2002 E220 d or a 2002 525d ??

gears

In looking around both these cars can now be bought for €5-€6k or less so I'm wondering can any one look beyond the BMW and recommend the Merc as I'm leaning more towards it but I am worried about reliability, economy etc.

colm_mcm

Beemer is The better car. E class is a soggy wardrobe in comparison.

Think the opel omega uses the bmw engine too and is also rwd and a lot cheaper. Obviously outclassed by the merc and bm but you'd get a fresh low miler from the uk handy enough. Later ones had 2.2. They're loaded with goodies too.

turbojunkie

I havent driven the exact cars you mentioned but I have owned an E300 TD and I now have a 530D. There is no comparison in my view. The 530d is faster, more economical and more reliable than the Merc. I would pick the BMW anyday. They are a very different drive though... the BMW a firmer sportier drive. You'd really have to drive both and see which you prefer yourself.

gears

This wouldn't be a daily driver but a second car so there wouldn't be huge milage and it would be mostly motorway driving so a soft rather than a sporty drive wouldnt be a real concern. It's really economy and reliability are the main concerns so has any one had either of these?

alias no.9

If it's not getting much use, get a petrol.

BlackWizard

Definitely drive both. I drove the E200 and found it a very comfortable ride.. althought a bit wobbly and unsure at times when changing lanes on the motorway. But it's still a confident car when moving around corners.

The 530d is just build for driving on motorways. Doesnt really have that firm of a ride but it is enough to make driving a real pleasure.

Things to look out for are the gearbox and cooling systems going on them at high mileage. The bushings tend to go every few years and can cost up to 50 euro in parts to fix.

They have so many neat features like an auxillary heating system which heats the car up really quick if the temperature is below 8c.. I love it The economy wont be as good as the 1.9tdi that many people rave about. On the motorway you will get 48mpg but if you are like me and it takes you 10min to get onto the motorway in traffic, your mpg drops to low 40s. My old Passat 1.9tdi used to get 44mpg on the same run but the 530d gets 40mpg. Palmerstown to Celbridge.

Rear wheels tend to wear quicker than the front and the wiper blades are a bloody rip off. I had to pay over 50 euro for mine!! :mad:

The tax is huge though. 1200 and something.

Does the Lexus not have a good 2.2d engine too? Would you consider that?

gears

The Lexus would be great but the budget would be more like €5k ish so its a non runner. The 530 would be good to but the road tax is a killer which is why I'd look more for the e220 or the 525. Also it really has to be diesel even though I wouldn't be doing big miles I want each of those miles to cost as little as possible. I had thought of a Passat or something with a 1.9 or 2.0 but I 'd really like something that bit better which leads me to the 2 I've mentioned. A decent A6 would also be a contender but I'm leaning more ot the Merc and BMW.
Has anyone had a 525 that could comment on what they're like to own?

Stevie Dakota

gears wrote: »

I want each of those miles to cost as little as possible.

I think if you're buying an 10 old German car mpg should not be your greatest concern. Both cars can cost significant money to run and maintain and you need to be prepared for that.

The Bishop Basher

I've just changed from the E240 to the 520.

Don't be afraid of getting a petrol Merc. The E240 is pretty much as economical as both C180's I had before it. Beautiful car for cruising, feels like a tank and the suspension gives the best ride of any car i've driven. The 2.6 V6 engine goes like a rocket when you want it to. You can pick up a 00 - 02 with under 100k and with all the trimmings for next to nothing if you shop around. Only thing you need to look out for is corrosion. Some are affected and some aren't. If it is you'll know.

The 5 series is a totally different experience but an equally great car in it's own way. As said before it's a much firmer and sportier drive. Definately not as comfortable on motorways but a whole lot more fun on bends. Can't speak for reliability as I haven't owned it long enough but make sure it has a FSH and you should be OK.

turbojunkie

As Swanner said look out for corrosion especially under the bonnet and arches of the Merc. Are you going for Auto or manual? Whichever you go for just make sure it has been serviced regularly and well looked after. ABS sensors are proned to go on the Beemer... just something to look out for. The front suspension on those Mercs can give trouble and not that cheap to fix either. Are you buying privately or from a Dealer?

GTE

This generation?

Had a petrol one in the family. E280 v6. Awesome tank of a barge.

It was great on the motorway. Very comfy. Only problem we had with it was the gear box would start clunking from gear to gear. It happened twice since we had it in 1999 to 2010 but it must have been an easy fix. Not quite sure what did it.

We now have a diesel E class (newer model) and the engine is grand but I really dont like the car compared to the older one.

For me I would get an E class for motorway cruising and the barge was better then the new one for me.

If I had a choice I would try and get the CDI diesel in the older generation pictured above if I had to get an E Class.

Dont have experience with the BMW.

EDIT:
Oh! We did have an offer from a Merc dealer to replace all doors due to a rust problem under warranty. This was in 2009.

VolvoMan

W210's are nothing but trouble, stay well away.

