[Insert Hitler joke here]
>>28608149W210
>>28608149Some time during the '10s, when they diluted the AMG brand with multiple tiers of model, in some cases rebadging non-AMG cars like the C450 into the AMG C43. That was also when they decided every single Mercedes sedan now needs the massive grille badge, that now lights up even, whereas Mercedes sedans before always had the hood ornament (with the grille badge being reserved for their sports cars/SUVs). This was also yet again the same period of time that they decided that piano gloss black plastic was more luxurious than genuine wood veneers, I suppose since it's easier to shove the $10 worth of Temu RGB LED strips behind them that all Mercedes now have.Even the reliability is tanking too, since we went from indestructible diesels, to AMG V8s that can go half a million miles, bulletproof V6s, and now you've got base model 4cyl Mercedes that are literally cracking their pistons causing total failures before 100k miles instead.>t. own 2 MBs, W211 + W126
departure of the dr zee.they replaced a ceo with genuine love for the brand with some economist who profitmaxxes. guy was how everyone went crazy about tesla and bastardized the brand.also started cheapening out, its no coincidence well respected build quality from the 2010s turned to absolute shit. audi isnt as bad, bmw mogs both right now
>>28608149They were the entry-level luxury brand, now nobody even understands what mercedes targets besides boomers who still think mercedes is an entry-level luxury brand.
>>28608149Catering to chink tastes
>>2860814930-some-odd years ago when they stated that they were going to build to a price instead of a standard.
When AMGs got 4 cylinders
Being a century old make tires them of creativity.
>>28608253>AMGThe dilution's gotten to a point where they sold a 130 hp FWD hatchback as "AMG" here.I think it came with an angrier looking grille + lights and an assortment of interior features.Pretty sure it also accelerates slower than a Toyota grocery getter hybrid. Maybe it's a bit more comfortable at least?
>>28608149When Sacco died
>>28612190>The dilution's gotten to a point where they sold a 130 hp FWD hatchback as "AMG" here.I can literally order a 115hp diesel "AMG-line" A class off their website
>>28610306This. Late 90s were the last truly German-engineered versions. After that, they shifted to building for status-chasing lessees and trust fund cokeheads
when they discontinued their tractor line
>>28610283And women
>>28608149This was the point of no return.
>>28613550so disgustingly present day. a soulless blob.you could put any manufacturer's badge on the front of it and I couldn't tell the difference.
>>28613571With the current A-class hybrid, your wallet can tell the difference if you can't:>new - 50k €>1 year old, 9,000 km - 38k €>2 years old, 32,000 km - 29k €>4 years old, 79,000 km - 21k €>4.5 years old, 110,000 km, multiple fault codes - 19k €But hey, you get the Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX), featuring tons of glossy plastic, shiny trim and a tablet powered by Nvidia with fancy 3D maps and speech recognition (requires an internet connection, a Mercedes me ID account and accepting the digital services end-user license agreement).
>>28613609>you get the Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX), featuring tons of glossy plastic, shiny trim and a tablet powered by Nvidia with fancy 3D maps and speech recognition (requires an internet connection, a Mercedes me ID account and accepting the digital services end-user license agreement).
>>28613550What did you expect? Audi had the A3 and BMW the 1 Series, Mercedes made the B class and decided to turn the A Class into this because two similar cars couldn't cope.
>>28613988Not putting a Renault engine in it would have been a good start
>>28608272>they replaced a ceo with genuine love for the brand with some economist who profitmaxxesThat's happening a lot with multinational companies. The original CEO that built the company resigns, dies, or is ousted and the replacement is told to profit at all costs, and they are very good at this.It appears to be cyclical. Once a company's board gets greedy and isn't happy with the golden eggs they get, they kill their golden goose for instant profit and crater their brand.
>>28608222>W210 No. In fact this was the last car before the DaimlerChrysler merger. The last true benz! Designed before the merger, and built (up to 1999) by Daimler Benz AG, which then ceased to exist forever.Other than rust problems caused by a bacteria in the paint (which were later rectified), the W210 is one of the most reliable benzes out there.To answer the OP, the downfall started with the DaimlerChrysler merger. That's when the company stopped being driven by engineers and started being driven by accountants. Before the merger, "Mercedes-Benz" meant "bullet-proof reliability" and "perfection in suspension, braking, engines and ergonomy", afterwards those were not the same criteria anymore.Nowadays "mercedes" = "luxury thing we can sell with features on par with Audio and BMW", not much than that. Before the merger, a Mercedes looked like a Merc and not like other car. Now they look like japanese cars. It really began there and they haven't recovered yet.
>>28614357the w210 was the start because it's ugly as fuck
when it became the poster car of every daddy's money arab punk
>>28614406>the w210 was the start because it's ugly as fuckNot from the inside. One of the best E-class interiors. Only the S-class W140 really tops it (and trumps everything else)
>>28613609>hybridThe most grim part about this
>>28614476I really enjoyed my S211 AMG :) I'd say the build quality was _very_high, with people rocking models 10+ years newer very jealous of the details.M156 was a pain in the ass, but a lot of fun.
When they started making cars for blacks and sand people
When they decided to start making SUVs
>>28608149when luxury became more about gadgets and performance than quality
>>28610306/thread
