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Post by racingteatray on Apr 3, 2019 12:51:04 GMT
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Post by Ben on Apr 3, 2019 13:27:01 GMT
A-Class Saloon is really aimed towards China methinks. There is (a tad) more room in the back, and there will be a LWB version too.
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Post by Blarno on Apr 4, 2019 16:07:15 GMT
Mercedes are to blame for this whole niche thing remember? 4 door coupe versions of 4 door saloons, followed by estate versions of said 4 door coupes when an estate version of the 4 door saloon is already available. BMW and Audi had to follow suit just to keep up.
Easy money for them: Build a car very similar to one they already build, tell the people that they want it and the people will buy it.
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Post by Tim on Apr 5, 2019 8:25:27 GMT
Mercedes are to blame for this whole niche thing remember? 4 door coupe versions of 4 door saloons, followed by estate versions of said 4 door coupes when an estate version of the 4 door saloon is already available. BMW and Audi had to follow suit just to keep up. Easy money for them: Build a car very similar to one they already build, tell the people that they want it and the people will buy it. You forgot the bit about charging the gullible buyers more because 'it's one of them Coupe things innit'. Did Merc only do the CLS shooting brake for one model run? |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Apr 5, 2019 8:50:33 GMT
There really should be some sort of legislation to stop these companies forcing us to buy their products. Surely it's unethical?
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Post by PetrolEd on Apr 5, 2019 9:09:45 GMT
But every now and then mixed among the ugly and hideous a little star is born like the old CLS Estate.
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Post by ChrisM on Apr 5, 2019 10:09:01 GMT
There really should be some sort of legislation to stop these companies forcing us to buy their products. Surely it's unethical? Nobody is forced to buy a Mercedes or BMW......... |
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Post by Blarno on Apr 5, 2019 10:54:55 GMT
But every now and then mixed among the ugly and hideous a little star is born like the old CLS Estate.
That's one of the cars I never got. You buy an estate (usually) because you want practicality, so why buy an estate that's a less practical version of the similarly sized estate already in the range?
And it looked like it had been bent in the middle.
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Post by Martin on Apr 5, 2019 11:01:57 GMT
But every now and then mixed among the ugly and hideous a little star is born like the old CLS Estate.
That's one of the cars I never got. You buy an estate (usually) because you want practicality, so why buy an estate that's a less practical version of the similarly sized estate already in the range?
And it looked like it had been bent in the middle.
The biggest issue I have with is it that it looks like a Hearse. I don’t think the practicality was an issue because you had the E Estate for that, it was more of a hatchback version in my view. Should have been ideal for me last time around, but the terrible front seats and styling meant it was a non starter. I did really like the facelift of the last model CLS though. |
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Post by Blarno on Apr 5, 2019 11:07:49 GMT
That's one of the cars I never got. You buy an estate (usually) because you want practicality, so why buy an estate that's a less practical version of the similarly sized estate already in the range?
And it looked like it had been bent in the middle.
The biggest issue I have with is it that it looks like a Hearse. I don’t think the practicality was an issue because you had the E Estate for that, it was more of a hatchback version in my view. Should have been ideal for me last time around, but the terrible front seats and styling meant it was a non starter. I did really like the facelift of the last model CLS though. That kind of proves my point. If you want a large Mercedes estate, you buy the E Class, not the CLS.
The problem I have with a lot of niche cars is that they are too close in nature to other vehicles in the range. Choice is always a good thing, but the boundaries are being blurred more and more between models.
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Post by Martin on Apr 5, 2019 11:11:25 GMT
The biggest issue I have with is it that it looks like a Hearse. I don’t think the practicality was an issue because you had the E Estate for that, it was more of a hatchback version in my view. Should have been ideal for me last time around, but the terrible front seats and styling meant it was a non starter. I did really like the facelift of the last model CLS though. That kind of proves my point. If you want a large Mercedes estate, you buy the E Class, not the CLS.
The problem I have with a lot of niche cars is that they are too close in nature to other vehicles in the range. Choice is always a good thing, but the boundaries are being blurred more and more between models.
Yes, but if you don’t want a boxy estate and a saloon isn’t practical..... My Dad was pleased that BMW launched the 6GT, because he needed a decent size boot opening and it meant he didn’t have to have another estate. He loves the way it looks too, appreciate not everyone will agree but the slightly higher driving position is a positive now he’s in his 70s. An SUV was never an option, his view on them is about as positive as it is for electric/hybrid cars! |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Apr 5, 2019 11:34:36 GMT
I think it's interesting that we have one thread accusing manufacturers of repeatedly going the SUV route and not exploring other niches and another thread complaining that manufacturers are exploring too many niches.
At the end of the day the consumer will vote with their wallet.
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Post by Blarno on Apr 5, 2019 11:48:25 GMT
Yes, but if you don’t want a boxy estate and a saloon isn’t practical..... But what if the saloon isn't practical enough but the slopey not-quite-an-estate is too practical? They need to throw another niche model inbetween.
