Audi VS BMW VS Merc

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCE
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Audi vs BMW vs Mercedes Benz

  • Audi

    Votes: 12 26.1%

  • BMW

    Votes: 23 50.0%

  • Merc

    Votes: 11 23.9%
  • Total voters
    46
JCE

JCE

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JCE3000GT
Ok so let's see this topic go off like the GM VS Ford thread.

For me it's simple--5 years ago that is. 5 years ago I'd say unquestionably BMW. Now I'd have to go with Audi, BMW's build quality and design in my opinion has either slipped or Audi's has increased. Merc never really has a chance here because thier "affordable" cars are rubbish--the best models are higher in the price range.

My rundown:
1-series vs A3 = A3 wins mainly because a) it's Golf based and b) it actually has substance, power, and luxury.

3-series vs A4 vs C-class = The 3-series wins because I CAN NOT STAND THE BASE A4 IT HAS THE WORST TURBO LAG EVER! The A4 is slow slow slooooooooow. I drove a brand new one last month and it was absolutely rubbish acceleration...but the rest of the car is brilliant. The Merc here is last because the C-class is rather unimpressive. M3 vs RS4 vs C-class AMG? I'll take the RS4 in a fraction of a second.

5-series vs A6 vs E-class = The A6 wins here--I just love the design better than the new Strangle...errrr...Bangle style and the Merc's. And not to mention the interior just feels more luxurious to me vs the other two. Yes the 5-series has the M5 and the E-class AMG model is fast as hell the S6 just has the best of all the worlds here--better interior, better exterior, better sound from the engine/exhaust and the comfort for my above average body size I feel is slightly better.

BMW estates vs Audi estates vs Merc estates = Frankly any Audi estate looks a hell of alot better than any BMW's or Merc's. I'd be proud to own an A6 advant.

BMW coupes vs Audi coupes vs Merc copes = 6-series wins only because it's the only Bangle-ish design that works in my opinion and there isn't really a GT car in Audi's lineup. But the CL and CLK wins over Audi mainly because Audi has no coupes.

BMW cabriolets vs Audi vs Merc = Merc's wins here, the SLK55 and SLK65 AMG models are just too awsome. The TT doesn't stand a chance here.

7-series vs A8 vs CLS/S-class = There is no contest, the A8 (and the new S8) just is one fabulous machine. The design is perfect inside and out. I like the 760 but it just doesn't look right Bangled. And the Merc's CLS just looks wrong in the rear.

Gotta have it factor = While BMW has some really good cars I just personally prefer Audi's current designs as a whole. And Mercs as a whole just don't appeal--mainly because thier brilliant models are all out of most people's price range.
 
The M5 in first, RS6 in second, E63 AMG in third. My picks in this order because the M5 has the V10 backed with the 7-speed SMG. The RS6 is nice but no manual trans unless its Champion Audi's SCCA World Challenge entries and the AWD kept it in second. The E63 AMG has an new V8 and it has mettle to perform, but at least a 6-speed manual would fit this better. RENNTech do your worst with the Merc.
 
1 series> A3> Aclass/ B class. RWD FTW. this ones a no brainer

A4> 3 series> C class> Xtype. the E46 would have won. current BMW styling sux. i dont like the monotooth styling of the new audis, but otherwise its a competent car. the c class is old. the Xtype is a gussied up mondeo.

E class> 5 series= A6 (not so with previus generation.) > S type. W211 has better (more mature) styling, world class diesels, nice overall package. BMW is ugly. audi has that huge grille, and is front heavy= understeer. S type is old.

S class> A8> XJ8> 7 series. new S class advances the game. A8 just gorgeous and competent. Xj8 sexy but looks like the old one. 7 series started the downhill trend with styling. fixed (latest) versions look fixed, dont quite look harmonious. but excellent handling, slighlty better than jag.

TT= SLK> Z4. i hate the Z4. its ugly as hell. the SLK is still a bit too hairdresser, the TT is nice if old.

SL> XK. not even close. no real BMW competitor unless youre counting the 6 convertible.

clk> 6 series. styling alone. the new BMWs are ugly. and mercedes has really improved the interiors of their cars of late. try getting in one and see. (except teh c class)

M division> AMG> audis S models. i prefer handling and balance to outright speed/ power/ torque. nobody beats M division.

Discovery> XC90> X5> ML. im rally conflicted on this one coz only the disco (LR3 in north america) has any real off road ability. these are just big station wagons. but the X5 is hte best handling, so the XC90 is the best compromise of none of the above.
 
Strangely, the 5-year rule is the opposite for me – five years ago, Audi was at its prime design-wise (remember how cool the previous-gen notchback A6 was when it first came out? and of course the TT?), and was the bargain-luxury automaker. Since then they’ve gone up in price and down in styling, though so has BMW.

The only BMW I’d consider—at all—buying right now would be the M3, since it’s still the previous-gen model. That thing is a slick beast, and is one of my favorite cars of all time – bulldog styling with subtle details, spartan-with-just-enough-luxury interior, kickass suspension, four-person practicality, and an engine to die for (I don’t care if it’s underpowered).

