Audi A4 vs BMW E36 vs MB W124

[the josh]

MB syempre, classic eh at reliable pa

[mbeige]

I'm pretty good at practical electronics so I guess i can do these modifications myself (pag sinipag LOL).

Saw a 1995 E300 TD... ganda :D


Thanks a lot for the expert replies. :-)


PS. You guys don't really like BMWs, do ya? hehe

Looks like you can find yourself a nice w124 and join the MBCP to get more insight

The 1992 w124 already has semi updated look, but suffice to say a complete conversion done properly still is a conversion. Nothing beats an authentic design. Maybe it's just me though. There's something nice about keeping it all original. Our 1990 300TE has the chrome accents on the door handles, the blacked/painted chrome on the roof/windshield pillars, and the chrome accents on the bumpers and body cladding.

However, I find that the w124's Achilles heel in terms of design is the front - they should have all used the updated look from the start. Somehow for me the non updated look looks dated. I guess this is one of the reasons why the owners convert to the E look. But the w124 was the first model in MB's line up to have model facelifts. The w123 only had interior changes, and externally it looked similar through the years. The w124 got the semi updated look around 1990, and completed the E look around 1993-1995 together with the wiring harness problem I suppose.

BMW's? Well I've never owned one, but I'm surprised almost none of the BMW owners have responded yet. I knew about Audi's electrical problems, but we have a w124 so I wanted to give my advice on it.

My dream MB is probably a 1995 E500 black on black. But dangit, it'll always be a dream. Either the rich guys have already gotten multiple specimens, or the good ones are just too impossible to acquire. I think that's the ultimate in understatement.

[wonderloo]

i had an audi a4 1.8l 2000.
handling, comfort, pati yun leather seats nya...superb...!
if i only had money to maintain its HIGH maintenance expenses,
i would have kept it...

hindi ko lang talaga nakayanan yun periodic maintenance system tune-up nya
and yun replacement for the wear-and-tear parts nya.

[Horsepower]

*wonderloo: Thanks. I was warned about high maintenance costs.

*ron: thanks, so interchangeable pala ang ibang parts.

*mbeige: When you say electrical problems, are these problems enough for the car not to run?

[squala]

The W124 is probably the best midsize Benz ever made. It rides like a dream and is dependable unlike its E-Class successors. It's not as fun as a BMW though, but indeed a great classic.

The A4, as I mentioned in another thread, looks better than it drives. The design is eye-popping but the experience is not something memorable. It handles well even in FWD but ride is hard. Space at the back isn't excellent as well. Dashboard is impeccable in design and quality, but as it was said, suffers from many electrical troubles. Parts are also pretty much from the casa only.

The E36 BMW is great fun, even in the slow 316i. It handles very well, feels really stable with a well sorted suspension and steering that's definitely involving. But space is also not very good, and the long wheelbase and low ground clearance mean you have to tackle the humps sideways.

[mbeige]

*mbeige: When you say electrical problems, are these problems enough for the car not to run?

I guess being a w124 owner who has never experienced that, it would be best to read about wiring harness problems on www.mercedesshop.com (under the shop forum). I don't know the extent of the damage done but mostly it's just the wiring insulation peeling or disintegrating away due to the use of biodegradable materials and prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. I would hope it's just annoying little electrical faults but I cannot really advise on the extent of damage possible. Maybe Ron can attest to this, he's had his wiring harness replaced before.

*Squala, the BMW may be leaning more towards sporty handling while the Benz is a balance of sporty and comfort. It's a luxury car, so it focuses on comfort but if push comes to shove, it can still hold its own on the road. Yep the e34/w124's are becoming classics, the oldest ones are probably 20 years old or more now. I'm sure the w124 started around '86 so that makes it 21yo.

[basti08]

IMO, if I'd go MB W124, I'd get the CE model or the Coupe model. Rarer, exclusivity sometimes feels good. W124s are already old, have to dig ways to add charms to its appearance. Either you add bodykits or get a more exotic model/variant. I choose the latter, but that's just me. Or a 94 C-class is indeed more appealing.

