Has anyone asked: "Why Audi?"

[plasticpenguin]

There's a two-fold reason for asking this. Firstly, it's good for relative novice like yours truly to get various opinions. Also, secondly, there's so many different marques on offer so to choose a certain brand of car... why an Audi?

I'll be interested to have your personal views.

Cheers, PP.

 

[Flowrider99]

I bought my S5 because i wanted a 3.0 litre petrol engined car with 4 doors for under £25k and the Audi met the criteria. If Mercedes did a 3.0 litre petrol car for the same money i would have bought one. I needed a 3.0 litre or less engine because the company i used to work for paid all my fuel but only on cars upto 3 litres. If i was looking now i would consider a Mercedes C63 or E63.

 

[mxnrg]

I wanted a 6 cylinder petrol SUV costing £50-60k. Most powerful SUVs are diesels but my shortlist was:

Mercedes Benz GLC 43 AMG : Currently have a GLA, nice engine but behind on tech. Dealer couldn't source one to test drive either #SalesFail
BMW X3 M40i : Very new so no discounts, good tech but too firm a firm ride with no air suspension option.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio : Never had an Italian car, probably should have test driven it.
Volvo XC60 : No 6 cylinder option and T8 is too heavy with batteries.

Went with the SQ5 as I previously owned an A5 Sportback and liked the design, tech and drive.




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[KrisKrk]

I personally don’t fancy any of Japanese or French cars and out if German ones, there’s only one true brand: Audi.
Thats for first

Secondly, out of 4 major German brands I also choose Audi from public owners opinion.
BMW drivers they are ... well, they are who and how they are. Majority of them don’t use their brains too much, when it comes to other road users and personal wellbeing.
Mercedes drivers have ego bigger than them selfs. Again, majority of them only.
VW drivers would be usually ***** boys in smaller hatchbacks with loud exhaust and bass.
Audi drivers will have bit of all out the above but still keep calm, considerate and kind.

From what I just mentioned, it only apply to certain people. I’m not putting all into one bag. These are only my observations, personal opinion and theres plenty of outstanding examples of total opposite road/owner/driving behaviour.

Always liked Audi (or VAG platform, as previously owned Skoda Fabia) for their design, performance and engine choice.

When chosen my current 2010 A6 C6 Avant, I was after a family, bigger car, with big boot and not so big engine (had some points on the licence) and fairly good reg.


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[Corb2000]

Audi have two ace cards as far as I am concerned:
1. Their interiors really appeal to me, they look great from the driver’s seat and work well too
2. Quattro set them apart for years, ok other manufacturers have got 4wd models now but Audi have a lot of experience under their belt
I’ve owned BMW (well engineered & good to drive but a bit dull inside) and Mercedes (trading on image and almost just a fashion accessory now, all about glitz rather than engineering or quality).
I’ve also had cars from plenty of other manufacturers but none have felt so right when I was sat in the driver’s seat.
Audis are far from perfect (not the most reliable, not the best drive even) but I come back to them over & over again despite looking at all the alternatives each time.


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[joinerman]

BMW drivers they are ... well, they are who and how they are. Majority of them don’t use their brains too much, when it comes to other road users and personal wellbeing.

The other day I was cruising along as usual coming onto one of my motoways, which was very busy with inferior cars.
First off, I couldn't believe that the volume of traffic DIDN'T slow down for me AT ALL as I came off the exit slip! I had to squeeze into a barely big enough gap between two cars in order to get onto my motorway!
The driver of the car behind me did realise his mistake though and honked an apology to me with a long blast of his horn.
Unbelievably, I had to do the same again before I could get to the BMW lane.
Anyway, once I was in the BMW lane and posing along at 110 mph enjoying the adulation that the inferior car drivers were giving me, I noticed an inferior car ahead of me which was not only in the BMW lane of my motorway, but was driving at a ridiculous 70 mph!
Naturally, I got within a foot or so of his rear bumper and flashed my headlights to remind him he shouldn't be in the BMW lane of my motorway and to get out of my way.
Of course, once he realised it was a BMW behind him, he did just that, but I could hardly believe it when he pulled straight back out behind me!
He also tried to keep up with me and when he realised I would out-run him, he put on some blue lights in his front grill and urged me to get onto the hard shoulder so that he could congratulate me on my excellent car.
Needless to say, I was eager to oblige and when we had stopped, the man gave me a piece of paper confirming what I already knew - that my car goes fast!
Apparently he wants everyone to know what a superior car I have, so I had to take my drivers licence to a police station to be sent away to have some points put on! (They're not free points either - they're £20 each and I was only allowed 3.) But the man at the police station said that because I drive a BMW, it won't be much longer before I earn the full 12 points, and then I won't even NEED a driving licence, so they will take it off me!
See, now THAT'S the sort of respect you get when you own and drive a BMW!

