BMW 525it or Mer 300e

[Theurig]

Choices choices choices, I am in the market, I am torn between the two, both good condition, and I have always liked the 5 series touring wagon, the ones I have in mind are a 92 525it and a 91 300e. both have miles in the 128 area. I am mercedeshop for life member so don't be biased!!

[sixto]

Do you mean a 300E sedan or 300TE wagon?

What do you need it for? What features are important you or do you definitely not want (e.g., can't get that year/model of MB without leather and without AT)?

Do you ever need to fit 7 people legally in the car?

Do you DIY? Do you need advise on which is easier to service yourself?

The 87 300TD is the best wagon ever sold in the US

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

[AlexTheSeal]

If you want diesel (in the US), there is of course only one choice. But the E34 5-series definitely gives the W124 a run for its money. I think each is the best all-around car that its manufacturer has ever made.

[Theurig]

So basicaly between this particular beemer 525it (touring wagon) and Merc 300e the scale is balanced?? I am not that much of a DIY anymore, I'll change the air filter spark plugs etc, but not much else. As far as really looking for anything in particular feature-wise, they both have close to the same features, the bottom line is they are two cars that I have always liked.

[schumi]

one factor, with that mileage, you are near the end or beyond the typical expected life of a BMW auto trans (which would cost about as much to replace with a reman as you will pay for the car). That is one thing I've heard that MB has the advantage on BMW. Obviously, how the cars were drive, maintained, luck, etc. play a role in how long the trans in any car will last.

[lee polowczuk]

I think that without going beyond basic DIY....say into a second tier.... water pumps, alternator, brakes, etc.... either of these cars could be very costly at that mileage. Parts at retail alone could kill you..

[jcyuhn]

Big utility difference between the two. The Benz somehow manages to be twice as large on the inside without being any larger on the outside. OK, I'm exaggerating a bit, but only a bit. The cargo area behind the rear seat is literally twice as large on a 124 wagon as on an E34. I've drooled over various V8 powered BMW wagons, but they won't carry my bicycles worth a darn, so are off my list.

- JimY

[ke6dcj]

FWIW, the W124 wagon has so much more useable space in the cargo area than the BMW's.

If you can afford the M104-powered (DOHC inline-6) W124's, it would be a better comparison to the DOHC inline-6 of the BMW.

:-) neil

[suginami]

Originally Posted by ke6dcj

If you can afford the M104-powered (DOHC inline-6) W124's, it would be a better comparison to the DOHC inline-6 of the BMW.

:-) neil

This would include the 1993 300TE, which has the 3.2 liter DOHC M104 engine (not the 3.0 liter SOHC M103 engine), and the 1994-1995 E320 wagon.

[Theurig]

The 124 is actually not a wagon but a sedan, I don't like the look of the 124 wagons, on the other hand I like the look of the 5 series wagons. Looks like the consensus so far is for the Benzido!!! My main concern really is mechanically which is the better car??

[ke6dcj]

Originally Posted by Theurig

The 124 is actually not a wagon but a sedan, I don't like the look of the 124 wagons, on the other hand I like the look of the 5 series wagons. Looks like the consensus so far is for the Benzido!!! My main concern really is mechanically which is the better car??

Mechanically and cost-wise, I think the Mercedes wins.

BTW: below is my w124 wagon. More here:

http://www.silcom.com/~neilv/sportline

:-) neil

[Theurig]

What a Show off !...... what kind of people here at mercedesshop??... I guess after seeing the above 124 wagon, my opinion on the looks of the 525 have changed.....

Anyway once again, the folks at mercedesshop come through, after analyzing everything, I think I'll be buying the 124 shortly....

Thanks for your advise all....

[neanderthal]

the E34s interior materials are not up to par with mercedes materials, even the MB tex.
the BMW will have a timing belt vs chain, so that is one more maintenance item you dont worry about with the three pointed star
as mentioned, the tranny can go in teh BMW. one did on me in my brothers 525i. $1800 rebuilt.

but that beemer looks sweet and rides like a dream. stereo much nicer than the benz. by that i mean it has more speakers, allowing for great imaging and tough bass vs the 6 speaker 124 stereos. has trip computer and all that fancy stuff we didnt get. more options to upgrade and so on.

[JasonUberMB]

I have a 1990 W124 wagon with 225,000 miles. It has the SOHC, decent power, good gas mileage (17/27) and I haven't done any valve work on it yet. The hydraulic lifters click a bit, buy maybe an engine flush would fix that.

Overall, it has been an excellent vehicle. It is my daily driver, camping car, ski car, and bicycle trip car. Fits lots of gear, is very reliable, and with a good pair of winter specific snow tires, it handles very well on ice and snow. It has started reliably, with a weak battery, in Leadville CO, in temperatures of -20F.

I love the way the 525IT wagon looks. But then that black 1993 300TE wagon (3.2 DOHC) posted above in this thread...looks *really* good! I have driven some early and mid 1990s beemers (325 convertible, 325 4 door, 328 2 door coupe) and found the interior to be lower quality than late 80s and early 90s Mercedes. The 328 had an absolutely sweet engine, and is kick-ass driver. The Beemers definitely beat the Mercedes in handling on their stock suspension.

In regards to a tranny for a 300E/300TE...my mechanic has said he can find a used 50k mile tranny for $900, and install it for another $200. I like that option better than $1800 for a remanufactured BMW tranny needed at 150k miles, or less.

[haasman]

Regarding the Mercedes wagon cargo capacity: Several years ago I managed to get inside both a full sized washer and dryer and close all the doors! I wish I had a picture.

It was tight, we took our time doing it, I did have to move the front seats forward a bit (I am 5'10") but they fit! I don't believe the BMW could do that.

I think the quality control on the pre-94-95 series wagons is a little bit better, I don't know why.

Haasman