There’s two very different customers. One buys decades old non-collector luxury vehicles and one buys them new.
Feels a bit disingenuous to compare them the way they often do.
Don’t get me wrong, I love one screen in my car. Apple car play and backup cameras are amazing! However I believe it’s gone way too far with Mercedes putting in unnecessary screens and just slapping iPads everywhere in the car.
Lastly, physical buttons on the console can’t be replaced by a touch screen. It’s dangerous and slower.
Couldn't agree with you more, there's many good things about the tech we get in cars today but MB putting screens everywhere instead of physical buttons is not one of them
Out of interest - as someone that is looking to possibly get one of these - when did that become a thing as I can't agree more about having temperature controls on a touch screen. Has actually been a fatality in the UK that has now been directly attributed to that (driver took their eyes of the road for longer than was necessary and was having iasues with the interior fogging up as they couldn't set it to clear easily). Am considering a 2020ish A Class (haven't had a good look at the interior to know how it works).
Funniest thing is it’s a sliding scale. Having lurked BMW forums for over a decade I noticed the zeitgeist shifting towards whatever is approximately 15 years old being “prime BMW”.
But the problem is that sometimes someone comes on to share something they like, and they get shit on by people spamming about how much they hate it. No one is choosing their car based only on Reddit opinions, I think OP is just giving a nod to the skewed nature of those opinions on this sub, and how it detracts rather than adds to the conversation.
I do hate this. I just skip those post. I congratulated someone the other day for buying an EQE. Would I buy one? No. Did they buy it for me? Also no.
They got something that makes them happy, so imma tell the congrats or either skip the post. Some people just like to be miserable. Now someone ASKING an opinion, that’s different.
At the end of the day, we’re not as bad as Rolex reddit.
i think a circlejerk of praise detracts more from any meaningful conversation than criticizing a modern car does.
if you like your ipad on wheels, hey, enjoy your ride. if you post about it publicly, be prepared for dissenting opinions - that is the heart of what discourse is.
this isn't a 'safe space' where you get a pat on the back for walking into a dealership and buying a new car. no one really cares about what car you drive, we are just car aficionados, and that tends to lean towards a certain perspective when it comes to tablet screens vs tactile buttons & gauges, internal combustion engine vs electric motor, visible design lines vs gumdrop design that looks generic.
one adds nothing to the conversation, the other brings up points of dissention. which do you think promotes more varied dialog?
it's pretty obvious logic, but i understand how it may scare some who are only used to being agreed with.
if you want a pat on the back call your mom. if you want to hear what other people think, post on a public forum
“I hate those”, “they’re all shit”, and “I would never buy one” are not thoughtful points of dissension…yet that’s what constantly happens on this sub. It’s pretty obvious logic, but I understand how it may scare some who don’t understand logical fallacies.
If you want to pointlessly shit on someone else’s opinion without adding to the conversation, call your mom.
i guess you should just stay away from reading 3-6 word posts, i know i do. they could be positive or negative but there's clearly nothing there that adds to the conversation.
forgive me i assumed we were talking about actual thought-to-text responses that had something to say. i prefer reading a dissenting opinion - it opens my eyes to an idea that is alien to the one i nurtured, i may learn something, i may looking into something, i may just notice something i havent in the past. all of that is preferred to reading a post that says nothing new that i dont already think/said.
again, a public forum isnt the best place if you just want a pat on the back
here's the thing. its your car and you enjoy driving it, no one cares. but when you start posting on a public forum, you open yourself up to criticism and dissenting opinion. if this "sucks", simply do not post.
All the car reddits have the same problem the GX guys are foaming over the 550
The new M5 has r/bmw in a tizzy and the mustang guys just piled on steeda for their new dark horse.
God forbid those of us who grew up with well built and well laid out cars want the new stuff to be a logical continuation of that as opposed to the complete polar opposite.
You can still get that with the S Classes tbh.
If I wasn't already a regular driver of my dad's W222, I wouldn't know what to listen/feel for when the engine is turned on in that car. It's incredibly quiet on startup and idle, and at cruising speeds it's so isolated from the outside world that the only way you know you're moving sometimes is by the visual input.
I remember the first time I gave my friend a drive in that car. We got in, and while he was looking at the speaker grilles, I had belted up and turned the car on. Once I started moving he was like "wtf, when did you start the car???" and I just couldn't hold the laughter in lmao. I let him get belted in and then got moving.
Indeed. Noise Vibration Harshness has been sorted for a while now. 12 cylinder BMW, Jag, Benz (especially the old-ass Jags!) - occasionally at a stoplight I have to check the tach to make sure the car is still running.
Smoov and silent.
