...what other marque would you purchase as a replacement?

Taking into condsideration roughly the same budget/buying power.

I'd go with BMW, the new 335i or the e34-e39 5 series and E38 7 series (wife's car).

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

I would also agree BMW. I have one now and they are respectable vehicles.

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Yeah, probably BMW. My venture into MB ownership was sparked by helping someone else hunt for a BMW. She ended up buying a W126, discovering this forum, and telling me about it. What a journey!

The best thing about having a Mercedes for me is participating in this forum. The people that go along with these cars are the best!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I would look at the senior Audis for their AWD drivetrains. Even with traction control, the BMW Sevens can be a trial during winter.

I would have me one of these.




or this.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

We have a set of Nokian WRX's on the 740i-- all season, but with a winter rating. They do amazingly well in the snow.

However we're supposed to get 6-10" snow tomorrow with possible freezing rain at night. Wife leaves the hospital at 11:30pm. I'm thinking she should use dear old Dad's Audi A6. I'm pretty sure he's done driving...

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

BMW's have some cheap aspects you'd never see on a Mercedes. E.g. E38 plastic exterior door handles pull out of the door (ditto E34), interior wood and plastic not on the Merc level. But man, they're a hoot to drive.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Fomoco Baby!

__________________
1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

I would go with BMW too, but I don't like the BMW owner stereotype.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

2003 E39 530i automatic.

last year of them; NO iDrive; NO runflats. No Chris Bangle messing with them.

That would be the first choice, hands down.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I'd go with a 540i Sport with the manny trans. Fun cars, esp. for that size.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Thats the BMW i was thinking of other than the E30.



I have driven a 540i Sport, and it would be a perfect daily driver, if I wasn't a Merc Man.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

My work neighbor has a 530it (wagon) for sale. PO blew the motor, so he threw in a 40k mile'r. It's in nice shape, but was hit light in the front as well. Would be a good beater with that sort of history.

He ran it through the auction the other day, but no bites. Interesting car, I want to say it's a stick, don't recall.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

I tried an E39 540ia Sport (automatic) once. HUGE fun. Car is waaaaaay more capable than I am. Problem with those, and the M5, is that you can get in over your head with them before you know it.

The insurance rates seem to reflect that sentiment.

Probably taking a professional driving course through Infineon, Bondurant, etc. would be a nice idea if you bought some car like that.


A 530i would likely be good enough for me.

Friend has a 525i automatic, that he bought new, and he now wishes he'd stretched the budget a little more and gone for the 530i instead, the 525 is just too slow and leisurely - but it is still a really nice ride. They cost quite a bit, when new.

"Ultimate Driving Machine" is not just political promises, these things really deliver.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Yeah, the M5 is too much. 540i sport is a good compromise.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder