745 vs. E
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2003 E320
745 vs. E
A had a conversation with this woman at a gas station. She asked if I like my E320 and if engine works well, then told me she has a new 745 and is very unhappy with how often it breaks - "transmission doesn't work". She considered trading it in for an E-class.
1st , it's amazing that BMW's flagship model is that unreliable! This is not the first unhappy note I hear about 7 series, both new style, and previous generation. 2nd - I recommended that she should look for E500 rather than 320 to get comparable driving experience. Am I correct? I have driven a 530, an E320 and E500 and projected the feel of the car on the 745.
1st , it's amazing that BMW's flagship model is that unreliable! This is not the first unhappy note I hear about 7 series, both new style, and previous generation. 2nd - I recommended that she should look for E500 rather than 320 to get comparable driving experience. Am I correct? I have driven a 530, an E320 and E500 and projected the feel of the car on the 745.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
I'm not sure the 7 and E should really be copared. The S class is probably a more fair comparison. A friend of mine has a 7 in which it spent 27 of its first 31 days of ownership in the shop! for various problems.
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
SL500
I've had the pleasure of driving the E320, E500 and 745i. The 7 is a large car and feels as such when your driving it. It's very smooth, quiet, comfy and powerful. It handles very well with an amazing lack of body lean and dip for such a large car. I did not feel as isolated from the world in the E500, it was a more sporty drive. The seats were not as plush and the car car felt much more maneuverable. Honestly, I would take the E500 in a second over the 7, it's just more fun to drive.
As for the S class, in standard form it can't compete. The 7 kicks its butt. However, an S-class fitted with the ABC suspension and Nappa leather is another story.
As for the S class, in standard form it can't compete. The 7 kicks its butt. However, an S-class fitted with the ABC suspension and Nappa leather is another story.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
2006 Acura RL
Originally posted by MBZman
I've had the pleasure of driving the E320, E500 and 745i. The 7 is a large car and feels as such when your driving it. It's very smooth, quiet, comfy and powerful. It handles very well with an amazing lack of body lean and dip for such a large car. I did not feel as isolated from the world in the E500, it was a more sporty drive. The seats were not as plush and the car car felt much more maneuverable. Honestly, I would take the E500 in a second over the 7, it's just more fun to drive.
As for the S class, in standard form it can't compete. The 7 kicks its butt. However, an S-class fitted with the ABC suspension and Nappa leather is another story.
I've had the pleasure of driving the E320, E500 and 745i. The 7 is a large car and feels as such when your driving it. It's very smooth, quiet, comfy and powerful. It handles very well with an amazing lack of body lean and dip for such a large car. I did not feel as isolated from the world in the E500, it was a more sporty drive. The seats were not as plush and the car car felt much more maneuverable. Honestly, I would take the E500 in a second over the 7, it's just more fun to drive.
As for the S class, in standard form it can't compete. The 7 kicks its butt. However, an S-class fitted with the ABC suspension and Nappa leather is another story.
I too would take an E500 (or in my case and E320) over the 745 any day. Honestly, I found that the E320 seems to handle better than the E500. The lighter engine seems to make the car better weighted. The E500 is a lot heavier up front and that affects the dynamics a lot. When I drove an E500 I very much enjoyed the thrust and torque of the V-8, but in the twisties it wasn't as sharp as the E320.
However, the E500 also has a much more satisfying punch when you hit the gas. When you are on a twisty road, power is available at any speed on demand. The E320 needs to be manually shifted under hard conditions to get the power you need.
As for the style contest - no question - E wins. Hell, an E with a huge dent in the side would win the style contest over a 745.
Andrew Plato
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
2010 E550
The E320 weighs 3635 lbs (I assume without suspension upgrades) according to the sales liturature. The E 500, according to the brochure weighs 3815lbs. By my calculations that is a little over a 5% differential (and maybe not all in the front end). Would that really make a noticeable difference in handling?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
2006 Acura RL
Originally posted by STKLAW
The E320 weighs 3635 lbs (I assume without suspension upgrades) according to the sales liturature. The E 500, according to the brochure weighs 3815lbs. By my calculations that is a little over a 5% differential (and maybe not all in the front end). Would that really make a noticeable difference in handling?
The E320 weighs 3635 lbs (I assume without suspension upgrades) according to the sales liturature. The E 500, according to the brochure weighs 3815lbs. By my calculations that is a little over a 5% differential (and maybe not all in the front end). Would that really make a noticeable difference in handling?
I should note - these were both Sport models. I ended up buying the e320 Sport.
Andrew Plato
