another friend of mine who is a mercedes benz mechanic says that classic (Bruno Sacco) benzes are only going to go up in value.

You need them both. It's just money.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I have a 1999 528i that seems to be eating transmissions. It has 170,000 miles and has been maintained by the book since new. The previous owner replaced the transmission with a new unit at about 90,000. At 165,000, the torque converter started to slip, which triggered a check engine light. That one cost me $2,400.

As I understand it, my transmission started life as a GM unit intended for use in the Chevette and some Izusu models. Need I say more?

I'm told that some E39s have a different automatic tranny, which might be fine.

I am also having some random electrical issues - the current problem being either a wheel speed sensor or an ABS module.

Despite those two rather major complaints, I would take the BMW over the Benz. The in-line six has just the right amount of power and torque. Very smooth and driveable (if that's a word). The build quality on the car is stellar.

Owner of the 525i responds, to the remarks made here:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.....after reading through this thread and a similar one on benzworld.org:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w124-e-ce-d-td-class/1645490-dilemma-buy-mint-03-bmw-525i.html



via email to me this very early morning:

One of my reasons for doing this move is that I have read about the cooling system problems and transmissions going out at around 100,000
miles as well as the pixels burning out in the instrument panel on the E39s. NONE of these problems have happened with my car, but it is due
to a combination of being a really good car and its having low miles and excellent care. The person who should buy it for $11,000.00 is Garth, (note by Jim B. : - "Garth" refers to a mutual friend of ours who went with him in August 2003 and actually BOUGHT an identical new 525i at the same BMW dealer on the same day with us)
but he doesn't get this. His car has 85,000 mile and should sell for around $8,000.00 privately. His car has been good, but has had some
problems mine has not had including the instrument pixels problem. Plus his old Volvo is now in failing health, but he continues to put money
in it. As for those who think the dealer over allowed on my 5, my answer is that I negotiated the price of the new car before the price of
the trade. The used car manager is a long time BMW man and knew exactly what he was getting in a trade. You will see the new Genesis
tomorrow. The BMW gave me great trouble free motoring for 9 years and I hope the Genesis does as well.

Take care,

So... Based on this new information, from the owner of the 525i in question, AND all of YOUR prescient remarks,

I have made the decision to DEFINITELY pass on the BMW, and instead, KEEP my beloved "Red Plum", the 1995 Mercedes Benz E 420.


And shortly, I will be travelling down to the San Francisco Bay area, where i plan to meet up with my friend and go with him in the BMW and stand by when he trades it in on his new Hyundai Genesis.


I've asked him before he leaves for the BMW dealer with me, to let me have the tool kit out of the BMW, it is complete and unopened, and I would like to have it in my 2011 Outback.

If possible, I will try to get pic's of the event.

__________________
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)

If you go for the BMW I would cheerfully stand in line for the Red E420.

It is not coincidental that BOTH of my Mercedes Benzes are the last-year top -of-the-line iterations - (1991 S class and 1995 E class V8's) designed by him.

I think they are iconic and can't be mistaken for anything other than a Mercedes Benz.








Passers-by now comment on them favorably pretty often now.

Bruno Sacco is still alive and his own personal ride remains to this day in Germany, a 560SEC.

__________________
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)

Jim you should try to snatch a 500E, prices are down a bit on them at the moment.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Keep that E420 around. It is just too gorgeous and you know it is a 100% problem free car.

__________________
2015 ML350 4Matic. Wifes DD
2015 GLK350 4Matic. My winter DD
2012 E350 4Matic. Road Trip car
2009 CLK350 Coupe Designo.Kleemann Tune For nice days/DD
2006 CL600. V12.Eurocharged Tune. Enough said
2005 CLK55 AMG Coupe.Kleemann Tune. For the sound and style
2004 CLK320 Cabriolet. 2005+ Interior swap. For the sunny Florida days & beach days

Yep.


One local to me sold for $4700. Wished I had grabbed it but was 2 hours too late.

__________________
-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.

No fair cutting in front of me!

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

You'll be dissapointed with the performance and reliability long term. My 2003 BMW was a basket case. I own a 1995 540i 6 speed and love it. Shame MB thought v8 with manual trannys wouldn't do well in the US.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

on the BMW 5 series from early last decade. The plastic becomes really, really brittle for some reason. This is on a 04 545i. On the last one I had in here I went to pull the upper radiator hose off and the whole nozzle pulled off. I suspect this cars radiator won't be far behind.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Jim

Buy this instead: 1992 Mercedes 500E Excellent Condition

__________________
-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.

Oh hell yeah, you only live once and 500E prices are never going to be this low again, trade that E420 in!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Wow , the camera must be broken

__________________
With best regards

Al