Shadowfax: what expepnses were your friend having to chuck the car? Was it not under warranty?
I’m curious how many of those who kindly responded are wealthy, and are happy not to engage expensive cars? It’s hard not to do this in the southern CA. 
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Wealthy? My friend, I can only speak for myself, but I am not wealthy. A wealthy person would buy one of each just for lack of being able to decide.
I like fancy cars. But I’d never buy one on a budget.
I’d not own either make, but I’d lease a BMW if I was so inclined to do such a thing(lease)
Not sure what you mean. I’m in San Francisco and surrounded by all kinds of cars, many quite expensive. The only owner of a Mercedes in a small town in Iowa is showing off and might be a pain to deal with. Around here I can’t conclude anything about drivers of expensive or sporty cars. Two Google engineers, both very nice guys, drive an Audi S5 and a Booster. They can easily afford them and both like to drive.
Lease? I’d never lease a car for personal use. I’d rather be beaten with a tire iron.
@MarkM, people often impose their own standards on a situation and believe that everyone should do the same thing they would do. They make a rational choice, but fail to see that others have different circumstances and different priorities.
@jtsanders, I agree. If the money doesn’t bother you, I’ve heard they’re fun cars. I can’t afford the prices or maintenance. If you can, I tend to think reliability or long term upkeep probably isn’t an issue - you’ll trade it in before it is. So get the one that you like - but the question doesn’t really have enough about the OPs tastes to say anything that isn’t really subjective, and falls under what you’re saying.
I do think everyone who buys a new car isn’t looking to save money, whether it’s $15k or $65k or whatever. Tom and Ray long ago said the best money is to buy an old used car as most depreciation has happened, and put some money away for repairs. Anyone not doing that is just on a different point in the scale and budget, but is generally wasting money in the strictest sense.
Culture, environment and personal situations vary greatly but for myself automobiles are first and foremost just transportation and although I have a great appreciation for some of the high performance cars and especially the luxury high performance cars they are an extravagance that I feel compelled to forego. And if someone asks for opinions I don’t feel out of place saying that it seems unwise to finance (or lease) an extravagant automobile. For those who can write a check for a BMW or Mercedes or Aston Martin more power to them. There are some beautiful cars out there so they should enjoy all they can afford. But maybe easy financing makes extravagance seem acceptable.