Help me Oppo - major decision to make!

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw) 08/29/2018 at 21:25 • Filed to: First world problems, Shitpost

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I have to drive to St Louis tomorrow, 4. 5 hours each way , coming back Friday. Whic h car do I drive?

There’s a 40- 50% chance of rain both days, though the t emps should be comfortable. The BMW also gets better gas mileage ( probably 5 mpg difference?)

But the Mercedes is way more comfortable with massaging seats, and is quieter, with a better stereo . The BMW is a manual, but this is all highway (I 55 the whole way).

I’m driving alone, and leaning toward the BMW in hopes of fair skies and saving a bit on gas. But if it rains the whole trip I’ll wish I had the Benz.

What say you, Oppo?

Future Heap Owner > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:28

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How do you usually live your life: gambling for highest upside, or playing it safe to minimize downside?

Judging from the fact that you own two German cars, I’m betting the former, so take the BMW.

daender > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:30

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BMW, enjoy summer while it lasts.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:32

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Merc, E46 is for fun drives

WilliamsSW > Future Heap Owner 08/29/2018 at 21:33

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Lol good point. There’s risk with the Benz, too. With a 400 HP V8 turning 1900 RPM at 80, the temptation to nudge it up to 90- 100 is strong. Not so much with the BMW at 4000.

WilliamsSW > daender 08/29/2018 at 21:34

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Yeah and summer is too short around here, gotta enjoy it while I can. 

WilliamsSW > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 08/29/2018 at 21:35

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The Merc is ridiculously good at eating highway miles, but the idea of doing it top down is appealing. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:36

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V8 twin turbo boi

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:36

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Go with the BMW.

WilliamsSW > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 08/29/2018 at 21:38

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If the sun is out when I leave, this is probably the answer. 

bob and john > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:38

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wow, such t all gearing and the BMW still gets better fuel econ?

bob and john > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:38

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wow, such t all gearing and the BMW still gets better fuel econ?

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:39

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I’d take the Benz. It was built for this task!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:39

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As a lifelong St. Louisian, if you’re going downtown, which one are you more okay with being potentially hit by an uninsured person on expired temp tags in a raggedy ass car?

Also, assume traffic will be a parking lot on some highway at multiple points. 

WilliamsSW > bob and john 08/29/2018 at 21:41

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2. 5 liter NA I6 v 4. 7 liter TTV8. Merc has almost 2. 5x the power and probably weighs 800 lb more.

And yeah, the Mercs final drive is literally half ( numerically) the BMW.

Textured Soy Protein > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:44

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BMW + sunblock

WilliamsSW > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 08/29/2018 at 21:44

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Driving through downtown, but that’s not my destination. The BMW isn’t worth much of anything, I just bought the Merc ( although it’s a 2014).

I drive some in Chicago, so I’m familiar with this concept.

Steve in Manhattan > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:44

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Benz - it’s designed to while away miles on the highway. You won’t be carving up curves in a canyon.

And yes, I wrote that.

daender > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:45

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Used to live across the river and an hour or so east of St. Louis, summers aren’t long indeed.

WilliamsSW > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/29/2018 at 21:46

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Odds of me hitting triple digit speeds at some point in the Merc are very high. Not likely in the BMW.

WilliamsSW > Steve in Manhattan 08/29/2018 at 21:47

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Ah, a little alliteration?

WilliamsSW > daender 08/29/2018 at 21:49

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Even shorter up here. Winter always makes me wonder wtf I’m doing here. 

WilliamsSW > Textured Soy Protein 08/29/2018 at 21:49

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Hopefully I’ll need that sunblock!

WilliamsSW > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 08/29/2018 at 21:50

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The thing is, they’re both very good at this when the weather is nice. And the Merc is good in any weather. 

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 21:55

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E550, comfort.

Milky > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 22:08

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Another vote for the convertible.  

Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 22:29

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No wrong choice here, but I say the MB for the highway cruise.  You’ll arrive just that much fresher.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 22:43

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This one, or Uber.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 23:05

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Benz

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 23:07

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Take the BMW. Winter will be here before we know it.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 23:08

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I wish I had such a dilemma . Since I’m old, I’d take the Mercedes, load up my books on audio/podcasts, and have a nice all day drive.

