The maxim doesn't overperform - if any MG overperforms, it's the MG34.
Nobody i know wins high level 1v1s only because they build plenty of maxims. In teamgames they are able to push at the beginning, but they offer no late game potential. They get decimated by mortar(-halftracks), artillery, vet infantry with upgrades, well placed grenades, and especially vet1 MG34/42s.
they are kind of a problem in team games. germans really cant punish it until a walking stuka comes out and even then good players dont set up in a line and just dodge it when they hear the noise. ive been seeing 3 players in a 3v3 all spam maxims. they may not have a ton of late game, but the early push gives the soviets an advantage, then they can just put them in buildings and put mines everywhere. all this does is drag out the game while soviets stall for isus. the whole game is just camping, its extremely boring and its not hard at all to do.
for people who like the compare maxim/mg42 and isu/elefant, i would love to see a single replay of 3 german players all spamming mg42 and then going straight for elefants.