190E 16V

Just a subjective personal experience I wanted to share...

I took my MB over to an a/c shop today. They were nice guys - apologized that they could not work on my car, rightaway, but I could have a loaner if I left my MB.
- the car, a 1996 Lexus ES 300, in gold/beige exterior with taffy-coloured leather interior.



I have to say that I was a bit perversely, intrigued. I had never driven a Lexus before - what was it like???

This '96, though new after all W124's had ceased production, was far from a pristine model. 200,000 MILES, Check Engine light permanently illuminated, half of the cluster lights were out, and it smelled like a cheap motel room, a smoker's car, for sure.

There was good too, once we got going. Ran well, drove nicely, and very "peppy", but the engine tone and feel, on accerleration, reminded me a bit of my 1989 Taurus. Everything worked very smoothly, and quietly, even, with a Jello-soft ride.

The interior seemed to be all rounded and soft dash material and plastic, and spartan.
The leather seats held up well, without sagging, after 200K miles, but I felt like I was sitting on the bucket seat, but not in it.

Not a fair comparison, because of the Lexus' mileage, and this must be nearly a base model, however, it was clearly very far removed from the realm of Mercedes.

I am sure this is just a Camry-derived Lexus. I don't know about their other luxury cars, but Toyota was reaching when they called this a Lexus, a marque touted as a rival to the german luxury cars.

I bet it needs less maintenance than my car, though. $$$$$$$

Saijin_Naib

They still are just the Carmy/Corolla for the most part.

Watch Top Gear, Clarkson says lexus are only for accounts and people named Brian. Horribly boring, unenjoyable cars.

I agree.

190E 16V

Reasons NOT to be an Accountant (or a Brian):
1) Drives Lexus
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spetz

The ES300 is a Camry with a different shell though.
The GS300 or LS400 of the time would be a different story, I am sure.

And, if you want a sporty luxury car you buy a BMW, not a Mercedes anyway.

bigdogbitu

I owned a 1989 300E and a 1993 Lexus ES300 together for about 13 years. Mercedes had an old world refinement while the Lexus was more modern. I enjoyed both cars but each had similar maintenance issues (both expensive). I sold the Lexus (125,000 miles) and still have the Mercedes that had only 67,000 miles at the time. I would have been happy to keep either car.

190E 16V

Thanks for sharing that with us. You have intimate knowledge of both cars, and it sounds like you would be the most qualified to judge.

Do you mind if I ask you, what convinced you to buy each car, in the first place? They would have been substantial money at the time.

190E 16V

I'd be interested to know how more about the LS400 experience.
Of course, any Lexus, apart from the 'F',is probably closer to the MB philosophy than that of the BMW.

ZorroAMG

This isn't 1997. Mercedes has great sporty cars....ever heard of the C63? Google it.

190E 16V

Hey Zorro,
You might enjoy this thread, if you haven't seen it:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...hing-w124.html

An emotional arguememt that won't be put to bed.

BJaltima

I almost bought a 96 es300 before I found my 400e. I drove it, had more pep than I was expecting but it was trashed and I was buying it off some ghetto kid that I doubt knew anything about taking care of the car. Luckily, I found my 4ooE the following weekend and for the same price :p

I must say though, comparing an es300 to a w124 isn't a good comparison. Like others have said, the Es300 is just an overpriced Camry....rather boring, like all other LExus'. The LS however is an amazingly beautiful car as far as quality and comfort. My friend's family in high school only drove used LS's. And I purchased one last year (1991 model) that was just like brand new with less than 100k on it and I still turned around and sold it for almost 6k!!! That car is what made Lexus so popular and it is still it's flagship vehicle.

bigdogbitu

My 190E was totalled in an accident at 18,000 miles and I replaced it with a 300E. Traditional luxury and Mercedes quality and no disappointments! We bought a Lexus ES300 in 1993 for it's modern luxury, features and styling. The Lexus had a pillow soft ride, nice features (stereo, interior and exterior lighting) and just modern up to date styling. Front wheel drive I could take it or leave it. My wife drove the Lexus about 90% of the time.

I sold the Lexus because of the mileage and a friend's son liked it so off it went. My Mercedes is still with me but it has become incontinent and pees on the garage floor at night. Quite typical of the the M103 engine that leaks at both front and rear seals! Still a great car! Has 102K on it now.

190E 16V

Thanks, BigDog;
Sounds like you bought both for exactly what they are. Nice to see that you still value the MB. I hope someone still feels I'm worth keeping when I'm incontinent, LOL!

spetz

Well, in the topic we are talking about the 90s.
And yes, C63, but how does it compare to an E90/92 M3?


Either way, I meant more the fact that each and every BMW you buy will have some sort of a sporty feel, where as the counterpart Mercedes will not.

eg, E46 and W203
E39 and W210
etc

Mercedes just have a different philosophy and in the end it depends what each person prefers