 

[RS4B5]

AUDI BECAUSE LEGENDERY QUATTRO ( and 5 cylinders)

 

[plasticpenguin]

Nice one chaps. Yeah, I can associate with a lot of what you guys are saying.

BMWs have never really appealed to me. Their interior & dash are very staid on the 3 and 5 series, and although well screwed together, they just don't turn me on. Agree that some BMW drivers are impatient. The only Merc drivers I've come across are G Wagon drivers. Like all Chelsea tractors the drivers don't give a monkeys about others.

 

[KrisKrk]

The other day I was cruising along as usual coming onto one of my motoways, which was very busy with inferior cars.
First off, I couldn't believe that the volume of traffic DIDN'T slow down for me AT ALL as I came off the exit slip! I had to squeeze into a barely big enough gap between two cars in order to get onto my motorway!
The driver of the car behind me did realise his mistake though and honked an apology to me with a long blast of his horn.
Unbelievably, I had to do the same again before I could get to the BMW lane.
Anyway, once I was in the BMW lane and posing along at 110 mph enjoying the adulation that the inferior car drivers were giving me, I noticed an inferior car ahead of me which was not only in the BMW lane of my motorway, but was driving at a ridiculous 70 mph!
Naturally, I got within a foot or so of his rear bumper and flashed my headlights to remind him he shouldn't be in the BMW lane of my motorway and to get out of my way.
Of course, once he realised it was a BMW behind him, he did just that, but I could hardly believe it when he pulled straight back out behind me!
He also tried to keep up with me and when he realised I would out-run him, he put on some blue lights in his front grill and urged me to get onto the hard shoulder so that he could congratulate me on my excellent car.
Needless to say, I was eager to oblige and when we had stopped, the man gave me a piece of paper confirming what I already knew - that my car goes fast!
Apparently he wants everyone to know what a superior car I have, so I had to take my drivers licence to a police station to be sent away to have some points put on! (They're not free points either - they're £20 each and I was only allowed 3.) But the man at the police station said that because I drive a BMW, it won't be much longer before I earn the full 12 points, and then I won't even NEED a driving licence, so they will take it off me!
See, now THAT'S the sort of respect you get when you own and drive a BMW!

Hahaha. Sorry to hear that you gathered some points over something all drivers with heavy right foot share.
Great read tho.

I had 9 easily earned points when purchased current Audi, that I have accumulate with previously owned remapped A4 B6.
How lucky I was that two “smurf” bikers with a laser gun, thought I have deserved another 3 points.
Luckily I ended up before HM Magistrate representatives and with cat eyes from Shrek, pleaded I was only in a rush for a work meeting.
All ended up with 26 day ban and all my points have now expired and cleared off my licence.
Slap on the wrist of century.

Now I am wiser, older and clear headed. I have dropped some weight off my right foot, minute my second son was born.

Whatever car brand, it is what’s between your ears that put disgrace or pride to any car brand.

All big brands are exhibiting every year great ideas and technology packs that push them and competition further and further.
Real pleasure to eye and ear.
If all that can be even further modded, that’s even better


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[Buxton2901]

Having recently bought my A6 bitdi and having an A4 before that, I came to Audi from be having 2 Passat's previously.
I chose Audi as I loved my Passat's but wanted something a little more refined and classy. I think once you have 4 rings on your grille it's very difficult to buy anything else.