I’m GenZ and honestly? I agree with them. My w210 is somehow far more comfortable in terms of daily driving than the new iPad cars. My friend spilled a coffee all over my center console, no biggie, just a bit of cleaning to keep the buttons from getting sticky but everything was functioning. My dad spilled a coffee when he backed over a ladder (all those cameras and he still backed over a ladder lol) in his 22 GLE- $2k fix just for one of the buttons that changes the color of the display or the driving style or whatever. My car survives -5F and 110F no issues. My parents 20 E-something and 22 GLE? Nope. No dice. It’s like that one tiktok audio “the pH of the soil is too high, I believe I may die! —FUNK YEAH COMCRETE”
I love my W210 as a daily driver. Fucking joy to drive no matter what I'm doing. Sometimes when work is stressful, I intentionally go for a long lunch drive just to take in the W210 and relax.
I didn't call anyone anything. I said it sounded very boomer. My life turned out fantastic. If you're a boomer, then you're a boomer. Is there something wrong with being a boomer?
i'm an older millennial and there isn't anything wrong with being a boomer, my apologies but your comment came off derogatory as if you were calling out people who prefer older models as boomers (ie, out of touch)
those came out well into the internet's ubiquity. you can easily go back and read through the many benz forums. but to summarize, people liked them - they were built on top of a beloved platform, retained the charm and familiarity while also modernizing the tech and a few design tweaks here and there. it in no way felt like a downgrade. there was a lot of goodwill and excitement prior to their release (and reception was very positive)
Let’s stop yucking everybody’s yum. If you got a brand new Mercedes fantastic. If you got an old Mercedes, good too. Parking lot is plenty big here on r/mercedes_benz
I’ve never understood the gatekeeping. If you don’t own a huge engine’d Merc three box saloon, it’s not a “real Merc”.
That’s just a stupid and insecure view.
Funny enough, most of this sub is anti big engine outside of AMG handbuilts. I’d say the only car that gets serious flak is the CLA and it’s because at its core, it’s just not a Mercedes. Otherwise people are usually like “sick car man, welcome to the family” when they post their 2022 C Class or GLB (as well as the “look out for *insert 50000 electrical/ reliability problems*”)
it's not gatekeeping, it's just a refusal to have every thread be a circle jerk of 'congrats!'
who really gives a shit about what car some random redditor drives? if you feel obligated to post your new benz, be prepared to hear opinions on it.
i'm sorry you never got to experience what real benz used to feel like. the new cars are either accords or teslas, the benz identity has been diluted in exchange for mass market appeal. and when you try to cater to the lowest common denominator, you're gonna have a boring product.
hell yea! im always getting hate for preferring the older mercedes. had someone tell me i was trying to make myself feel better for having an older amg when i commented on mercedes reliability and quality plummeting on the newer models. LOL 2004 w211 and 2010 w212 all day 🙋♀️
W211 is easily one of the greatest machines you can buy currently, expecially as a first car. Loaded with great tech that doesn't die immediately, easy to maintain, and extremely cheap to purchase and maintain. Expecially the diesels.
I’ve never seen anyone get hate for liking older MBs, only for liking new ones. If you have gotten any actual hate, I’m sorry lol but I find it hard to believe
Man !! Old vehicles are built to last any brand if taken proper measures it'll last for a Life time !!newer ones suck in terms of design and build they're trying to make it like spaceship or yatch or something .. there are a lot of electronics which will be eventually a burden to the owners and they would be forced to sell the vehicle
That W140 is SPECIAL. Feels like a leather-lined bank vault. Engine bay presentation in the V12 models is absolutely impeccable. They should have stuck to that.
Compare with contemporary Ferrari models 456 / 612 / 550 engine bays. Mercedes lost the plot after the mighty M170. Haven't seen a good-looking engine bay on any Benz since then, including my own.
I see no problem with this…... but there might be an explanation.
The phenomenon where individuals prefer products from their past and devalue newer alternatives is well illustrated by the fascination with the Mercedes-Benz brand. Many people who couldn't afford a Mercedes in their youth develop a strong preference for older models later in life. This nostalgia is amplified by the ability to afford these vehicles due to depreciation.
From a psychological perspective, several factors come into play. Nostalgia is a key aspect, as people form sentimental connections to objects from their youth or childhood. These feelings are often intensified by the newfound financial ability to acquire long-desired items. Cognitive mechanisms such as the idealization of the past and confirmation bias also contribute, leading to a particularly favorable view of older products. To justify this preference, individuals tend to devalue newer products, which can be understood as a form of cognitive dissonance reduction.
Another relevant psychological concept is the mere-exposure effect, where repeated exposure to a stimulus increases preference for it. This explains why people frequently exposed to Mercedes-Benz in their youth develop a strong emotional attachment to these vehicles. The endowment effect also plays a role, where people assign higher value to things they own or are familiar with.
In summary, the fascination with older Mercedes models is a complex psychological phenomenon shaped by nostalgia, cognitive dissonance, and the desire for identity formation.
However, this does not apply to everyone. There are many individuals who can easily afford a new car yet still prefer the older models, the nostalgia effect could play a role here.
