Opinions from my good ol' W203ers
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
Opinions from my good ol' W203ers
hey all,
A month or so ago, I was starting to part-out my coupe, but that...is kinda being held off at the moment.
My W163 recently gotten into an accident, so thats a priority replacement of my choice for now.
I am considering 3 cars as of now, budget is roughly $50-$55k max.
I will be buying it brand new. Not used.
1. e90 335xi (I know, I would buy a 2 door, but... two-2doors is a killer. I need a 4 door!) with nav, sports pkg, etc.
2. e60 535xi (with navi).
3. GS350 AWD (was gonna go with GS460, but... replacing a awd for a awd, its reasonable) with mark lev.
suggestions? I thought about another mercedes... but... maybe not.
A month or so ago, I was starting to part-out my coupe, but that...is kinda being held off at the moment.
My W163 recently gotten into an accident, so thats a priority replacement of my choice for now.
I am considering 3 cars as of now, budget is roughly $50-$55k max.
I will be buying it brand new. Not used.
1. e90 335xi (I know, I would buy a 2 door, but... two-2doors is a killer. I need a 4 door!) with nav, sports pkg, etc.
2. e60 535xi (with navi).
3. GS350 AWD (was gonna go with GS460, but... replacing a awd for a awd, its reasonable) with mark lev.
suggestions? I thought about another mercedes... but... maybe not.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Well, at least you've learned your lesson on Mercedes. 
Sounds like you're going more for luxury than sports, so a Subie Legacy GT may be too downmarket for you, but that's what I'd be looking at if I were looking for a sedan with some guts and practicality.
Make sure your kids would be ok with the rear seating in the 335 before you buy! It's tight back there.
Sounds like you're going more for luxury than sports, so a Subie Legacy GT may be too downmarket for you, but that's what I'd be looking at if I were looking for a sedan with some guts and practicality.
Make sure your kids would be ok with the rear seating in the 335 before you buy! It's tight back there.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
I agree, the 535s are a little more aesthetically more pleasing than a 335xi.
tommy, I was leaning towards a 335xi sedan, since my father would have a chance of driving it.
I considered Audi for about 5 mins. My family is not a audi family.
I personally would enjoy driving a 335xi over the others, and i think its more "mod friendly" than the other two choices. But then again. I don't know. I like all three!
but for a GS, the only "thing" I would do to it is, a set of 19" MRR GT-1, front wald lip, intake, rear roof spoiler, and rear tail light tints. thats basically it.
tommy, I was leaning towards a 335xi sedan, since my father would have a chance of driving it.
I considered Audi for about 5 mins. My family is not a audi family.
I personally would enjoy driving a 335xi over the others, and i think its more "mod friendly" than the other two choices. But then again. I don't know. I like all three!
but for a GS, the only "thing" I would do to it is, a set of 19" MRR GT-1, front wald lip, intake, rear roof spoiler, and rear tail light tints. thats basically it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Just a thought on Mercedes and the "maybe not" comment.
If you are thinking that perhaps a BMW will have less problems, be more reliable etc. you may want to really take a look.
When I bought my C230 I was looking at all manner of BMW's and
had previously had an early 3 series that was indestructable.
I had a 1981 320i, OK and older car, but when I got it in 1998 it only had 79K original miles, was immaculate and I got it for a song, drove it for 80K miles, and barely spent a dime on maint.
So I thought, hey BMW is a great car!
Well, a guy I knew was a BMW mechanic, so I started running my possible choices past him.
Wow, what a laundry list.
Don't buy this year 5 series as the valvetrain breaks, don't buy that year due to PLASTIC impellers in the water pumps that disintegrate and clog the cooling system, don't buy one with an auto, don't....
you get the idea. Don't buy the 4.0 V8 as it's prone to problems,
drive shafts need replacing after X miles...etc. etc. etc.
His car of choice? At the time he said the best engine they made was
the 3.5 6, and he wouldn't own a BMW, unless he could find an immaculate
320i (!) or an early 535 in good shape.
When I'd go looking at cars, I;d see 5 series with NEW radiators at 50K miles, as they apparently cracked? Who needs a radiator at < 50K miles.
Now all that said, the C230 hasn't been without a little drama,
but at the time we had the free maint, and BMW didn't.
Now it's the other way around.
The Lexus is nice car, and you won't have to deal with all this German car
BS. Well, they used to be #1 is satisfaction, not sure now.
If you are thinking that perhaps a BMW will have less problems, be more reliable etc. you may want to really take a look.
When I bought my C230 I was looking at all manner of BMW's and
had previously had an early 3 series that was indestructable.
