2023-07-31 -- Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung

Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung(1) is perhaps the largest car dealership I've ever encountered. It's an impressive place with striking architecture.

It was July 1978, and we were in Munich, Germany, on our way to Paris to purchase a car.

We were touring Italy for a month when we stumbled upon an Alfa Romeo Giulietta(2) in Florence(3) . The car was simply breathtaking, unlike anything I had ever seen before. (I used to collect matchbox cars and car catalogs.)

Alfa Romeo's avant-garde design was the work of Ermanno Cressoni(4) . His design was not only beautiful but also highly functional. Cressoni was a significant figure in Italian design and, later, a global influence. His impact extended beyond his own designs to those of his talented team, which included notable names like Chris Bangle(5) (BMW 7-Series(6)), Walter de Silva(7)  (Audi R8(8)), and Andreas Zapatinas(9) (Subaru Impreza(10)). Together, this trio has shaped the automotive industry, with their designs visible on countless cars worldwide. Bangle, in particular, is credited with revolutionizing automotive design.

The mechanical complexity of Alfa Romeos was a significant deterrent for my father. The absence of an authorized Alfa Romeo service center in our city further complicated matters.

Near the Alfa Romeo dealership, we spotted a newly designed Peugeot 305 SR(11) , also an Italian design by Pininfarina(12) . This encounter solidified my father's determination to purchase a car. However, French cars were more expensive in Italy than in France. So, we embarked on a journey to France, taking a train from Florence to Verona(13) to Munich. (I doubt Romeo and Juliet(14) had anything to do with our sudden automotive enthusiasm.)

At that time, a significant Iranian community resided in Germany. Hamburg was a hub for Persian rug(15) dealers, particularly those specializing in Tabriz rugs(16). Meanwhile, Munich was home to Iranian car dealers who exported vehicles to Iran.

Unexpectedly, my mother developed a preference for the Volkswagen Golf(17) . Ironically, this car was also the product of Italian design, specifically by Giorgetto Giugiaro(18) .

I remember my dad and I visiting an Iranian car dealer who convinced him to purchase a 1978 Golf L. Despite my young age of ten, I recall the dealer's tactics, which involved creating a sense of urgency and scarcity. He insisted that all cars were sold out for the year and that my dad would have to pay an additional DM2000 to secure immediate delivery.

Serendipitously, we stumbled upon a VAG(19) dealership called MAHAG(20). Unfortunately, when I attempted to find the exact location years later, I discovered multiple MAHAG dealerships, all of which had been renovated. It's a shame that I couldn't identify the specific one we visited.

My dad's attention was drawn to the newly redesigned 1978 Volkswagen Passat(21) . He decided that was the car! I was equally excited, especially after the dealer gifted me a model of the car. Little did I know that this sleek design was also the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro. 

Last December, during our trip to Munich, the rest of my family grew weary of two weeks of travel and skiing. In fact, the skiing portion was brief, as the warm weather in Kitzbühel(22), Austria, caused most of the snow to melt. Ironically, there seemed to be no sign of global warming(!) as Munich experienced temperatures of 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) on New Year's Eve.

On Afternoon, instead of watching TV, I decided to explore the Mercedes-Benz dealership I'd noticed on our way to the hotel.

I Just bought a new Mercedes for my daughter few months back. I wanted to see how much is the same car in Germany. In the US all cars were selling above manufacturer suggested prices due to global supply chain issues.

I recently purchased a new Mercedes for my daughter. Curious about the price difference, I wanted to compare it to the cost of the same model in Germany. In the US, many cars were being sold above the manufacturer's suggested retail price due to COVID related global supply chain disruptions.

I was impressed by the new Smart EQ. It would be a fantastic choice for a daily commuter vehicle.

And, to my surprise, I found the almost exact model of car I had recently purchased for my daughter.

While not an exact match in terms of trim level or engine specifications, the car was in a similar price range. In the US, these models typically come with engines that produce at least 221 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.

I must admit, I still harbor a deep affection for the classic Mercedes-Benz R107 SL, a car that captivated me as a child. Despite numerous attempts to purchase one, I've been deterred by the unattractive bumpers and headlights that adorn US-spec models.

Mercedes-Benz 450 SL European Model(23) 

Mercedes-Benz 450 SL the US Model(24) 

Despite having seen a similar AMG SL63 in San Diego, I was still captivated by the AMG SL43. Unlike the US market, which offers only the 8-cylinder SL53 and SL63, Germany had the 4-cylinder SL43. All three models boast powerful turbocharged engines, but the 2023 SL43 stands out with its Formula 1-inspired engine design.

Enough talk! Let's look at some pictures of the cars and my favorite dealership. I'll definitely make a point of visiting it again on my next trip to Munich, perhaps even first thing in the morning

The dealership also showcased many other impressive items.

Including the W201, my dream car from my early years.

The W116, particularly the 450SEL 6.9, is an iconic car. However, it also holds a bittersweet memory, as a close friend of ours who owned a 280SE tragically executed during the early days of the Iranian Revolution.

And, of course, a service department:

Unfortunately, I couldn't see the unique cars on the outdoor display. It was too dark, and I couldn't get permission to access the area from inside the dealership.

(c) I personally took these photos and own the rights to them. Please feel free to use them as you wish.

(1) https://www.mercedes-benz-muenchen.de/

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_Giulietta_%281977%29

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence

(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermanno_Cressoni

(5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bangle

(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_7_Series_%28E65%29

(7) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_de_Silva

(8) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_%28Type_42%29

(9) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Zapatinas

(10) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Impreza

(11) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_305

(12) https://pininfarina.it/en/

(13) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verona

(14) https://hyperallergic.com/646559/the-peculiar-crowds-that-line-up-to-touch-juliets-breast-in-verona/

(15) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_carpet

(16) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabriz_rug

(17) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk1

(18) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgetto_Giugiaro

(19) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Group

(20) https://www.linkedin.com/company/mahag-gruppe/

(21) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Passat#/media/File:Volkswagen_Passat_B1_5d_Jesus_Lock.jpg

(22) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitzb%C3%BChel

(23) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_R107_and_C107#/media/File:20181208_Retro_Classic_Bavaria_Mercedes_Benz_300SL_R107_850_3316.jpg

(24) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_R107_and_C107#/media/File:1988_560SL.jpg