Who has the best brand image??

ivanovoitch wrote: Have to agree with this sentiment. Driving the IS you get a level of respect from other drivers that you just don't get behind the wheel of a BMW, especially when it comes to pulling out into traffic. It's also very pleasant to drive all day long and not pass another on the road.

The power of understatement!

635CSI - I don't think you need to pity anybody for driving a new 3Series, I would suggest you're wasting your emotions.

Larzyh.

You mean by having chosen 1.6 liter engine? I still don't think they would care about your pity.

Larzyh.

Interesting discussion and I haven't even voted. I am impressed at the support that MB is getting, especially as this is a BMW forum.  It is unfortunate that the majority of the public don't see this side of the BMW owners and it is also entirely correct that both brands are purchased by specific demographics as is intended by the marketing departments - so we know they are doing their job well.

I suppose it really depends on what you consider brand image to mean and how you value it.  I was in the same position as Coasting when looking and I went through most of the brands and I never really considered image as the buying point, BTW the RX400H was right up there along with 3.0 Touareg.

I think that the stereotyping that goes on with respect to both makes is more detrimental to BMW in terms of the average Joe in the street when in reality it is not a representative reflection of the majority of owners.

Both have excellent racing pedigrees, both are at the forefront of introducing some of the most advanced technologies in engineering terms.

To me the BMW would be younger and more dynamic, but this can so easily become the to**er perception whereas the MB driver would older manager / accountant type hence "The Jerk in the Merc"  thats not bothered about anyone else - not sure where I fit in unless 34 makes you an Auld Fella now.  So I'm still unsure but I magine the publics perception is very much 50:50, it would really depend on the age split you ask.

635CSi - of course you can think what you like but expressing your somewhat prejudicial view on this forum is likely to generate a response; is that not the point of doing it in the first place?

You can have your view but equally allow me to challenge it each time you put it forward here.

Larzyh.

larzyh wrote: 635CSi - of course you can think what you like but expressing your somewhat prejudicial view on this forum is likely to generate a response; is that not the point of doing it in the first place? You can have your view but equally allow me to challenge it each time you put it forward here. Larzyh.

Fair enough, I agree with you. I just keep on getting the wrong end of the stick. I do tend to be prejudice I admit, but doesn't everyone...

ivanovoitch wrote: It's also very pleasant to drive all day long and not pass another on the road.

Funny you should say that - but the Lexus IS200 is fast becoming the weapon of choice for scrotes here in D15... they're all over the place, and fast catching up on the dodgy E36's.

Anyway, long and short of it is that BMW has a crap image amongst other drivers, who cares ... as long as you're not someone who perpetuates it.

kdevitt wrote: [QUOTE=ivanovoitch] Funny you should say that - but the Lexus IS200 is fast becoming the weapon of choice for scrotes here in D15... they're all over the place, and fast catching up on the dodgy E36's. Anyway, long and short of it is that BMW has a crap image amongst other drivers, who cares ... as long as you're not someone who perpetuates it.

The Altezza you mean, yes that car has seemed to have achieved cult status with 'skobes' lately. It's destroying the car's image if you ask me, look what happened to the Toyota Glanza Turbo and the Subaru Impreza.

Howard wrote: But is not Mercedes owned by Chrysler? Not much brand image there what? Howard

not any more, according to this months Evo

besides if you're going down that route, then an aston martin or a jaguar is a ford; a bugatti a volkswagen; a roller a bmw; a lamborghini an audi; a ferrari a fiat and a lexus a toyota

Edited by stephenperry

Howard wrote: Both companies have a good image in their own particlular area. But is not Mercedes owned by Chrysler? Not much brand image there what? Howard

i thought it was the other way around or an amalgamation of the 2 and merc are getting out as it is costing them 2 much.