would I regret moving to mercedes?
Discussion
Depends what you want from a car.
And with Merc vs BMW depends what age you are buying them.
The new 5 series is softer than the new E Class, but go back a generation and the old E Class was so much more 'luxury' compared with the E60's 'sporty' firmness.
The series before that was even more of a gap, the W210 E Class was all about waft, where as the E39 was quite firm, although still very comfy, being on 16 and 17" wheels and proper tyres helped, but the E Class at the time was more comfy than even a current 7 series is imho.
But now, a W204 (2007-2014) C class is damped pretty firmly, the steering is every bit as good as the E90 and the whole thing hardly looks pipe and slippers, it is more brash than a BMW..
Same with the E Class...
I loved my E39 530i and I still say it is one of the best, if not the best, all round car ever made, as an all round package, other cars have it licked in nearly every area, but as an all round package the E39 just works, especially in 530i sport guise.
However, the one car that nearly changed that for me, was the W211 facelift E Class, I was looking for a nice E350 or E500 estate and in the end had to go E320cdi estate as there were no petrols, with a brabus box it was as quick as my old 535d touring and so much nicer place to spend time driving as it was comfy, the stereo was great, and it just felt special everytime you drove it in a way the BMW never really did.
I bought it as I needed a van, but didn't want a van and thought that would be the next best thing for load space, I wasn't expecting to fall for it, and I had an M3 at the time, but I did and the M3 sat there never used so it got sold.
I had bought an older, 2000, E320 V6 estate when we had our son, so had had a Merc before, and I liked that, just so comfy. I had the 335i sport touring at the time and it wasn't big enough, so paid £3k I think it was fore the Merc in old man green and beige leather and liked that so much the 335i went. But being a 'BMW Man' I sold it and bought another BMW, but so glad I needed the van and had a go with that E Class, changed my view of Mercs for sure.
I now have an older ML as it is like the older E Class build wise, the cabin materials are just another league compared with the new cars, it feels more luxurious.
But I wouldn't take a new E Class over a new 5 series, well I did and that was a mistake, I sold my F11 and bought the E350cdi estate and it was crap, firmer than the BMW, interior quality not as good, steering terrible, noisy, crashy, seat position s
t and all round a poor car in comparison. But don't write off all Mercs, many are much better than the BMW equivalent.
Oh, I have a cheap 2.8i Z3 sat in the garage for when I want my BMW hit, that with a nice comfy every day car seems to be the combo that works for me, when I just have one car I get bored every 6-12 months, if you have both things sat there and you suddenly get an itch for having a blat in something a bit sportier you can take out the other car and not start looking on autotrader.
And with Merc vs BMW depends what age you are buying them.
The new 5 series is softer than the new E Class, but go back a generation and the old E Class was so much more 'luxury' compared with the E60's 'sporty' firmness.
The series before that was even more of a gap, the W210 E Class was all about waft, where as the E39 was quite firm, although still very comfy, being on 16 and 17" wheels and proper tyres helped, but the E Class at the time was more comfy than even a current 7 series is imho.
But now, a W204 (2007-2014) C class is damped pretty firmly, the steering is every bit as good as the E90 and the whole thing hardly looks pipe and slippers, it is more brash than a BMW..
Same with the E Class...
I loved my E39 530i and I still say it is one of the best, if not the best, all round car ever made, as an all round package, other cars have it licked in nearly every area, but as an all round package the E39 just works, especially in 530i sport guise.
However, the one car that nearly changed that for me, was the W211 facelift E Class, I was looking for a nice E350 or E500 estate and in the end had to go E320cdi estate as there were no petrols, with a brabus box it was as quick as my old 535d touring and so much nicer place to spend time driving as it was comfy, the stereo was great, and it just felt special everytime you drove it in a way the BMW never really did.
I bought it as I needed a van, but didn't want a van and thought that would be the next best thing for load space, I wasn't expecting to fall for it, and I had an M3 at the time, but I did and the M3 sat there never used so it got sold.
