scottamg

Hey! Due to the fact that my car is recently totalled, I am looking at a vehicle to purchase. I have always had a Mercedes but for whatever reason have seemed to like BMW's. Give me some honest advice as far as purchasing a 2000 e 430 versus a 2000 BMW 540I!! Thanks

zam2000

I've always been a big Benz fan (except for the ML and new C), however, having driven most of the 8 cylinder Benz & BMW, up to year 2002 (not AMG though), I have to admit that the 540 beat every single one of them, hand down (driving and handling).
My last 98 528i was fun to drive, but it was a disaster in term of maintenance & repair.
The E430 look nicer inside, easier to drive, look probably more conservative & classy, but the 540, especially w/ sport package, is a beat to drive, probably have more electrical problem (oh, and the cup holder), it's every driver dream. Both the 6 speeds or automatic are fine.
I would compare the 540 with the E55. The M5 is too exotic (and doesn't come w/ automatic).

scottamg

Thanks for responding! What exactly did you have to repair on the 540 and was/is it a common problem or possibly a problem with the car that you owned? While test driving the cars, I do like the ride of the 540 with the sports package 100% better than Mercedes. I was planning on possibly buying a 540 and putting on the M5 wheels and changing the front headlights and sidemarkers to the clear white look. Thanks for being honest on the Mercedes forum!!!

paomien

I agree with zam2000. Although I own an E430, I've driven many 540i's, and the driving experience does beat the Mercedes. Although the Mercedes beats the BMW in many other aspects (i.e. build quality, etc.), for sheer driving experience I'd have to hand it to BMW. Few things to look for in a 5 series are the lousy cupholders (if you can even call them that), window regulator motors going bad, LED lights on the instrument cluster going bad, among other electrical glitches. The 5 also has less room inside than the E class does. If you want more info on the E39 5 series, check out www.roadfly.org.

Whitey

What headlamps are you planning on changing to? I thought the 2000 ones already have the angel eyes (tight )?

Again, I agree, the BM's are great in terms of responsiveness, especially on take off and handling. Mind you, the driving style and preference with Benz's is totally different and that's why the BMs are more popular with the younger (and young at heart) crowd. That's also why I have never been content with the output of my Benz. I think with the BM's your enjoyment is derived from feeling the speed, agility and not to mention a more agressive sporty styling whereas on the Benz's the pleasure come from its solidness, stability, ride quality and the image it projects.

My last BM, a 3-series (however), lost its ABS after 5 years (never bothered fixing it), the A/C had problems mentioned in another post (i.e. not blowing beyond low) after 2 yrs, the lighting system started to play up and worst, the interior lining (roof and doors) started to bubble and fall off (!!!) after about 8 years - my friend's started falling apart after 5 yrs (!!!!) - and both cars rarely see the light of day. My radiator fan also blew up without a warning after 10 years, damaging the a valve, belt and radiator. I certainly hope my Benz or the 5-series won't start doing that........

zam2000

I did not own 540, I used to own a '98 528i (6 cylinder), can't remmember much, except for the fact that I have to visit dealer every other month or so. Here's what I can get from top of my head:

* ECU: fixed under warranty, sure will cost a lot if I have to pay
* Window regulator: twice
* LCD for climate control
* Sunroof motor
* Sunroof rail (broke 3 months after replacing the motor, have to take everything apart again, very labor intensive)
* Oxygen sensor
* Catalyc converter: both have to be replaced, $1700 !!!!
* Cup holder: go through them every other month !
* Water pump (broke, and caused the car to overheat, luckily, the engine was okey)
* Lot of misc problem with sensor & electrical.

The car, w/ sport package, was a blast to drive. However, once the warranty went out, it sucked $$ like a hot babe. Needless to say, once I realize the cost & hassle overwhelm the fun, I traded it in.

DO NOT TOUCH THE NEW 745i. Everything single one of them was cursed :-)

Whitey

What is it with the cup holder? Everyone seems to curse it - can pls anyone post a pic?

Alexbenz

i got a e320 now and i love it, i'm getting a 528i also very soon and can't wait, from what i've heard there okay cars, of course its a bimmer and well need its maintenance, i also plan on fixing it up, here are some pics

Alexbenz

well i couldn't find other pics, but this one has the hamann kit with 19 hartge wheels and the angel eyes, nice and clean...can;t wait

Whitey

RU getting the one in the pic? If so, what else needs to be done? Nice (but prob wrong forum to discuss........) If u don't mind, pls Email me when you have it (I still have a lot passion for the BM's eventho' I don't own one anymore)

Alexbenz

no but it will lok something like this, along the lines but i will let you know when its done

Whitey

Off topic but JMO:

Wheels: Breyton or Hartge
Body Kit: M-tech (unsure about the Hamann, bit like AC - plain and just add-on, I think)

Interior and exhaust: AC Schintzer

hee, hee!

E55 KEV

The Angel Eyes came on 2001+ E39 models with the mid model update changes. I would not get below the 2001. The 5-series has a smaller interior.

Alexbenz

whitey your crazy, after a little thinking the m5 kit wouldn't be to bad either, hamann with a drop would be too low, even for my dad to drive, haha

Whitey

M5 with an additional lip!

Speaking of the drop, I'm starting to be very bothered about my new exhausts being scrapped when I go up a ramp and my front spoiler scrapping going down

BTW, try getting your hands on a UK mag "Performance BMW", there's many wild ideas - if you can't try:

www.performancebmwmag.com

I used to suscribed to it when I had one (pity there isn't a similar one for Benz's).

Alexbenz

WELL I'M KEEPING THE BIMMER IN MIND BUT A NEW CHANGE OF PLANS CAME UP... A 2000 S430 OR 500 COULD BE IN THE MIX, WITH A LORINSER KIT AND 20'S, OF COURSE A DROP AND TINT..HMMMM
I;M DOWN WITH THE S5 FOR SURE

Whitey

S5?

Alexbenz

s500

Whitey

hee, hee, thought it was a new sports version of an Audi or something. Beautiful cars the S-Class - all in a league of its own.

clkal

i own a 540i and MY particular vehicle is a piece of CRAP! I bought it brand new in 1997, and ever since the 50K manufacturer's warranty expired, that's when all the problems started. No major engine problems, however, lots and lots and lots of electrical problems....more than my w208 (can you believe that?) window motors going bad (2 of them), window switches going bad (3 of them), trunk mechanism going bad (twice), the sun roof one-touch going bad, range on the keyless entry becoming ****tty, brakelight bulbs blowing left and right, odometer display missing certain LED dots so you can't read the mileage and messages correctly, radiator resovuoir cracked at 70K, mass air flow sensor had to be replaced.....that's all i can think of off the top of my head, but I know for sure that there are lots more. My friend's 1997 e420 has only had a couple of problems....one w/ the A/C which is a pretty common thing, and having to deal with the squeaky seats. The 540i can smoke a 430, but I think the 430 is definitely more luxurious and comfortable. But if speed is what you want, just get the E55.