Hi all!

What other car or cars did you consider before settling on your MB? I was so closed to getting a Volvo 850, but didn't because my heart was set on MB. Love the Swede's idiosyncrasies, but German engineering and their no nonsense design won me over.

I almost got '95 E34 BMW 540i 6-speed manual in jet black/black...I still regret not havin' gotten it...I may have opted for ///M540i, but they were so rare, and there seemed to be a limited number sent to Vancouver...that car was beautiful...the engine, the looks, the performance...I woulda gotten 17" ///M parallels like on ///M540i for normal 540i...EVERYTHING was better than the '95 W124 E420 that I currently own...however, since I was not in full control of the cash flow, and circumstances prevented me from bein' persistent enough, I ended up with the E.

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1995 black pearl/black Mercedes-Benz E420 :

I guess my 91 volvo 940GLE wagon that I traded on my MB 300SD was in the category of "a car I got before deciding on an MB" Now my I'm firm on "no more Volvo's"...

Before the Volvo I almost got a 95 VW Jetta GLX VR6. I'd still be driving the Jetta (sigh), if I was still alive and in possession of a valid drivers license.

OK, I almost bought a new 1997 Subaru Outback and later ended up buying a used 1995 Legacy LS wagon for my wife. Now my wife says "never another Subaru", although I'm intrigued by the WRX Turbo. I really want to test drive one on a sunny spring day. Just for the heck of it.

Before buying my 77 300D, I almost bought a VW New Beetle TDI but I didn't like the shifter and the dealer said there were no automatics being built.

And before buying the Subaru, I *almost* bought a 1997 E420 Sport, but my bank said no. Cars like that make me wish I had impeccable credit, to say nothing of the new AMG offerings. I'll need to see a lot of depreciation before I'm in a CL55, S55, E55, etc. oh well...

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

It was a Jag. before I landed meself with the W126. I have NO REGRETS, and am GLAD that this decision was made. I heard lots of horror stories and facts of Jag which made me admire the W126 more than I did before.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Y. M. Sin:
About 5 years ago I turned off the freeway onto the Ortega Highway overpass, and saw a wheel and tire roll through the intersection! I turned in the direction the tire had come from and saw a new Jag, no plates yet, resting diagonally across the 2 west bound lanes with no drivers side wheel!!! A very irate businesswoman was just out of the vehicle, and as I drove passed, slammed the door, screamed unprintables at the car, and planted a solid kick into the door with her high heeled shoe. (unwise - from the look on her face I do believe she stopped thinking about the car for a few moments ) Kind of sad when Ford purchases a company and it is regarded as good for quality issues!

Before I got my 87 300E I was trying to figure out how to afford a new BMW 5 series. Got the MB through fate/circumstances, put some money into the Sportline and tyres, and figured it was a reasonable compromise. My wife, who can't stand seeing BMWs going around corners unchallenged, calls the car her Bimmer Beater. She probably would have become schizophrenic if I had bought a BMW.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

I almost bought a BMW E38 740iL before stuck to my S320L. That BMW is built with very high quality- excellent barvarian handling, plus very attractive electronic high-tech feel interior including the muti-functional screen control. However, somethings are not supposed in a luxurious sedan like :
1. doors are too large and closing sounds not too solid
2. seats and armrests are too firm- ass to fit them but not the other way around ! i.e. easily tired when long trip.
3. suspension is too hard regardless of the electronic setting.
4. engine noise is in high frequency and very noticable
5. feeling from the combination of item 1,2,3,4- CARSICKNESS !!
6. miscellaneous items like rear seat tables, file keepers, fully chromed door handles...- seldem in use and feel out-dated.
Otherwise, not a bad choice.
S320L??-LIKE A JOMBO JET CARRING PASSENGERS IN THE 1ST CLASS. That's the reason I chose it.

That experience sure was funny, John. I could have been in that compromising position.

It is quite evident that from the many who responded in this thread that a Bimmer was considered with much deliberation.

As the story went, here we are sharing our delight.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

BMW 325i, 5 speed.
It was a lot quicker and a little more fun to drive.
But, we liked the interior and exterior styling of the C240 a little better (seems more modern), the features and gizmos, and the quality seems a little better. The interior is more luxurious and comfortable to us. The 6 speed (instead of a 5 speed) seemed kinda cool to us, too.
Also, we've had lots of BMWs, but never a MB, and thought it would be a nice change.
But, the biggest factor is that we intend to keep the car for 15 years (my wife will drive it the first 9-10 years, and then I'll take over, I have a thing for older cars). We felt that the MB would "hold up" better over the long haul, particularly in the styling area. It seems like a fresher design, and one that MB will basically stick with for a long time.
It was a pretty close decision, the 325i is just such a blast to drive, and drive fast. It has a very smooth engine and transmission, and can flat out fly. We went back and forth quite a bit, at one point we were tempted to flip a coin. But, we have been very happy with our C240/6 so far, and are glad we chose it.