I wouldn’t buy an Audi these days, unless they’re still selling first-gen TTs.

No Mercedes for me – too much electronic nannying.

Really, I’m not happy with either three of these German automakers. If I were in the market for a luxury car, I’d be checking up on Acura or Infiniti – those two know how to build excellent luxury cars with no bloat.
 
s8front.jpg






Now let the voting continue :sly:
 
For me it stands at: BMW > Audi > Merc

I think BMW still produce the most driver focused cars out of the three, although Audi are getting closer. Merc still seem to believe that horsepower makes up for poor handling dynamics.

My arguement for BMW being the best works fine on a theoretical level - the theory being if i had bottomless pockets to actually buy which ever top-line 3-series or A4 it would be the M3 over the RS4 over the C55.

In reality, if i was in the the market for a new or newish car, i'd probably opt for which ever Audi fitted within my price range. If i was actually after a family car, out of the three manufactures, i believe that Audi makes the best all-rounders. Merc's just aren't the quality products they used to be and BMW's are just a bit too compromised on interior space for the sake of better dynamics. For where i live and what i need my car to be able to do, a nice A4 TDi Avant quattro would suit me down to the ground as an everyday family car.

The A3 is a fine sports compact - not the greatest handling car ever, but certainly competent and solidly put together. The 1-series is praised for its excellent chassis, but has no space in the back and to be quite honest i think its the uglyest car on the road (and yes i have seen the pontiac aztec!) so i'd rather get a bus than be seen driving one.
 
Mercedes Benz because I think they have some decent stuff, I've always liked the G-wagon, SL55 and SL65. But I don't like Audi, there cars are ugly with that big goofy grill and some BMW's are ok like the M coupe, the new 6-series, and the Z8 roadster. But I still like Benz the best, but it's a toss between them and BMW.
 
Merc.

1. DTM Domination
2. Le Mans racers such as the CLK-LM and Sauber C9
3. are now considered Mopars by myself, since they own Chrysler, now.
 
Jim Prower
Merc.

1. DTM Domination
2. Le Mans racers such as the CLK-LM and Sauber C9
2. are now considered Mopars by myself, since they own Chrysler, now.
Click to expand...

1 & 2 are racing cars - this is a road car thread so irrelevant.
 
What makes you say that? Cars are cars, no matter their purpose, and this is a brand-liking thread, and all these manufacturers make race cars.
 
Jim Prower
What makes you say that? Cars are cars, no matter their purpose, and this is a brand-liking thread, and all these manufacturers make race cars.
Click to expand...

I suppose thats a fair point - but if you're going down that route BMW and Audi both have a better motorsport pedigree than Merc.
 
Both BMW and Audi are better built than current Merc's have been noted for. I'd probably go for Audi, I think they, in general look better than BMW's, that's not to say all Audi's, but generally. Merc's probably look the best, but I jsut couldn't pay so much for a car with questionale reliability and build quality. BMW have been noted as being the most satisfactory of the three in general by owners in Britian, but having been in a good number of both, I've always preferred the Audi.
 
Mercedes make the most comfortable cars.
BMW make the sportiest cars
Audi make the best all rounder.

BMW makes the fastest racetrack cars.
Audi make the fastest road cars.
MB makes the fastest highway cruisers.

Audi makes beautiful elegant contemporary cars.
MB makes beautiful agressive and classy cars.
BMW makes beautiful aggressive cars and ugly non aggressive cars.

Audi makes good engines
Mercedes makes good engines
BMW makes good engines

Audi makes the best estates
MB make good estates
BMW makes ok estates

Audis have the best interior
Mecedes have good interiors
BMW have ok interiors.

MB have a toffee nose image.
BMW has a pratts image
Audi has a good image.

Audi offers the best bodykit for non-RS models.
BMW is offers mini M-bodykits for some of their cars.
MB offers AMG bodykits for most of theyre cars.
 
Audi also offers 420bhp and 8250rpm rev limiter.. in a form of advanced NA V8. IMO, Audi also has higher imago than BMW, since they give more mature impression, unlike BMW's that are commonly associated with chavs around here. and mercs are for old people..
 
In the current line-ups of these three manufacturers I think BMW has the least cars that I desire. There's the upcoming Z4 M-Coupe, and the E46 M3, and the latter will be replaced soon.

So between Audi and Mercedes, then. Comparing the lower range I would favour Audi because I like the A3, and the A4 wagon looks quite good, while the C class isn't very appealing at all. Between the A6 and E class I would give it to Audi again. But bring in the AMG cars and the story changes. I love the E55 and the CLS55, and would rather have them over the S6. But then Audi's got the RS4, damn this is hard.

Overall I guess I'd give it to Audi because I can't afford a CLS55 but I can have an A3.
 
Poverty
Mercedes make the most comfortable cars.
BMW make the sportiest cars
Audi make the best all rounder.

BMW makes the fastest racetrack cars.
Audi make the fastest road cars.
MB makes the fastest highway cruisers.

Audi makes beautiful elegant contemporary cars.
MB makes beautiful agressive and classy cars.
BMW makes beautiful aggressive cars and ugly non aggressive cars.

