Used Car Face-Off: Euro I6 Wagons

"Amoore100" (amoore100)
07/31/2015 at 16:00 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Volvo, Mercedes, BMW, Wagon, I6

Welcome back to Used Car Face-Off! Today we are looking at three strikingly similar Euro wagons, all from 1995, all under $4K, all RWD with automagic transmissions, and all with I6 engines. They are two Teutons and a Swede and the only question is, which is the best deal for the money?

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Slightly battered gold wagon that looks pretty clean despite some wear...full documentation as well and all at a bargain of a price...but is 232K miles a bit high?

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Very nice green wagon with only 123K miles, but is its almost $4K price too high?

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Finally, we have a nice and clean Volvo wagon at a fair price of $2800 and a semi-low mileage of 137K...but is it too sensible and boring in comparison to the Teutons?

Choose here!

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DISCUSSION (14)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 16:05

I’d go for the BMW, that I6 sounds amazing.

Steve in Manhattan > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 16:14

I’d roll the dice and get a used Saab. Voted for the Volvo, it’s likely to be the least problematic.

Amoore100 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
07/31/2015 at 16:18

Hopefully even with 232K miles on it...

Alfalfa > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 16:20

I voted for the Merc, but it’s tough. The Merc is the prettiest IMO, but that Volvo will likely be the most pain free. The BMW will probably be the most fun to drive.

Amoore100 > Steve in Manhattan
07/31/2015 at 16:20

Saab vs Volvo is for next week! (Though I’ve heard so many awful things about Saab reliability that I went Volvo V50 for my first car instead of Saab 9-3...)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 16:21

I had an early E34 520 that had done 500k km, not a single problem with it.

Amoore100 > Alfalfa
07/31/2015 at 16:23

Agreed on all counts. The Merc probably has the most life in it left but the Volvo will likely trundle on forever in a state of mostly-workingness...then there’s the BMW, which already has done that...

Steve in Manhattan > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 16:54

An ex had a 90s Saab 900 (non-turbo) and it just ran and ran and ran ... don’t even think she changed the oil. Spongy clutch, but otherwise I loved driving it.

Amoore100 > Steve in Manhattan
07/31/2015 at 17:00

My parents had a friend whose son was in an accident after the brakes in his new Saab apparently “gave out”... (Personally I think it’s just a story, but still...) After the accident, his girlfriend had a permanent limp (though if not in a Saab would probably be dead) so my parents are not so keen on me getting a Saab as long as I’m on their insurance...

Slant6 > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 17:03

I recently bought an e34 525i. I love it. Yes. I’ve put over $1000 into it in the first month of ownership. Yes I’ve only driven it 600 miles. Yes it’s currently imobile (my own fault, striped the new shock). L6 sounds great. Gets 30mpg on the highway.

Sam > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 17:07

I’m very close to actually buying that Bimmer myself for spare parts on mine. It’s in really good shape, especially for the price.

Steve in Manhattan > Amoore100
07/31/2015 at 17:08

Well, there are several other reasons not to get one, including the fact that the company no longer exists. But I have so few car needs that a Saab might be a fun challenge. But for now, it’s the MTA.

UOnlyLiveOnceDriveAUnicorn > Steve in Manhattan
07/31/2015 at 19:11

I have an ‘06 9-3 conv and my unicorn, an ‘11 9-5, both turbos, and both have been extremely reliable. I use an independent Saab mechanic for scheduled maintenance and regret neither. Parts are not an issue, especially for the 9-3.

UOnlyLiveOnceDriveAUnicorn > UOnlyLiveOnceDriveAUnicorn
07/31/2015 at 19:13

btw, i would take the BMW. Need to own one of their I6 in your life. Like an Alfa, or a Saab