E39 or W210
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camry
E39 or W210
Hello all
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I am new to the German experience and I have narrowed down my choices to the e39 530i (02/03) or a w210 E430 (01/02). I am not a DIYer so the work done on the car would have to be done by an independent mechanic or dealership. I have been doing my research online and they both seem to have a fair share of their problems. Ideally, I would like to keep the car for at least 5 years or more. I‘d like to get some suggestions in terms of reliability and maintenance regarding this two vehicles as well as which vehicle you would recommend, thanks. How would it compare in longevity, reliability and cost of maintenance?
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I am new to the German experience and I have narrowed down my choices to the e39 530i (02/03) or a w210 E430 (01/02). I am not a DIYer so the work done on the car would have to be done by an independent mechanic or dealership. I have been doing my research online and they both seem to have a fair share of their problems. Ideally, I would like to keep the car for at least 5 years or more. I‘d like to get some suggestions in terms of reliability and maintenance regarding this two vehicles as well as which vehicle you would recommend, thanks. How would it compare in longevity, reliability and cost of maintenance?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Hello and Welcome to the forum -
When it comes to 7-8 year old cars it is all about the maintenance/treatment they have received during their life. Have each one professionally inspected by someone with knowledge of the model/year. When you know what the issues are, drive them and pick the one that feels right to you.
Since you drive a Toyota I might mention that the cars you are interested in generally take a bit more maintenance.
When it comes to 7-8 year old cars it is all about the maintenance/treatment they have received during their life. Have each one professionally inspected by someone with knowledge of the model/year. When you know what the issues are, drive them and pick the one that feels right to you.
Since you drive a Toyota I might mention that the cars you are interested in generally take a bit more maintenance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,021
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
Personally I'd go with the E430, or look for a E39 540i/6. Between this site and bimmerforums you would have a lot of support when you needed it. RichardM98 said it right though, maintainence is huge
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
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1996 E300D
W210 IMHO. I searched and bought a great 6-speed 540i, did some Dinan upgrades to stage 2 - loved the power, hated keeping a list of "to do" repairs on the beast the whole time I owned it! Not a well built machine at all as compared to my 2000 A8 or 1996 E300d. Both the Audi and MB have clearly better material specification qualities (to the component level). I do most of my own work, and have wrenched on all 3 noted - big difference, especially if you plan to have a shop doing the work and not yourself!
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
2012 CLS550 4MATIC, 2009 CLK550 Cabriolet, 2002 E320 4MATIC Wagon
That's a tough choice. The E39 is one of my favorite sedan offerings ever from BMW just as the w210 is one of my all-time favorite Benz models.
Pros for the E430 benz would be that it has more power and thrust, and has a more solid feel to the drive. Also, i.m.o. i think the post-facelift w210 cars have aged very gracefully over the years. The e39 series from BMW has been looking very dated ever since the debut of the E60.
Pros for the Bimmer would be its handling/steering/braking, better fuel efficiency, more fun-to-drive (especially so if equipped w/ the standard 6spd gearbox), and possibly better electronic dependability.
Pros for the E430 benz would be that it has more power and thrust, and has a more solid feel to the drive. Also, i.m.o. i think the post-facelift w210 cars have aged very gracefully over the years. The e39 series from BMW has been looking very dated ever since the debut of the E60.
Pros for the Bimmer would be its handling/steering/braking, better fuel efficiency, more fun-to-drive (especially so if equipped w/ the standard 6spd gearbox), and possibly better electronic dependability.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
70k miles
Black heated and air seats etc.
12k or best offer
Nav
north of Seattle
Plenty of them in Ca. also
Just gotta shop around
12k or best offer
Nav
north of Seattle
Plenty of them in Ca. also
Just gotta shop around
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 273
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From: Lincoln, NE
2002 Mercedes Benz E320
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
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w210 Estate
*my first post on this site* 
Hi, so i have just changed from an e39 (which i owned for 3 months) to a w210 estate which i have owned for 24hrs or so.
While the bmw was seemingly well put together, mine had a serious issue with the torque converter and it had to go... and saying that even if it hadnt had that issue, i would have got rid of it at some point anyway. The e39 series hase a massive list of common problems (which i overlooked) and without serious investment would have nerver been fixed. They also have their own wheel PCD/offset so other models wheels wont fit... i could go on and on.... personally i would never ever go back to BMW especially an e39.
Look in the bmw 5 series forums the most common issue is the "shimmy" grrrr... blooming wheel wobble that just wont go away regardless of alignment/balance/bushes etc...
ive had mercs in the past and for some crazy reason decided on the bmw
.... never again...
Love the w210...
--Yolandie
Hi, so i have just changed from an e39 (which i owned for 3 months) to a w210 estate which i have owned for 24hrs or so.
While the bmw was seemingly well put together, mine had a serious issue with the torque converter and it had to go... and saying that even if it hadnt had that issue, i would have got rid of it at some point anyway. The e39 series hase a massive list of common problems (which i overlooked) and without serious investment would have nerver been fixed. They also have their own wheel PCD/offset so other models wheels wont fit... i could go on and on.... personally i would never ever go back to BMW especially an e39.
Look in the bmw 5 series forums the most common issue is the "shimmy" grrrr... blooming wheel wobble that just wont go away regardless of alignment/balance/bushes etc...
ive had mercs in the past and for some crazy reason decided on the bmw
.... never again...Love the w210...
--Yolandie
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
I have to say my w210 has been the best German car I've ever owned. Even my BMW M3 I have sitting in the garage has a lot more issues than my MB and I rarely drive the M3. I say find a low mileage E55 if your into power, if your looking more for reliability than go with the E320. Cheaper and gas than a 430 and plenty of power when you need.l it. Test drive one. I've never drive a full size sedan with only 220hp that performs like this.