[Edited by Brian K on 03-11-2001 at 01:21 AM]

Geez--gotta agree with the duck. Used to own 300E 5-speed; was really looking for another stick. Considered real hard 540 6-speed, but too expensive with too many miles. Almost bought new 5-speed V6 Passat instead (10 year, 100,000 mile warranty) maxed out for about 27K. Finally couldn't reconcile in my brain going from MBZ to VW, so got '94 E420. Stole it too for below trade-in blue book! --Mitch

Mitch, back in '95 when I was shopping for cars, the W124 E420 was actually more expensive than the 6-speed E34 540i when new by a couple thousand dollars. You are sayin' the 6-speed E34 540i is worth more than W124 E420 now used? Anyways, during my shopping, Auto West BMW in Richmond said they had a beautiful 6-speed E34 540i in the warehouse...jet black/black...and the salesman was more willing to bargain than anybody at M-B of Canada. I think they also had ///M540i's ready, but the waiting time was too long, and I needed the car relatively quickly at the time. I think the premium for the ///M wasn't TOO much over the price of the 540i with similar options. Anyhow, I got stuck with the E420 now, and after 6 years and around $65,000US poorer from payin' for the 14% tax in Canada and various other optional equipment at time of purchase, to tell you the truth, I've actually come to love that car. Althought E420 lacks the sportiness of the 540i, it has a prestige and seriousness to it...and a very "solid" feeling that I have never seen in any other car...and its high-speed stability is quite remarkable. Have you found joy in your E420, or are you still dwelling on not havin' purchased an E34 540i?

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1995 black pearl/black Mercedes-Benz E420 :

Audi 1.8t Q. But it would have been silver still

Yeah, an Audi 1.8. It was a cool car with fine exterior lines. The minute I took the driver's seat, all hopes of having an Audi vanished into vapour. I found the interior too cramped with the leather and plush designs (it was deprived of a roomier feel), and the deciding factor was the level of driver's stress coz the left pedal was tucked rather uncosily to the central divider.

Driving it can be even more deceiving. The power-house was bankrupt and couldn't deliver the slightest feel of power @ torque. The price (then) was RM150,000 - 5K less than a Bimmer 318i. It was easy to know which car I didn't wanna be caught in.

A good attempt in seduction, but the conclusion was "I GIVE UP."

BTW - Chanced upon a "for sale column" today.

ROLLS ROYCE '92 Silver Spur II. Immaculate condition. RM450,000 (RM3.80 = USD1.00).

Tempted?
You bet!

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Before settling with my R129, I had a couple of sleepless nights deciding between the MB or the Porsche 993. At the end I purchased the roaster base on the built quality and the luxury items that come with the car. 993 is built for performance, and I do not want to fend off the Cameroach and the Crazyhorse 5.0 evertime I take the car out on the road. MB gives me everything - class, performance and as much attention as the 993 would draw.


95 R129
98 W163

I guess you can Consider this as what I almost got, because I am almost about to get it.

I love the handling on the E36 M3s. I have been looking for a 97+ M3, with the 3.2L I5 w/ 240 hp, and a 6-speed. I love how my 190E handles now, but none of the newer MBs feel like that anymore.

As for my father, before the ML430, he almost considered the LX 470. Its a great SUV, but we where happy with the ML430 and the $$$ savings.

My father almost purchased a 97 S500, and at that time glad he didn't, because I really thought they where just too bulky, and I am much happier with the S500 Sport/S55 we have driven compared to any other car in its class (740IL, Jag XJRs, etc.)

Only MB I see myself buying if it where brand new is the MLs and S-class cars. Instead of the C-class, I would be looking at a BMW 3-series, instead of the E-Class or 5-Series, probably an Audi A6 2.7T Quattro because its cheaper, and more practical, and for performance, well I'll have to wait and see what AMG spits out on the new C32.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

Duck: I didn't really make myself clear. I guess what I was saying is, that I wouldn't WANT a BMW with that many miles on it--ain't got that kind of cash flow; whereas I know I can put another 100,000 on my E420 w/out a problem. And yes, I love my car. There are still times when, after I've parked it and walked away, I turn back to look at it and think: "damn, that's a good-looking car" (not to mention that kick at 80mph when you floor it!) --Mitch