[kmarei]

I've always been a BMW fan, and could not stand mercedes
But the last few models, I am starting to prefer the looks of the mercdes models
CLA is very nice, I'm seeing a lot of them in the DC area
The e class coupe looks nice
The new c class is also nice

I think BMW played it too safe with the new 3 series, nothing impressive about it
It's more of a fancy facelift that anything else
Launching more models is not the solution
You're not going to catch up with mercedes because you have some GTs or some grand coupes
New 2 series better kick ass, because I don't see it or the A3 outselling the CLA
And if the c class sells well, BMW is not retaking that crown anytime soon

[KwlAznKid]

i hate that bmw now has 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 then x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 x6 it's just too much mercedes look better, more classy, i've owned 4 bmws and only 1 mercedes but if bmw keeps this up that ratio will change

[chappy]

Amen Bmw Get Back To Drivers Car Not This Crap

[M3AMG]

Lots of haters in this forum lol. Mercedes-Benz has stepped their game up. Both are great brands. Mercedes AMG has definitely done better things than M in 2013.

[Johnfr]

MB took the lead because they make and sell cars. BMW talks about making cool cars then only makes a few (1M) and rubs their loyal customers face in the fact they aren't available yet or in sufficient quantities. I now own a 2008 M3, had a 135i before that. I want to replace the M3 with a new M3 but oh, wait, there isn't one. There is supposed to be an M4 coming soon but BMW likes to get free "press" on it years before it is available. I'm not waiting for an M4 as they will be rationed for the 1st year and not available at msrp until at least 2015 sometime. There are lots of great German cars out there now... BMW is in no hurry to compete - apparently.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

People mock AMG here on the forum, but when was the last time BMW built a flagship supercar? Not to mention MB's Black Series line is a step up from BMW's M line of cars.

I get it...and I get it that BMW missed a target by ten cars too, but when it comes to claiming "top selling luxury brand," that flagship isn't really cranking out the numbers.

My feeling is that BMW is yielding to MB in the mid and full size luxury area. Even I'd buy an S Class over a seven, except for the Alpina, and not many of that car come to the States. At least judging by what I see around DC....far more E Class sedans than 5ers.

Of course the CLA is going to outsell the 1er right now...it's a newer model.


All the best.

[norb335i]

Originally Posted by alexmtl_135i

Simple fact is that Mercedes changed their design and makes desirable good looking cars. BMW's new cars (1-3-4) except the M versions, are just plain ugly.

+1

[autopal]

The C class is by far Mercedes best selling car. For them to beat BMW, with an old and dated C class, competing against the new 3 series is telling. With their new C300 and C400 being launched this month, i predict BMW will struggle if they want to recapture the sales lead. My personal driver for the last 4 years is a 2009 E90 335i, which i plan to replace this year. I'm leaning towards a F30 335i, but i'm definitely waiting to test drive this C400 C class before i decide. I love and enjoy my 335i, but the days of blind loyalty are no more.

[111R]

I guess the key things I find annoying about BMW's most recent marketing decisions are as follows:

Clumping desirable options like Xenon lights together with expensive packages.

Offering some models with limited drivetrain choices, such as AWD + four cylinder + automatic + sunroof only on the 3 series wagons sold here or automatic only for the new 4 series convertibles.

Not bringing over cool models such as 1 series hatch w/diesel, etc.

Waiting too long to bring out models that enthusiasts are clamoring for, such as the 2 series GC, M2, others.

Increased use of EPS, mandatory I-drive, and other technologies I don't want.

There are other gripes, but I've lost interest...

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Suave

The F8x launch in Jan will give BMW a jump start in the new year. Also with the models coming in 2014 this will be short lived for Mercedes

Actually, Mercedes has some high volume car launches next year. The very affordable GLA and the next generation C-class.

[Who?]

i won't be surprised if this continues for the next few years.
the cla and c-class both seem to be excellent class leading cars

[AbuArije5]

You bmw fans are so spur Mercedes are making better cars thats why sales are up bmw were no anymoreii

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Maybe adding the //M logo to everything like Mercedes does with AMG will help their sales for 2014.

