' I find the new E class looks so much better than the old 'tow-kayish' E class. I think MB is going the right way but BM is doing a reverse in terms of design.

 

I'd better run and hide.............

 

Cheers!

 

Mike.

 

 

Hi Mike,

I spoke to the Daimler Chrysler guys during the E class launch last year. Was told

that their strategy will be to target at the "younger" group of customers after they

discovered that the average age of MB owners in Asia was about 50 years old.

 

Considering this fact, they forecasted that MB market share will not increase much

if they do not enlarge the total available market.

 

In fact, the current S class was among the first mass market model to go this direction.

The initial feedback from the previous S class customers was not very positive as they

could not get used to the "sporty" look.

 

Nevertheless, Daimler pressed on with their strategy with a more "sporty" design. Hence

the new E class. The sad story is BMW seems to be moving in the opposite

direction.

[Assassin]

No worries. Needed to find out for myself also, so I went thru my stacks of car magazines and brochures and price lists from the dealerships.

[Assassin]

I would like to drive my own car too but perceptions may change when I'm older!

 

 

Ditto !

 

However, at the moment, I still prefer driving my own car...rather than being chauferred around.

[Caaa]

Huh! Your hobby is to collect car magazine and price lis and brouches?

[Assassin]

I think quite a number of us do that here....and test driving also. Edited April 19, 2003 by Assassin

[Madarmour]

Tat's really fast

 

It also has enuf torque to wheelie too!

[Madarmour]

Frankly speaking, I'm quite shy to be driven around!

[Madarmour]

The old 'luxo-barge' S-Class was panned in Europe but sells like hot cakes here! Lets face it, MB already has a loyal following in Asia. It doesn't really matter how it looks. As long as it has a 3-pointed star badge and it is large, Asian 'tow kays' will buy, no matter what. I call it blind-loyalty. That's why entry models of the old E and S class sells so well, even though they are essentially under-powered. You'll remember the old S-Class 'tank' with 2.8L capacity. It's all about prestige, percieved or real.

 

Now there are also another camp of fence sitters and ppl who don't like MB for their fuddy-duddy look, harsh engine and under powered car. They tend to go for driver's car or exotic brands like BM, Saab, Audi, Jaguar, etc. This group, the MB gotta win over and I believe they are in the right direction! Now their entry models have respectable power output, engine more refined and looks more sporty.

 

Cheers!

[Jman]

My vote goes to the new Merc E class. I have a friend who owns a black e240 fitted with 18" brabus and lowered suspension. The car looks awesomw man even without the enhancement of a bodykit.

 

MO TAK TENG

[Assassin]

I know what you mean ! I'd rather drive the car myself...otherwise...tak shiok lah.

[Assassin]

OOooooo...an E240 with 18" rims and lowered [Eibach or Sachs Performance Set ?] springs. Those additions will cost a cool ~S$5K.

 

How about asking your friend to come along for the meetups ?

 

[Saaber]

I can imagine how chio it is....

[Jgoh]

How do we get out government to re-think about diesels? The new E270 CDi and the BMW 330d are two very refined diesels that are regarded by many as the top pick of their respective lineups in Europe. How to beat 300ish lbft at 1800-2600rpm, 200ish bhp at 4200 rpm, and 40ish miles per gallon, yet takes you from 0 to 100kph in less than 8 secs, and tops around 150 mph?

[Assassin]

That's a tough question to answer. Hmm....when they realise that diesel engines nowadays are no longer as much a pollution causing technology as are petrol engines ? Coz that seems to be the excuse/reason given for now allowing diesels in.

 

Even if someone comes along with scientific evidence and giving them a demo on the advantages of diesel engines....I really wonder if they will change the policy or just keep to the status quo.

 

But we've already got diesel engine taxis and trucks right ? So why the restrictions on private cars then ?

Edited April 19, 2003 by Assassin

[Jgoh]

Well, then let's just patiently wait for that day...

[Assassin]

Yeah. I'm still waiting for it too.

 

Seems the mentality is "dont fix anything that still works".

[S2P2]

i think TKK.........if we bring diesel in.....the diesel price increase.....taxi driver siong.....and less sales on petrol means less tax for garment too......

[Assassin]

So the reason for not allowing more diesel engines in is for $$ reasons rather than pollution reasons then....