"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
09/15/2015 at 21:10 • Filed to: None
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"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
09/15/2015 at 21:10 • Filed to: None | 0
| 7 |
Good evening, fellow Oppos. I know we get a different crowd on here in the evenings, so I figure I’d re-ask a question.
My brother in law and sister recently moved to Germany for 2 years for his work (security contractor for DoD). They are looking at purchasing a car to have while they are over there. Due to the great public transportation system they don’t plan on driving a lot, but would like to have it for road trips, and occasionally his job sends him to remote locations.
They are currently thinking about an early 2000’s BMW 5 series (like an E39 chassis) or Mercedes E Class (late W210 or early W211). These cars seem to run in the $4k to $6k range, usually around 120k miles, and a lot of them come with full service records. Does anyone have any thoughts on either of these cars? Know anything in particular to look for?
I’ve heard a lot of good things about the E39 cars, just avoid the 540i due to issues with the V8, and replace the water pump on the 6 cylinder cars. I’m not really a Merc guy, so I don’t know too much about the E class. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Holland and Holland Range Rover by Overfinch for your time.
TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2015 at 21:34 |
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I’d go for the E39, every time. Those things are amazing motorway mile munchers. I’d think hard about looking for diesels. The Merc, I’d personally avoid since it comes from the era of questionable Mercedes build quality.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
09/15/2015 at 21:57 |
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Thanks. I told them the same thing. I’ve always been more of a BMW guy than a Merc guy. Nothing in particular against them, I just see BMW as being a good balance of sport and luxury, while I view Mercedes as just luxury cars, so the BMWs are naturally more appealing to me.
I didn’t know anything about the Merc reputation for build quality, but I’ll pass the insight along.
gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2015 at 22:06 |
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For more info on Merc unreliability, see the first few seasons of the new Top Gear. Back when they were trying to be helpful to car buyers they did satisfaction surveys, and Mercedes was ALWAYS at the bottom.
LeftOfTheDial
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2015 at 22:28 |
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History: I own a w210, dad owned an e39. A simple breakdown would e39 handles better, better interior. Had good reliability. Higher part prices. W210 had possibly rust issues. Those will be obvious on the example you see. The build quality issues are overly stated. I think the w210 is easier to work on and remember these were the cabs there, lots of repair knowledge. Either is great,imo better than the a6 option.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2015 at 23:02 |
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‘00-02 W/S210 E-classes can be borderline unkillable, as long as they’ve had some halfway decent maintenance done. Under 150k miles valve covers will probably seep a little and front lower ball joints might get a tiny bit loose but that’s about it. Closer to 200k miles shine bushings might need to be replaced and the rear main will probably seep a little. Some have carbon buildup in air injection ports between 200-300k miles and a few other rubber parts will probably need to be replaced in that range as well. Late 210’s are fantastic cars and supremely reliable for what they are as long as they’re cared for even a little bit. I still see lots of them coming into my shop for nothing more than oil changes and basic maintenance over 200k.
I’ve seen and heard of an alarming number of head gasket and cracked head issues on I6 BMW’s from that era, and even quite a few threads pulling out of blocks when installing new head bolts. They also have bushing and ball joint issues like 210’s but from what I’ve seen just a little earlier. Interiors are often trashed on them as well. The 4 speed ZF trans is quite good though.
Any 211 in that price range will be shit. Early ones are where the quality concerns stem from, not so much 210’s. Whichever way they go, make sure they don’t skimp on a pre-purchase inspection and to get the best example they can afford.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> LeftOfTheDial
09/15/2015 at 23:09 |
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Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/16/2015 at 05:28 |
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Dacia Logan or Duster perhaps?