Going from BMW 328i to an E350
09-23-2022, 06:23 PM
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BMW 328i
Going from BMW 328i to an E350
My first car after college was a slightly used 2010 BMW 328i that I bought in 2011. I've had it for almost 12 years but now it has 3 oil leaks, engine vibrating, suspension problems, no AC, etc. Basically it's finished.
I'm looking to buy a 2016 E350 with low mileage (30-40k). The things I know are just the obvious things like that the car will be bigger, more horsepower, different features, etc. But I've never driven a Mercedes. What can you tell me about the difference in driving experience between these two cars? Also are the 2016 E350's viewed as being reliable cars? I'd want to have it for 5-10 years.. Thank you!!
I'm looking to buy a 2016 E350 with low mileage (30-40k). The things I know are just the obvious things like that the car will be bigger, more horsepower, different features, etc. But I've never driven a Mercedes. What can you tell me about the difference in driving experience between these two cars? Also are the 2016 E350's viewed as being reliable cars? I'd want to have it for 5-10 years.. Thank you!!
Last edited by frumaster; 09-23-2022 at 06:26 PM.
09-24-2022, 03:57 AM
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From my own experience, my W212 was far better car than G30 5 Series BMW . It was more reliable no engine leaks, A/C performed brilliantly, not to mention W212 had much a better ride than G30 5 Series. too. However, my advice is that if you can find buy a CPO car although CPO cars aren't perfect either
I love FL W212s , I never miss that friggin bimmer
I love FL W212s , I never miss that friggin bimmer
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pierrejoliat (09-24-2022)
09-24-2022, 01:13 PM
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My first car after college was a slightly used 2010 BMW 328i that I bought in 2011. I've had it for almost 12 years but now it has 3 oil leaks, engine vibrating, suspension problems, no AC, etc. Basically it's finished.
I'm looking to buy a 2016 E350 with low mileage (30-40k). The things I know are just the obvious things like that the car will be bigger, more horsepower, different features, etc. But I've never driven a Mercedes. What can you tell me about the difference in driving experience between these two cars? Also are the 2016 E350's viewed as being reliable cars? I'd want to have it for 5-10 years.. Thank you!!
I'm looking to buy a 2016 E350 with low mileage (30-40k). The things I know are just the obvious things like that the car will be bigger, more horsepower, different features, etc. But I've never driven a Mercedes. What can you tell me about the difference in driving experience between these two cars? Also are the 2016 E350's viewed as being reliable cars? I'd want to have it for 5-10 years.. Thank you!!
For reliability my 2010 has been very good. Only bigger issue has been the air struts that I had to replace but these are very rare in E350 models. 2010 they came standard in E550.
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pierrejoliat (10-26-2022)
09-24-2022, 07:31 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
How did you maintain BMW. ?
My 1st impression is that you did not, since 12 yo car falls apart.
I always advise 1st time MB buyer to either get a warranty or start with finding indy mechanic with highest recommendation.
You probably noticed that on BMW that parts are not cheap, but still MB can surprise you in this field.
MB dealers in USA are famous for doing "courtesy inspection" with recommended estimate never dropping below $5000. ... just for your safety.
MB USA is not importing small parts, so when $5 seal on your power steering pump fails, you have to buy whole $1000 pump.
Since MB and BMW share lot of the same Bosch parts, it happen in the past that for small part MB owner were going to BMW dealer.
My 1st impression is that you did not, since 12 yo car falls apart.
I always advise 1st time MB buyer to either get a warranty or start with finding indy mechanic with highest recommendation.
You probably noticed that on BMW that parts are not cheap, but still MB can surprise you in this field.
MB dealers in USA are famous for doing "courtesy inspection" with recommended estimate never dropping below $5000. ... just for your safety.
MB USA is not importing small parts, so when $5 seal on your power steering pump fails, you have to buy whole $1000 pump.
Since MB and BMW share lot of the same Bosch parts, it happen in the past that for small part MB owner were going to BMW dealer.
Last edited by kajtek1; 09-24-2022 at 07:34 PM.
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09-24-2022, 09:28 PM
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A FL W212 E350 is probably one of the most reliable MB’s around. A significantly better car than any 3 series for sure. You will be happy with the space and comfort. They are also pretty straight forward and easy to work on. There are tons of low mileage ones around and they come in sport or luxury trim. Sport has emblem in grille and AMG wheels and luxury has hood ornament and luxury wheels. Get a PPI before you buy.
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pierrejoliat (10-26-2022)
10-25-2022, 08:53 PM
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I have both - a 2011 328i wagon, RWD with a 6spd manual transmission (very much a unicorn in the US) that I bought new (and Euro Delivery at that), and a new-to-me 2014 E350 wagon. 52K on the BMW, 70K on the Mercedes. They are absolutely chalk and cheese to drive. The BMW has the heart of a sports car - it causes a little dude in lederhosen to sit on your shoulder and whisper "faster, faster" into your ear. It is really brilliant for a car that can carry an assembled gas grill home from Lowe's. It manages to feel carved from granite and light on it's feet at the same time. The steering is always heavy and very, very precise. All the control efforts are quite heavy actually. Did I mention it wants to GO all the time? The engine is happiest wound out to the redline in every gear.
The Mercedes is a luxury cruise ship. It will GO fast, but it doesn't really want to. Everything is smooth, and light, and much more effortless. The engine has more power, but it doesn't really encourage you to use it - I never go anywhere near redline in it. It's very competent in the corners but the little dude is whispering "slow down and enjoy the ride". The W212 is a generation newer in tech than the e9x, and my e91 doesn't even have iDrive, so the infortainment is better in the Mercedes. Both have Harman/Kardon sound systems, and they sound about the same. I like the BMW seats slightly better but that may be just all these years of owning it (and I also have a 2011 128i convertible with the same seats). The Mercedes is a good bit bigger with a LOT more rear seat room in particular - but it's really a 5-series competitor not a 3-series so that stands to reason. I think the interior materials in the Mercedes are inferior - but that is true of newer BMWs as well. Cost cutting. Sigh.
