Merc1

Also on the sales issue, BMW's lineup as a whole is a lot newer than Mercedes' so of course they're going to set the sales charts on fire - in short they've been working overtime to gain the lead.

Nearly every single BMW model is no older than 3 years. The 7-Series came out in 2002, the 5 and 6-Series in 2003, the X3 & 1-Series in 2004 and 3-Series in 2005. Only the X5 is older than 3 years having arrived for 2000.

Now if an when Mercedes has a new S, revamped E and new C all on the market and they still can't suprass BMW then IMO there will be something major to worry about. The outgoing S-Class goes back to 1998! The E-Class came out in 2002 and the C in 2000, quite a difference from BMW.

Is this BMW's fault? No. The A, B, M, R, S, and upcoming GL combined with a new C, facelifted SL and E, should turn the tide for Mercedes, and there is evidence of this already because Mercedes sales are finally growing, late as it is in the year.

Anyone that revamps their entire lineup in just a little over 3 years is bound to experience tremendous sales growth. If all the new products had gone unnoticed BMW would be in real trouble.

Now when MB replaces all their bread and butter cars (like BMW has since 2002) and still can't catch BMW, then and only then will the order have truly changed.

This is a temporary situation in my opinion. Now we'll see in the next 12-18 months if I'm wrong or not. If so I'll be the first to admit it.

M