Audi makes good engines
Mercedes makes good engines
BMW makes good engines

Audi makes the best estates
MB make good estates
BMW makes ok estates

Audis have the best interior
Mecedes have good interiors
BMW have ok interiors.

MB have a toffee nose image.
BMW has a pratts image
Audi has a good image.

Audi offers the best bodykit for non-RS models.
BMW is offers mini M-bodykits for some of their cars.
MB offers AMG bodykits for most of theyre cars.
Click to expand...

Great post, you've really broke it down very well. One thing that I find interesting when Audi first begin putting that large grille on thier cars I was at first disgusted--but after seeing (and driving) these cars in person I realize that they are right and it looks absolutely fabulous. Race cars and road cars I don't care, the comparison is against the entire companies themselves and which you would perfer in your driveway. BMW and Audi motorsport history is better than Merc's...not longer but better. Quality over quantity.
 
BMW > Audi > Mercedes-Benz

The reasoning is simple:
RWD > AWD > Massive, low-tech (by European standards) engines in cushy, sloppy, heavy cars

I mean, Mercedes-Benz makes reliable, practical, comfortable cars, but Audis and BMWs are simply better these days.

Audi makes excellent interiors, perhaps the best in the world, but BMW's interiors aren't bad, and I like pretty much every BMW's exterior styling over the equivalent Audi. The A8 and S8 are much better full-size cars than the 7-series, in both aesthetics and driving dynamics, but the BMW 6 looks nicer than the future Audi A5, and the BMW 5 and 3 are better than the A6 and A4 in pretty much every aspect. The Audi A3 is just ugly and overweight, so I would rather deal with the practicality drawbacks of the 1-series if I were to buy one of the two.
 
BMW>Audi>Mercedes

BMW has also fascinated me, and every BMW I have ever driven has been a fantastic car to drive.

For example, my 330Ci.
Even as a Conv., it truly is the Ultimate Driving Machine.

You can have power, luxury, and whatever else you want when you want it with a BMW.

Out of Estates, BMW owns. They look fantastic as 5 series estates, and they retain everything the 5 Series does.

Not to mention, the M5 Touring Estate owns all the Estates from Audi and M-B. And the RS4 Avant won't be coming to the US, so the M5 Touring will reign over the US.

In luxury sedans, the S model from Audi just wins in design. The last gorgeous 7 was the 750iL.

Any M model BMW pretty much reigns supreme imo. The M3 Comp. Coupe carries on the M3 superority. The M5 reigns as king over the sedans, and the M Roadster is now back again to take on Porsche. And let's not forget the monster M6 which still is worth more the value than a XLR.
For Mercedes, they seem to just stay in luxury until you reach the AMG models. Only then, do Mercedes start to get highly competitive.
 
*McLaren*
For Mercedes, they seem to just stay in luxury until you reach the AMG models. Only then, do Mercedes start to get highly competitive.
Click to expand...

Then, the luxury-based origins hinder AMG and the end result is merely "adequate" in cornering.
 
I have reluctantly voted for BMW, only because of the lack of the Volkswagen vote. Not to say that Audi or Mercedes aren't as good (in many cases they are better), but BMW is nowhere near perfect any longer.

I would only pick a Bimmer over the other two if and only if:
- It does without SMG
- It does without iDrive
- It does without Active Steering
- It does without Active Suspension
...etc...

A3>130i>C230 Kompressor (coupe)

3-series>A4>C-class

RS4/M3 (tie)> C55

CLS (not E-Class)>A6>5-series

CLS55/CLS63/M5 (three-way tie)>S6 (until RS6?)

S600/760i (tie)>A8 W-12

X5>ML500>Q7

...The only reason why BMW wins in any situation is the fact that they are a bit more sporty, but the fact that they rely on so much technology to barely improve over the previous generation, I kinda have my hands tied behind my back.

...If we had a VW in the mix, my bias would have shown through, but today it is a victory for all Deutchlanders im Bayern...
 
I was going for luxury brands, if I included other non-luxury German brands companies like Opel and VeeDub would of been put in.
 
It's Okay, I completely understand. I figured you were going in lux-style, but I figured I would ask. Although the 3-series still wins in it's segment, I think it's greatness goes unquestioned by almost anyone who has expirienced the car past, present, and future.
 
YSSMAN
Although the 3-series still wins in it's segment, I think it's greatness goes unquestioned by almost anyone who has expirienced the car past, present, and future.
Click to expand...

The 3-series wins vs normal A4 models I agree and maybe even the S4--but the RS4 completely owns the M3--and I think that is unquestioned. Even taken the CSL vs RS4 if I had the money I'd still probably get the RS4--even though I love the CSL.
 
I was thinking about what cars I would buy the otherday if I had no budget, and I didnt want supercars, and they were all mercedes.

Let me put it into pictures.







022.jpg
 
Mercedes really does know how to make a car look good.
 
...Well Pink_The_Floyd, you might not like German cars, but they are most certainly better than that Toyota crap you seem to love so much. (Supra? Ha!)
 

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