Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[Uygar]

Its funny you mention your Volvo had light coloured interior, as I used to own a 2013 Volvo S60 T5 with white coloured seats and door panels and the seats had a few marks and stains on them from use over the years and I had to buy seat covers to try and protect the seats. Those seats were the most comfortable of all the cars I owned including my W213.

Yes. Volvo seats are truly magnificent. It was one of the most comfortable interiors we have experienced. The crown still goes to our old Range Rover though. That boy was something else. If it only was reliable… .

 

[Uygar]

Cant wait to see the new head of design at Mercedes in October!

Is there a new head of design ? Finally .

 

[Uygar]

As I have already said
Personal opinions are personal and nothing else
I personally love this car outside inside
But that’s what I think
I have had BMW in the past and never complained about them. Design engines ….
Today I don’t like the design direccion. Too Japanese for my taste.
But that’s my opinion

They are on point. Hopefully this new head of design will shake things off and show us really fresh Mercedes models. It’s time for a change.
What Audi showed with the TT is truly great for both brand and the costumers.

 

[Swissbob]

Inflation is high across other car manufacturers. Walk into a BMW showroom and the prices of showroom cars today versus 5years ago, for pretty much the same models and engines ahve sky rocketed.

And the quality of the interiors went a step backwards.
At the launch of the 4series, they had physical buttons for the HVAC, after a few years they put the curved screen instead into the car.
As @Mr. Mercedes mentioned in another thread. They had a fantastic interior.

 

[Swissbob]

This VLE is an EV only or both EV and ICE?

M

First EV, later Diesel and Gasoline.
BTW will come to the USA. The gasoline version might even get a I6, because of the USA.

 

[Tuffode]

Inflation is high across other car manufacturers. Walk into a BMW showroom and the prices of showroom cars today versus 5years ago, for pretty much the same models and engines ahve sky rocketed.

At least in the US, BMWs cars have been going up well below the pace of inflation. Almost sort of gives them a pass on the lower quality materials and cost cutting. American manufacturers and companies like Porsche have increased their prices drastically, keeping up with or even passing inflation. In 2019 a base Cayenne was only 4k more than a base X5, now a base Cayenne is almost 20k more.

2019 540xi - $61k
In todays money due to inflation- $78k

2026 540xi - $67k

 

[Uygar]

At least in the US, BMWs cars have been going up well below the pace of inflation. Almost sort of gives them a pass on the lower quality materials and cost cutting. American manufacturers and companies like Porsche have increased their prices drastically, keeping up with or even passing inflation. In 2019 a base Cayenne was only 4k more than a base X5, now a base Cayenne is almost 20k more.

2019 540xi - $61k
In todays money due to inflation- $78k

2026 540xi - $67k

There’s always worse. Here in Turkiye, the cars are getting monthly price increases because of the horrible inflation. One month you think you’re finally able to buy your desired car, and next month you can’t afford it, because it saw a price increase of about %5-10. It’s just horrible in here.
It’s not only inflation, but also extremely high taxes. The government puts %220 tax on cars that have a bigger than 3.0 Liters.
Just to give an example, the M4 Competition costs around €110-120K in other European countries, but it costs around €320k in Turkiye.
Even a base 320i, or a C200 is around €110k. Just horrible.

 

[Uygar]

Mr. Gordon has a lot to say about BMW and Audi’s interiors.
No comment.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Mr. Gordon has a lot to say about BMW and Audi’s interiors.
No comment.

I mean a few people have complained about BMWs touch screen being too far away to be useful as a touch screen.
But Wagener needs to stfu.

 

[Tuffode]

It's funny that he thinks being designed in 1995 is a bad thing. Late 90s early 00s are the "in" styles for people my age, so thats a good thing I would say. It's a much better vibe to be in than a 2025 Chinese ballroom.

 

[Uygar]

It's funny that he thinks being designed in 1995 is a bad thing. Late 90s early 00s are the "in" styles for people my age, so thats a good thing I would say. It's a much better vibe to be in than a 2025 Chinese ballroom.

I know right? I can somewhat understand his comments on the iX3 but saying that Audi looks like it’s from 1995 is so funny to me. He thinks screens=future I guess. That Audi interior looks so much better than all the screen bullsh*t.
He needs to retire asap.

 

[Serpens]

I know what he's saying about the Audi, because it is reminiscent of many concepts from that time period. And Honda more to live brought it to life with the S2000 interior. I like the Audi's lack of screens but I do agree to an extent that the interior design is a bit dated, if better than what they're putting out today by a long shot. Just my opinion.

Also my opinion - I think Gorden should see himself out shortly. The next E-class and S-class designs are frozen and are great notes to leave on.

 

[SKY]

I know what he's saying about the Audi, because it is reminiscent of many concepts from that time period. And Honda more to live brought it to life with the S2000 interior. I like the Audi's lack of screens but I do agree to an extent that the interior design is a bit dated, if better than what they're putting out today by a long shot. Just my opinion.

Also my opinion - I think Gorden should see himself out shortly. The next E-class and S-class designs are frozen and are great notes to leave on.

Do you have any hopeful tips about the next E and S?

 

[klier]

I mean a few people have complained about BMWs touch screen being too far away to be useful as a touch screen.

He was talking about the panoramic display being too far away so we will still be needing the big screen to operate it. At least, I believe that was his criticism. The actual touch screen is literal centimeters from the steering wheel.

But Wagener needs to stfu.

At least it was not one of those standard answers you get because of "media training".
I disagree with everything he says and does though.

Anyways, we're having this discussing in two separate threads now. Would be nice if they can be merged.

I like the Audi's lack of screens but I do agree to an extent that the interior design is a bit dated, if better than what they're putting out today by a long shot. Just my opinion.

But there is no lack of screens. It'll have a HUD, has a digital cockpit (with additional narrow screen above it), and a pop up screen where everything you could possibly want can be shown. Remember it has physical buttons for basic functions (and digital fixed dedicated ones for the HVAC); no more screens required.

I think it looks better than anything Benz has come up with for at least a decade, whether concept or production.

 

[lukeswiss]

It's funny that he thinks being designed in 1995 is a bad thing. Late 90s early 00s are the "in" styles for people my age, so thats a good thing I would say. It's a much better vibe to be in than a 2025 Chinese ballroom.

The Audi interior is refreshingly calm. I bet everything feels nice too.

 

[klier]

There’s always worse. Here in Turkiye, the cars are getting monthly price increases because of the horrible inflation.

That's what you get with dictators, for the most part.

Very sad.

 

[Uygar]

That's what you get with dictators, for the most part.

Very sad.

Unfortunately. I'm not even gonna mention his name cause I can end up in literal JAIL !!!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I think it looks better than anything Benz has come up with for at least a decade, whether concept or production.

Of course you do.

These new interiors from BMW have absolutely no architectural relationship to the drver focused luxury sport cockpits that defined this brand.

BMW has literally gone all out generic EV with this interior layout. But it's no surprise the aficionados stand by it.

 

[Uygar]

Of course you do.

These new interiors from BMW have absolutely no architectural relationship to the drver focused luxury sport cockpits that defined this brand.

BMW has literally gone all out generic EV with this interior layout. But it's no surprise the aficionados stand by it.

I don't think klier was talking about BMW's interior.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

The trapezoidal display doesn't do it for me, in terms of making that driver-focused cockpit feel a BMW should have.
But we're wandering off topic again.