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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Audi, BMW or Mercedes

View Poll Results: What do you own ?
Poll Options:
Audi 17 votes (32.69%)
BMW 20 votes (38.46%)
Mercedes 14 votes (26.92%)
None 11 votes (21.15%)
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 52. You may not vote on this poll
Audi, BMW or Mercedes
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Hawkeye_a
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Jan 22, 2010, 03:24 AM
 
Just wondering what the readership here chooses.

I personally, group Audis, BMWs and Mercedes in the same "class" cause they seem to be so similar from a customer perspective (yes there are differences in the detail). I find the biggest difference being the design.

So what do you own ?

2003 Audi A4 here.

Cheers
     
Andy8
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Jan 22, 2010, 05:43 AM
 
I should say I have had one of each of these before, but do not own anything now as such. (public transport here is inexpensive and convenient)
     
Sealobo
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Jan 22, 2010, 06:55 AM
 
I've had all three. It really depends on which model segment.

Models that i like.

Audi - R8 (super car look/performance with a price tag that actually makes sense.)
Mercedes - S500 (best car to be chauffeured to and from work.)
BMW - 535i (the upcoming F10, great looking and should be an excellent all-rounder.)
     
Paco500
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Jan 22, 2010, 07:02 AM
 
I currently own an Audi, but my last car was a BMW. Overall, the BMW was, I think, a better car. Better built, nicer drive and less expensive to maintain.

The Audi was less expensive to buy (both were bought used), although I think it will end up costing me quite a bit more in the long run. It is, however, more appropriate to my lifestyle and I very happy with it. They are both good cars.

I've never owned a Mercedes, but of those I've driven and ridden in they seem quite nice, if a bit dull (at least the affordable ones).
     
Railroader
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Jan 22, 2010, 08:04 AM
 
Where's the "Chevy" option?
     
Doofy
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Jan 22, 2010, 08:12 AM
 
Correct answer: They're all poop these days. How I long for the good old days of ten years ago when cars actually looked nice and didn't have a Playstation controller in them just to work the heating.

Audi wins at the moment. S6 is least hideous.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
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angelmb
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Jan 22, 2010, 08:19 AM
 
Mercedes-Benz > BMW > Audi

Even Schumacher knows it.

     
dav
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Jan 22, 2010, 08:37 AM
 
Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a View Post
Just wondering what the readership here chooses.
of the three, i'd probably choose 1.bmw, 2.mercedes, 3.audi

So what do you own ?
2008 infiniti g35x
one post closer to five stars
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Jan 22, 2010, 09:04 AM
 
I've driven two Audi's as loaners from the dealership and the front seats were very flat and unyielding. Reminded me of the benches in a school bus.

If I needed a sedan I'd probably look at BMW before the others but it wouldn't be my first choice of brand.
     
mattyb
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Jan 22, 2010, 09:36 AM
 
They did a comparison of Audi and BMW on one of the French car shows recently. Bearing in mind that the French like their diesels, the Audis are seen as the better cars atm. They seem to be on the crest of a wave as well. I always wondered why people spent loads of money on an Audi or even a VW, when Seat or Skoda share so much tech from their mother company. The Seat Exeo is just an older version of the A4 for example. The Skoda Superb is a Passat.

Still, I always thought that the BMW M5 would be my first purchase after winning the lottery.
     
osiris
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Jan 22, 2010, 10:29 AM
 
MB a Benz SLR722 or SLK55. I'd prefer a Bentley Continental GT.
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stevesnj
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Jan 22, 2010, 10:33 AM
 
While driving on the many Autobahns and talking to a variety of German people they seem to prefer Audi over any other domestic car. The Mercs. and BMW's always pull off the fast lane for the Audi's to come by. I would pick an Audi TDI. Hope more are to come here in the states.
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imitchellg5
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Jan 22, 2010, 11:08 AM
 
None of the current Benzes interest me at all. I don't like BMW's interiors, they are look too normal (except the new Z4). I think Audi has a much nicer product overall.
     
MacinTommy
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Jan 22, 2010, 12:45 PM
 
I'm a fan of Audi and their affiliates...
     