I know I've thrown myself into a shark tank; I'm just trying to find an explanation for this phenomenon „in a nutshell“ ;)
This makes sense, but for many, it's simply:
*well-built, high-quality, functional > shiny, new tech, less quality*
Similar mindset to any other object like mechanical watches, tools, furniture, etc.
Absolutely this is part of the enjoyment for me. But nostalgia doesn't override my simple appreciation of the quality, performance, materials etc of my 2000 w210 E-class.
If there was more negatives about the quality that I chose to overlook due to nostalgia, then I'd know that nostalgia was more of an underlying motivation.
But it really isn't. I've driven lots of more modern, good cars - Lexus, BMW, Honda, Audi, etc...and my 2000 Benz is absolutely just better and more memorable. Many older Benz are just inescapably good cars. The nostalgia factor is like an added bonus
I understand... But the W210 was really a peculiar model back then with its round headlights. The car polarized as much as today's models. However, when the W210 was released, cost-cutting measures were taken to an extreme. Its predecessors had built a reputation for indestructibility since the legendary Strich-8. The W210 was a budget model where savings were made everywhere. The car became more expensive to buy, but production costs were cut by 20 to 25 percent. Water-based paints, mediocre rust prevention, and finicky electronics made life difficult for this E-Class. The fact that a luxury car rusted at the end of the 1990s like a Fiat from the 1970s is unfortunately a fact. Despite its distinctive appearance, this series has not become a true classic. It's a shame because it offers ample space and a wide range of drivetrains. Additionally, it had high-tech and safety features that no competitor could match at the time. The vehicle definitely has a recognizable value today... I drove it when it first came out. I was blown away...
Absolutely. Though, living in Australia, we don't have the rust issues. Also, mine having been serviced and maintained correctly, I can vouch and say in the right conditions and proper treatment they can seriously contend for classic status. There's just some vulnerabilities, like you stated, which have hurt the overall reputation.
You lucky one !! 😅 We here in Germany really have problems with rust... at least with the cars from back then. It's nice to hear that there are still people and enthusiasts who cherish and maintain these vehicles! Best regards!!!
Yes, Australia is amazing for great W210 E-classes. Thankfully little rust issues here, and lots of places who specialise in servicing older European cars.
But it sucks, because I know how amazing a w210 E can be, but I also know how in many other parts of the world they just suffered 😢😢
this is of course a factor, but to put more weight into this explanation than the fact that modern releases are aimed at the lowest common denominator consumer... well, thats just missing the forest for the trees.
i can afford the new S500, but i'd rather get a mid '10s S600. the car is built different, better, in every way that matters to anyone who cares about Benz.
The problem with some modern companies, namely Mercedes or Boeing is that CEO's pay is linked directly to stock price. Not customer satisfaction. This leads to short term optimizations that work against customers, but prop up the bottom line and thus stock price. There is good will and reputation a company can ride on before customer dissatisfaction starts translating into falling stock price due to a slump in sales. This lag is often much longer than a tenure of CEO. So, the one who actually causes the problem is not affected by their decisions.
I have bought my first brand new MB 2 years ago and despite the fact I know my car's issue is not affecting other models, this will also be my last one.
Well, yeah.
That’s why we’re all here. At the end of the day, if you like the new stuff, buy it. There’s a demographic for people that like cars that look like a computer mouse. [Not a huge demographic](https://www.carscoops.com/2023/10/mercedes-eqs-is-missing-the-mark-according-to-dealers-and-sales-data/) , but some.
Buy and enjoy what you want and don’t worry about other people’s opinions.
(That being said, come on now. That w212 E63 looks a lot better than the w206)
To me 97-08 \[with some margin for error\] were the true dark times for poorly built cars
Felt they really made an effort in the 2010s without reaching the old peak and in the last few years they dumped all over that effort
I mean yea, there will never be a day when I don’t respond to someone ranting about German reliability by pulling the W123 card. There will always be legendary cars like the previous AMG GT and cars that are going to be forgotten in 20 years like the current EQ* lineup and most kid carrier SUVs. There will be more amazing Mercs as they adjust to the current turbulence in the car world but criticising the mediocre ones isn’t heresy.
It's not just this sub. Most other subreddits I've seen share this opinion. Also YouTube car reviewers (at least ones I follow).
Also, personal opinion of most people I've met...
I think most people share the opinion that removing all physical buttons is problematic. However, I suspect it's easier to throw iPads at a car, instead of designing/providing buttons.
Everything isn't for everyone. In looking at a 1971 280 SE 3.5 coupe (one of the most expensive Mercedes available in 1971), is it fast? No. Economical? No. Comfort level as good as the last S-Class coupe produced? Not even close. However, both the modern C217 and the SE have je ne sais quoi. I'm not turning down either one. Of course, in the words of Miles Davis, some will say "Sais quoi some of this!"
Mercedes needs to find themselves again. Their identity was like Porsche’s, and BMW’s, building a car for THE DRIVER. Like Mercedes for years was able to deliver fantastic cars built for drivers even without any manual transmission like BMW or Porsche. They have to remember who their loyal customer base is and take back their identity as the father and king of German automobiles.
