BMW 5 Series v Merc E-Class

Gorteen

Looking to change up to about 2011/2012. Need a bit of comfort for approx 30,000-40,000 km per year.

I'm goingg for diesel...... probably manual. Leather seas and as much bells whistles as possible.

What are the ptos & cons on either the Beemer and the Merc? I'm wndering about service & maintenance costs, fuel efficiency, tax, insurance, etc

bazz26

Would advise against manual in either car to be honest, auto is more the standard in this class of car and about 90% of them sold are auto and they will hold their resale value better.

Servicing costs and parts are about the same for both brands. BMW 2.0 diesel engine is known for timing chain problems, not too up on Merc diesels so don't know if they have any major common problems.

I have an auto 520d myself and am averaging about 45mpg overall and that figure increase on longer trips. I'd imagine the E Class would not be too far off that either.

You need to test drive both though.

Gorteen

I was thinking manual because there may be less mechanical issues (athough I don't know why I think that)... I also may need to fit a towbar and I'm not sure how auto would cope with pullig a load

bazz26

I think your logic is a bit outdated.

Manual diesels are far from trouble free - most are fitted with a flywheel to reduce vibration, these flywheels wear out and are costly enough to replace too. Also autos are fine for towing, no clutch to wear out.

166man

As I said before, the manual box in the 520 is actually a lovely gearbox to use. Very light precise and feels quite sporty if I'm honest. However, if you're buying a manual one make sure you get a hefty discount on it, as if you decide to shift it on it will be more costly and more difficult as everyone wants the automatic.

Timing chain problems will rear their head on a 2011/2012 car so that's another thing worth looking at. If I were you I'd be buying from a BMW main dealer and getting the two year warranty. Well worth it.

zwind

if you're getting a 520d,get the 8 speed auto, quite reliable actually. DMF is costly on the manual.

vintagevrs

I drive a 520d manual and auto every week. The auto is a league ahead. Easier to cover ground quickly in, more refined as the manual stick vibrates a lot at idle (this may be unique to that car but I doubt it) and just a nicer place to be, driving or as a passenger.

No experience with the Mercedes so can't comment. Nice decision to be making though.

Good luck with it

adrnola

Hi -

I'm also looking at buying a BMW 520. I've started looking on the BMW UK Used Car Web Site.

I'm hoping to get a BMW 520 M Sport (2012 Reg) as they seem to have a better Spec (and as Fleex above says go for 8 speed auto).

Is there a particular UK BMW dealership I should checkout or avoid (you can PM me with details).

Or anything else I should look out for ?

Thanks

adrnola

Hi -

I'm also looking at buying a BMW 520. I've started looking on the BMW UK Used Car Web Site.

I'm hoping to get a BMW 520 M Sport (2012 Reg) as they seem to have a better Spec (and as Fleex above says go for 8 speed auto).

Is there a particular UK BMW dealership I should checkout or avoid (you can PM me with details).

Or anything else I should look out for ?

When is the best time to buy i.e. are the dealears looking to sell stock before the new registration in the UK ?

Thanks

s8n

Bavarian bmw in Belfast are very good

Gerry T

Have an 07 (december) 520D touring M Spec. Timing chain snapped and turbo blew. Both are known fault, all in cost me 6k.

Have it serviced in Chelmsford motors, and can't recommend high enough. If you asked me I wouldn't buy this car again, I would go up for 6 cylinder and 2.5 or 3L. Plus I don't see the advantage with Diesel, higher maintenance costs, the BMW diesels are quite noisey (relatively).

Check for the car your buying the engine type, think mine is an E61, stand to be corrected as I'm going by memory. The BMW forum websites will let you know the common flaws to look out for.

As for Merc, friend had the E class and never a real problem during the same period but I have heard the later models are more troublesome.

Unless your fully decided I would look at Lexus, very reliable, nice car and their second hand value does plummet so you may get a good deal

bazz26

The Lexus diesel is far from reliable.

Gorteen

I would consider buying in UK.... probaly better spec and more available supply might mean sme goodd deals out there. However, I would prefer ca to have km clock and odmeter rather than miles. A small issue for some people but for me, having to look at a miles clock all day long would irrtate me

bazz26

The BMW will have kph on the inner circle of the speedo and mph on the outer circle. The odometer can be switched between km and miles via the on board computer. I'm sure Mercedes are similar.

Idbatterim

the current exchange rate is poor, doubt it makes sense to buy in the uk, when there will be so many 520's here...