Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Why Mercs are more suited to India than BMWs

In my view, Mercedes-Benzes are more suitable to our road conditions than are BMWs. BMWs are completely driver-focused cars. They have ultra sharp steering systems with loads of feedback that informs the driver’s palms as to what the front tyres are doing. The ultra stiff suspension systems of BMW cars are tuned more for driving pleasure than for driven pleasure. The low profile tyres also contribute to the relatively hard ride quality of BMWs. To enjoy a BMW, you need to have ultra smooth roads with flowing corners and minimal traffic and most importantly people with loads of traffic sense. These things, I need not say, are unfortunately not found aplenty in our country. When the roads are lined up with anything other than glass like surfaces, Mercedes-Benz cars are what we need. They have a cosseting ride quality that pampers the occupants. That is not to say they handle like boats. Their dynamics is also up there with the best – only that the final bit of effort goes into making the cars more comfortable to ride in.

To put it short, BMWs are “to drive” cars. Mercedes-Benzes are “to be driven in” cars. Then what about Audi?

8 comments:

Chandrasekharan said...

apt post... wat abt the driving pleasure in bens, compared to BMW apart from technical aspects...

Chandrasekharan said...

waitin for your post on elantra vs optra

S R I R A M said...

Driving pleasure is better in a BMW than it is in a Benz. I am assuming here that by "driving pleasure" you mean things like, for example, how the steering feels like to hold, turn, how the brakes are i.e. how about the feel that you get when you press the pedal, the engine sound, it's responsiveness etc.

Chandrasekharan said...

consider givin pics of cars along with the posts...

Chandrasekharan said...

can we have somethin like a picture gallery... if so, u can give pics of diff & unique cars for us to view...

S R I R A M said...

That's a good idea. I'll try to do it.

Yuppie said...

Hey i would not agree you can feel the handling difference irrespective of the condition of the roads.. and based on my little experience the roads are not that bad in india. So if i had had de money i would definitely go in for the beemer...

S R I R A M said...

I just know that if you were to see this post, you would not agree with me! (You always happily go in for rock hard suspensions :-)!).

Even at 40 kph, we can experience the handling superiority of the BMW. No doubt. But as you would agree, it'll be even more fun at thrice the speed, however. And those "thrice speeds", we can't comfortably reach here.