Do you consider BMW or Mercedes more prestigious?

[BrightRedOne]

Vote. and give your reasoning.

[bdub]

Mercedes. Because most everyone can spell BMW.

Who gives a rat's ass about prestige, anyway? I'm here for the drive.

[95m3sc]

performance vs luxurry
completely different cars

[Filip75]

I think they're on PAR. For older people it's Mercedes, for younger it's BMW

[bornBMW]

It's like comparing apples and oranges. For me, the epitome of Mercedes is the S class, while the epitome of BMW is the M3. They're totally different companies primarily focused on totally different ideals. While there is obvious overlap in order to stay competitive, they are easily differentiated and not easily compared.

[Tangent]

Like has been said I don't think you can really make that comparison. I've always thought that Mercedes is a luxury car builder that gave their cars performance while BMW is a performance car builder that gives their cars luxury.

If you are looking for a pimp luxury ride Mercedes is more prestigious. If you're looking for a high performance car that has great luxury features BMW is more prestigious.

[The-Great-328ic]

Originally posted by 95m3sc
performance vs luxurry
completely different cars

[Daved]

BMW = technology
Mercedes = bling luxury

[racecar]

Mercedes just has an air of "luxury" about them.. but when compared to BMW they aren't any more luxurious. Look at the interiors of two competing cars and you won't come away with the feeling that Mercedes is way more luxurious. In fact, BMW most of the time has better looking interiors and non-cheap parts than Mercedes' do. Not to mention more comfort and style

[993TargaGuy]

Mercedes, BMW is for people who like to drive... Mercedes are for rich people who aren't as interested in the drive as they are in what they are in when they get there. Be it for luxury or name.

Not that you can't enjoy driving in an MB, I enjoy mine all the time, especially when there are some bavarian's behind it

[///MEric]

I liek to drive my car and not ride in it so my vote goes to bmw

[nathan]

engine speed wise def a bm
luxury and overall quality id say mercs
-nathan

[obermayerm]

Mercedes is luxury and a smooth ride.
BMW is practical and built to handle the road.

[95m3sc]

Bmw is for the driver
Merc is for the passengers

[Boondoggie]

BMW - reasonable resale value
Mercedes - delusional people asking $20k for 1985 beaters.

[ACS330Ci]

Well, here in German BMW to Mercedes equates to about the same as Chevolet to Cadillac.

[NowThat'sRaw]

I think many of us miss the point. "Prestige" really has nothing to do with the facts about which is better made, faster, etc. It is all about the impression, right or wrong, of the general public. Which has a higher standing in society? I think the answer is Mercedes, largely because they historically have been more expensive. I was very surprised to find out how much a C320 4-matic cost when a coworker took me along to help him purchase one (the price one pays for being the office "car guy"). Mercedes has many more vehicles available in the $100,000+ price range. I think very rich folks are more likely to buy a Mercedes. BMW is more of a yuppie car to most people.

[auto_pilot]

MB's prestige is for the bling factor, status, etc...Just look at how many cocaine white MB's you see in Rap Videos...

BMW's prestige is for the racing history, performance sedans, etc.

But I voted MB because I think the thread starter meant prestige in the sense of status...

[Bassmaster]

Mercedes is viewed by most of the public..."non car enthusiasts" being a little high in status. Its luxury vs performance. Older crowd vs younger generation. I have an S class and and M3...My wife prefers her S and I prefer my M. Its nice to cruise and take trips in the S but it boring if you are a driving enthusiast.
Build quality IMO is about the same. Insurance is about the same, Boths cost when its time to repair.

[JasonJ75]

Originally posted by NowThat'sRaw
I think many of us miss the point. "Prestige" really has nothing to do with the facts about which is better made, faster, etc. It is all about the impression, right or wrong, of the general public. Which has a higher standing in society? I think the answer is Mercedes, largely because they historically have been more expensive. I was very surprised to find out how much a C320 4-matic cost when a coworker took me along to help him purchase one (the price one pays for being the office "car guy"). Mercedes has many more vehicles available in the $100,000+ price range. I think very rich folks are more likely to buy a Mercedes. BMW is more of a yuppie car to most people.

What he said....

When you use this definition its hard to say BMW:

Main Entry: pres·tige
Pronunciation: pre-'stEzh, -'stEj
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive

1 : standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion
2 : commanding position in people's minds

[m3fuz]

IMO, Mercedes is nothing more than a Chrysler with a better leather interior. Until recently, I would have said MB - I have an 88 560SL, but the new MB products are crap...all plastic insides, American style buttons for the AC, radio, etc. Now BMW has taken over that role as a great vehicle inside and out, but is getting a serious run for its money by Audi.

[djrandin]

DOES BMW MAKE ANY CARS THAT DONT HAVE LEATHER?
MB DOES!!!
VOMIT!!!!!!
NASTY ASS C CLASS....
i think mb is more prestiges if you dont get a C class...
they are cheaper (quality) than the lowest BMW w/bigger engines....BARF!

[Driftin E46]

I feel benz is has more prestige, but it just drives boring. I drove my uncle's S class... very very very nice comfty ride, without a doubt. But I still have more fun driving my lil bimmer around. I feel that you get more connected with a bmw vs a benz.

[doodle]

Every MB car, including the C Class, is luxurious and high in quality (from what I've seen).

Did you ride in the new 2004 C class? I have, and the interior looks better than my dad's E430 (IMO) and the ride feels almost the same. The interior in the C looked a lot more modernized (the model was a C320 and it had interior aluminum trim that they used on AMGs, for example), and the exterior had a nice face-lift: bigger (?) 5 Spoke rims (I saw these same rims on a CLK, so they might be CLK rims), Larger exhaust, clear headlights with auto-leveling xenon.

I have never seen an MB without leather interior (don't see why someone buying an MB would go without leather interior anyways). I don't know what kind of C Class you were looking at, but seriously there are few things about it (at least the 2004.5 one) that are not on par with the E class that my dad has.

This is all my opinion but hey, I've ridden in both these classes and seriously they feel like the same quality.

[racecar]

I don't understand how anyone with lets say $45000+ would consider buying a low end CLK-class when they could get an M3.. i mean jesus katy christ, there's no comparison. Aside from performance, just look at styling, comfort, functionality, and overall value. The M3 is way ahead.

Now this is comparing the M3 to the CLK320, so some of you may not think its fair. Then compare it to their top end, CLK55. The M3 is on par, if not better, than the CLK55 also, and the CLK costs almost $25k more. It's impossible for me to think of why someone would sit down and fill out the paperwork for such a car when they know they're getting the shaft. The only thing I can come up with is that these people have dilusionals of how mercedes is somehow going to make people think they are rich and upstanding, when in reality, they are throwing away money.

I can hear the arguement know: "the point is they have so much money they can afford to throw it away on prestigous cars." Ah-ha, but the cars are not prestigous. Talk about ferrari, lamborghini, etc, and you're talking about putting your money to some fine automobiles. Lumping mercedes in with these is ridiculous, and I have no idea how it is done. Throwing away 25grand on a mercedes is just insane, you're not getting anything back. I know, how bout I hang out at the benz dealer and collect checks from everyone who's about to buy one, then send them over to BMW to get a real deal on a luxurious and sporty car.