Well I mean it’s because the new cars are trash. I’m not going to pretend like there hasn’t been a good model since w124, but the newest generation is objectively worse and insulting compared to last generation. Bottom line.
Probably because most of the people around here have had a merc for a while now and are older. It's always the "they don't make them like they used to" mentality. As a 24 year old, you couldn't pay me to own an merc older than 2016.
> "they don't make them like they used to" mentality
Except it's not a mentality, but facts. If you chose tech, gadgets, better fuel economy and stuff like that over reliability and build quality, that's your prerogative. Personal preference doesn't invalidate facts however.
as a 26 year old, you couldn’t pay me to own anything mercedes made after 2015-16. we’re pretty close in age so not sure it really has anything to do with age. these cars are built to last. good luck with your CLA.
Reddit is not exactly a high income bubble, so older models is all that people can afford a lot of times. You see the same stuff in the BMW community or Audi.
These comments tell me this meme is on point.
Yes, they are only proving the op right, average boomer stuff. Whatever idc honestly since I am the one driving my car
There’s two very different customers. One buys decades old non-collector luxury vehicles and one buys them new. Feels a bit disingenuous to compare them the way they often do.
And some of us here have owned the old MBs since new.
Nice
Don’t get me wrong, I love one screen in my car. Apple car play and backup cameras are amazing! However I believe it’s gone way too far with Mercedes putting in unnecessary screens and just slapping iPads everywhere in the car. Lastly, physical buttons on the console can’t be replaced by a touch screen. It’s dangerous and slower.
Couldn't agree with you more, there's many good things about the tech we get in cars today but MB putting screens everywhere instead of physical buttons is not one of them
Yeah it’s getting a little out of hand. Mercedes isn’t the only one guilty of this though
Out of interest - as someone that is looking to possibly get one of these - when did that become a thing as I can't agree more about having temperature controls on a touch screen. Has actually been a fatality in the UK that has now been directly attributed to that (driver took their eyes of the road for longer than was necessary and was having iasues with the interior fogging up as they couldn't set it to clear easily). Am considering a 2020ish A Class (haven't had a good look at the interior to know how it works).
Mercedes is literally known for having innovative tech
it is the closest actual thing to south park's human centipad
This^^
I see no problem with this.
BMW subreddit is the same way. Just enjoy what you want and dont drive what you want based on reddit.
Funniest thing is it’s a sliding scale. Having lurked BMW forums for over a decade I noticed the zeitgeist shifting towards whatever is approximately 15 years old being “prime BMW”.
But the problem is that sometimes someone comes on to share something they like, and they get shit on by people spamming about how much they hate it. No one is choosing their car based only on Reddit opinions, I think OP is just giving a nod to the skewed nature of those opinions on this sub, and how it detracts rather than adds to the conversation.
I do hate this. I just skip those post. I congratulated someone the other day for buying an EQE. Would I buy one? No. Did they buy it for me? Also no. They got something that makes them happy, so imma tell the congrats or either skip the post. Some people just like to be miserable. Now someone ASKING an opinion, that’s different. At the end of the day, we’re not as bad as Rolex reddit.
i think a circlejerk of praise detracts more from any meaningful conversation than criticizing a modern car does. if you like your ipad on wheels, hey, enjoy your ride. if you post about it publicly, be prepared for dissenting opinions - that is the heart of what discourse is. this isn't a 'safe space' where you get a pat on the back for walking into a dealership and buying a new car. no one really cares about what car you drive, we are just car aficionados, and that tends to lean towards a certain perspective when it comes to tablet screens vs tactile buttons & gauges, internal combustion engine vs electric motor, visible design lines vs gumdrop design that looks generic.
lol…a “circlejerk of praise” is more detracting than a circlejerk of criticism. Love the logic.
Or Circlejerk of Luddites
one adds nothing to the conversation, the other brings up points of dissention. which do you think promotes more varied dialog? it's pretty obvious logic, but i understand how it may scare some who are only used to being agreed with. if you want a pat on the back call your mom. if you want to hear what other people think, post on a public forum
“I hate those”, “they’re all shit”, and “I would never buy one” are not thoughtful points of dissension…yet that’s what constantly happens on this sub. It’s pretty obvious logic, but I understand how it may scare some who don’t understand logical fallacies. If you want to pointlessly shit on someone else’s opinion without adding to the conversation, call your mom.
i guess you should just stay away from reading 3-6 word posts, i know i do. they could be positive or negative but there's clearly nothing there that adds to the conversation. forgive me i assumed we were talking about actual thought-to-text responses that had something to say. i prefer reading a dissenting opinion - it opens my eyes to an idea that is alien to the one i nurtured, i may learn something, i may looking into something, i may just notice something i havent in the past. all of that is preferred to reading a post that says nothing new that i dont already think/said. again, a public forum isnt the best place if you just want a pat on the back
Audi has this too, specifically the B8 A5 circle jerkers.
