I drive a 328i. Best car I have ever owned and I have had quite a few. In my job I have met development folks from both Daimler and BMW and the BMW folks were much cooler and easy going. Daimler is just a pain to do business with. That being said, they both make great cars. The marketing people, well - what ya gonna do? You see this same subtlety placed everywhere nowadays in commercials. Tell me those two guys in the Sonic commercials aren’t bone smokers!
I agree - BMW also makes a fine machine - the lower ends are a lot of fun to drive - just like Mercedes. Can’t afford a “real” Mercedes, but love the way they look and feel.