VinnyT

Thinkung about either an '01 S500 w/sport pkg or an '01 BMW 740iL w/ sport pkg. I posted this on the BMW forums too, and I expected the Bimmer slant towards the 740iL. Is the sport package on the 500 worth it? Does it improve the performance/handling? I've always wanted a 500 (even an SL600, but hard to find).

How does the '01 rate on this forum? I've done a lot of Googling with mixed reviews. I will also search this forum for more info.

Thanks,
V

S500 Man

well it needs to be sport package with ABC....

VinnyT

Will the VIN tell this info?

S500 Man

yes.

VinnyT

Anyone here able to decode the VIN or is there a website I can go to? OR call MB?

Thanks,
V

S500 Man

try getting a Vehicle maintenance history from dealer...........see if it was in for any major problems

whoover

VIN decoder for Vinny.

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

alanuk400

I personally would go for the E38 BMW, 2001 was the last year for that model & BMW had got it right by then. My last car was an E38 & I had no problems with it at all.

This is a good site for information
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...splay.php?f=47

Alan

VinnyT

Thank you!

abhatti55

Having owned both cars, I will recommend to stay far far away from the S500. The E38 740 is alot better car in my opinion. You will enjoy the driving experience more and if it has the widescreen nav all you have to do is upgrade to the DVD drive and you are good to go. Also, electronic wise it will be cheaper to add an Aux input, Bluetooth, Reverse Camera to the Bimmer. The Mercedes nav is garbage and no relatively easy way to upgrade it. Drive both cars and see for yourself. Push them both hard, the BMW V8 sounds better and the transmission is more responsive. Depends on what type of ride you personally want. My opinion is that the BMW chasis is built better/stronger and the car itself is soundproofed better. Sorry if I am biased on the BMW and on a MB forum, but the E38 is in a league of it's own much like the W140 cars. The pre '03 W220 is junk I can honestly say it was a mistake buying one. Go with the BMW and you will happier.

S500 Man

if you want a body style that looks outdated buy the 740i

abhatti55

What do you think the W220 is not outdated? If anything they are both equally outdated...

Oxygen

I guess not... considering it made it to 2006! When was the last year for the E38?

whoover

I have to agree that the E38 (1994-2001) is the contemporary of the W140, not the W220. Just look at the front-end styling.

S500 Man

dude, the w220 made it till 06, with all the updated headlights and tail lights it looks like an 05, you cant just update stuff on a e38 and make it look newer, cause people have seen the 745li which makes the 740 look old., the w220 stop being made last year


w220=

abhatti55

Nice comparison, you pick the ugliest pre-facelift 740 and compare it to a '06 S65. Also the OT was comparing a pre '03 S500 to an '01 740....Plus you are not keeping in mind dollar for dollar the E38 is a hands down better car. Some people on this forum have a hard time admitting the pre '03 W220 was a ****ty car. Also this person has narrowed it down to these 2 cars so he has a specific budget in mind. Considering that the 740 will be cheaper to maintain than the S500.

VinnyT

I appreciate everyones input. I do like the lines of the S500 over the 740. I was also looking at the "new" version of the 740, the 745's, but the price jump between the two is crazy. The reason I like the 740 is for their sport package. It really makes the car look good. I wouldn't consider the non-sport version.

Now insurance for the 500 is insane compared to the 740. (However, this really has no bearing on my choice)

In my area, the price for a 2001 740 or 500 is pretty even, so I am still stuck. I have better color choices with the 740 as the only 500's I found are silver.

AARHG!

K-A

Styling wise it's NO CONTEST. The S500 looks very relevant and stylish to todays standards and IMO will keep that timeless aspect for a long time. The E38 looks old and dated big time. That car was designed in the early 90's I believe, still caries over a slight hue of an 80's design look too IMO. Besides that I was never personally a fan of the design too much anyway, thought it to be a bit boring, which is why I think it doesn't hold a "timeless" design factor like the W220.

Reliability wise might be another story, I sold my S500 because I was tired of fearing about mainly the faulty Suspension. I can't speak for the 7 Series' reliability. But I gotta say between those two, you gotta go S-Class, whole different league.