dsm2925

what easier to stay on top a 03-04 e320 or a 04-05 525i-530i

and gives less issues?

werewolf34

5 series

gaazmon

03-04, especially 03, had lots of problems

dsm2925

why

dsm2925

i thought the E500 were the trouble makers not the e320...

SZMB

After driving the 1999 323i and 2003 530i for more than 10 years (combined) and the 2004 E500, I would have to say the BMWs are easier to maintain and cheaper to fix. I had experienced no electrical issues with the bimmers, and all the mechanical stuff were pretty easy DIY. The window regulators and the fan blow resistor in the bimmers are famous for breaking down after a few years, but they're easy DIY and the parts are cheap online. The radiator & the rest of the coolant system should be replaced at about 100k mi -- also an easy DIY. Other than that, the rest is pretty much standard maintenance, just like the rest of other brands. The engine & tranny are super smooth, way better than the E class. On the other hand, some major issues in the E class are not easy DIY unless you're a factory trained tech. In the 2004 E500, I had issues with the navigation system, which resulted in replacing the command module done under warranty, then the tranny not shifting smoothly between 1st and 2nd gear, which resulted in replacing the valve also done under warranty, and the rear main seal started to leak at 64k mi, and the front airmatic shock blew at 64k mi, which by the way I found out it's an easy DIY.
It really depends on what you want to get out of these cars. After switching back and forth between the 530i and the E500, i can fully appreciate their advantages. I commute to work every day on the E500, it's very quiet and very smooth going over bumps or road imperfections, it brings the calmness to me. People cut me off in traffic, I could careless. But when I hop into the 530i, my heart beat goes up by at least 20 beats/min. I feel like i just have to drive fast, and cut in and out of traffic with ease and precision. I get irritated when people cut me off and just feel compelled to speed up and cut infront of him showing him what a bimmer can do. Well, maybe there's something wrong with me, but a bimmer can bring out the teen spirit (not road rage ) out of you.
When you buy either of these used cars, make sure you get a full service history and get them inspected. An improperly maintained (or lack of maintenance) high performance car will give you lots of problem down the road.

ajmal21

Hey SZMB,

I feel exactly like when i drive my car except its E500, i hate to be beside another car at the redlight it always ends up speeding, love the tiptronic its just crazy. but after all it cost alot to maintain, and i just had the car for about 6 months and already spend alot on tire and little parts, plus C service is comming....

lkchris

Well, on the Mercedes you aren't going to have to replace your radiator and water pump every 60K miles. The tech editor of Roundel will tell you you won't get 100K miles on an auto trans in a BMW. This is one way to define "easier," isn't it?

SZMB

The editor never said that unless you can prove me wrong. Change the tranny fluid every 50k mi and it should last a long time. Sure, there's always the statistics, it does not matter how you drive or how often you change the tranny fluid, there are always some trannys will fail no matter what -- that happens to any manufacturer. If you look at the classified ads, there are just as many bimmers on sale with over 100k mi as those under 100k mi. There has been a report that the tranny failure rate was a bit higher when BMW came up with the idea of "lifetime" fluid in the late 90s and early 2000's.
BMW radiators could (almost certainly) fail between 100k and 120k mi due to breaking of the plastic fittings, not 60k mi. Don't know where you got that info. Replacing water pump at 60k mi is a preventative measure, just like any service tech would tell you about any car, even Honda or Toyota dealers are recommending that. In any case, these are all maintenance stuff, easy DIY and relatively cheap to do.

gaazmon

they both gave problems. also e55. my tranny failed at 46k miles. replaced under warranty along with new radiator and cooling lines

loudbmw

Maybe a tie in my stable which has included a two 5 series and 4 E series.


97 E320 140,000 miles, O2 sensor, air mass sensor, head gasket leak (lived with it), differential leak (traded).

99 528i 160,000 miles, water pump, radiator, ABS module, idle control valve, window regulator (sold last year)

99 E430 90,000 miles no repairs, burned a little oil (traded)

02 520i 65,000 miles no repairs (still in use)

06 E350 40,000 miles no repairs (traded)

09 E350 16,000 miles no repairs (still in use)

Lou

lkchris

Another couple reasons Mercedes are "easier" to maintain.

1. Mercedes provides free subscription to the USA spare parts system and if you want for $12/year you can expand this to worldwide specifications so you can look up the cool "Euro" parts. Nothing like this for BMW, save for some realoem sites that aren't as well updated.
http://epc.startekinfo.com

2. For a fee, Mercedes provides subscription to its entire "service manual" system, i.e. WIS which includes all the latest updated DTBs, recalls, etc. This information is also conveniently compiled into service DVDs for a more permanent home collection of information. The latter of course is "frozen in time" as is of course the usually awful stuff from Bentley that BMW provides.
http://www.startekinfo.com
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9124

CharlyE500

I used to have a 04 E500 for almost 2 years sold it at 70K, only thing repaired was the ball joint. Didint have any other problems.

CharlyE500

I am not sure if you drove your car in the right way...... I have smoked 525, 530 with my ex- E500 2004. Not as fast as E55 but its fast. If you compare the 530 to E320, 530 might be fast but E500 to 530.
Just 125 extra torque that makes a lot of different. Make sure its a E500 not 320 !

E500 302HP 339 Torque
530i 225HP 214 Torque

werewolf34

Old BMW engines in that yr / model of BMW

These designs are older with known problems and fixes. Nothing like SBC on the 5 series.

Ser05E500

E500 so far has been one of the best cars I have owned.

For one. It is still going strong at 80,000 miles, which means engine and tranny did not detriorate as much.

I had to change couple of sensors, very cheap and a ball joint but other then that it has been a good car. It is a 2005 so it probably has a lot to do with that as well.

SZMB

I'm not talking about straight line acceleration. The E500 is a far better sprinter and a great cruiser. But the 530i can break dance in and out of traffic w/ precision and corner like a knife cutting through butter; it also brakes better due to its much lower weight and the excellent cold-biting brake pads.

mobinakhtar

Pretty much the same!

e320 is the most rliable model in the E-Series with many mechanical parts compared to E500 which has more electronics and "bells and whistles". Its adequately powered to the extent that you never feel underpowered unless racing.

E-500 - you keep pushing and the power tap keeps flowing!

Although I drive one - I hate the engine sound (like a jet - or a washer on spin cycle). Both E320 and E500 are silky smooth with emphasis on luxury and "controlled" power delivery.

Now the 5-series is very refined but sporty in feel. I have never gotten used to the red ambient lighting but love the precision steering and instant git-go. I have only had 528i's and 740il's so my experience is limited to bmw's older than 2003.

Between the two - I picked E320 and di not regret. I never race and never cut-in cut-out of traffic. once in a while that I do - E never has let me down.