Where did I go wrong???? (editorial)
06-19-2007, 12:30 PM
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My Ride: 07' 550i sport; Sapphire Black/Auburn; sport package; steptronic; navigation with R.T.T.I.; heads up; cold weather package; Logic-7; BMW MOST ipod kit; Motorola V3 snap-in adapter; rear heated seats and rear shades; anthracite headliner; sirrius sat. radio; M-aero kit; OEM style 166 Wheels with 245/35-19 front and 285/30-19 rear Michelin PS2s.
My younger sister, whom I inundated with endless automotive information growing up now lusts after....
A 6 cyl. Mercedes mini-van?
Like many people, my sister has the impression that Mercedes is the holy grail of cars. Fine, I can't change people's perceptions. But take a gander at this list of salient info. about my sister, who is shopping for a new car as her lease (C240 4matic) is up shortly:
1) She drives very fast/rambunctious in town;
2) She is not a driving enthusiast - i.e. drives with one hand on the wheel, talks constantly on the phone;
3) She is a bad driver having caused five at-fault accidents in the last six years, three of which invloved only one car, three of which were serious and two resulted in totalled vehicles (mercedes). She does not pay enough attention to the road; and
4) She is 5'8", absolutely beautiful, 25, single with no kids!
IS SHE DOING THIS TO HURT ME - an R350 Mercedes!!! An SLK sure, no problem. But a minivan!
Then to add insult to injury she tells me, as I am taking the R out of port on a test drive with her, that it's "fun" to drive and a "performance" car, comparable to my wife's X5!
In case any of you haven't driven an X5, regardless of how it's optioned, it's one of a handful of select SUVs that can be pushed on a racetrack without feeling that you are completely abusing the car. Our X5 is tremendously satisfying to drive briskly on a mountain road, even through very tight curves. The body roll on the R class is tremendous! The steering wheel is dead in your hands. Etc, Etc.... Its a Mercedes!
Everyone knows a Porsche is a great sports car. Few people will suggest to a 911 driver that they try another car to compare. But seemingly very few people really understand the difference between a BMW and a Merc. or Audi. For those that do know the difference, no explanation is needed and for those that just don't get it, none is possible....
I'm going to set her up with a 3 series wagon test drive (she doesn't like SUVs) and that's the most I can do. Wish me luck.
-DRP
A 6 cyl. Mercedes mini-van?
Like many people, my sister has the impression that Mercedes is the holy grail of cars. Fine, I can't change people's perceptions. But take a gander at this list of salient info. about my sister, who is shopping for a new car as her lease (C240 4matic) is up shortly:
1) She drives very fast/rambunctious in town;
2) She is not a driving enthusiast - i.e. drives with one hand on the wheel, talks constantly on the phone;
3) She is a bad driver having caused five at-fault accidents in the last six years, three of which invloved only one car, three of which were serious and two resulted in totalled vehicles (mercedes). She does not pay enough attention to the road; and
4) She is 5'8", absolutely beautiful, 25, single with no kids!
IS SHE DOING THIS TO HURT ME - an R350 Mercedes!!! An SLK sure, no problem. But a minivan!
Then to add insult to injury she tells me, as I am taking the R out of port on a test drive with her, that it's "fun" to drive and a "performance" car, comparable to my wife's X5!
In case any of you haven't driven an X5, regardless of how it's optioned, it's one of a handful of select SUVs that can be pushed on a racetrack without feeling that you are completely abusing the car. Our X5 is tremendously satisfying to drive briskly on a mountain road, even through very tight curves. The body roll on the R class is tremendous! The steering wheel is dead in your hands. Etc, Etc.... Its a Mercedes!
Everyone knows a Porsche is a great sports car. Few people will suggest to a 911 driver that they try another car to compare. But seemingly very few people really understand the difference between a BMW and a Merc. or Audi. For those that do know the difference, no explanation is needed and for those that just don't get it, none is possible....
I'm going to set her up with a 3 series wagon test drive (she doesn't like SUVs) and that's the most I can do. Wish me luck.
-DRP
06-19-2007, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 550isport' post='437498' date='Jun 19 2007, 10:30 PM
...
4) She is 5'8", absolutely beautiful, 25, single with no kids!
...
I'm going to set her up with a 3 series wagon test drive (she doesn't like SUVs) and that's the most I can do. Wish me luck.
...
4) She is 5'8", absolutely beautiful, 25, single with no kids!
...
I'm going to set her up with a 3 series wagon test drive (she doesn't like SUVs) and that's the most I can do. Wish me luck.
...
absolutely beautiful? Still single, no kids... 
06-19-2007, 01:11 PM
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My Ride: 07' 530d - M-Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Dakota leather
08' 120i - M-Sport - Alpine White III / Black Sensatec
Yeah a E91 would probably be a good idea. But I must warn you, the trunk is extremely small.
06-19-2007, 01:42 PM
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Look at it this way: The probability seems rather high that whatever she buys will be wrecked within the year, so if it's a Mercedes, the loss will not be so hard on you. But a wrecked BMW, that would hurt a lot more. Let her get the Mercedes.
06-19-2007, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by enelrojo' post='437532' date='Jun 19 2007, 11:49 PM
Your sister's phone number, please.
06-19-2007, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 550isport' post='437498' date='Jun 19 2007, 04:30 PM
4) She is 5'8", absolutely beautiful, 25, single with no kids!
06-19-2007, 07:22 PM
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Thanks for sending me pics of your sister DRP. 
As for the car, just let her get what she wants. She's not a driving enthusiast as you've said, so the driving characteristics of a BMW or a Porsche will be lost on her. She's more after style, luxury and comfort so the Benz seems to fit those standards. If she likes the look of an R-Class, so be it.
BTW, a few months ago, I saw a blacked out R-Class and thought it looked really good.
As for the car, just let her get what she wants. She's not a driving enthusiast as you've said, so the driving characteristics of a BMW or a Porsche will be lost on her. She's more after style, luxury and comfort so the Benz seems to fit those standards. If she likes the look of an R-Class, so be it.
BTW, a few months ago, I saw a blacked out R-Class and thought it looked really good.