German Car Zone

Finally!

Care to embelish a little, Mr. Mercedes?

I'm very sensitive about finish and materials.

For last generations: e46 was superbly made and finished. B7 A4 was even better-looking, better finished, but the materials were a tad less impressive (soft-paint tends to peel and it's not very appealing then). The finish was nearly prefect though. The W203 pre-FL was neither very appealing, not particularly well-finished. pretty average. Post-FL, the W203 was noticeably better, in terms of materials, but still not as good as BMW and Audi.

Actual generations: the W204 does not look strikingly expensive. Better IRL, but a bit rough; however like Martins says, absolutely bullet-proof. The Beemer is more appealing, but less convincing IRL; waiting for the FL.

But the Audi was a huge disappointment. Lots of black plastic, lots of different bits, lots of buttons...quite messy. Buttons feel a bit light, some plastic sound quite fragile (especially the silver bits around GPS/gauges)... It's not on-par with Audi's reputation, and can't really compete with BMW or Mercedes. Audi lives on its reputation, but it could fade quickly.

Just my opinion of course, but I sat in the three and that's what I thought of them.

Errmm...finally acknowledgment! lol.

I realize my posts are quite negative about the A4...
I don't mean it's badly finished. Only that I find it less impressive than the BMW and the Merc, and not on-par with Audi's reputation and with what the journalists said about it. It's surely no Lada!! Only a bit deceiving given the price and reputation of Audi in that aspect. However, the car seems to be way better than the B7 in terms of driving dynamics, so it's a matter of focus for Audi, I think!

With the W203 C-class there was something wrong with the FIT but not the FINISH> as mentioned I had two. However I must agree that the new W204 interior is SOLID and material quality is OLD SCHOOL MERC! Well build and would be hard wearing. I have to say that BMW intended for interior "use" daily - for example if - in the E90 you specify the LEMON leather (HARD TOO CLEAN) the steering wheel stay black and the inner door handle and window switchgear stay black - for dirty hands! In the W204 you can see the same approach in terms of two - tone. BUT DIG THIS - IN THE E90 - FOR EXAMPLE - IN TOTAL AREA COVERED WITH SOFT TOUCH MATERIALS - THERE IS NO MATCH!

Would any one know if somebody @ BMW AG - read this thread? BMW MUST NOT GO THE AUDI WAY - these days there are too much talk about: Material Costs & Profit etc. WHAT ABOUT FUTURE QUALITY????

LOL Human. The only reason that the steering wheel and grab handles on an E90 with the lemon interior are black is because BMW didn't want drivers puking in their cars upon laying eyes on a lemon yellow steering wheel and door handles.

i would love to defend a4 but since i have only been in 3er and the current gen c-class i better keep my mouth shut.

between the two tho, i think c-class has better material quality.