Quick! Get Mercedes on the phone, I've got an idea.............
...oh wait, that's just a hatchback.
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Post by Martin on Apr 5, 2019 12:14:44 GMT
Yes, but if you don’t want a boxy estate and a saloon isn’t practical..... But what if the saloon isn't practical enough but the slopey not-quite-an-estate is too practical? They need to throw another niche model inbetween.
Quick! Get Mercedes on the phone, I've got an idea.............
...oh wait, that's just a hatchback.
No, it’s a Gran Coupe! |
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Post by ChrisM on Apr 5, 2019 12:34:38 GMT
At least hearses have proper squared-off rear ends ........
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Post by Blarno on Apr 5, 2019 12:34:42 GMT
I though a Gran Coupe was the one in between a regular hatch and the swoopy not-quite-an-estate?
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Post by racingteatray on Apr 5, 2019 12:47:44 GMT
Sort of - it's BMW's take on a coupe with back doors and a liftback.
Basically a fastback like an old Rover Vitesse or Ford Scorpio.
To be honest, I fail to see why anyone would buy a 3-series saloon instead of a 4GC unless buying bog-standard without options or in need of a hybrid (BMW doesn't see fit to offer either a 430e or a 330e Touring for reasons unknown).
The 4GC is prettier and more practical, and has a rather more generous standard specification which means there's not even much in it price-wise if you spec a 3 saloon up to match.
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Post by Tim on Apr 5, 2019 12:47:56 GMT
I though a Gran Coupe was the one in between a regular hatch and the swoopy not-quite-an-estate? No, it's the coupe for people who want back doors. I never understood the accusation that a CLS estate looked like a hearse. They all have a gigantic windscreen and enough height in the squared off rear end for ChrisM to stack any number of random things. The CLS certainly couldn't manage that. |
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Post by Martin on Apr 5, 2019 13:06:47 GMT
Sort of - it's BMW's take on a coupe with back doors and a liftback. Basically a fastback like an old Rover Vitesse or Ford Scorpio. To be honest, I fail to see why anyone would buy a 3-series saloon instead of a 4GC unless buying bog-standard without options or in need of a hybrid (BMW doesn't see fit to offer either a 430e or a 330e Touring for reasons unknown). The 4GC is prettier and more practical, and has a rather more generous standard specification which means there's not even much in it price-wise if you spec a 3 saloon up to match. Neither can I, doesn’t make any sense, which is why you see a lot around. All our sales guys and a lot of our site managers had them, but most are now in a 530e. Not sure how that has happened because the 530e is a lot more expensive, but they’re all delighted, apart from the range. The only issue with the GC is rear headroom. |
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Post by Tim on Apr 5, 2019 13:42:34 GMT
When I was looking at potential replacements for the 320 I didn't bother looking at 4GCs but now I'm looking for them I see a lot more around and have come round to appreciate them.
They also appear to be a much more likely way to get something with electric seats which are rare on 3 series of any spec.
I know this sounds a bit 'first world' but I can't get over how many 335Ds there are that don't even have heated seats.
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Post by racingteatray on Apr 5, 2019 14:09:56 GMT
I think pretty much any MSport 4GC has heated electric leather chairs as standard doesn't it?
My annual mileage is running at about 7,000 so I don't need or want a diesel, but apart from that I should think a 435d xDrive is a fairly unbeatable everyday compromise if a 440i isn't economical enough. The only thing I'm not keen on with the xDrive variants is the apparently raised ride height compared to the normal version, which doesn't flatter the styling. |
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Post by Martin on Apr 5, 2019 15:09:44 GMT
I think pretty much any MSport 4GC has heated electric leather chairs as standard doesn't it?
My annual mileage is running at about 7,000 so I don't need or want a diesel, but apart from that I should think a 435d xDrive is a fairly unbeatable everyday compromise if a 440i isn't economical enough. The only thing I'm not keen on with the xDrive variants is the apparently raised ride height compared to the normal version, which doesn't flatter the styling. I think you need a 430+ to get memory seats. Was the same with the old 3 series coupe. |
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Post by Tim on Apr 5, 2019 16:00:39 GMT
I think pretty much any MSport 4GC has heated electric leather chairs as standard doesn't it?
My annual mileage is running at about 7,000 so I don't need or want a diesel, but apart from that I should think a 435d xDrive is a fairly unbeatable everyday compromise if a 440i isn't economical enough. The only thing I'm not keen on with the xDrive variants is the apparently raised ride height compared to the normal version, which doesn't flatter the styling. I think you need a 430+ to get memory seats. Was the same with the old 3 series coupe. I think Martin is right, it's been one of my ruses to get a 6 pot replacement! I'd be happy with a 440i but have it in my mind I want 4wd but I'm not sure why I feel that way. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2019 16:20:51 GMT
Is that the one with the pot plant or is that further up the range?
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