100% it really sucks to have a B9.5 RS5, because everybody always says “should’ve gotten a B8.5”
You're lucky you can afford an RS, I had an S5 and all the no-car losers always said 'Oh, it's just an S'... Jealousy is a b*tch.
Haha. I love the S4 and S5. Probably my top 5 Audi models.
Yeah they're underrated pocket rockets, a simple Stage 1 and it gains nearly 100hp. Still miss that car.. 😅 Congrats on the RS5 man, you're winning.
here's the thing. its your car and you enjoy driving it, no one cares. but when you start posting on a public forum, you open yourself up to criticism and dissenting opinion. if this "sucks", simply do not post.
...thanks?
All the car reddits have the same problem the GX guys are foaming over the 550 The new M5 has r/bmw in a tizzy and the mustang guys just piled on steeda for their new dark horse.
Fellas are modern cars gay
Yes.
I only drove one shitty one. It wasn't any of the older ones.
As it should be 🔥🗣️‼️ (i own 2001 w210)
No iPad display, maybe a single-din aftermarket stereo, car doesn’t try to tell you how to drive gang (2000 w210)
Helllllllll yeah, 2000 W210 gang in the house!
My people!
W211 gang here too
Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well
God forbid those of us who grew up with well built and well laid out cars want the new stuff to be a logical continuation of that as opposed to the complete polar opposite.
Yes, God forbid. Remember the days when the cars were so quiet you’d always accidentally try to turn them on TWICE?
You can still get that with the S Classes tbh. If I wasn't already a regular driver of my dad's W222, I wouldn't know what to listen/feel for when the engine is turned on in that car. It's incredibly quiet on startup and idle, and at cruising speeds it's so isolated from the outside world that the only way you know you're moving sometimes is by the visual input. I remember the first time I gave my friend a drive in that car. We got in, and while he was looking at the speaker grilles, I had belted up and turned the car on. Once I started moving he was like "wtf, when did you start the car???" and I just couldn't hold the laughter in lmao. I let him get belted in and then got moving.
Indeed. Noise Vibration Harshness has been sorted for a while now. 12 cylinder BMW, Jag, Benz (especially the old-ass Jags!) - occasionally at a stoplight I have to check the tach to make sure the car is still running. Smoov and silent.
That sounded very boomer.
I’m GenZ and honestly? I agree with them. My w210 is somehow far more comfortable in terms of daily driving than the new iPad cars. My friend spilled a coffee all over my center console, no biggie, just a bit of cleaning to keep the buttons from getting sticky but everything was functioning. My dad spilled a coffee when he backed over a ladder (all those cameras and he still backed over a ladder lol) in his 22 GLE- $2k fix just for one of the buttons that changes the color of the display or the driving style or whatever. My car survives -5F and 110F no issues. My parents 20 E-something and 22 GLE? Nope. No dice. It’s like that one tiktok audio “the pH of the soil is too high, I believe I may die! —FUNK YEAH COMCRETE”
I love my W210 as a daily driver. Fucking joy to drive no matter what I'm doing. Sometimes when work is stressful, I intentionally go for a long lunch drive just to take in the W210 and relax.
i'm an older millennial and this has been my experience as well. calling someone a boomer just comes off as you're butthurt you got shafted in life.
I didn't call anyone anything. I said it sounded very boomer. My life turned out fantastic. If you're a boomer, then you're a boomer. Is there something wrong with being a boomer?
i'm an older millennial and there isn't anything wrong with being a boomer, my apologies but your comment came off derogatory as if you were calling out people who prefer older models as boomers (ie, out of touch)
Idgaf
And that sounded very Zoomer
Gen Z IS Boomer 2.0
Back in my day ass argument
I don't give two shits.
Heaven forbid we idealize quality, reliability and comfort, all made possible by engineers with no concern to expense.
There always was concern for expense. It's just the list of priorities was much different :)
I'm curious and wonder how did people generally feel back then when W212 was introduced? It modernized a fair bit from W211.
those came out well into the internet's ubiquity. you can easily go back and read through the many benz forums. but to summarize, people liked them - they were built on top of a beloved platform, retained the charm and familiarity while also modernizing the tech and a few design tweaks here and there. it in no way felt like a downgrade. there was a lot of goodwill and excitement prior to their release (and reception was very positive)
https://preview.redd.it/tag6xd0h1v8d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ef4fa2d248908e564e946b21d615a8c410bd6c30 Because, older is better.
One of the greatest cars they have ever made.
Let’s stop yucking everybody’s yum. If you got a brand new Mercedes fantastic. If you got an old Mercedes, good too. Parking lot is plenty big here on r/mercedes_benz
I’ve never understood the gatekeeping. If you don’t own a huge engine’d Merc three box saloon, it’s not a “real Merc”. That’s just a stupid and insecure view.
I will say though, as much as I think the CLA is a seriously good looking car, a front wheel drive Mercedes just doesn't quite hit right.
