W212 E350CDI vs F10 530d
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 4
From: Sweden
W166 ML350 BT
Agreed. When I was shopping for my 211, I was driving an '08 525i around, and had a slew of BMW friends around trying to get me to buy one for myself, not even an option for me, it was all about getting into another Benz. The E VS E60 5'er comparo for this recent generation wasn't even a question.
Here is my current ride, it's leaving me this Monday...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I wish we had more choices for Estates here in the USA. Why can't we get the M5 Estate or the Audi RS Estates or the C63 Estate (it looks good, imho.), etc..? Stupid Americans and their SUV fetish. At least MB exported the E63 AMG Estate. Not many sent over here; only 62 of them for MY09. I almost got one that I found at a dealer, but it was white on beige. White on black or any other color and I would have bought it.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Nice, looks a lot better with the M-Pack for sure, I'm sure you'll miss the driving dynamics, but the comfort of the E is definitely at a different level, we'll see what "type" you are, i.e if you'll get bored of the Merc fast, and long for the Bimmer, or if you can't help but continuously enjoy the added Luxury. My friend just bought an S550, traded in a 535i for it, and he literally hates the S, thought he'd like the big plush ride, but is just bored to death with it he says, and misses the 5'er.... Go figure.
I'm pretty sure her car was an '08 525, maybe it's a US spec thing? It was definitely a 525i (and slow as sin), and definitely a Face-Lift.... Maybe an '07?
Yeah, we had a pre F.L 545i in the family too, the F.L's interior is much nicer. It's not a bad interior all around by any means (F.L), subjective design aside, I found areas that seemed quality, but quite a few that were pretty cheap IMO. The car felt very solid though, chassis and structure just felt tight and tough, like one of the Car Mags said when describing a 3'er ("has that 'BMW thud' everywhere").
I'm pretty sure her car was an '08 525, maybe it's a US spec thing? It was definitely a 525i (and slow as sin), and definitely a Face-Lift.... Maybe an '07?
Yeah, we had a pre F.L 545i in the family too, the F.L's interior is much nicer. It's not a bad interior all around by any means (F.L), subjective design aside, I found areas that seemed quality, but quite a few that were pretty cheap IMO. The car felt very solid though, chassis and structure just felt tight and tough, like one of the Car Mags said when describing a 3'er ("has that 'BMW thud' everywhere").
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 349
From: Huntington NY
S560
I think I might pick up a 2002-2003 540I as a beater. I have seen a few REALLY well kept loaded cars with 60k ish miles for between $12-14K. I always loved that design. To say I am pissed at BMW for that recent melted slab of cheese sh*t they passed as an evolution to the E39 (as I have learned the nomenclature) is an understatement. I figure the maintenance will be whatever but its worth it, the car just looks classic...
Does anyone know the top BMW forum? I have not found one up to the caliber of this one...
Does anyone know the top BMW forum? I have not found one up to the caliber of this one...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I think I might pick up a 2002-2003 540I as a beater. I have seen a few REALLY well kept loaded cars with 60k ish miles for between $12-14K. I always loved that design. To say I am pissed at BMW for that recent melted slab of cheese sh*t they passed as an evolution to the E39 (as I have learned the nomenclature) is an understatement. I figure the maintenance will be whatever but its worth it, the car just looks classic...
Does anyone know the top BMW forum? I have not found one up to the caliber of this one...
Does anyone know the top BMW forum? I have not found one up to the caliber of this one...
BMW owners.. for lack of a better word.. can be a little "out there", and you'll have to sift through some garbage in each Forum. They are insanely enthusiasts though, so you'll find lots of different Forums, I've been to "Bimmer Forums" before, it seemed alright, but didn't look around much.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
The BMW forums tend to be inhabited by boy racers in 3ers. The most popular are E90Post and Bimmerfest. Bimmerfest tends to be the more mature of the two.
Now you have me thinking of picking up a E39 as a daily beater. Only problem is the higher probability of getting stuck on the side of the road with an older beater. Plus they aren't much cheaper to repair than MBs. But if you find a nice specimen and keep it up, they are rewarding to own/drive, imho.
Now you have me thinking of picking up a E39 as a daily beater. Only problem is the higher probability of getting stuck on the side of the road with an older beater. Plus they aren't much cheaper to repair than MBs. But if you find a nice specimen and keep it up, they are rewarding to own/drive, imho.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
The BMW forums tend to be inhabited by boy racers in 3ers. The most popular are E90Post and Bimmerfest. Bimmerfest tends to be the more mature of the two.