I looked at e class mercs and 5 series beamers but they just don't quite have the same interior finish or exterior styling imo. The 313 stallions under my right foot also swayed me to buy another Audi lol

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[rum4mo]

I moved from Passat 4Motion V6, which was when Passats were slightly older A4 bits and a bit of other Audi bits thrown in, when Passat become some sort of over inflated Golf with VW engines, I had to move to Audi and an S4.
One thing that I would always suggest for anyone reading this forum and this thread, think very carefully if buying into the Audi experience as in my mind buying an Audi with a VW engine in it can be very disappointing it seems.

Edit:- maybe strangely, I don't think that I am an "Audi driver", I feel and hope that I am an car owner who likes a reasonably sprightly car when the need arises, but tends to drive my wife's 1.2TSI 110PS Polo for short journeys.

Edit:- like someone else above, I think that M-B might have just attempted to get owners in from another sector of the motoring public and might just have down graded their models below the "S" ones, which might worry me a bit as wife's sister and her hubby are thinking about moving back to M-B from BMW, they attempted to move from M-B to Audi but all the local (Kent area) Audi dealers they visited seemed to have their heads up their a**es - so they just could not stand that crap when handing over cash for a new car.

 

[mxnrg]

...

Edit:- like someone else above, I think that M-B might have just attempted to get owners in from another sector of the motoring public and might just have down graded their models below the "S" ones, which might worry me a bit as wife's sister and her hubby are thinking about moving back to M-B from BMW, they attempted to move from M-B to Audi but all the local (Kent area) Audi dealers they visited seemed to have their heads up their a**es - so they just could not stand that **** when handing over cash for a new car.

I had a similar experience at the end of 4 years of owning an A5 Sportback, the sales people at my local Audi dealer in East London lost the plot on customer retention and I switched to a Mercedes Benz GLA. That was 4 years ago and I have now switched back to having a SQ5 on order after a very good interaction with a salesman at the same Audi dealer.



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[plasticpenguin]

TBH though, I think all dealerships tend to be a little detached. The first thing they think of when you walk through their door is not 'how can I help this potential customer', more like, "how much money can I suck from this gullible individual".

When I visited my local Alfa franchise, the very first thing they asked when I mentioned the new Giulia is:"This car comes optional extras such as limited slip diff blah blah blah...".

The reason why it's optional is because if you was to take up all the options, it would be almost a third of the overall retail price of the car. I only popped in for a brochure.

 

[Corb2000]

I sourced my current car using Drive the Deal, got a great discount and only met the dealer on the day I picked up the car - it cut a lot of crap out of the process!


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[rum4mo]

I sourced my current car using Drive the Deal, got a great discount and only met the dealer on the day I picked up the car - it cut a lot of **** out of the process!

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Well, when I returned to buying VW Group cars locally as previous cars, kept for 13 years had been bought abroad during the "lets use that EEC loophole and save much money", I just did the round of all the usual brokers via computer rather than waste my time and vent my spleen at some dealer's waste of my time sales person - after I got what I considered to be the best deal, which I would be travelling to collect, I added in travelling expenses and a "little bit more" made up an "what I want and what I will pay" word document which included every option etc I needed, went down to my local VW dealership, got my wife, as it was her car we were replacing, to, in response to "how can I help" just hand over that document and sat down and waited, it only took a few minutes and we shook hands. I think the plan is for you, the customer to stay in control, if you say clearly what you want, when you want it and how much you plan to pay for it, then all these sales people can say is "yes" or "no", get your figures right and act correctly and it should be easy - if you are experiencing a troublesome sales person, move on. I am always quite clear about things when I am trying to buy something with my money, I don't need to like the sales person, it is their product that I am buying - and I'm looking after my money!

 

[rum4mo]

TBH though, I think all dealerships tend to be a little detached. The first thing they think of when you walk through their door is not 'how can I help this potential customer', more like, "how much money can I suck from this gullible individual".

When I visited my local Alfa franchise, the very first thing they asked when I mentioned the new Giulia is:"This car comes optional extras such as limited slip diff blah blah blah...".