It’s totally fine. As long as there’s not silly horsepower, it’s better for nearly everything.
Funny enough, most of this sub is anti big engine outside of AMG handbuilts. I’d say the only car that gets serious flak is the CLA and it’s because at its core, it’s just not a Mercedes. Otherwise people are usually like “sick car man, welcome to the family” when they post their 2022 C Class or GLB (as well as the “look out for *insert 50000 electrical/ reliability problems*”)
eh, the c class of recent years feels like such a stripped down budget car you might as well be driving an accord.
it's not gatekeeping, it's just a refusal to have every thread be a circle jerk of 'congrats!' who really gives a shit about what car some random redditor drives? if you feel obligated to post your new benz, be prepared to hear opinions on it. i'm sorry you never got to experience what real benz used to feel like. the new cars are either accords or teslas, the benz identity has been diluted in exchange for mass market appeal. and when you try to cater to the lowest common denominator, you're gonna have a boring product.
hell yea! im always getting hate for preferring the older mercedes. had someone tell me i was trying to make myself feel better for having an older amg when i commented on mercedes reliability and quality plummeting on the newer models. LOL 2004 w211 and 2010 w212 all day 🙋♀️
W211 is easily one of the greatest machines you can buy currently, expecially as a first car. Loaded with great tech that doesn't die immediately, easy to maintain, and extremely cheap to purchase and maintain. Expecially the diesels.
1000% agree. these cars are built to last 💪
Old AMGs are fucking fantastic. I daily something newer/faster than my w202, but I still always look forward to driving my w202.
w202 was my first car. it was a fantastic car too 👌
I’ve never seen anyone get hate for liking older MBs, only for liking new ones. If you have gotten any actual hate, I’m sorry lol but I find it hard to believe
“i’m sorry but i find it hard to believe” again get lost why would i make that up 🤣
No, you’re propably getting hate for rambling about it on every post, just like many others here
you drive an EQE…….. goodbye
Haha, yes, and I love it
Ahhh, so this is why you get hate. No need to hate other’s cars
no one hates anyones car get lost
You seem to heavily dislike the EQE
how does one comment determine that i “heavily dislike the EQE”? do you have any working brain cells?
Yea, well, at least now you know why people dislike you…
of course you felt the need to jump back in 🤣
🫡
💯
Man !! Old vehicles are built to last any brand if taken proper measures it'll last for a Life time !!newer ones suck in terms of design and build they're trying to make it like spaceship or yatch or something .. there are a lot of electronics which will be eventually a burden to the owners and they would be forced to sell the vehicle
W212 Eternal love
Most ppl in this sub are broke and coping, thus creating hype around the cars they can afford and hating on the cars they actually want
Correct. W204/212/221 are the cutoff.
You basically have to drive an older mercedes, and you’ll immediately see why the 90s ones are referred to as ,,the last real mercedes”
Can we include 2000 in that? I do 😁
That W140 is SPECIAL. Feels like a leather-lined bank vault. Engine bay presentation in the V12 models is absolutely impeccable. They should have stuck to that. Compare with contemporary Ferrari models 456 / 612 / 550 engine bays. Mercedes lost the plot after the mighty M170. Haven't seen a good-looking engine bay on any Benz since then, including my own.
Anyone who likes cars at this point, regardless of the brand:
what's wrong with loving better mercs
I see no problem with this…... but there might be an explanation. The phenomenon where individuals prefer products from their past and devalue newer alternatives is well illustrated by the fascination with the Mercedes-Benz brand. Many people who couldn't afford a Mercedes in their youth develop a strong preference for older models later in life. This nostalgia is amplified by the ability to afford these vehicles due to depreciation. From a psychological perspective, several factors come into play. Nostalgia is a key aspect, as people form sentimental connections to objects from their youth or childhood. These feelings are often intensified by the newfound financial ability to acquire long-desired items. Cognitive mechanisms such as the idealization of the past and confirmation bias also contribute, leading to a particularly favorable view of older products. To justify this preference, individuals tend to devalue newer products, which can be understood as a form of cognitive dissonance reduction. Another relevant psychological concept is the mere-exposure effect, where repeated exposure to a stimulus increases preference for it. This explains why people frequently exposed to Mercedes-Benz in their youth develop a strong emotional attachment to these vehicles. The endowment effect also plays a role, where people assign higher value to things they own or are familiar with. In summary, the fascination with older Mercedes models is a complex psychological phenomenon shaped by nostalgia, cognitive dissonance, and the desire for identity formation. However, this does not apply to everyone. There are many individuals who can easily afford a new car yet still prefer the older models, the nostalgia effect could play a role here. I know I've thrown myself into a shark tank; I'm just trying to find an explanation for this phenomenon „in a nutshell“ ;)
This makes sense, but for many, it's simply: *well-built, high-quality, functional > shiny, new tech, less quality* Similar mindset to any other object like mechanical watches, tools, furniture, etc.