Ash78, voting early and often > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 23:14

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Coming here to say FWP, see you’ve already tagged it.

Best Merc Ever is Best Car for Job. Doesn’t that thing get close to 30 mpg highway in reality? Non-4matic.

WilliamsSW > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 08/29/2018 at 23:21

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Oh man, I would gladly take that one if it was mine. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 23:37

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BMW because top down and manual!! Although if it's all highway I'd just take the Merc because I've gone soft.

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher 08/29/2018 at 23:46

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Sadly true. Ugh.

WilliamsSW > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/29/2018 at 23:48

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It’s basically all interstate with a 70 mph limit. Still leaning BMW if the weather looks sunny tomorrow. 

LongbowMkII > WilliamsSW 08/29/2018 at 23:53

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That long on the interstate ? The Benz. You won’t want 5 hours of 70+  wind noise even if the weather is perfect

WilliamsSW > Ash78, voting early and often 08/30/2018 at 00:03

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Very FWP. Best Merc ever? I love it but it’s not an AMG.

It is a 4matic - probably would be in the high 20s if I kept it to 70- 75, but it takes so little throttle to hit 100...

WilliamsSW > LongbowMkII 08/30/2018 at 00:05

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I’ve done longer trips than that with the top down. Been a while though - and you are more tired after a top down run, for sure.

WilliamsSW > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus 08/30/2018 at 00:07

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I’m also old - but with a 2 year old, so most of my seat time is in the Benz. This is a chance to spend a little time with an old friend. 

WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove 08/30/2018 at 00:08

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Very very true. The fresher part would be nice, for sure. 

WilliamsSW > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 08/30/2018 at 00:10

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Yeah but when you hit 50 there’s this temptation to try to gut it out to see if you still can. 

Ash78, voting early and often > WilliamsSW 08/30/2018 at 00:13

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Yep, those 3.5 V6 will get you in trouble.

Best: assuming you have to buy and pay for upkeep.

All that considered, I’d still take a wagon over the E63...maybe.

WilliamsSW > Ash78, voting early and often 08/30/2018 at 00:19

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Mine has the twin turbo V8. So yeah, i t’ll get you in trouble very quickly.

Still pretty reliable, though maybe not quite as much as the 350.

Ash78, voting early and often > WilliamsSW 08/30/2018 at 00:23

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Sorry, couldn’t make out the badging on mobile. Wow...nice ride! I forgot the did any other engine choices in the W212(?)

WilliamsSW > Ash78, voting early and often 08/30/2018 at 00:27

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Yeah, my W212   is an E550, they also offered a diesel ( Fintail has one), the 3. 5, and of course the E63, which had a 6. 2 NA or 5. 5TT depending on the year. Early 550s had a 5. 5 NA.

Oh and towards the end there was a TTV6 - the E400. Think that’s it.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > WilliamsSW 08/30/2018 at 00:46

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Fair point. And as someone who spends as much of summer as possible at the beach, I can see the appeal of the BMW on a nice day. 

pip bip - choose Corrour > WilliamsSW 08/30/2018 at 04:30

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Yugo

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > WilliamsSW 08/30/2018 at 11:13

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I’m guessing you went with the BMW on account of the weather today?

Steve in Manhattan > WilliamsSW 08/30/2018 at 18:00

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Well, it does make the world go wound ... weawwy! (Fudd moment accomplished).

WilliamsSW > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 08/30/2018 at 21:27

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Actually took the Benz, and am glad I did.  Still a bit stiff after spending 5 hours even in that car.  Getting old sucks.

WilliamsSW > Steve in Manhattan 08/30/2018 at 21:30

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Be vewwy vewwy quiet - I’m hunting wabbits!!

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > WilliamsSW 08/30/2018 at 22:04

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I suppose that, at the very least, you can open the windows and sunroof for the fresh air.

WilliamsSW > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 08/30/2018 at 22:10

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Between having to drop off my son at my in-laws (who live on the way to I55), the more comfy seats, and the bluetooth (so I could talk on the phone), it ended up being an easy call.  I thought I could open the sunroof, but ended up not even doing that.  Doh.