The reason why it's optional is because if you was to take up all the options, it would be almost a third of the overall retail price of the car. I only popped in for a brochure.

If I was buying a car with my heart, I'd have one of them, the one with the proper engine, but luckily it only comes with rear wheel drive!

One drawback might be that I'd spend a lot of time waiting for a recovery truck and/or at that dealers!

 

[B5NUT]

Old man has Audi or VW since I can remember, so it's a father like son thing... Been with the brand for 22 years and still own my first Audi A4 I got 22 years ago. Cannot ever see me moving away, and I'm now on Audi number 14.

 

[plasticpenguin]

If I was buying a car with my heart, I'd have one of them, the one with the proper engine, but luckily it only comes with rear wheel drive!

One drawback might be that I'd spend a lot of time waiting for a recovery truck and/or at that dealers!

Never realised Audi were that unreliable.

 

[rum4mo]

Never realised Audi were that unreliable.

Maybe I've missed the joke, but what I was meaning was that Alfa still tend to suffer from being home sick, so find any reason to get back to the dealer's workshop, sorry if I've completely missed something!

 

[plasticpenguin]

Maybe I've missed the joke, but what I was meaning was that Alfa still tend to suffer from being home sick, so find any reason to get back to the dealer's workshop, sorry if I've completely missed something!

They are old wives tales. Yes, Alfa used to be rust buckets due to inferior steel imported from the far east. But from the early 90s onwards (155 model) they have rectified most of those issues. They are no better or worse than any other marque. Engines have always been pretty bullet-proof, with one or two exceptions: Oil needs to be changed religiously every year, and if it's a smaller engine the variators tend to wear quickly, although it isn't detrimental to the rest of the engine. It just sounds like an old taxi on start-up. Change the variator every time you have a cambelt renewed.

Otherwise only small electrical issues are the only issues (bulbs blowing every 4-5 months)

 

[plasticpenguin]

If I was buying a car with my heart, I'd have one of them, the one with the proper engine, but luckily it only comes with rear wheel drive!

One drawback might be that I'd spend a lot of time waiting for a recovery truck and/or at that dealers!

What do you call a "proper engine?"

 

[plasticpenguin]

Maybe I've missed the joke, but what I was meaning was that Alfa still tend to suffer from being home sick, so find any reason to get back to the dealer's workshop, sorry if I've completely missed something!

Given that they are built in Turin and Piedmont, NW Italy I would suggest the climate isn't too disimilar to the UK

 

[rum4mo]

The big one in the cloverleaf, the one that would be able to take on the 4WD drive and still be quick enough.

It is not the rusting that would worry me, just Italian ways of putting things together, strangely I've worked with companies (the same place changing owners) for 40+ years that have all had Italian connections/owners. That Alfa looks very nice indeed, almost too nice to avoid!

 

[plasticpenguin]

The big one in the cloverleaf, the one that would be able to take on the 4WD drive and still be quick enough.

It is not the rusting that would worry me, just Italian ways of putting things together, strangely I've worked with companies (the same place changing owners) for 40+ years that have all had Italian connections/owners. That Alfa looks very nice indeed, almost too nice to avoid!

As we both have gone way off-topic, I'll start a dedicated Alfa thread.

 

[Frozenr6]

Crappy, really crappy service at the Mercedes dealer for all kinds of reasons, so far has cost them four cars and counting.

Audi has some exciting cars, but are easy sleepers as most look so similar, but the dealer treats me really quite well.

 

[QuattroCalum]

After reading this post I had a quick think and I'm on my fifth Audi now. Great cars to drive and maintain.

Audi 80 B2 with Golf GTI engine in it. Gold
Audi 80 B3 2.0 single point injection, sloooow! Black
Audi A4 B5 1.8 20v n/a, Red
Audi 100 Avant 2.0 5 cylinder (great noise) Silver
Audi A4 B6 1.8t Q Silver

 

[plasticpenguin]

Today I saw a A4 Audi that had been pimped up. Not sure of the year but it looked like a early to mid 2000s. The 'thing' (sorry for using such derogatory term) but it was slammed to the deck, and engine had some sort of bespoke exhaust.... why do people do this?

