ksing44

I just found out that a brand new BMW dealer is opening within one mile of my house. A Chrysler dealer moved out and the BMW dealer is currently refurbishing the site. The new 3-Series BMW coupe is probably my favorite car, at least the favorite that I can reasonably think about trying to actually purchase and own, so this is big news for me. I really think a W124 owner could be happy in a BMW 3-Series. They are renowned for their incredible road handling and they are true driver’s cars, so it seems it should be easy to love owning and driving one.

I am trying to make it until about 2010 or 2011 with my 1995 E320 and then I think I might like to try a slightly used BMW 3-series coupe. The main thing that stops me from just doing it now is the hope that new diesels will arrive that get 50 mpg or more. I sure wish they would send us a diesel 3-Series. I also don’t really want to rush out and spend $40K+ until I really have to. Oddly enough there are diesel E-Class Mercedes cars already, but I just don’t want one of them. I am pretty sure that I am done with the E-Class. I think I could like a C-Class diesel, however, if they ever appear on our shores. Then again the new C-Class styling does not really float my boat. Plus the C-Class seems to lose every time it is compared to the 3-Series BMW and as far as I know they are not building a Mercedes dealer near my house anytime soon. The other car dealers close to my home include Lexus, Honda, Nissan, and one each of the American car dealers. As I have said before, my wife’s Honda Accord is awesome in many ways. It isn’t like my W124 and I don’t really want to trade to one, but sometimes I think it might be a good decision if I could.

Anyway, I just had to tell someone that soon I will have a new BMW dealer within walking distance of my home. I guess some will say that is a good thing, because I will likely need lots of service on a BMW and I should get accustomed to walking if I buy one.

jeffreyli86

Read how much you want to get rid of your 124 on this forum or another. I mean, come on mate, these cars are ageing and they would surely require some bits and bobs. I understand why you think the newer cars are better and I won't even go there because I agree with you. However, think of the 124 as a collector's item, a toy, or a project of some kind. Sure, the 124 today might not be as good a vehicle from A to B as perhaps an Accord, but hell, if you compare cars this way then you might as well not bother with your 124. Seriously man, no offence meant but I just think it's kinda unfair

I agree the new BMWs are great. I've had the privilege to drive my friend's E92 335ci on several occasions and bloody hell it was quick and fun to drive. But bear in mind that the BMW is built for this kinda thing, the 124 is surely not. If you are looking for more of a driver's car than a car which you can be sure your family is safe and comfortable in, then just dump the 124. To be honest mate I agree with you as regards the 124 in its entirety. The 124 is just not up to the standards of the modern cars and I am sure my family and my better half is safer in perhaps the ex 219. However, try to be fair to the 124 and not compare it with modern cars. It's going to lose everytime and if you hate it so much you have to compare it this way, you might as well get rid of it while it fetches you some $$.

Just my 2p mate,
Cheers,
Jeff

shdoug

I've owned 2 BMWs and they have never needed a significant repair. They seem to be VERY well built. My first one had a passenger window that was binding in the track. They replaced the guide under warranty with no hassle and provided a loaner BMW for the 3 hours it took, AND washed and vacuumed my vehicle before returning it to me. Service has always been top notch, and I have never been disappointed with anything except the monthly payment and the damn brake dust that etches itself into the front wheels the first time you let it go a week without scrubbing it off. The W124 wheels get black and you can wipe it right off. The BMW wheels get black and some of the dust literally bonds to the wheel and becomes permanent.

I don't know how they are when they get older, but I would think that if you do the proper maintenance, they should hold up well. However, even the dealer told me that my experience is not typical. He says they "have plenty of work to do".

If you read the consumer reviews on Edmunds.com, the BMW consistently gets good reviews while the MB reviews typically are spotted with people who say things like "would never own another one" and "worse car I've ever owned" and "I wish I had my Honda back". Of course there are always the people who say things like "there's no _____, that should be standard!" Those people just didn't do their homework and unfairly give the car a poor rating.

I've driven the new 535xi, and it's a rocket. I can't imagine that twin-turbo inline 6 in the 3 coupe!

Another factor is that BMW has free maintenance for 4 years or 50,000 miles and they only require service once a year or every 15,000 miles so there's a very good chance you will get on that was properly maintained. With anything else it's a roll of the dice.

CharlestonN

Iv known quite a few people who owned BMWs and had mostly complaints about them, especially the 7 Series but i have never heard anything too awful about the 3 series other than it is too small and the interior is weak but mechanically it is supposed to be the most well built BMW if that means anything . . .

I personally will never buy a BMW but what ever floats your boat TRAITOR !

floodkid

You could allways buy a w124 thats been completly refurbished so its like a new car.
I plan on doin this to mine. think of it like a note, once a month, put money aside to spend on your car. upgrade and update, ad all the lil bits and peices that new cars have.

From what i understand, the 3 series is pretty good. Im just not fond of them. a guy i work with knows alot about BMW's. Ill try to talk to him on how he would compare the two.

Just remember, the 124's are one of the easiest cars to work on and fix up. basically, there a car for everyone. Wish they would just reproduce them brand-new... just upgrade the basic stuff like people are doin allready. Any money your 124 pulls out your pocket, is the same amount that a new car will. and at least you know all the problems that your going to have a 124. On a new car, you gota pay a mechanic to fix it.

