What a different world - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dtf · #1 10-22-2016, 07:10 PM

I've been meaning to post about my latest car for a while now but one message on that car's forum really hit me. My trusty '99 E300 Turbo passed on and needing another car quickly I went to my local guy I usually have work on car/truck stuff and he had a 2006 330xi 6 speed manual for sale amongst other bimmers. I bought it and now I frequent that forum to understand that car too.

So now I own an Audi, only one MB now and the BMW. Completely different cars from each other.

The Audi is cheapest quality wise. There are about a dozen things that irritate me even before I start the car but with a set of Hakka 5's and Quattro it gets my wife home is hellish snow storms every time! That's the only reason I keep it. It has a terrible ride quality - the headlights are terrible - $350 each for replacement bulbs.... going on my 3rd set of bulbs too.

The BMW is really built to be upgraded and modified IMO. Pretty fast and the inline 6 is very smooth like the M104 in my late - great- '94 wagon. It handles the best of any car I have ever had and the ride quality is much better than the Audi. The brakes are incredible and these guys still upgrade them with brembo stuff.

The forum post that got me to write this was one guy wants opinions about buying a 328xi 2011 with about 160,000 miles on it and almost all of the forum members are telling him to run as fast as he can from a BMW with that many miles.

My trusty '95 E300 Diesel was bought with 155,000 miles and it feels like it is almost broken in by now. Just a dream to drive and reliable like the sun coming up. It could be faster but I use the kick down relay quite a bit and I can keep up with the big dogs on the highway

just amazing the differences................maybe a Porsche in the long term future to complete the research

lsmalley · #2 10-22-2016, 07:23 PM

Bought my 1990 w201 in 2005 with 174k miles on it....it now has 401k miles on it.
Thank you MB!

97 SL320 · #3 10-22-2016, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtf

The forum post that got me to write this was one guy wants opinions about buying a 328xi 2011 with about 160,000 miles on it and almost all of the forum members are telling him to run as fast as he can from a BMW with that many miles.

My question to those that say to run would what specifically breaks? Being able to fix the car yourself and having a stash of parts on hand goes a long way to keeping it going.

For example, an alternator failure would be a major event for a non car repair person but for someone that has some spare parts and a bit of skill it is an opportunity to save a few $ and have a look at the cars general health.

dtf · #4 10-22-2016, 08:22 PM

Granted I've only had the car - and on their forum for a few months but bmw does things like electric water pump with no temp gauge on the dash so when it goes it is a complete surprise. The pump is also located in a very difficult spot to remove and replace on the n52 engine.

The PCV valve is famous in bmw lore since it almost involves the entire removal of the valve cover and other components to replace. Some blow oil almost as bad as the 2.0T Audi turbo. Oh and let's not talk about no spare tire.....

Coil packs fail frequently and the whole 335 common rail direct injection system fails more often than not.
Learning a lot.... But the diesel is still my favorite. Some times I don't feel like going ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM.

And finally........it appears to me that there are a lot of people on that forum that don't even change their own oil! Not a lot of guys asking for help in repairs either.

Bimmer-Bob · #5 10-22-2016, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

My question to those that say to run would what specifically breaks? Being able to fix the car yourself and having a stash of parts on hand goes a long way to keeping it going.

For example, an alternator failure would be a major event for a non car repair person but for someone that has some spare parts and a bit of skill it is an opportunity to save a few $ and have a look at the cars general health.

Agreed. I also think that a lot of the folks that advise ditching a BMW right out of warranty aren't the types that are prepared to spend money on preventive maintenance in general, and specifically don't view things like control arms, etc. as replaceable wear items. They also don't get the simple math that even spending a few thousand dollars on maintenance and repair of a used luxury or performance car that you already own is far cheaper than buying a new one every 4-5 years.

Personally, I've had great luck with my 128i, which I've owned for almost 7 years, since new. The only repairs I've had done were replacement of a cracked third brake light lens and replacement of a bit of wood trim that had come loose, both under warranty. There is now a bit of peeling around the cupholders, so I will probably replace the transmission tunnel trim piece myself for <$100. Absolutely no mechanical failures, though, but the N52 is the last in a long-line of naturally-aspirated straight sixes, a formula BMW has spent a lot of time perfecting. I wouldn't necessarily trust the direct-injected turbo cars as much.

dtf · #6 10-22-2016, 08:32 PM

.......and bmw does this thing when gave to replace the battery you have to 'register' it with the on board computer otherwise it will die prematurely due to over charging.

engatwork · #7 10-22-2016, 09:28 PM

BMWs can't hold a candle to a MB if both are maintained properly in my opinion. They are vary predictabe regarding when certain parts will fail.

85 DSEL · #8 10-23-2016, 07:03 AM

I was once told that in Germany culture the BMW is the 'blue collar' car and Mercedes, yep, the 'white collar' vehicle! I own both and I see differences of course but to me, they are driven for two different styles of driving. MB for smooth driving comfort. The 330 coupe is rougher ride, sportier and considerably quicker, low sitting curvy roads eater!

Stretch · #9 10-23-2016, 10:42 AM

I find you get a different collection of people on different forums. Some of the advice you get is more akin to go faster stripes and wheel offset rather than engine rebuilding and engineering...

...hang around for a while - ask questions - if you get no sensible replies move to another forum - eventually you'll find the people who have some real mechanical experience.

Maki · #10 10-23-2016, 10:55 AM

I've owned an E34 chassis 1995 540i for 11 years and 185,000 miles. It has its weak points, but nothing I've found that isn't repairable at home. The 32-valve 4-liter V8 is a sweet engine, and the automatic trans is very durable if properly maintained. I'd say it's as sound as its MB contemporary, the 722.6. My trans is original at 270,000 miles, and the engine has zero oil consumption.

All in all, I'd say it's every bit the equal of the MB W124.

I consider the W210 to be one of MB's weaker efforts. I seldom see one that doesn't have some rust holes in it. In my mind BMW's E39 chassis is superior -- and, you can get a V8 with a 6-speed stick.

I've never liked the build quality of BMW 3 series cars after the E30. The 5 series cars tend to be better put together. Is MB that much different? I recall people referring to C-class Benzes as "cheap class." And early MLs as "Alabama trash cans."

I've tended to gravitate toward older cars because they're more serviceable than newer models. You can't really compare any 2006 model to something 10 or 20 years older. Serviceability has fallen off, but efficiency and power per CC have increased.

Hirnbeiss · #11 10-24-2016, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85 DSEL

I was once told that in Germany culture the BMW is the 'blue collar' car and Mercedes, yep, the 'white collar' vehicle! I own both and I see differences of course but to me, they are driven for two different styles of driving. MB for smooth driving comfort. The 330 coupe is rougher ride, sportier and considerably quicker, low sitting curvy roads eater!

This was probably told to you from somone in SW Germany, Daimler's home turf. In Munich, they will tell you that MB's are Opawagen (Grandpa cars).