I had a 1981 320i, OK and older car, but when I got it in 1998 it only had 79K original miles, was immaculate and I got it for a song, drove it for 80K miles, and barely spent a dime on maint.
So I thought, hey BMW is a great car!
Well, a guy I knew was a BMW mechanic, so I started running my possible choices past him.
Wow, what a laundry list.
Don't buy this year 5 series as the valvetrain breaks, don't buy that year due to PLASTIC impellers in the water pumps that disintegrate and clog the cooling system, don't buy one with an auto, don't....
you get the idea. Don't buy the 4.0 V8 as it's prone to problems,
drive shafts need replacing after X miles...etc. etc. etc.
His car of choice? At the time he said the best engine they made was
the 3.5 6, and he wouldn't own a BMW, unless he could find an immaculate
320i (!) or an early 535 in good shape.
When I'd go looking at cars, I;d see 5 series with NEW radiators at 50K miles, as they apparently cracked? Who needs a radiator at < 50K miles.
Now all that said, the C230 hasn't been without a little drama,
but at the time we had the free maint, and BMW didn't.
Now it's the other way around.
The Lexus is nice car, and you won't have to deal with all this German car
BS. Well, they used to be #1 is satisfaction, not sure now.
hey all,
A month or so ago, I was starting to part-out my coupe, but that...is kinda being held off at the moment.
My W163 recently gotten into an accident, so thats a priority replacement of my choice for now.
I am considering 3 cars as of now, budget is roughly $50-$55k max.
I will be buying it brand new. Not used.
1. e90 335xi (I know, I would buy a 2 door, but... two-2doors is a killer. I need a 4 door!) with nav, sports pkg, etc.
2. e60 535xi (with navi).
3. GS350 AWD (was gonna go with GS460, but... replacing a awd for a awd, its reasonable) with mark lev.
suggestions? I thought about another mercedes... but... maybe not.
A month or so ago, I was starting to part-out my coupe, but that...is kinda being held off at the moment.
My W163 recently gotten into an accident, so thats a priority replacement of my choice for now.
I am considering 3 cars as of now, budget is roughly $50-$55k max.
I will be buying it brand new. Not used.
1. e90 335xi (I know, I would buy a 2 door, but... two-2doors is a killer. I need a 4 door!) with nav, sports pkg, etc.
2. e60 535xi (with navi).
3. GS350 AWD (was gonna go with GS460, but... replacing a awd for a awd, its reasonable) with mark lev.
suggestions? I thought about another mercedes... but... maybe not.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; May 19, 2008 at 02:34 PM.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
Hmm, see if it were me I'd lead towards a 335 without iDrive. Much cleaner interior.
I like the interior of the GS as well. Clean and pleasant.
But as far as looks on the outside...I think the 335 sedan is better. But honestly, for me, the 335 or even the 328 coupe is just sick.
I like the interior of the GS as well. Clean and pleasant.
But as far as looks on the outside...I think the 335 sedan is better. But honestly, for me, the 335 or even the 328 coupe is just sick.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
I saw some bodies in white for a four door Porsche due to make a splash at Geneva next year. It might be a couple of bucks more than your budget, but it is a real Porsche and not a VW wearing a nametag.
Just the bodies sitting on stands looked like they were going faster than a BMW.
In the future there might be less of a difference between Mercedes and BMW. They have announced in the German press that they are seeking to make and source common parts for their vehicles to acheive better economies of scale. How does a Bavarian Benz sound?
Just the bodies sitting on stands looked like they were going faster than a BMW.
In the future there might be less of a difference between Mercedes and BMW. They have announced in the German press that they are seeking to make and source common parts for their vehicles to acheive better economies of scale. How does a Bavarian Benz sound?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
Went to the Lexus dealer today,
This is what the dealer offered.
Obsidian Black 08 GS350 AWD
Mark Levininson Package with Navi
Active Headlights+washers
Ventilated Front Seats
Rear Spoiler
18" G-Spider Wheels
Parking Assist with Rear view
for a hair under $46k. Not bad.
Gonna head over to BMW-Manhattan and check things out.
This is what the dealer offered.
Obsidian Black 08 GS350 AWD
Mark Levininson Package with Navi
Active Headlights+washers
Ventilated Front Seats
Rear Spoiler
18" G-Spider Wheels
Parking Assist with Rear view
for a hair under $46k. Not bad.
Gonna head over to BMW-Manhattan and check things out.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
you can get great deals on NEW 7's right now too. my dealer was giving 20k off any 7 on their lot, just like the 2008 SL550's.
p.s. Audi A8 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 750i all day, every day.
