In which aspects do German cars (Mercedes, BMW, etc.) dominate over the American and Japanese makes?

Question

I want the current trend, i.e. after 2000 & not that of the 80s or 90s.

Answer 1

Answer: Price.

Virtually every Consumer Reports ranking release has totally panned BMW and Mercedes. Statistically they suck. The funny thing to me is that people spend $20K more for these cars than they are worth to impress other people, but when I see someone driving one I think, "There goes a dumb-sh**".

Stick with Lexus.


Anecdotal evidence:
My boss got a new Mercedes - don't know the model, but a big one. First time I rode in it water leaked in through the ceiling light - hah! What a piece of junk.

My sister-in-law's sister (if you follow that) got a new Mercedes and it refused to start several times the first week; something wrong with the anti-theft system. She needs her car so bad (sales job) that she traded it in week 1, taking a big loss.

Answer 2

I think it is more of a brand name thing then anything. U always see bmw's and benz's in movies. I wouldn't really say they dominate, but when u combine them I suppose. If I had my choice I would definitely go Japanese. Have u ever been in a benz? The interior is bland, nothing special, the cars also become s**t after a few years. You don't buy a benz or beemer for the long run. They are cars for the now, maybe that is why u say they dominate now. All other makes r still running from before. I am not an expert on these German cars, but I have had to perform a few safety tests on them. Some of them I was afraid to drive just from starting it up. Cadillacs are the same way, not for the long run. They leak like crazy. That is why I am a big fan of the Japanese. They do have their probs too though.

Answer 3

The German makes hold their values better than comparable American luxury cars and are more of a status symbol as well. I would say the Japanese luxury makes hold their value just as well and are even maybe a little more reliable though. I used to own a pampered 1987 Mercedes 300E, which was the top of the line E-class of that day, and it was a tremendously unreliable car. High quality materials and very well built, but anything and everything electrical crapped out far too early, early transmission failure, and trouble keeping it running properly. The most expensive, yet most unreliable car I've owned yet. I read, I believe on Yahoo news a couple years ago, that Mercedes quality is getting worse and actually lower in score than some American makes in terms of reliability. Great ornaments for your driveway to show off and that's about it. If you want a luxury car you can actually drive dependably as your main transport, try one from the Japanese instead, like Lexus, or save yourself $5k and buy a comparable American model.

Answer 4

I have had several American and Japanese cars, and one German car (so far). For fit and finish, German cars hands down. Safety? Well totalled a Toyota and a Pontiac Bonneville and walked away from both. My Mercedes has air bags all over it, but thankfully have not had to use them yet. Believe it or not though, my Toyotas were least reliable, with my German and American (GM, Chrysler) cars both were very reliable. As far as domination? The handling in my Mercedes is awesome compared to anything else I've had. And I feel great driving it!

Answer 5

The German cars are usually pretty solid and built well..the only problem is that maintenance and upgrades are very expensive. Even Volkswagen isn't cheap anymore..it used to be. Fixing a VW is just as bad as some of the other German cars. VW in my opinion is just one lousy car. It breaks down often and has alot of mechanical problems. Audi isn't that much better, they cost as much as Benz and BMW now.

Higher end Japanese cars like the new Acura TL, TSX and Type R Toyota Lexus brand, Nissan Infinity are just as technologically advanced as the Germans now.

Americans don't have a decent car unless you count the new 06' Corvette C6. that is one fast car.
everything coming from America isn't worth the time.

Answer 6

It won't be correct to generalize like that, If you'd compare, say Mercedes to a Chrysler it would be more correct.
German cars have good interior quality and lots of advanced technology. One thing for sure - German cars are designed to handle better at higher speed.

Answer 7

in all the aspects that are possible. I'm not going to say that german cars are better then japanese cars becuase I havn't had any japenese cars, but I did have a lot of american car and I am happy that I got rid of them and got me a mercedes which I am keeping untill it dies.

Answer 8

to be honest the others have said exactly what you're looking for but as for one person who mentioned lexus...take the RX class for example...if you look inside an RX and then a Toyota Highlander they are exactly the same...no difference at all (except lexus not toyota insignia) but people still buy a lexus because its a lexus...people will continue to buy a mercedes/bmw because of the niche level...its just the perception of having a higher quality car (in most cases these are correct)....

Answer 9

BMWs are the "Ultimate Driving Machine". It the ultimate driving experience with its road hugging suspension, access to unbelievable horsepower and torque, and sleek racing design.

The thing I love about BMW is that their designs never get old. You can own a 1999 BMW and people would think its new.

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Two areas:
1. price
2. horse power

the big two german auto makers now produce cars with worse reliability than american cars
and Japanese cars are still nearly twice as reliabile as either

this as per consumer reports