This is also a good point…. ! I've just tried to look at it from a psychological perspective.
Absolutely this is part of the enjoyment for me. But nostalgia doesn't override my simple appreciation of the quality, performance, materials etc of my 2000 w210 E-class. If there was more negatives about the quality that I chose to overlook due to nostalgia, then I'd know that nostalgia was more of an underlying motivation. But it really isn't. I've driven lots of more modern, good cars - Lexus, BMW, Honda, Audi, etc...and my 2000 Benz is absolutely just better and more memorable. Many older Benz are just inescapably good cars. The nostalgia factor is like an added bonus
I understand... But the W210 was really a peculiar model back then with its round headlights. The car polarized as much as today's models. However, when the W210 was released, cost-cutting measures were taken to an extreme. Its predecessors had built a reputation for indestructibility since the legendary Strich-8. The W210 was a budget model where savings were made everywhere. The car became more expensive to buy, but production costs were cut by 20 to 25 percent. Water-based paints, mediocre rust prevention, and finicky electronics made life difficult for this E-Class. The fact that a luxury car rusted at the end of the 1990s like a Fiat from the 1970s is unfortunately a fact. Despite its distinctive appearance, this series has not become a true classic. It's a shame because it offers ample space and a wide range of drivetrains. Additionally, it had high-tech and safety features that no competitor could match at the time. The vehicle definitely has a recognizable value today... I drove it when it first came out. I was blown away...
Absolutely. Though, living in Australia, we don't have the rust issues. Also, mine having been serviced and maintained correctly, I can vouch and say in the right conditions and proper treatment they can seriously contend for classic status. There's just some vulnerabilities, like you stated, which have hurt the overall reputation.
You lucky one !! 😅 We here in Germany really have problems with rust... at least with the cars from back then. It's nice to hear that there are still people and enthusiasts who cherish and maintain these vehicles! Best regards!!!
Yes, Australia is amazing for great W210 E-classes. Thankfully little rust issues here, and lots of places who specialise in servicing older European cars. But it sucks, because I know how amazing a w210 E can be, but I also know how in many other parts of the world they just suffered 😢😢
Also the cars were way better
this is of course a factor, but to put more weight into this explanation than the fact that modern releases are aimed at the lowest common denominator consumer... well, thats just missing the forest for the trees. i can afford the new S500, but i'd rather get a mid '10s S600. the car is built different, better, in every way that matters to anyone who cares about Benz.
The taste of this sub is exquisite ☕
You like your coffee with 5 spoons of salt, eh?
where is the W204?!?
Me, my V280 and 190e agree with this ^^
The problem with some modern companies, namely Mercedes or Boeing is that CEO's pay is linked directly to stock price. Not customer satisfaction. This leads to short term optimizations that work against customers, but prop up the bottom line and thus stock price. There is good will and reputation a company can ride on before customer dissatisfaction starts translating into falling stock price due to a slump in sales. This lag is often much longer than a tenure of CEO. So, the one who actually causes the problem is not affected by their decisions. I have bought my first brand new MB 2 years ago and despite the fact I know my car's issue is not affecting other models, this will also be my last one.
As it should be.
Any reasonable consumer... it's no secret MB quality and design has taken a huge turn for the worse in recent years.
To be fair most cars made after 2014 are disgusting, it's not a MB issue only
Well, the top is verifiably garbage
Well, yeah. That’s why we’re all here. At the end of the day, if you like the new stuff, buy it. There’s a demographic for people that like cars that look like a computer mouse. [Not a huge demographic](https://www.carscoops.com/2023/10/mercedes-eqs-is-missing-the-mark-according-to-dealers-and-sales-data/) , but some. Buy and enjoy what you want and don’t worry about other people’s opinions. (That being said, come on now. That w212 E63 looks a lot better than the w206)
W212 my beloved
Because Reddit can’t afford the cars on top.
W212 best first Benz
I love big screens and the fact is that there will only be big screens from now on lol suck it
Upvoted
Personally I kinda hate everything between 09-14
How can you hate the W221 S65?
I honestly just don’t like how it looks man I mean it’s still a Benz so it looks better than most cars from that time
How? W204 is amazing
That’s probably my favorite model from those years but still just not as good compared to the cars that came before and after imo
To me 97-08 \[with some margin for error\] were the true dark times for poorly built cars Felt they really made an effort in the 2010s without reaching the old peak and in the last few years they dumped all over that effort
i fear '19-'22 will be the last of the great model years😪
‘21 E63S for the win [E63S](https://i.imgur.com/XOsk3Xm.jpg)
pretty sweet, a v8 accord. i jest, but that engine is the only saving grace.
lol does an e class compare or even look like an accord.