Doc HM
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Jan 22, 2010, 01:13 PM
 
I'd buy a Citroen C6. Yum

This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
     
turtle777
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Jan 22, 2010, 01:17 PM
 
Originally Posted by Doc HM View Post
I'd buy a Citroen C6. Yum
Yaah, like, wrong thread

-t
     
imitchellg5
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Jan 22, 2010, 02:07 PM
 
Originally Posted by Doc HM View Post
I'd buy a Citroen C6. Yum

I'd rather walk. Public transportation would be better, even though some school children have written NICK IS A GAYLORD in the fog on the window.
     
turtle777
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Jan 22, 2010, 02:15 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
I'd rather walk.
I'd even refuse to have my casket transported in that

-t
     
Hawkeye_a  (op)
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Jan 22, 2010, 02:17 PM
 
I'm probably not the best person for an unbiased opinion here, but personally i prefer the design(curves, lines, grill, etc) of the Audis. The one thing i noticed about Audis that stands out to me is the sound inside the car with the windows up, i can barely hear the engine at all.... which is not always a good thing. And on the outside when an Audi goes by.... it purrs. The BMWs seem to have a very metallic tinny sound imo.

As far as design, im not a fan of the direction that Mercedes has gone in...too many lines and too "busy". I've sort of aways been indifferent to the style of the BMWs. When i got my current car one of the main factor was the design, and i loved the smooth curves on the Audis.

Performance-wise, i think the BMWs squeeze a bit more out.

Have you guys seen the new A5 sportsback ? it seems like the G4-Cube of Audis to me...neither here nor there, and the pictures make it look like a station-wagon, but then i watched the promo on Youtube and actually liked what i saw.

Cheers
( Last edited by Hawkeye_a; Jan 22, 2010 at 02:25 PM. )
     
Shaddim
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Jan 22, 2010, 03:34 PM
 
I have an `07 M3. I love the car, it's really amazing. Not "twist your head off" fast, but very quick. Lots of gadgets and toys in it, you could get lost in the computer for hours just tinkering.

All that aside, I really want a Merc AMG Black. Really, really want. That would take more coaxing and begging than I can muster, however.
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Jim Paradise
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Jan 22, 2010, 04:48 PM
 
Edit.
( Last edited by Jim Paradise; Feb 28, 2010 at 07:17 AM. )
     
iMOTOR
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Jan 22, 2010, 05:03 PM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
Lots of gadgets and toys in it, you could get lost in the computer for hours just tinkering.
Personally, that is the one and only turn off for me when it comes to BMW. I was really interested in the 6 series, but just too much going on in the cockpit. Even the sales person was going in circles with the computer.
     
Buckaroo
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Jan 22, 2010, 05:06 PM
 
My Mercedes consists of a 5 cylinder Diesel in my Sprinter 3500 Chassis.

The Sprinter Chassis is part of my Winnebago View RV.
     
cjrivera
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Jan 22, 2010, 05:35 PM
 
I have a 2002 M3 convertible. Still love driving it.
As some one alluded to earlier, not the fastest car on the block, but handles extremely well.
I'm not a big fan of the new 3-series look (although the M3 version looks pretty nice).
"It's weird the way 'finger puppets' sounds ok as a noun..."
     
Phileas
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Jan 22, 2010, 05:38 PM
 
I can't stand the Christmas lights they put into the new Audis. Looks terrible.

I currently drive a Mercedes B200. Great little city car, comfortable, well made and easy on the gas.
I bought mine off lease, with 25k miles on the clock and 2 years warrantee remaining for about half the price it was when it was new.
     
olePigeon
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Jan 22, 2010, 05:40 PM
 
BMW has iDrive, so it's disqualified.
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you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
exca1ibur
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Jan 22, 2010, 06:10 PM
 
Originally Posted by cjrivera View Post
I have a 2002 M3 convertible. Still love driving it.
As some one alluded to earlier, not the fastest car on the block, but handles extremely well.
I'm not a big fan of the new 3-series look (although the M3 version looks pretty nice).
Great car, there. The E46 was the best BMW design to me by far. I don't like ANY of the E92 BMW styling. The design took a turn for the worse and they all look like tanks now.

This is a damn near perfect car though...
     
cjrivera
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Jan 22, 2010, 06:26 PM
 
Originally Posted by exca1ibur View Post


Love that car.
"It's weird the way 'finger puppets' sounds ok as a noun..."
     
angelmb
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Jan 22, 2010, 06:28 PM
 
The Mercs. and BMW's always pull off the fast lane for the Audi's to come by.
We are all grownups, aren't we all?.

And on the outside when an Audi goes by.... it purrs
Is yours Diesel or petrol?.

