Please help! BENZ or BMW??

[PRPB]

Hi! I am considering to buy a nice second hand car but I am confused between a 1990-92 Mercedes 260E and 1990-94 BMW 525i. Which model would you suggest between the two? What are the pros and cons? Please give me your comments and views for this two models. Thank you very much!

[empy]

the 90's benz e-class was, imo, one of the best mercedes ever made. absolutely bulletproof internals, very good luxury for its time (and even today), and a solid comfortable ride. styling was a bit bland but still very nice, and very reliable.

the 5-series of the same generation is about the same, but better performance, a sportier ride, and different styling (which is of course, a matter of taste). i think the benzes were a bit more reliable though. i could be wrong.

[woodfire]

either way, you won't go wrong! it's a matter of taste and preferences. I personally prefer bimmers bcoz of its sporty handling and silky smooth vanos engines. Get the 1994 525i if you can bcoz it already has the vanos (bmw's version of the variable valve timing/lift).

[kimpOy]

yup its a matter of preference...mine would be the 260E

[speedy]

I know brand is important, but don't forget to look at the whole car. I mean, mileage, general condition, car history etc...... For instance, look in the engine bay and look for "bent" frames. Body shops can fix the exterior but often neglect to fix the internal frames. Another tell tail signs are paint colors. Check door sills and frame and see if its not aligned. Is the undpinning of the car a different color that would hide bondo or body work. High mileage and low mileage? Condition of hoses and timing belts. You may have a nice MB on one hand that has either been driven by a house maid or a woman who has'nt changed the oil since they bought it. It may have been used as a service car. Drive it, drive it hard. See if anything breaks away. Check history whether it was a stolen and recovered car, totalled or damaged. You definitely do not want a lemon. Make sure they give you at least 1 year warranty. Good luck!

[BlueBimmer]

hmm im leaning towards the merc...the bimmer a close second

[PRPB]

Thanks a lot for your comments and suggestions... BTW. How about availability and price of parts? Estimated fuel consumption? and service centers?

[BlueBimmer]

parts n service are not a problem if ur in metro manila. there are plenty of good euro oem part suppliers n service shops.

[mbt]

mas maraming service options for old benzes than old bimmers i think.

anyway, i'd go for the 525i. it drives really great, and the styling is absolutely classic!

[odell]

525i ako.. iba ang bmw.. depende siguro sa kalagayan mo.. ako kasi mejo young pa kaya mas sporty ang gusto ko.hehehe. pag ka tanda ko siguro more on sa 260e ako :D

[OTEP]

I can attest to the bulletproof nature of the W126 sedan. My father's 1985 230E is still going strong up to this day. It has outlasted all our Japanese sedans (now we have none).

Ssanyong still uses the same basic architecture for its Chairman and Rodius models.

[pixelparadigm]

Maganda yung bimmer 5-series, specially in black. Parang pang Mafia yung dating.

[scarab]

....have both thoroughly checked (as in todo). yung merc kasi ng erpats ko medyo naba-badtrip nako eh.

[kuroy]

bmw ka na lang....

[KCboy]

for me, a matter of preference lang yan, had both a bmw n merc, basta made in germany, trouble free. pag yung made in the US na, dun nagumpisa yung mga merc and bmw problems.

[pissword]

maganda sila parehas.. gustong gusto ko yang Merc model na yan.. box type konti pero para sa akin kung may chance ka for an old 5series BMW, yan nalang kasi i think in comparison mas maganda ang 525 compared to Merc, mas astig siya tingnan for me kasi masmahaba. although kahit alin dyan sa dalawa maganda talaga

[vince]

Bias ako id go for a 525! Pero in fairness with the mercedes, smooth ang ride ng mercedes! BMW has a more sporty ride and handling! Parts wise Madali maghanap ng gumagawa ng mercedez at mura pa. BMW okay lang medyo kaunti pero meron din! 5 Series the best, Destined to be a classic!

[kimpOy]

my dad's W123 Gas is still running...
medyo matakaw lang kumain ng gaso kaya nakagarahe...

[squala]

AFAIK, the 525i is already fuel-injected while the 260E is still carbureted.

The early 90s E-Class is among the best Mercedes has ever made. In 1994, they are #1 in the JDPower tests, but a few years ago, they're already among the bottom. This car you plan to buy was very thoughtfully made. It has a silky ride and very much a classic inside and out.

The 5-Series is a different car altogether. Rather than comfort, it's made for performance, handling and fun. I also find it nice-looking. It also seems fewer here compared to its Benz counterpart.

So what should you choose? If you're the driver, you are to lean towards the Bimmer, but if you have someone to drive for you, you'd be better off in the Benz.

[kaloi]

it all depends on your age and how do you want people to look and think of you. If you wanna look young and aggressive, get the bimmer. If you wanna look like a little bit wiser and gain respect from older men, get the merc. it's all about image. and understanding and improving our image is how we market ourselves to other people.