Besides, the E39 is a far better car.

shogunpower

yummmm

gears

No I'm looking at the newer model E Class like this one

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1802411

I think it's good value and looks much fresher than a 5 series of a similar age

Stevie Dakota

gears wrote: »

No I'm looking at the newer model E Class like this one

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1802411

I think it's good value and looks much fresher than a 5 series of a similar age

The W211 was also a nightmare until a comprehensive rework in 2006, German Taxi drivers were in revolt.

gears

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The W211 was also a nightmare until a comprehensive rework in 2006, German Taxi drivers were in revolt.

Excellent News....

I'm still looking for any one who has owned a 525d to give an opinion on running costs etc.. So any one out there today

EPM

That car looks dog rough. My uncle had a similar checked out by the AA on done deal with much lower mileage than that recently and it was going to cost its price again to put it right.

In saying that the taxi firm we use at work have loads on their fleet with 400k + miles and they still feel fine to travel in. Admittedly they just go to and from Heathrow on the motorway all day every day. 90% of them have some form of warning on the dash though.

The Bishop Basher

gears wrote: »

No I'm looking at the newer model E Class like this one

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1802411

I think it's good value and looks much fresher than a 5 series of a similar age

If you do go for a Merc, don't go for a manual without trying out both manual and Auto first. You will pick the Auto.

JustLen

EPM wrote: »

That car looks dog rough. My uncle had a similar checked out by the AA on done deal with much lower mileage than that recently and it was going to cost its price again to put it right.

In saying that the taxi firm we use at work have loads on their fleet with 400k + miles and they still feel fine to travel in. Admittedly they just go to and from Heathrow on the motorway all day every day. 90% of them have some form of warning on the dash though.

Why does it look dog rough? not arguing by the way

gears

It doesn't look rough to me either, the only thing lets it down is maybe the location for the photos. If it had a quick wash at the local garage and took a few shots straight after it would look a lot better IMHO.

EPM

JustLen wrote: »

Why does it look dog rough? not arguing by the way

It's obvious the owner takes little if any pride in the car. It's filthy, the pictures are rubbish and the wheels show signs of kerbing. Just not a very fresh looking car at all.

JustLen

Seems pretty well priced to me aswell having a very brief look. Wouldnt say dog rough to be fair but thats your opinion. lets move on:)

the merchant

I have an '02 525d Touring - nice car but definitlely not trouble free motoring!

In a little over three years and 35k miles it's needed;

6 x Tyres
1 x Rear air spring (not an issue in the saloon though)
2 x front wishbones, thrust arms and drop links
1 x front wheel bearing
4 x discs & pads
1 x pre-delivery fuel pump
1 x cup holder (be careful - if you use these they will break)
1 x reversing sensor
1 x rear wiper motor & spindle
2 x Exhaust flexi joints

On top of regular servicing I have also removed & cleaned the manifilold and disabled the swirl flaps and EGR valve. Haven't removed the swirl flaps yet, really must do it one of these days. I have been able to do most of this work myself and I really wouldn't like to have been paying to have it done.

By the way - the 525d was never sold in Ireland so they're all imports. I got mine in England.

gears

Thanks for the info "the merchant" just wondering though what kind of driving do you do, mostly city, motor way, long or short runs and what kind of MPG are you getting.

the merchant

gears wrote: »

Thanks for the info "the merchant" just wondering though what kind of driving do you do, mostly city, motor way, long or short runs and what kind of MPG are you getting.

I do a mixed bag really. Mainly around Dublin but sometimes bring the car to Bristol where it really comes into it's own. On the motorway I could get 48-52mpg but that reduces significantly around town. I drive hard enough and average approx 37mpg overall. It's an automatic by the way.

If you are getting an e39 - get the absolute best one you can afford and have it checked out by someone who knows these cars well.

Eoin

gears wrote:

Has anyone had a 525 that could comment on what they're like to own?

I had a 525i (petrol) that looked very much like the one in the post I've quoted below (different alloys though). It was a great car, but not the cheapest to maintain. I got around 30MPG with mostly motorway/dual carriage way driving.

Maintenance-wise, I had to get various coolant system parts replaced as I had a couple of leaks. Final stage resistor went (very common), and for some reason the head unit packed it in.

It had quite a firm ride with the sport suspension; which might not be to everyone's taste.

I tried a few cars in that segment, but I really thought the e39 stood out from the others. The GS300 was a nice place to be, but I much preferred the feel of the BMW. I really don't want to come across as a fanboy, but the e39 was probably one of the best cars that they've made.

If you do go with a petrol, I'd try and get the newer 525 engine over the 528. Not much at all between them in the performance.

shogunpower wrote: »

yummmm

http://imganuncios.mitula.net/bmw_e39_528i_m_sport_92527789852211459.jpg

Mr Benevolent

The CR diesels don't seem to be worth the trouble on the E39, and the more reliable TDs aren't efficient enough. Petrol all the way.

The Bishop Basher

Just to compare...in 3 years driving the E240 I've had 1 breakdown. The Cam Shaft sensor went the day I bought it. It was replaced by the garage and has been going well since. All services between now and then were standard. Cost approx €350 every 9 -10k miles. It had a major service 3 months ago before the NCT where I had the fuel lines, bushings and a rear lamp unit replaced. Total cost €800.