EV charging

[monmouth]

Absolutely this. You go in one BM and you’ve been in them all. That is why I’ve only ever had one of them, although I did test drive the 4 series coupe when I was buying my current car. Plus I almost pulled the trigger on an i4 last year so I won’t say never.

That B58 engine in the ‘40’ versions of each petrol model is an absolute beaut. All the power anyone short of a psycho could need and creamy smooth. I have the 840 version as they were flogging them off at the time it was a year old for some reason. Lovely car, but I’ve only done 16000 miles and it’s now over 5 years old, so a bit of a waste. Depreciation has been about 5k a year, which compares decently with leasing costs - superbly with leasing costs of an equivalent car. Not a single problem with it except the drivers window failing, a problem I’ve had with every bmw. Luckily it was in warranty.

I’ve no experience of their electric cars, but they have gone into it bigly, and discontinued many petrol, including mine.

 

[Cooperman]

I did 95k miles in three years in an E320 company car from 2003 and in that time the springs rusted through and collapsed (twice - my fault for driving over the Severn too much, apparently), cat failed, the DPF needed replacing, two electrical sensors failed which made the car say ‘undrivable’ even though it was only a sensor fault, and some twat smashed into the back of me at Cardiff Services turn off (not the car’s fault, fair enough , but I blame it). Merc ‘recovery’ left me stranded there half a day while arguing with the lease company about where it should be taken for repair. If that had all been my money out of warranty I’d have been a bit miffed.

They asked when I left if I wanted to buy it…

Much better build quality in this E200D relic from the 1980’s.

 

[monmouth]

Much better build quality in this E200D relic from the 1980’s.

Absolutely. Mercs were proper mercs then, run by engineers, not accountants. As an ex engineer and ex financial wallah, the change since makes me very sad. I would rather my engineering side rather than my A&F side kept control. I feel the same about all product driven enterprises that just become money generators…universities (other than an select few) are but the latest, especially since they decided to go into the hotel business rather than aspirational education.

Anyway, Mercedes-Benz prided themselves on engineering, not selling as many mass market shitboxes as possible for maximum profit in those days. The 190E’s were bulletproof too.

 

[Neath_Jack]

Absolutely. Mercs were proper mercs then, run by engineers, not accountants. As an ex engineer and ex financial wallah, the change since makes me very sad. I would rather my engineering side rather than my A&F side kept control. I feel the same about all product driven enterprises that just become money generators…universities (other than an select few) are but the latest, especially since they decided to go into the hotel business rather than aspirational education.

Anyway, Mercedes-Benz prided themselves on engineering, not selling as many mass market shitboxes as possible for maximum profit in those days. The 190E’s were bulletproof too.

You’ve identified a big issue there, a company being run by accountants. In my experience whenever they get too much power, it goes tits up. They’re obviously important in a company, but should be like good referees, the ones you don’t notice are the best.

 

[Niigata Jack]

Absolutely this. You go in one BM and you’ve been in them all. That is why I’ve only ever had one of them, although I did test drive the 4 series coupe when I was buying my current car. Plus I almost pulled the trigger on an i4 last year so I won’t say never.

My mate has had a few, he had a nice Merc at one time, but sold it and bought a BM in Orange, bloody lovely that was to.
I'm not a fan myself in that I wouldn't have one, prefer the Merc's, but I wouldn't have one of those now either for various reason's.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

You’ve identified a big issue there, a company being run by accountants. In my experience whenever they get too much power, it goes tits up. They’re obviously important in a company, but should be like good referees, the ones you don’t notice are the best.

About 60% of the current FTSE 100 have an accountant as either Chair or CEO.

And they're the biggest, most successful companies in the country.

Most boards in this country are full of accountants (in the US they’re full of lawyers).

There’s a huge difference between bean counters and accountants.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

Absolutely. Mercs were proper mercs then, run by engineers, not accountants. As an ex engineer and ex financial wallah, the change since makes me very sad. I would rather my engineering side rather than my A&F side kept control. I feel the same about all product driven enterprises that just become money generators…universities (other than an select few) are but the latest, especially since they decided to go into the hotel business rather than aspirational education.

Anyway, Mercedes-Benz prided themselves on engineering, not selling as many mass market shitboxes as possible for maximum profit in those days. The 190E’s were bulletproof too.

I’ve had a Merc in the past which I liked and have a BMW at the moment.

They gave me a Merc as a courtesy car recently when my car needed a new bumper after some prat hit me and it was awful. Really cheap and plastic inside. I couldn’t wait to get rid of it. Plus its handling was poor in comparison. I was surprised.