I had bought an older, 2000, E320 V6 estate when we had our son, so had had a Merc before, and I liked that, just so comfy. I had the 335i sport touring at the time and it wasn't big enough, so paid £3k I think it was fore the Merc in old man green and beige leather and liked that so much the 335i went. But being a 'BMW Man' I sold it and bought another BMW, but so glad I needed the van and had a go with that E Class, changed my view of Mercs for sure.
I now have an older ML as it is like the older E Class build wise, the cabin materials are just another league compared with the new cars, it feels more luxurious.
But I wouldn't take a new E Class over a new 5 series, well I did and that was a mistake, I sold my F11 and bought the E350cdi estate and it was crap, firmer than the BMW, interior quality not as good, steering terrible, noisy, crashy, seat position s
t and all round a poor car in comparison. But don't write off all Mercs, many are much better than the BMW equivalent.Oh, I have a cheap 2.8i Z3 sat in the garage for when I want my BMW hit, that with a nice comfy every day car seems to be the combo that works for me, when I just have one car I get bored every 6-12 months, if you have both things sat there and you suddenly get an itch for having a blat in something a bit sportier you can take out the other car and not start looking on autotrader.
andyiley said:
TwoBobBit said:
I heard its been made compulsory to bumble around and constantly get in peoples way when driving a Merc?
I may have misheard
My own personal observations seem to support this.I may have misheard
I seem to see more mb drivers will straight-line multi-lane roundabouts/blind bends and generally perform death-wish manoeuvres than most others......
Also I have issues with a company that advertises its auto gearbox as its best....
When I cant be bothered to turn the wheel to avoid others and cant be bothered to change gear, I will have lost the will to live, & only then will I consider a mercedes.
I could be wrong.........
andyiley said:
Also I have issues with a company that advertises its auto gearbox as its best....
When I cant be bothered to turn the wheel to avoid others and cant be bothered to change gear, I will have lost the will to live, & only then will I consider a mercedes.
BMW manual gearboxes have been woeful for years now, nearly a recall on them between 2005 and 2011 but BMW avoided it as it would have cost them billions. When I cant be bothered to turn the wheel to avoid others and cant be bothered to change gear, I will have lost the will to live, & only then will I consider a mercedes.
I'm trying to think what BMW you own that is so much better with a manual 'box over the auto?
E36 M3?
Z3 M Coupe?
Big engined Z4?
terry1956 said:
In a word YES. Mercedes are not good cars anymore. the tech their E and C class cars is old out of date. the noise levels in their estates are very bad. I went from bmw 5 touring to new e350 estate and right back to bmw.
Depends what age he is buying, going from an E39 into an S211 vs an E61 may be a wise move, if looking at F11 vs S212 then it is BMW all the way. You want to post the link to the thread on the Merc forum where you moved back, you think the BMW owners are fanboys, you want to see some of the Merc owners!!
No.
I've been a die-hard BMW fan for many years; have always loved the product but hated the after sales service. I tried a Mercedes as an alternative company car and couldn't fault it.
Went back to BMW recently and it was an unmitigated disaster. Returned the car and defected again to Mercedes. I'm also thinking of trading the wife's X5 against an E class.
The Mercedes isn't a second place alternative, it's good enough to convert a BMW fan. The cars are simple by comparison, but sometimes simple doesn't mean lack of fun or refinement.
I'm not going back.
I've been a die-hard BMW fan for many years; have always loved the product but hated the after sales service. I tried a Mercedes as an alternative company car and couldn't fault it.
Went back to BMW recently and it was an unmitigated disaster. Returned the car and defected again to Mercedes. I'm also thinking of trading the wife's X5 against an E class.
The Mercedes isn't a second place alternative, it's good enough to convert a BMW fan. The cars are simple by comparison, but sometimes simple doesn't mean lack of fun or refinement.
