Ditto on what Jim said.

Hmm... I would have to say go with a bimmer. Mercedes cars are autobahn cruisers, not backroad carvers. Even with the sportline suspension, you are working with a 17 year old chassis design that was designed, once again, to fly down the autobahn at 120+mph, not carve it up on the backroads of colorado. The bimmer is designed from the getgo to be a superior lower speed handler. You lose out on the solid feel of the benz, and the comfort of the ride, but you can throw a 97 m3 into a turn at 70 mph that I wouldn't take over 40 in my 300E (Again, my car is a 92, so a direct comparison isn't fair, but you are buying a car, so why not compare old to new?) My friend got his 97 m3 for $22k here in Austin from the dealer, so im sure you can find a 96-97 for 20k from a private party.

no MB, no matter how firmly sprung or largely tired, will give you the tossability of a BMW. They are terrific cars. MB has it's advantages, so do BMW. The 528i is a really nice car, very comfortable, with excellent features ( I would want the sport package though--too boring without it). I also agree that a middle 20's to 30 ish c36 or 43 would be loads more fun, rarer, and has much safer reasle potential than any 5 series. That's one of the main reasons I had to stop driving BMW, I just could not keep up with the depreciation. And oh BTW, I just happen to have a 98 C43 for sale....Hope this helps, allen.

fyi- finding a sportline CE for sale is like finding a needle in a haystack!

Driving preferences seem to lean toward BMW characteristics- - but with side air bags one is remanded to newer versions

good luck
-fad

I purchased a used 500e last month from an MB dealer - 139k miles - for $18.7k. It is in extremely good condition, looks like it's been loved, and has been great so far. I drove it from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and felt like the king of the road. I had effortless power.

Thanks for the 19 replies. It's a hard decision, because as one poster says my budget doesn't allow for the ultimate solution, so I have to find the optimal one within the money constraint.

My plan is to test drive the 1992 300E factory Sportline and then make a decision. The C36 is interesting and there are some 1995s in my price range so I might check those out too if I can find one reasonably close by.

I'm reluctant to give up MB, 'cause I am cheap, enamored, and dismayed. Let me explain: I am

1. cheap and want whatever I buy to last and last
2. enamored of the quality of the finish and fit every time I get in and every time I drive my present MB (it's 19 years old)
3. dismayed by the clientele at the BMW dealership and private sellers - don't feel at home in that crowd. Also, lots of young guys who probably can't really afford their cars in the first place so I worry about how they have been maintained.

sounds like you've got a good handle on the pros and cons and a logical and realistic assessment for yourself...

sound like we also share much of your position

good luck and let us know your impressions on driving the sportline
-fad

I am an avid BMW guy with a 300E as a daily driver(3 weeks so far) and I can think of one car that you can look into.

The 1991-1995 M5
These cars were the top performers for the Sport sedan class for their day. Right now you can get a good example of one for the low 20s. Check out www.bmwcca.org for classifieds.

I know they pushed out about 340 horse and had a full luxo interior, only 5 speed though.......

Regards,
Matt OO=00=OO ONRAILS

__________________
Sold the Benz, sayin' goodbye. Thanks for all the info you guys and girls provided.


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