Advice Please
08-15-2006, 04:01 PM
#2
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'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
There aren't many problem areas that you can look out for visually with a W211. If the service records of a car are available, check to see if work has been done on the engine mounts and the audio gateway (hardware or firmware) under warranty. If you can't find any evidence of work in those areas, then you probably want an extended warranty to cover you if problems arise in those areas.
In anticipation of the conventional wisdom that the first year of any production run - the '03 - is bad mojo, and for what it's worth: my '03 W211 has had very few problems, and only one that kept it in the shop for more than a day.
In anticipation of the conventional wisdom that the first year of any production run - the '03 - is bad mojo, and for what it's worth: my '03 W211 has had very few problems, and only one that kept it in the shop for more than a day.
08-15-2006, 05:24 PM
#3
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I happen to own both of these cars ( mine is a 525) and here's my scoop.
Only buy the 5-seriels (Or any BMW) with the Sports Package. There is hardly any appearance difference between the non-sports and sports, beside the 3 spoke steering wheel, the car sits lower (better suspension), manual shift and a few other things that I can't recall. I'm not sure what year 5-series you're looking at but mine is an 02.
The 5 is a performance car, the gas is extremely responsive, you can definitely tell the tire hugs the road. All and all it's an extremely fun car to drive. I wouldn't consider it a luxury car though, I'd call it a sports sedan.
Interior is boring orange all around, (some like it that way). Mine is silver on black. I dropped a PDA pen in there a long time ago and it's still not found. lol
The bucket seats on the sports package are pretty comfortable (though a little small and crammy overall inside) you won't slide around like the benz when taking corners.
if I were to get another 5-series, it's gonna be a 540/545 with a 6spd tranny.
Now for the E.
My E is also silver on black (or charcoal)
Performance wise, (even when comparing to the 525) I like the pedal of the 5-series
Level of comfort would be decent but not body hugging like the 5.
Appearance is uncomparable, I would call it luxury sedan
2 regrets I have after buying the E, was one, I did not get an E500 (or E55 which I can't afford)
two, not getting the sports package for Airmatic suspension.
But at the end of the day.... I feel more confident when I cruise in the E-class
My 5 is going to be up for sale real soon. Does that tell you anything?
Only buy the 5-seriels (Or any BMW) with the Sports Package. There is hardly any appearance difference between the non-sports and sports, beside the 3 spoke steering wheel, the car sits lower (better suspension), manual shift and a few other things that I can't recall. I'm not sure what year 5-series you're looking at but mine is an 02.
The 5 is a performance car, the gas is extremely responsive, you can definitely tell the tire hugs the road. All and all it's an extremely fun car to drive. I wouldn't consider it a luxury car though, I'd call it a sports sedan.
Interior is boring orange all around, (some like it that way). Mine is silver on black. I dropped a PDA pen in there a long time ago and it's still not found. lol
The bucket seats on the sports package are pretty comfortable (though a little small and crammy overall inside) you won't slide around like the benz when taking corners.
if I were to get another 5-series, it's gonna be a 540/545 with a 6spd tranny.
Now for the E.
My E is also silver on black (or charcoal)
Performance wise, (even when comparing to the 525) I like the pedal of the 5-series
Level of comfort would be decent but not body hugging like the 5.
Appearance is uncomparable, I would call it luxury sedan
2 regrets I have after buying the E, was one, I did not get an E500 (or E55 which I can't afford)
two, not getting the sports package for Airmatic suspension.
But at the end of the day.... I feel more confident when I cruise in the E-class
My 5 is going to be up for sale real soon. Does that tell you anything?
08-15-2006, 06:11 PM
#4
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2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
Dannie says it all. That is exactly my advice. The 5 series is for people who a want a fun sporty drive, but isn't really a luxury car. The E is a luxury car and looks like one. While not as sporty, you feel good in it.
08-17-2006, 04:18 PM
#5
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17 E300, 17 C300, 14 C250
I currently own both a '99 BMW 528i and also a '06 Mercedes E350. Previously I have owned a '97 E320 and a '99 E430.
The '99 528i has 140,000 mi and still runs great. Doesn't burn a drop of oil between oil changes (that's what oil changes every 7,500 mi. will do for you).
The BMW has a lot of plastic under the hood. Now that its seven years old, a lot of the plastic has become brittle and breaks at the slightest touch. Repairs have not been bad, MAF sensor, idle control valve and radiator (plasic neck). I changed water pump as a precaution at 130K but it was still good unlike most others. Most BMW's (incuding mine) have a shimmy at around 55 mph. Worn suspension bushings are usually the cause.
The '97 E320 went 138,000 miles with no repairs except a MAF sensor. I got rid of it as the straight sixes all had leaky head gaskets after 100K miles.
The '99 E430 (V8) ran great for 80,000 miles with only a MAF sensor (are we seeing a pattern with these junk MAF's). Traded in in for the E350 which is nearly as quick as the V8.
I like both cars, the BMW from a handling standpoint, the Mercedes for long trips. The Mercedes I have owned have had fewer repairs as the mileage increases.
Lou
The '99 528i has 140,000 mi and still runs great. Doesn't burn a drop of oil between oil changes (that's what oil changes every 7,500 mi. will do for you).
The BMW has a lot of plastic under the hood. Now that its seven years old, a lot of the plastic has become brittle and breaks at the slightest touch. Repairs have not been bad, MAF sensor, idle control valve and radiator (plasic neck). I changed water pump as a precaution at 130K but it was still good unlike most others. Most BMW's (incuding mine) have a shimmy at around 55 mph. Worn suspension bushings are usually the cause.
The '97 E320 went 138,000 miles with no repairs except a MAF sensor. I got rid of it as the straight sixes all had leaky head gaskets after 100K miles.
The '99 E430 (V8) ran great for 80,000 miles with only a MAF sensor (are we seeing a pattern with these junk MAF's). Traded in in for the E350 which is nearly as quick as the V8.
I like both cars, the BMW from a handling standpoint, the Mercedes for long trips. The Mercedes I have owned have had fewer repairs as the mileage increases.
Lou