I am of the camp who preaches originality. Hate nice looking cars 'improved', although in real terms they've probably knackered the handling.

Back on topic: Over the years I've struggled to hear or experience anything nasty with Audis. This is pretty rare given all cars have their foibles in one shape or another.

 

[Jake 61]

Why Audi...
Well, I tried a BMW many moons ago, just the one. 2002 tii in red, what a weapon. The problem with it was, I got bored after putting in the third short motor, so I went back to Ford, VW, Volvo, Vauxhall, even a Fabia SDI, slower than a week in jail, that was.
Once I saw sense, I got my first Audi. That was a pig of an A3, 2.0 TDI, (BKD and nothing but trouble). But there was something about it, very nippy when it wasn't blowing turbo's and the reassuring clunk when the door shut, the comfort, the handling...etc. I bought a A4 1.8T and fell in love with the petrol engine, it was a cracking thing, only spoiled when my daughter killed it after a run in at a junction, not her fault.
I now have and have had, for going on four years, an A3 3.2 and I love it to bits. The best drivers car I have had, all things considered. It has Wietec coil overs, Neuspeed exhaust and it goes, looks and sounds lovely. Very under rated the 3.2, it's a great car and can be had quite cheap now.
I'm in no hurry to change it, but when I do it will be for another Audi with five or more petrol burning cylinders. For me, there is no alternative that you can use on a daily basis, while still taking it out for a weekend ragging.

 

[ScottishA4B9]

I think you guys need to read reviews in the car magazines for the current Alfa’s. They are STILL always breaking down!

 

[rum4mo]

Yes but, when you are waiting to be recovered/rescued, would you not still have a good feeling about jut having driven that car - maybe not.

So, maybe I should dream about Alfa and drive an S4 ?

 

[QuattroCalum]

Yes but, when you are waiting to be recovered/rescued, would you not still have a good feeling about jut having driven that car - maybe not.

So, maybe I should dream about Alfa and drive an S4 ?

I heard of a woman who burnt out the starter motor trying to restart a semi seized Alfa.
Let's say mechanical sympathy was not her strength.

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[SootySport]

Why Audi?

The mind boggling combination of models. Any model and the choice of derv/petrol coupled with 2wd or Quattro. No one else can compare, even the rest of VAG group don't supply such a vast array of variables.
Interiors are far more sophisticated than the opposition , other brands try too hard and over design there trim, dash and controls. All my opinion off course.

 

[QuattroCalum]

Why Audi?

The mind boggling combination of models. Any model and the choice of derv/petrol coupled with 2wd or Quattro. No one else can compare, even the rest of VAG group don't supply such a vast array of variables.
Interiors are far more sophisticated than the opposition , other brands try too hard and over design there trim, dash and controls. All my opinion off course.

2wd or quattro? Since I have my first quattro I no longer have that choice, quattro all the way.
One drive in the rain, round a corner, a roundabout, pull away from a junction and you just know this.

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[NevMan]

The other day I was cruising along as usual coming onto one of my motoways, which was very busy with inferior cars.
First off, I couldn't believe that the volume of traffic DIDN'T slow down for me AT ALL as I came off the exit slip! I had to squeeze into a barely big enough gap between two cars in order to get onto my motorway!
The driver of the car behind me did realise his mistake though and honked an apology to me with a long blast of his horn.
Unbelievably, I had to do the same again before I could get to the BMW lane.
Anyway, once I was in the BMW lane and posing along at 110 mph enjoying the adulation that the inferior car drivers were giving me, I noticed an inferior car ahead of me which was not only in the BMW lane of my motorway, but was driving at a ridiculous 70 mph!
Naturally, I got within a foot or so of his rear bumper and flashed my headlights to remind him he shouldn't be in the BMW lane of my motorway and to get out of my way.
Of course, once he realised it was a BMW behind him, he did just that, but I could hardly believe it when he pulled straight back out behind me!
He also tried to keep up with me and when he realised I would out-run him, he put on some blue lights in his front grill and urged me to get onto the hard shoulder so that he could congratulate me on my excellent car.
Needless to say, I was eager to oblige and when we had stopped, the man gave me a piece of paper confirming what I already knew - that my car goes fast!
Apparently he wants everyone to know what a superior car I have, so I had to take my drivers licence to a police station to be sent away to have some points put on! (They're not free points either - they're £20 each and I was only allowed 3.) But the man at the police station said that because I drive a BMW, it won't be much longer before I earn the full 12 points, and then I won't even NEED a driving licence, so they will take it off me!
See, now THAT'S the sort of respect you get when you own and drive a BMW!

