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Originally Posted by fahrvergnugen
I've had this Merc for 4 years now, and overall it has been reliable; however, I never seem to get on top of the repairs that would make it more of a joy to drive. As a consequence, I don't enjoy driving it.
Recently, the ignition cylinder seized and left me without a car, were it not for a good friend who loaned me his spare 325xi with an auto stick. It has been a joy to drive, and reminded me of why I liked German cars to begin with... Ironically, despite the number of things wrong with the TD, I still believe it is worth more than the bimmer, but smiles per mile is certainly lower. Bear with me while I try to list the pros and cons of both...
'83 300TD
--Cons
218K on the clock
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Really not a lot for one of these cars if accurate.
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Seats need rebuilding desperately, I hurt myself on long drives.
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Shouldn't be too hard to rebuild or replace a driver's seat.
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AC controls need rebuilding, they don't work right
No working AC
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You need AC in Colorado? I don't need it in Nevada. I also got along without it in Georgia and Mississippi.
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Turbo is bad (have rebuilt unit to install)
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If you already have it, you may as well install it.
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Handling is poor in comparison to anything else I have owned, mostly dubs
Needs new front shocks and tires
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The right tires at the right pressures along with the right shocks will fix a lot of that, and aren't hard to do, if a bit pricey.
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Slow to heat in the winter
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Several potential causes, all fixable, but you knew that already from reading this forum.
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--Pros
Hard to kill, damn durable
Collectible
Trans rebuilt at some point
'03 325xi wagon
--Cons
Arguably, Not as durable as the TD (just learned about the headbolt problem)
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From what I hear about newer BMW cars, it's more like a lot less durable.
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Small rust spots on bottoms of the doors
Broken windshield
Dent in front bumper
200K
--Pros
An absolute joy to drive
Has sport seats and auto manual
Everything works!
AWD, which would be smart here in CO.
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Fairly beaten 200k mile Bimmwad. Could be a fun beater for the right price. As in second car while you take some time fixing issues with the TD.
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I am hoping for opinions here, so feel free to dicker with my reasoning. I Used to enjoy driving the Benz, and I Might enjoy driving it more in the future, just seems like I would have more fun With something More fun... Even considered getting a 124 as I think that Would help, but... This car is available, I think....
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I've thought about that too. So I got something newer and more fun for not too much money, and kept the Benz. So far it's working for me.
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Originally Posted by ESchwab
I have justified major expenses in fixing my AC (compressor and evaporator) with the rationale that an MB without air conditioning is not really an MB. Either I pay for it or get rid of the car.
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Lewis Hamilton's doesn't have AC.
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My view is that it is generally cheaper to fix the problems on a car you already own than to buy a newer car. The problem comes when you let several major problems build up, and it looks like you are better off by buying a newer car. The problem you have with the newer car is that you don't know where it has been neglected and what repairs it will need.
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I would generally tend to agree there.