Now you have me thinking of picking up a E39 as a daily beater. Only problem is the higher probability of getting stuck on the side of the road with an older beater. Plus they aren't much cheaper to repair than MBs. But if you find a nice specimen and keep it up, they are rewarding to own/drive, imho.
Now you have me thinking of picking up a E39 as a daily beater. Only problem is the higher probability of getting stuck on the side of the road with an older beater. Plus they aren't much cheaper to repair than MBs. But if you find a nice specimen and keep it up, they are rewarding to own/drive, imho.
Maybe we can get a group buy in for an '01-'03 E39 DD.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 4
From: Sweden
W166 ML350 BT
I think e60.net is the best car forum I've experienced. They are called 5series.net now I think. I will continue to hang out there even though I don't own a 5 series anymore, still have my 1 series.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 4
From: Sweden
W166 ML350 BT
Nice, looks a lot better with the M-Pack for sure, I'm sure you'll miss the driving dynamics, but the comfort of the E is definitely at a different level, we'll see what "type" you are, i.e if you'll get bored of the Merc fast, and long for the Bimmer, or if you can't help but continuously enjoy the added Luxury. My friend just bought an S550, traded in a 535i for it, and he literally hates the S, thought he'd like the big plush ride, but is just bored to death with it he says, and misses the 5'er.... Go figure.
I'm pretty sure her car was an '08 525, maybe it's a US spec thing? It was definitely a 525i (and slow as sin), and definitely a Face-Lift.... Maybe an '07?
Yeah, we had a pre F.L 545i in the family too, the F.L's interior is much nicer. It's not a bad interior all around by any means (F.L), subjective design aside, I found areas that seemed quality, but quite a few that were pretty cheap IMO. The car felt very solid though, chassis and structure just felt tight and tough, like one of the Car Mags said when describing a 3'er ("has that 'BMW thud' everywhere").
I'm pretty sure her car was an '08 525, maybe it's a US spec thing? It was definitely a 525i (and slow as sin), and definitely a Face-Lift.... Maybe an '07?
Yeah, we had a pre F.L 545i in the family too, the F.L's interior is much nicer. It's not a bad interior all around by any means (F.L), subjective design aside, I found areas that seemed quality, but quite a few that were pretty cheap IMO. The car felt very solid though, chassis and structure just felt tight and tough, like one of the Car Mags said when describing a 3'er ("has that 'BMW thud' everywhere").
No, in the US the facelift came out in '08. With 528i, 535i and 550i. There never were a facelifted 525i in the US. In Europe we still have it though. So if it were a 528i it was a facelift, and it shouldn't be much more sluggish than a E350.Yeah, I hope I'll like the E-class handling (or lack off) compromise even better than the 5-serie's. I still have my stickshifted 1-series M-Sport if I'll miss the BMW too much.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Interesting, so it was an '07 she had, and all this time I thought it was an F.L. I gotta say the materials in that car were really lacking aside from a few spots here or there, now that I know it was in fact a pre-F.L, I wanna check out an F.L and see what I think of that one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 349
From: Huntington NY
S560
The BMW forums tend to be inhabited by boy racers in 3ers. The most popular are E90Post and Bimmerfest. Bimmerfest tends to be the more mature of the two.
Now you have me thinking of picking up a E39 as a daily beater. Only problem is the higher probability of getting stuck on the side of the road with an older beater. Plus they aren't much cheaper to repair than MBs. But if you find a nice specimen and keep it up, they are rewarding to own/drive, imho.
Now you have me thinking of picking up a E39 as a daily beater. Only problem is the higher probability of getting stuck on the side of the road with an older beater. Plus they aren't much cheaper to repair than MBs. But if you find a nice specimen and keep it up, they are rewarding to own/drive, imho.
I know there will be more maintenence, but the significantly lower buy in cost will make up for that. I have not owned a car out of warranty for at least a decade but I have changed every part of a car including 2 chassis (yes I am serious). My main concerns are engine/tranny problems, I know that is where you can get hurt- but it is just a car, swapping a motor is a day project. I need to research what options, concerns to look out for etc.
I know Geico is always trying to sell me a really cheap warranty, which is completely worthless on a new car, but maybe they have something for an E39...