I don't think you can go wrong with either. And if not maintained correctly and treated properly, either car has the potential to put you in the poorhouse in short order. Neglect them at your peril. I like them both in different ways, and each is well-suited to where I keep them. The BMW lives at my summer place in Maine where there are all sorts of fun roads to play on, the Mercedes lives at my winter place in Florida where there are NOT any fun roads, just straight boring highways.
Kevin Rhodes
Port Charlotte FL / Westbrook ME
The Mercedes is a luxury cruise ship. It will GO fast, but it doesn't really want to. Everything is smooth, and light, and much more effortless. The engine has more power, but it doesn't really encourage you to use it - I never go anywhere near redline in it. It's very competent in the corners but the little dude is whispering "slow down and enjoy the ride". The W212 is a generation newer in tech than the e9x, and my e91 doesn't even have iDrive, so the infortainment is better in the Mercedes. Both have Harman/Kardon sound systems, and they sound about the same. I like the BMW seats slightly better but that may be just all these years of owning it (and I also have a 2011 128i convertible with the same seats). The Mercedes is a good bit bigger with a LOT more rear seat room in particular - but it's really a 5-series competitor not a 3-series so that stands to reason. I think the interior materials in the Mercedes are inferior - but that is true of newer BMWs as well. Cost cutting. Sigh.
I don't think you can go wrong with either. And if not maintained correctly and treated properly, either car has the potential to put you in the poorhouse in short order. Neglect them at your peril. I like them both in different ways, and each is well-suited to where I keep them. The BMW lives at my summer place in Maine where there are all sorts of fun roads to play on, the Mercedes lives at my winter place in Florida where there are NOT any fun roads, just straight boring highways.
Kevin Rhodes
Port Charlotte FL / Westbrook ME
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BenzV12 (10-28-2022)
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02-20-2023, 11:32 AM
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2014 Mercedes-Benz E350
I have both - a 2011 328i wagon, RWD with a 6spd manual transmission (very much a unicorn in the US) that I bought new (and Euro Delivery at that), and a new-to-me 2014 E350 wagon. 52K on the BMW, 70K on the Mercedes. They are absolutely chalk and cheese to drive. The BMW has the heart of a sports car - it causes a little dude in lederhosen to sit on your shoulder and whisper "faster, faster" into your ear. It is really brilliant for a car that can carry an assembled gas grill home from Lowe's. It manages to feel carved from granite and light on it's feet at the same time. The steering is always heavy and very, very precise. All the control efforts are quite heavy actually. Did I mention it wants to GO all the time? The engine is happiest wound out to the redline in every gear.
The Mercedes is a luxury cruise ship. It will GO fast, but it doesn't really want to. Everything is smooth, and light, and much more effortless. The engine has more power, but it doesn't really encourage you to use it - I never go anywhere near redline in it. It's very competent in the corners but the little dude is whispering "slow down and enjoy the ride". The W212 is a generation newer in tech than the e9x, and my e91 doesn't even have iDrive, so the infortainment is better in the Mercedes. Both have Harman/Kardon sound systems, and they sound about the same. I like the BMW seats slightly better but that may be just all these years of owning it (and I also have a 2011 128i convertible with the same seats). The Mercedes is a good bit bigger with a LOT more rear seat room in particular - but it's really a 5-series competitor not a 3-series so that stands to reason. I think the interior materials in the Mercedes are inferior - but that is true of newer BMWs as well. Cost cutting. Sigh.
I don't think you can go wrong with either. And if not maintained correctly and treated properly, either car has the potential to put you in the poorhouse in short order. Neglect them at your peril. I like them both in different ways, and each is well-suited to where I keep them. The BMW lives at my summer place in Maine where there are all sorts of fun roads to play on, the Mercedes lives at my winter place in Florida where there are NOT any fun roads, just straight boring highways.
Kevin Rhodes
Port Charlotte FL / Westbrook ME
The Mercedes is a luxury cruise ship. It will GO fast, but it doesn't really want to. Everything is smooth, and light, and much more effortless. The engine has more power, but it doesn't really encourage you to use it - I never go anywhere near redline in it. It's very competent in the corners but the little dude is whispering "slow down and enjoy the ride". The W212 is a generation newer in tech than the e9x, and my e91 doesn't even have iDrive, so the infortainment is better in the Mercedes. Both have Harman/Kardon sound systems, and they sound about the same. I like the BMW seats slightly better but that may be just all these years of owning it (and I also have a 2011 128i convertible with the same seats). The Mercedes is a good bit bigger with a LOT more rear seat room in particular - but it's really a 5-series competitor not a 3-series so that stands to reason. I think the interior materials in the Mercedes are inferior - but that is true of newer BMWs as well. Cost cutting. Sigh.
I don't think you can go wrong with either. And if not maintained correctly and treated properly, either car has the potential to put you in the poorhouse in short order. Neglect them at your peril. I like them both in different ways, and each is well-suited to where I keep them. The BMW lives at my summer place in Maine where there are all sorts of fun roads to play on, the Mercedes lives at my winter place in Florida where there are NOT any fun roads, just straight boring highways.
Kevin Rhodes
Port Charlotte FL / Westbrook ME
02-20-2023, 08:36 PM
#10
I have a 2011 335d and a 2012 E350 diesel and this is exactly my experience. Yeah, I like diesels.
02-21-2023, 09:32 AM
#11
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