As far as design, im not a fan of the direction that Mercedes has gone in...too many lines and too "busy". When i got my current car one of the main factor was the design, and i loved the smooth curves on the Audis.
Someone has been brainwashed by Stefan Sielaff thinking.

I've sort of aways been indifferent to the style of the BMWs
Indifferent?. Now that's something brave to say !!

I can't stand the Christmas lights they put into the new Audis. Looks terrible.
Couldn't agree more.

I currently drive a Mercedes B200. Great little city car, comfortable, well made and easy on the gas.
Such an amazing car.

This is a damn near perfect car though...
Why does it come with a Jawbone earphone?
     
ghporter
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Jan 22, 2010, 07:27 PM
 
I would have a BMW Z4 if I could afford the maintenance and tires. Not scheduled maintenance; they cover that with their latest warranty. It's the unexpected stuff, plus the tires, that would make the car unaffordable. It was bad enough buying tires for a Honda S2000; nearly $1500 for a Japanese brand I have only peripherally heard of. They're nice tires, but holy cow they're dear! (My Civic's new Michelins were about $900, so I really shouldn't complain too much...)

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
mduell
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Jan 22, 2010, 07:28 PM
 
2003 BMW M3 (E46)

Going to a two day event at H2R this weekend.

Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
I would have a BMW Z4 if I could afford the maintenance and tires. Not scheduled maintenance; they cover that with their latest warranty. It's the unexpected stuff, plus the tires, that would make the car unaffordable. It was bad enough buying tires for a Honda S2000; nearly $1500 for a Japanese brand I have only peripherally heard of. They're nice tires, but holy cow they're dear! (My Civic's new Michelins were about $900, so I really shouldn't complain too much...)
Are those US dollars? $900 for tires on a Civic?!
A set of RE11 for your S2k or a Z4 is only $700(+installation), even the 18/19s are only $1000(+installation).
( Last edited by mduell; Jan 22, 2010 at 08:00 PM. )
     
Thorzdad
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Jan 22, 2010, 07:44 PM
 
I owned a BMW back in my self-absorbed yuppie days. I'd love to have that car back, now.
     
Steve Bosell
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Jan 22, 2010, 07:46 PM
 
Way too much front overhang on (front engine) Audi's, the R8 is like a new NSX, a bit boring for me.
     
imitchellg5
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Jan 22, 2010, 09:07 PM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
(My Civic's new Michelins were about $900, so I really shouldn't complain too much...)
$900??? I got very nice Continentals on my Accord for $495.
     
ghporter
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Jan 22, 2010, 09:09 PM
 
Originally Posted by mduell View Post
2003 BMW M3 (E46)

Going to a two day event at H2R this weekend.



Are those US dollars? $900 for tires on a Civic?!
A set of RE11 for your S2k or a Z4 is only $700(+installation), even the 18/19s are only $1000(+installation).
Michelins on a Civic Sedan with 16" wheels was about $800; I forgot I had the battery replaced at the same time. Not cheap tires, and it was about the amount we had planned on paying. The S200 with 17" wheels got Sumitomo tires (and a new battery-both cars were bought on the same day). We got the "salon" deal with free rotation, repairs, even roadside service, on both cars too. We were expecting to spend about that much when the time came, but we got surprised by "the time" coming at the same time for both cars.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
HackManDan
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Jan 22, 2010, 10:34 PM
 
VW CC :
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All of this has happened before and all of it will happen again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
Sealobo
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Jan 23, 2010, 12:16 AM
 
Originally Posted by exca1ibur View Post
Great car, there. The E46 was the best BMW design to me by far. I don't like ANY of the E92 BMW styling. The design took a turn for the worse and they all look like tanks now.
I agree. I hate chris bangle.
     
Shaddim
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Jan 23, 2010, 12:20 AM
 
Originally Posted by iMOTOR View Post
Personally, that is the one and only turn off for me when it comes to BMW. I was really interested in the 6 series, but just too much going on in the cockpit. Even the sales person was going in circles with the computer.
Humbug, it's not that bad. If Jeremy Clarkson can figure it out, anyone can.
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olePigeon
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Jan 23, 2010, 12:39 AM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
Humbug, it's not that bad. If Jeremy Clarkson can figure it out, anyone can.
(paraphrasing) Suppose you're navigating a series of complex turns and streets. You bring up your satnav. This'll be easy! Oh, but it's chilly. I think I'll turn heater on... WHERE'D THE SATNAV GO?! I'M LOST!
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
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ghporter
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Jan 23, 2010, 08:33 AM
 
