BMW or Merc

Don17

Hello,

Just wanted some advice from you guys out there
I currently own a 1989 VW golf convertible but want to upgrade to something a bit bigger with a roof. Thinkin of an old BMW or MERC , something 2L or under as I use it every day ( i'm thinkin of road tax and of course petrol consumption ).
Maybe an old 3 seies or a merc190E. any idea how reliable they are or how much they cost to fix if things go wrong.
was lookin at a merc 190e on pegasusclassics.com(they are uk based but will bring the car over for you).
Have about 4-5K to spend

thanks
ps anyone want to buy a vw convertible

2cv

Owning both BMWs and Mercs, i can advise you to go for a 3 series, if you want to keep the engine size under 2l. If you want a Merc, you're talking 2 litre for the 190E (unless you can find a 1.8, which is rarer) and the performance wouldn't be great. I drove one down from Waterford yesterday and even though it was a nice car to drive, it lacked power. If you chose a 3 series, you can chose between a 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0, I have a 318 and a 320, and both are great fun to drive.

Conclusion: if you're looking for a smaller engine size, go for the BMW.

How much you looking for that golf? I'm not looking for one myself (already own a 1996 convertible golf), but know a few people that might be :-)

Cheers

Don17

Thanks Dave

I think I prefer the BMW's anyway but just want some advice. Know of any good ones around for sale??
I'd be lookin for about 4,500 for the golf, but i'm open to offers. I'm after spending about 3,000 on it.
It was an english import and had to do the NCT when it arrived and then again 4 months later. Head gasket had to be redone and some other work.

2cv

What type of 3 series are you looking for, the E30 models (they're the nicest me thinks). Nice classic look about them. If you're looking for one of those, i can recommend the 4 door saloons. Much cheaper to buy than the 2 door versions and much much more practical.

About the golf, might be a bit much for a 1989 one. My Golf stands me about the same and it's a 1996!!

mike65

Buy the 190e dammit! Much cooler than 3 series if in glorious black and clean!



My old one.

Mike.

junkyard

Go for the BMW, Mercs are for old men, isn't that right Mike.;)

MercMad

--amadeus--

Buy yourself a nice w108 series Merc - classic tax & ins, no NCT, no VRT. Looks amazing, cheap to run and nice to drive. A good one will be more reliable than many moderns and it will go forever. Powerful enough to keep up with modern traffic as well.

Or you could go for a contemporary BMW!

OKenora

Go for the BMW, will be much more fun. Mercs always struck me as the only legal way to get armchairs onto the road. Maybe they aren't an old mans car but that sure is the impression they give me.

TigerTim

Mercmad - Is that your Merc?. Is it the Cosworth version. Looks pretty good.:)

The Beemer would definitely be more fun but finding one that hasn't been thrashed is a problem. The 318 would definitely be the best performer. Many of the UK BMW's will have suffered from the salt induced tinworm.

T.

Don17

okay BMW 318, maybe 320 it is then
Anyone know of any nice ones around?

By the way do all you guys use your classics everyday or just lock them up for the weekend?

2cv

TigerTim wrote:

Many of the UK BMW's will have suffered from the salt induced tinworm.T.

Yet another urban myth i'm afraid!!! I buy nearly all my cars in the UK. UK cars are much better looked after than the irish ones. On top of that they didn't have to endure our roads for all those years.

About the salt, that's one of those irish myths and i fail to see where it comes from!!! If you look at countries like Germany, Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia (all of those use salt), their cars are in far better condition than the ones over here!!!

MercMad

Mercmad - Is that your Merc?. Is it the Cosworth version. Looks pretty good.

..........I wish !

The one in the Picture is a Cosworth but swmbo doesn't see the need for a 4th Merc !!

I disagree about the salt !! Its the worst thing that anyone ever decided to do. If your cars, 2CV , show now salt damage then you are extremely lucky and you obviously bought your cars from fastidious former owners !

That said, in general folk in the UK do look after their cars far better than we do, with regular washing and maintenance routines. It seems rather strange, you'd think it would be the other way around, since we pay so dearly for them in the first place !!

Most UK cars I have worked on are far more difficult since nuts and bolts etc are all seized on.

2cv

Maybe i just have been very lucky so... But i've bought 6 cars in the last year alone from "salty" countries" (4 of them from the UK, the other 2 from France), and i have to admit that all of them exceeded my expectations. I wouldn't hesitate a second to buy again in the UK (or any other european country for that matter). I'd be more weary buying something over here though...

Stevo11

Have to agree with MercMad.. I've found the same .. but I keep buying the bloody things... 3 out of my current gaggle are from the UK.

OP, yeah I use mine for commuting... this week I'm mostly driving the attached.

Go for the Merc... stop fighting it.. you know it makes sense!

Steve

mike65

Nice example there, which engine?

Mike.

Stevo11

200T converted to 250TDT ;-) (2.5TD from an '87 W201)

OKenora

I use my classic on dry days when I can, but also depends on the journey. If it's dry and I am out doing small errands then the classic gets a run. Nothing to do with the rain affecting it, more to do with it's not very practical in the wet, as you can soak the backs of your trousers on the sills getting in and out if you aren't 100% careful.

When "entertaining" a lady friend it's the daily driver Alfa all the way, the Porsche simply is not elegant to enter or leave and totally mini skirt un-friendly for the wearer (but not the watchers )

AsphaltRisin'

Don17 wrote:

okay BMW 318, maybe 320 it is then
Anyone know of any nice ones around?

By the way do all you guys use your classics everyday or just lock them up for the weekend?

Ever consider a BMW 525tds? Not quite in the "classic" bracket yet, but the've got a lovely 6 cylinder diesel and are more economical than a 520i petrol...
A classic W123 merc could also be good, they can be got with diesel engines too if you wanted economy

Stevo11

W123 you say? *cough*one of mine (the one above) is for sale ;-)

Apologies.. had to get the plug in since it was mentioned

andy.s

merc better imho

2cv

Mercs are better cars than BMWs, i don't disagree with that. But in a Merc, you need a big engine IMHO. If you want to limit to 2 litre, i'd still go for the BMW. Like, my Merc is a perfect car, but it has the 2.8 litre engine.

8~)

Small world... I was lined up to view the red estate, but it was sold before I got to view. What's the asking price now?

Mercedes are better built, but the 190s are a bit light compared to the W123 and W124. I have a W123 and a BMW E28... for driving (handling) the BMW is better... hard one to call... not sure what I would let go if I had to sell one of them.

Stevo11

Open to (reasonable) offers :-)
Just drove it from Galway to Clonakilty and back at the weekend. No bother to it.
Saw lots of W123s in Cork actually, most were obviously in daily use too!! Great to see it!