Hi,

I am looking at an '09 E350 wagon for $29k with 49,000 miles or '05 E500 wagon ($20K) with 56,000 miles.

Any ideas on which would be a better deal?

I am upgrading from an '01 E320 wagon.

Thanks

 

Personally I would buy the E500....because I would prefer a V8. The E350 has roughly the same power and better MPG - also newer. Really it comes down to whether the $9K is worth it for you.

 

all the grief about the SBC braking systems, and other complexities, on W211 cars before 2008 -- you'll probably decide to avoid the older one. My wife loves her '06 E500 wagon, but I don't know how we'll be able to afford to keep it once it gets past 90,000 miles or so.

 

I would go 09'. You will probably spend 9k just to maintain the other one.

 

I would lean towards the newer E350.

Post-facelift 211 E's seem to be miles ahead of pre-facelift 211s in terms of overall electronic reliability. Sensotronic brake-by-wire system proved especially irritating, and was dropped on later models.

Slightly fresher styling, a much improved, updated version of COMAND infotainment on '09 w211s, quicker steering, and better brakes and fuel efficiency all point towards the newer 09 E350. Seems worth the extra cost.

Your only trade-offs would be lack of the V8 rumble, and (barely) slower acceleration times.

 

Got the 2009 E350 and love it!

Thanks

 

E500 no questions asked. I may be biased, but the look on BMW owners' faces is priceless when my wagon blows doors off of their 3 and 5 series.

 

09, the facelift will save you a lot of money and make you happier in the longrun, 2009 was a very reliable model year.

 

I hope you have small hands. Replacing the bulbs were not easy for me. You can either look or touch, but not do both at the same time. The driver's side was a bit easier once the coolant expansion tank was out of the way. The passenger side was just a very tight fit. But once the new bulbs were in, the brightness came back to new levels. I just need to polish the faded lens now.

 

Wow these cars depreciated hard in the last few years.