Hello!

I'm in the market for a second hand MB E500 (550) or BMW 550i touring. Both cars have their pro's and contra's, but i would like to hear from actual owners what their toughts are.

I've already made some homework, but most of the stuff I find are old topic's (https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-bmw-550i.html) or just plain comparissons from carmagazines.

My questions:

- What is the better carchoice if reliability (engine, drivetrain and electronics) and build quality are important to me? I'm thinking about buying a car with 40 to 60000 km (25-37500 miles).
- Merc: Is the M278 still the better choice over the M273? Or do they both have their issues?
- The W212 and W213 are both ok for me, but are there differences in build quality and reliability?

I realise that i'm asking this on a Benz forum, so if you can be objective ^^ .

Thank you very much.

 

I see you currently drive a BMW. So what is it about a BMW that turns you off, that you are looking to change brands to a MB? Rather that get into the usual long list of pros and cons, that mostly boils down to personal preferences and past experiences, it would be helpful to understand what specifically you ae looking for in a new ride.
Have you even test driven both vehicles to see if the ride quality and handling meets your needs or expectations or are you making an assessment strictly off of car reviews and recommendations from other people? I'm just trying to narrow down specifically what YOU value in any new vehicle you end up getting.

 

I'm very pleased with my BMW. The problem here in Belgium, is that it's very (very) difficult to obtain that type of engine second hand. You have to go to Germany and there buy one. The problem with that, is that a "premium" car (a certified 2nd hand car) in Germany isn't a "permium" car in Belgium. Put briefly: you don't get 2 years warranty in Belgium on a car from Germany (with the same label!). Unified Europe my *** .

Mercedes is much more leniend in that way.

I've driven a F type 5 series and W212 merc (e220), so i'm familiar with the type car (weight, level of comfort, space, ...). But that not the same as driving the cars i want to buy. Why you ask? They were just not available at that moment. That type of car isn't something they have in their showroom here.

 

I've owned both cars. Each has different issues.
My 550i had issues with oil seals rubber door gaskets, etc.. The last oil seal service I had cost US$3500 just before I sold it. The rubber gaskets didn't leak water, but they caused lots of wind noise above 45 mph.

The E500's issues were primarily electronic. The rear A/C would blow heat while the front A/C would be cold. It had lots of false failure codes. I replaced several controllers that were very expensive.

Bottom line is "pick your poison". New cars have enough issues that are usually fixed under warranty. Used cars have greater issues that require lots of money.

 

Ah yes, Europe in the age of the EU and the nanny state. Constantly pushing the public, one way or another, to buy cars many really don't want and they do everything they can to throw up roadblocks to buying the cars that many in Europe still want to own. That kind of mentality is popping up here as well "for our own good" as they like to say it.
I've driven the older BMW 550, but not the newer 550 M Sport version. I own a MB E550 coupe and bought it new. It's been like a rock when it comes to reliability of everything. ZERO problems and it's a blast to drive. Short of buying a real AMG, this is probably as close to it as you're going to get in a regular production MB vehicle. So from my perspective the M278 TT is a terrific balance between practical and performance in something you can drive every day.

You mention the W213, so I assume you mean what is called the E43 here and not the AMG E63. The E43 replaces the E550 and M278 TT in the new re-design. It also has electric steering which changes your feel of the road and has the larger LCD screens that replace both the analog instrumentation cluster and the COMMAND navigation system. The LCD's are what was in the W222 S Class. I test drove one to see what it was like. Let's just say that while I understand why MB and everyone else is downsizing their engines, you just lose some of the feel and characteristics that people who enjoy spirited driving like to do. They slapped an AMG badge on the E43, because the standard MB engine now used has a AMG tune to bring it up to almost the same of the older M278 TT. Beautiful interior and a somewhat more isolated feel to the ride, which you either will like or not depending on your personal preference. Finally just to let you know, MB essentially upped the price on the new W213 model over the W212 by about $25K to $30K dollars over the E550 it replaces, depending on the options you order. So just be prepared for a little bit of sticker shock, if you decide to go the W213 route. You really have to decide if the changes are worth the much higher price.

 

Unless price is an issue I would get an E43 over an E550 any day of the week. Powerwise, they are almost identical and the E43 is superior in all criteria, braking, handling, tech, interior, etc. No contest.

 

Thx for the advice!

An other question i'm wondering for a while : how does the enginesound compare to an 335i? Is it much quietter?