No. In that Hampster link the other day with Harry garage man and Jeremy Clarkson they were talking peak
car, but really talking about peak technology as opposed to looks inside and out, and putting it about 2013-17.
For me in terms of reliability, aesthetic, function and form peak was way earlier, and also depended on manufacturers.
BMW 5 series (and 3) peak, in terms of dashboard design, (controls and switches) reliability, body shape style and look was the E34. Come 1995 with the redesigned front and dashboard it began to go downhill!!
By 2003 they were producing 5 series with a little shark fin on the back above the window.
With Audi and VW it came a little later. Mk4 golf was last good one (he said without checking) and the A6 estate was a truly beautiful car, circa 2002. It all came together, sun roof, dash board, body shape, engine still not too complicated and tinkerable.
In 2006 we got the NOX emissions scandal. That led to all kinds of bolox being cracked down on. From 1998ish (and on my 1998 mk2 v70 Volvo they had already started 'recyling exhaust gas twice thru the engine' in order to clean up/lower (the nox emmisions).. (but this worked better in petrol engines and not great for diesel.)
Post 1996 Audi had one of the first cat converters on the diesel 2.5 engine. If I took it off my V70 the car would go a lot better. (uses the Audi engine)
Merc design went downhill late 90s. Also quality and attention to detail, along with all the above really.
When they began to add screens instead of physical switches, a/c and cut out the sunroof [no pun intended] you knew they were selling mutton dressed up as lamb. Merc went from being incredible to produced a A series, which while still having the right look failed the Elk test and would tip over. This would never have made it to production 20 years earlier in that state.
E300T estate probably peak Merc for me, 1995. After that, 96 on, flowing lines, curved dashboards, oval twin lights. It was out with make it square and in with everything must be curved (and we'll give em cupholders)
1995 300 D. Square and perfect.
1994 W124 E Class
1991 W124 330D
Edited on 26/10/2025 at 11:34:57.
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For those of us who miss our Mercs .. look nice on the driveway...[more]