Merc doesn't have an 'AMG line'. I think that's what is their downfall. That and the cheap interior materials that are being used across the line.

[aussiem3]

In fact in Australia alone, BMW is releasing 8 different models and some X5 with frugal engines like 2.0D to capture the ground they are losing to other brands, this year. I cannot give a lot of details but there could be two-wheel drive X5s too to make it appealing price-wise.

[plesg]

Originally Posted by chappy

BMW lost their way a couple years ago with the release of the worst ugly car front the 1 series and then the F30 no steering feel suspension too soft (trying be Lexus) and Lexus being the old BMW with steering feel and handling, then the release of the 4 series still pretty bland and too big 3 series with 2 doors nothing like the concept same interior as the F30 very poor.
Then Mercedes releases the A45 AMG and that just killed BMM as they have nothing to compare to this monster M135 is too ugly M235 is still not a M car, engines need updating to at least 350bhp too compete as Mercedes is releasing the twin turbo 3lt with 350bhp plus.
BMW has failed, only the M3 or M4 are any good M5 and M6 are just too big and too heavy period.
I will stick to my E92 tuned twin turbo 335i M-sport for a few more years yet.

As an F30 owner I can assure you it's far from sloppy and is a better car in every way than E series BMWs . How do I know? I still drive my E90 330i in fact I drove it all day yesterday and back in the F30 today, no comparison, I think you really need to live and own something before you can make an accurate description. My F30 is an MSport 328i, it's streets ahead of my E90 which is still a great car (as is E92) and eons ahead of the 2013 C class C200 and C250 my work colleagues have!

[Kwando]

Love what MB has been churning out lately. CLS, S-Class and G63

[993 911]

Thanks, scott26!

[The J-Man]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Immediately after Geneva the Spring events continue for BMW with the unveiling of the new BMW X4 and LCi of the popular best selling BMW X3.

The X3 is popular and best selling? Weren't sales down 28% in 2013?

[FogCityM3]

Several of us have been saying this for a while now: that BMW straying from its enthusiast and performance roots will come to haunt them at some point and looks like it's starting to happen. Now there is a lack of differentiation with the other marques, many of whom have matched or surpassed BMW at their own game. I see this time and again across industries, once the focus on the core customer/values (that got a company to where it is in the first place) are lost, it is very hard to regain them. Porsche is a company that got it right.

[torzeck]

Hey I just test drove a tesla model S and I know it's a totally different price point but it was kind of amazing.

Afterward I got into my 2011 x3 35i and it felt old , like rotary dial phone vs iPhone old.

I asked if the Model S was replacing alot of 7 series annd Audi A8s and he said this was a "gimme"...Way too easy.

The smooth constant torque is addictive and the whole car feels solid. I would bet it's skidpad numbers are vey good.

Yeah there is some possible unrealistic range anxiety but with a range of 200 to 300 miles and a 0-60 time that is around 5.4 seconds for the slowest version it's very useful for most people buying cars in this price range and super quick.

The big touch screen and driver display makes all the mechanical switch gear and even idrive seem so dated.

They don't quite have all the brand perfectness and the design detailing that BMW has but they likely will as time goes on.

When Tesla builds their mass market 3series size car they will take a huge share of the German big 3's sales- if the big 3 don't hurry to catch up.

Go ahead and flame me but if they (or this technology) had the big money to build the dealer and super charger network they would kill all of them.

[Twix]

When I was out this year car shopping I test drove the C300. It felt much better and more connected to the road than the 328i Xdrive I also tested. But neither had the feel of the car I ended up with. And I couldn't be happier with my X1

[pootytang]

While I don't have a crystal ball, I think some of these CLA sales will start to taper off, it's the initial OMG 29k Merc hoopla. Everyone saying the M3/M4 are gonna regain BMW the crown - are these really high volume cars? Doesn't BMW sell more 3 series in a month than M3's in a year? The real problem is that the F30 will be in it's 4th MY while Merc will have a new C class and Audi a new A4. Maybe the real war amongst german oem's will be waged on the CLA-A3-128(?) front?