Originally Posted by olePigeon View Post
(paraphrasing) Suppose you're navigating a series of complex turns and streets. You bring up your satnav. This'll be easy! Oh, but it's chilly. I think I'll turn heater on... WHERE'D THE SATNAV GO?! I'M LOST!
...even Hammond would figure it out eventually. Probably with Jeremy making fun of him for his method, of course.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Andy8
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Jan 23, 2010, 10:25 AM
 
Originally Posted by exca1ibur View Post
This is a damn near perfect car though...
Exactly.
     
jokell82
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Jan 23, 2010, 12:50 PM
 
Technically I own a BMW, but it's a Mini Cooper.

All glory to the hypnotoad.
     
turtle777
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Jan 23, 2010, 02:06 PM
 
Originally Posted by jokell82 View Post
Technically I own a BMW, but it's a Mini Cooper.
Technically, I'm happy for you, but...

-t
     
iMOTOR
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Jan 23, 2010, 04:10 PM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
Humbug, it's not that bad. If Jeremy Clarkson can figure it out, anyone can.
I can figure it out if I want to, that’s not my issue. I just don’t want a car that I feel is unnecessarily complicated or complex. Same reason I use a Mac.
     
mduell
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Jan 23, 2010, 04:39 PM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
Michelins on a Civic Sedan with 16" wheels was about $800; I forgot I had the battery replaced at the same time. Not cheap tires, and it was about the amount we had planned on paying. The S200 with 17" wheels got Sumitomo tires (and a new battery-both cars were bought on the same day). We got the "salon" deal with free rotation, repairs, even roadside service, on both cars too. We were expecting to spend about that much when the time came, but we got surprised by "the time" coming at the same time for both cars.
Michelin makes a wide range of tires even for a Civic, but even the priciest ones are $150/tire.

Sumitomo is a low-end brand, their entire lineup for the S2000 runs $70-100/tire.

I think you're getting massively ripped off. Rotation and repairs are standard at Costco/Discount Tire/etc.
     
exca1ibur
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Jan 23, 2010, 05:33 PM
 
I paid about $140/ea for 18" tires with lifetime rotation and repair from Discount Tire. They were Toyo Proxies 4. $800 does seem a bit steep.
     
ghporter
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Jan 23, 2010, 08:38 PM
 
I've gone through the receipts, and aside from an extra charge for mounting the Michelin Primacy tires on the Civic, and a different extra charge for mounting the Sumi HTR Z IIIs on the S2000, everything was pretty much the same as at Discount Tire. We got new batteries, both cars needed alignments (pricey on an S2000), and there were a number of niggly fees. Add the tax rate here (8.25%-yes it sucks), and we wound up paying about $2000.

Now I guarantee that I won't go back there for tires. The process wasn't smooth, the sales guy had us by the short hairs and we all knew it, and we really did need 4 new tires on both cars. We had not expected the extra fees-we had been Discount Tire customers for years, but went to this place because of their battery deal-and those fees will be why we don't go back.

Fancy tires were just an example I used; when BMW factory mechanics are a rare commodity and most work at dealerships, and when BMW authorized parts are priced to reflect the cache of the brand, they can be difficult to afford over time, even if the purchase price is affordable. (How's that for getting things back on the original subject? )

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Hawkeye_a  (op)
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Jan 23, 2010, 10:45 PM
 
Originally Posted by angelmb View Post
Is yours Diesel or petrol?.
Petrol. It's not completely silent, just really quiet even when i accelerate. I like it.

As for the R8, i like everything about that car except those "ears" along the side(black in this case), they should have just made it the same color as the rest of the car. i think the new version of the car(V10?) has it.

Audi A5 Sportsback.... general opinions ?
     
stevesnj
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Jan 23, 2010, 10:53 PM
 
Originally Posted by HackManDan View Post
VW CC :
I saw one of these and OMG it is beautiful!!! Pictures do not do it justice.
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milhous
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Jan 24, 2010, 12:00 AM
 
I love MB. Was in a wrecker 7 years ago and walked out unscathed.

I had an 86 560SEL, similar to this:
YouTube - Mercedes safety

My father will buy one when he retires. But if i move out of the city and buy a car, I don't think I could afford one. Probably get a Subaru or similar compact car.
F = ma
     
 
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