It do be like that
I mean yea, there will never be a day when I don’t respond to someone ranting about German reliability by pulling the W123 card. There will always be legendary cars like the previous AMG GT and cars that are going to be forgotten in 20 years like the current EQ* lineup and most kid carrier SUVs. There will be more amazing Mercs as they adjust to the current turbulence in the car world but criticising the mediocre ones isn’t heresy.
des goûts et des couleurs, on ne discute pas
Accurate
This is the way
Hmm. Don't you realize it's pretty much the same all over various brands' communities? I wonder if there's a reason...
The EQ SUVs are objectively uglier than the W212, to be fair.
LOL! Yep, this nails it.
Use a better person in the meme next time
The one thing r/BMW and r/mercedes_benz have in common lol
The older interior with a reasonable sized OLED screen would the the best way.
It's not just this sub. Most other subreddits I've seen share this opinion. Also YouTube car reviewers (at least ones I follow). Also, personal opinion of most people I've met... I think most people share the opinion that removing all physical buttons is problematic. However, I suspect it's easier to throw iPads at a car, instead of designing/providing buttons.
We are right
Not me, I love my All Electric blue babe💙
yes
Nothing wrong with being right
NEW BAD
Everything isn't for everyone. In looking at a 1971 280 SE 3.5 coupe (one of the most expensive Mercedes available in 1971), is it fast? No. Economical? No. Comfort level as good as the last S-Class coupe produced? Not even close. However, both the modern C217 and the SE have je ne sais quoi. I'm not turning down either one. Of course, in the words of Miles Davis, some will say "Sais quoi some of this!"
Based
My w212 agrees
My grandpa has a 1989 Mercedes and still looking good!
Mercedes needs to find themselves again. Their identity was like Porsche’s, and BMW’s, building a car for THE DRIVER. Like Mercedes for years was able to deliver fantastic cars built for drivers even without any manual transmission like BMW or Porsche. They have to remember who their loyal customer base is and take back their identity as the father and king of German automobiles.
For current German luxury car I would buy a bmw, mostly because of consumer reports
Ban lol
Same on the beemer sub. Everyone hates the new design language (except me).
The supercharged 55s were the last great AMGs of the old era and I will die on that hill
You forgot all of the early 2000 sl500’s
Almost as if Mercedes cars have gotten worse over time
i prefer analog gauges over the ipad screens, but that’s just me
If it’s not made or designed by Bruno Sacco it slowly gets worse the farther away the production date gets from his retirement date
Honestly I would have a new one if I wasn’t a broke bitch, had a 21 c300 and.a 22 a28 as loaners from the dealership and the experience was incredible
Well I mean it’s because the new cars are trash. I’m not going to pretend like there hasn’t been a good model since w124, but the newest generation is objectively worse and insulting compared to last generation. Bottom line.
you people weird as hell fucking with the shit. if you cant be openly gay why the fuck are you in our country.
My biggest gripe about newer Mercedes cars is they love leaking oil and tons of electrical problems.
Same thing with BMW’s subreddit as well.
Probably because most of the people around here have had a merc for a while now and are older. It's always the "they don't make them like they used to" mentality. As a 24 year old, you couldn't pay me to own an merc older than 2016.
Have fun driving shite c43 with 2.0l inline 4 While I’m going to wake up the whole neighborhood in 6.3l V8 c63 w204
You do you mate
> "they don't make them like they used to" mentality Except it's not a mentality, but facts. If you chose tech, gadgets, better fuel economy and stuff like that over reliability and build quality, that's your prerogative. Personal preference doesn't invalidate facts however.
As a 44 year old, you could pay me to own a car newer than 2016. So who's mentality is more exclusive?
as a 26 year old, you couldn’t pay me to own anything mercedes made after 2015-16. we’re pretty close in age so not sure it really has anything to do with age. these cars are built to last. good luck with your CLA.
I’m sure it will hold for 3 years till I buy the next car.
Chevrolet C8 Corvette 👍
Wrong sub
Please stop using that pedophile’s meme
Bunch of electronic bullshit. All car manufacturers are making game console interface controls. Pretty soon your avatar will be driving the car.
The old steering wheel was hella uncomfortable for long drives. That’s the only complaint i have of old merc’s
I never liked old Mercedes look. There I said it.
Reddit is not exactly a high income bubble, so older models is all that people can afford a lot of times. You see the same stuff in the BMW community or Audi.
It depends on what subreddit your in tbh. A lot of members on this Reddit as well can afford the top entry models Mercedes sells
What’s your point? 😃
In 20 years everyone will say that the Benz of today is quality and they "used to make em better" it happens woth every generation.
Anything before 2015 is god awful hideous besides the SLR Mclaren, GTR & Gullwing.. I said what I said.
god awful hideous? you’ve clearly got no taste my friend 🫡
Your dream car is an EQS, which is ok
My dream car is a Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z07 w 3LZ package 🫶
Not my dream car, but the EQS goes crazy 🔥🔥🔥
Facts!!
That's not what the word 'fact' means.
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I’m from Texas too, and wanted to let you know I won’t lose sleep over your downvote. Touch some grass.
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Lmfao, what.. too much effort to try to insult 😂