Brilliant


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[Jassyo06]

Why a Audi.....after 2 in a row....there won't be a 3rd....the competition is right up there 4 rings.....and probably when l change my car in say 2 years time.....the competition will have sadly overtaken them....they're getting a tad boring looking

 

[Buxton2901]

Why a Audi.....after 2 in a row....there won't be a 3rd....the competition is right up there 4 rings.....and probably when l change my car in say 2 years time.....the competition will have sadly overtaken them....they're getting a tad boring looking

Boring in comparison to what? BMW 3 and 5 series have looked the same for years and have you been inside a Merc or beamer? The interiors are a good 5 years behind Audi. I know it's a matter of opinion but having recently gone from an A4 to A6, I looked around and drive a 5 series and an e class Merc and they just don't compare

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[QuattroCalum]

Boring in comparison to what? BMW 3 and 5 series have looked the same for years and have you been inside a Merc or beamer? The interiors are a good 5 years behind Audi. I know it's a matter of opinion but having recently gone from an A4 to A6, I looked around and drive a 5 series and an e class Merc and they just don't compare

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You either have four rings on your heart or you don't

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[Raiden]

I did like my S3 but I think it was too grown up for me. Think I typically suffer from brand loyalty.

When looking at new cars I told myself NO MATTER WHAT i'm getting a Focus MK3 RS. Jumped in it and just didn't like it and I really tried too. Never owned a Ford in my life and thought this would be my first but it wasn't doing it for me. Tried a S3 8V and yes it's better inside than a Golf but something lacking even tho it's a MK7 Golf underneath. Jumped into a Golf and I knew straight away it was for me and my MK7 is Golf is the 8th I have had.

Did think about a Merc but I just think there for people over 50. BMW had a couple in the past and there just boring

 

[QuattroCalum]

I did like my S3 but I think it was too grown up for me. Think I typically suffer from brand loyalty.

When looking at new cars I told myself NO MATTER WHAT i'm getting a Focus MK3 RS. Jumped in it and just didn't like it and I really tried too. Never owned a Ford in my life and thought this would be my first but it wasn't doing it for me. Tried a S3 8V and yes it's better inside than a Golf but something lacking even tho it's a MK7 Golf underneath. Jumped into a Golf and I knew straight away it was for me and my MK7 is Golf is the 8th I have had.

Did think about a Merc but I just think there for people over 50. BMW had a couple in the past and there just boring

Such an ageist remark, you could be hung drawn and quartered for that kind sir.

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[Jake 61]

I did like my S3 but I think it was too grown up for me. Think I typically suffer from brand loyalty.

When looking at new cars I told myself NO MATTER WHAT i'm getting a Focus MK3 RS. Jumped in it and just didn't like it and I really tried too. Never owned a Ford in my life and thought this would be my first but it wasn't doing it for me. Tried a S3 8V and yes it's better inside than a Golf but something lacking even tho it's a MK7 Golf underneath. Jumped into a Golf and I knew straight away it was for me and my MK7 is Golf is the 8th I have had.

Did think about a Merc but I just think there for people over 50. BMW had a couple in the past and there just boring

I had quite a few RS Fords over the years, still have the RS 1600i, but the best was the Group 1 MK II.
The Focus RS's just don't cut it for me. If I had to pick one, it would be the five cylinder one, don't like the new shape at all. Oh, and at 56, I don't think I would keep a Merc if I was given it...!