Audi A4, same sentiments as Squala.

BMW, is my pick among the choice. It has its fair share of probs as the other Germans, high maintenance, not the best in space department, not the most feature-packed but i think it is the best compromise among the trio.
I just think the dash of the E36 is way too dated even compared with the W124 Benz or the A4.

Another suggestion if you indeed are eyeing on Germans and non-discriminating.
I suggest the 98 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion. Price could be within or a bit higher than most of the choices but its NEWER for one and has Audi A4 underpinnings. Feature packed even with the Audi's Quattro 4 wheel Drive System, the 30valve V6 and luxury and convenience features not found on some base models on your choices.
You could opt for a lower model 1.8Turbo GLS variant if you want more savings.

[mbeige]

IMO, if I'd go MB W124, I'd get the CE model or the Coupe model. Rarer, exclusivity sometimes feels good. W124s are already old, have to dig ways to add charms to its appearance. Either you add bodykits or get a more exotic model/variant. I choose the latter, but that's just me. Or a 94 C-class is indeed more appealing.

The 230CE/300CE coupes command a higher price due to the exclusivity alone. You must know that parts might also be marked up for the same reason. Some coupes had the rear self leveling system, which if it goes bad, will be costly to repair. But only the parts unique to the coupe should be marked up, if they're similar to the sedans, get one for a sedan - they should be interchangeable. However, this part requires some research before purchasing the parts. In Libis, Delodur can get you the parts from Hong Kong I believe, but it takes a few weeks for special parts not commonly stocked. Other shops should also have them. Lots of surplus shops also abound, and mostly they stock German parts altogether so regardless of which car you choose, going to a surplus shop for your German car should not be much of a problem if they can refer you to other shops of similar car makes.

The wagons have the self leveling suspension too but are more useful due to the larger cargo space in the back. This means the rear has a better ride too, no sagging compared to cars not equipped with the self leveling suspension (SLS).

The fact that it's a (more) modern classic (than the w123), that makes it appealing by that alone. If you think the appearance is dated, wait until you have seen one that's fully restored and freshly painted with factory or OE paint. The metallic paints on these cars do not have glitter, as compared to the newer cars. So if you look at the paint, and it has glitters, it's probably been repainted. This is easier to spot if the paint is single stage (earlier w124's had this) because single stage paint does not have a clear coat.

I agree with Basti on the BMW interior though - it looks dated. A thread on the w124 section of Benzworld shows the experience of one person in owning or looking at both the E34 and w124. I don't recall where it is, a search should reveal it.

Basti please enlighten the thread starter why you think the BMW is the best of the three?

[Horsepower]

Thanks for the replies.

Actually, i can postpone the purchase naman and save up more for a later model like the E46..

pero i've been hearing talagang matibay ang MB W124. I plan to put thin rubbers on it (to remove some oldie stigma). Super shine it.

I like the BMW E36 since childhood though.


Q to Bimmer fans: when people say don't get the 316, is it really that bad? as in super bad? Is it possible to turbocharge this car? up to what extent?

Q to MB fans: what is the most expensive part that could go wrong in the MB W124 1995 diesel (yes, im not getting the petrol because this tank is really big and heavy = expensive gas expenses).

[basti08]

I had an experience with a BMW 316i, just a base model of the E36 3series. It onced stayed at us for a whole week from father's office before.

Power is tepid, but beyond that handling is indeed good rolls but feels stiff and not tipsy yet aplomps with poise on bumps. Engine sound is very good. Transmission is crisp. Hammers down the road like a bigger car. Drives like one solid piece very rigid.
Features may be found lacking but i picked it cause it has what you just really need in point a to point b driving. Compared with the W124 230E i drove with 4 speed manual, i think its an older 86 model, but beyond the years, i think those cars are both solid pieces of metals. I like that the faster I drive over bumps, the lesser i feel it in the case of the Benz. I think the E36 is also like that but I feel its more pronounced in the Benz. I dont also think it handles better than the smaller 3series. Engine sound is horrible IMO, reminds me of an electric generator.