But it all boils down to.
Do you ENJOY your 124?
If yes - make it Your car.
If no - Buy a 3 series BMW

wonoraj

The 7-series is not representative of the rest of the BMW line in terms of reliability. For the most part, they are very high maintenance. A 740i will run about $100/month on average in repairs. God help you if you get a 750i. Imagine your car with a very unreliable V6, but you also have two engines. So instead of buying one of something to fix it, you buy two.

3-series are great cars. If they've been well cared for, they're very reliable for the most part. The only problems we've had on our M is a bad wheel bearing at 65k miles and a problem with the TPS at around 52k, which my dealer was nice enough to throw under warranty, even though we were 2k miles over.

Good luck with whatever you do. You really can't go wrong.

ksing44

You do make some valid points and I do think about doing the exact same thing you have described. I may even choose to do it. Right now, however, I am thinking it would be more cost effective and reasonable to think about switching to a newer vehicle. I do love and have loved my W124, so it is not easy. That is why I keep coming back here to get opinions about the things I am thinking about for the future. I do take some bashing for even considering it, but I can take the heat to get help with my fact finding. The guys on here are not an easy sell for a car other than a W124, so this is a good place for tough scrutiny.

shadowgriffen

ksing44

Are you saying I would feel differently if I were a DIY mechanic and could fix the head gasket, front timing cover, wiring harness, transmission, and AC compressor myself? Funny thing is that I did go out and buy a decent jack and some jack stands so I could adjust my vacuum modulator myself. The dealer seemed clueless and my INDY doesn't like to get involved with the transmission. I had to do it myself. I also did some bowden cable adjustments along with the vacuum modulator adjustent to tame my 3/4 shift flair. Hey does that make me a DIY mechanic?

floodkid

Yeap!
so keep fixing more and more.
you could fix it and make it work for a long time
or
worse that could happen is youll break something and have to buy a new part, a part that probably should be replaced anyway.
replace the part yourself, cause you know how it works sense you broke it.

win-win situation

shdoug

Unless of course you actually have a life and wish to spend time with your family, etc, etc, etc.

archiguy11

Consider upgrading to a 124 E500 or 500E and you'll be driving a GREAT luxury sedan that can meet many new car performances and it'll be a unique ride to boot. The lowered stance, flared fenders, special sport leather seats, bulletproof (except wiring harness!) and Porsche derived suspension really transforms the basic 124. You'll save plenty of $$$$ from a new car and still have all the basic safety equip (ABS, traction control, airbags,) luxury and well handeling car you will ever need and its not depreciating like a falling rock!!

bluecoupe

Just f*%cking well fix the car or get a new Chevy Aveo - but for crying out loud man, give it a rest...

Jaysuus...

ksing44

This didn't start out as a bashing post, but I hear you. I joined a BMW board, but I will probably be around to ask for repair tips for a little while longer.

appatula

Yeah, seriously..... I understand where you are coming from with your W124 however its a car that will be kept on the road by passion and sometimes obsession, and usually only admired by those who do the same. It's old but has an eternal look, its becoming expensive to maintain, but is an engineering masterpiece. Go get a BMW. Come here for help with your W124, I've noticed you have posted countless threads on your problematic W124 on many other MB forums and they just keep coming. Make up your mind, several people on several forums offered to even buy your problematic car from you! Buy the Honda or buy the BMW, however, I hope you will always remember the W124 and what you have learned from it but for god sakes BE HAPPY!! Stop flooding the forums with this fine line controversy, you need to understand that what your suggesting is far from needing help or DIY tips. Its asking the forum members to help you justify buying another rival, or even worst.....a foreign car! Let us know what you end up doing, don't drag this out mate! Best of luck fellow W124 brother!

RHW

shadowgriffen

Lol

shdoug

Well, I guess ksing44 knows who his friends are NOT. I think if you don't like what he's saying, don't post. It's better to be silent then rude. It looks like he has the same issue I did; the car is rewarding, but takes so much to keep it up. He's not saying the car is crap, just that it may not be the best choice for him.

I enjoy reading everyone's posts, especially those with problems. Since this forum is based in America, and most of the members are in free countries, then freedom of speech should rule as long as we're not flaming others.

ZedStyle

whatever man. he's saying things we don't like, why do we need to be quiet? free speech and all that. i think the main issue people have is that for as long as most can remember, dude has been on here saying how much he dislikes and/or wants to sell his whip, has problems, expensive to fix, etc., but never actualy does anything about it. now, i'm sorry,but there's only so many times you can listen to the same song before you have to hit 'next'. and basically everyone is hitting next. i mean seriously, what was the point of this thread? you're nt a fan of these cars yourself, but at least you stepped up and bought something else. granted, you bought a dodge, but still.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w124/215830-just-few-more-repairs-then-goodbye.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w124/208755-i-guess-i-have-keep-now.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w124/138409-i-may-give-up-my-1995-e320.html

plus all the posts, on this site and many others. trust me, i feel the pain of someone who has to pour cash to keep the car he likes, but at the same time, we don't need to hear about on a regular basis, for 2 or 3 years. i think bluecoupe said it best a couple of posts up. in fact, that was the funniest thing i've read in a WHILE!

appatula

Okay, good. I thought I was the only one getting aggravated......

ZorroAMG

I think this thread has run its course.

I don't think additional postings are necessary from anyone.

ZedStyle

you'e not a moderator YET, buster...!

ZorroAMG

Will never be one on THISSSSS forum...perhaps the other, cooler one, eventually.

rivcal4life

I did mine with the car on the ground. And mine is lowered

Anyways. Ignore the irrationality in this thread man.

shdoug

Speechless.