Saying all MB models in general become classic is a pure nonsense.
There are classics in BMW & Audi model line as well.

And there are many MB models that will never become classics: R-class, A-class, B-class, C SportCoupe / CLC, CLS, ML, SLK, etc.

Today cars are less classic icons than they were in the past ... Cars today are much more a consumption goods. Technology is advancing rapidly (especially in the premium segment) - so a 10 year old car feels much older then in the past. Hardly a classic - more like a likable 10-year old car. And mind production is also increased, so the cars (except models like AMG, M, RS, SLR, R8 etc) are much less exclusive.

IMO not only BMW are suffering from this problem but MB & Audi as well.


*****

Regarding the design / styling: I find all 3 brands design-led, and expressive design wise:

BMW - avant-garde Teutonic (postmodern / deconstructivism); the most pioneering & fresh ideas; breaking norms + often controversial; respected in designer world.

Audi - modern Teutonic (techno-design); classic aesthetic; step-by-step safe approach; academically perfect.

MB - neoretro Teutonic; classic MB design with modern elements; more daring approach than Audi but not close to BMW; good but not special design.


But the cards may change in a few years. Let's wait.

I think the problem with Bangle Beemers is that they are still too young to be a classic.

In fact when a new car is relased, say the n, the n-1 quickly begins to look old and boring. In the meantime, the n-2 begins to look splendid. Happens with the MB W214, 210 and 211 for instance. Or the C-CLass: I'm starting to love the W202, and to find the W203 quite dull...

Same used to happen with BMW. When a new model n appear, it is the continuation of the precedent n-1. It looks quite similar to the precedent, but more modern. Whereas the model n-2 starts to look like a classic: it has lost the direct connection to the n, so doesn't suffer any more from the comparison. Whereas the n-1 looks like an old n...

However, then, Bangle came and changed everything: the new 5er is not any more the continuation of the old one, it is completely different. So the old one still looks good, because it is not "a 5er but old", it is designwise a different car.

But there is only one generation of Bangle cars yet. So now they begin to look quite old, but are still too young to look like a classic.

To be shorter, for me when the car n appears, it makes the n-1 look old and the n-2 look classic.

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AND THE MOST CLASSIC BMW 840 :

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THE NEXT CLASSIC BIMMER :


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I wouldn't call the E46 series a classic BMW - and I'm not sure, if it will become a classic sometime. It's more the 2002ti series that really become a classic of BMWs production. And the Z3 Coupé has more potential to be a true classic, then the Z4 Coupé!! But that's all my own opinion about that. And I think, it's difficult to say, if the new E-Class and CLK etc will become classics one time. Maybe the styling is to modern - same with BMWs and Audis current design. Those design elements are absolutely modern today, but no one knows, how this will be in future.

So, semisaleh, quite the controversial type aren't you?

We've had some lovely Mercedes Benzes in my family and I feel that many of them are almost incomparable in their timelessness. I don't have to go on to which Mercs I do think fall into the above category but what I am prepared to do is point out where I think your assertion is a gross generalisation.

The Mercedes Benz range of bread vans: oh wait, I meant people movers, the R-Class, A-Class, B-Class, Vaneo. These are destined to be classics only in the magazines of Scone and Pastry Monthly.

The CL range is based on the proportions of a barge on wheels. It's always been big and it's always been ugly.

Remember the S-Klasse Cathedral (two generations back), gosh that was hideous. Even when I see them today I recoil in horror at the vulgarity of the thing.

Now here are some modern Teutonic classics that will be classics regardless of their age:

The BMW M3. ALL of them. Every new generation gives older generations a reverance and a sense of purpose.

The Audi Quattro, short wheel base turbocharged all-wheel drive fury it's a certain classic from the Audi stable.

The Audi RS2 Avant. One of the finest looking wagons ever made and the progenitor of potent estates from the Ingolstadt stable.

The BMW 635 CSI. Elegant perfection.

I could go on, but then I'd have to start charging for my time.

This is how I think about, designs of today ;

1: Bmw 3-series (coupe)
2: Audi R8
3: Bmw X6
4: Audi A/S5
5: Mercedes-Benz Cl

i ask every body in this forum to give me 4 choices from 1-to 4 of models who concerns for the best design school in his eyes like the post above...and we will see which brand will when ???

for me:
1: mercedes s class
2:mercedes cl class
3:bmw 3er
4:audi s8

Well, that is easy – eehhh – not as easy, as I thought first.


1. BMW 3-series Coupé (E92)
2. Mercedes E-Class (W211)
3. Mercedes CL (W215)
4. BMW 6-series Cabrio (E64)

Mercedes have adapted to the market ...BMW have challenged it.

That truly is horrible