I'm not going back.
hi, in answer. I had a 2013 x5, went to a 2014 e350, returned it within 3 weeks and now have a a 2014 525 touring. the E350 was a total let down for a number of reasons. I live in somerset and travel along the 303 a lot. anyone who knows this road will know that parts are none tarmac near towards Honiton. well the e350 was just so b---- noisy, road noise was a total joke. the keep you awake system was just a pain this being a vibration from the steering wheel, the car was slow and heavy and returned around 32mpg, OK I did not worry about the mpg its a big car. the google maps needed a mobile phone connection and never did work very well, the whole tech side was old hat. not at once did I feel happy with the car. OK you say why did you buy it. well as you all know a test drive is a short time with a car, I made a mistake and got shot of it ASAP. yes I had a fight with MB but did win in the end. the BMW on the other hand is a delight. good tech with google maps etc, better suspension, lower much lower noise levels. I would of wanted a 530d but there was not one to hand so had a drive in the 525d, ok not so fast but who cares really, its a much better car then the x5 which was like a fast transit and way way ahead then the MB. anyway that's my view.
Edited by terry1956 on Saturday 11th October 21:18
I have had loads of BMW's. Last year I sold my E60 550i M Sport after getting bored of my second E60.
Earlier this year I thought I'd try a Merc and bought a very rare 2008 E500 Sport 5.5 V8. The car itself was MINT and perfect with all options. It was 1 owner, black with 50K and fMBsh. I bought it from Mercedes as an approved car.
I just couldn't get on with the car. Old man looks aside, the air suspension was comfortable but rubbish with too much bodyroll. The fit and finish was reasonable but not quite like my E60. It went in a straight line, but nothing else. The most boring 5.5 V8 390HP car I have ever had. It even sounded of nothing! I mean cold start a 550i and you'll hear it rumble, cold start an E500 and you hear NOTHING.
A high speed brake vibration turned out to be a sticky front caliper, replaced under warranty. However, the consequential damage to the disc and pad weren't covered! After a stinking conversation with the warranty guy and a heavily worded email I managed to get the discs and pads as goodwill.
The nail in the coffin was the fact that the Sport seats were actually plastic! Some kind of rubbish Merc fake leather called Artico. Amazing value for a 60K car.
Car sold, end of.
Never again will I buy a Mercedes. Not a patch on a BMW.
Have since gone back to a classic BMW E36 328i Sport touring which I love and today I bought a used approved E91 335i M Sport touring.
I am so much more home with BMW! The ride, feel, build and dealer network. So much better.
My parents still have an E39 540i Sport with all options (we love these and have had 3!). Its still a fabulous car and I still look forward to driving it. Can't say that for any Mercedes we have ever had.....
Hope this helps
Earlier this year I thought I'd try a Merc and bought a very rare 2008 E500 Sport 5.5 V8. The car itself was MINT and perfect with all options. It was 1 owner, black with 50K and fMBsh. I bought it from Mercedes as an approved car.
I just couldn't get on with the car. Old man looks aside, the air suspension was comfortable but rubbish with too much bodyroll. The fit and finish was reasonable but not quite like my E60. It went in a straight line, but nothing else. The most boring 5.5 V8 390HP car I have ever had. It even sounded of nothing! I mean cold start a 550i and you'll hear it rumble, cold start an E500 and you hear NOTHING.
A high speed brake vibration turned out to be a sticky front caliper, replaced under warranty. However, the consequential damage to the disc and pad weren't covered! After a stinking conversation with the warranty guy and a heavily worded email I managed to get the discs and pads as goodwill.
The nail in the coffin was the fact that the Sport seats were actually plastic! Some kind of rubbish Merc fake leather called Artico. Amazing value for a 60K car.
Car sold, end of.
Never again will I buy a Mercedes. Not a patch on a BMW.
Have since gone back to a classic BMW E36 328i Sport touring which I love and today I bought a used approved E91 335i M Sport touring.
I am so much more home with BMW! The ride, feel, build and dealer network. So much better.
My parents still have an E39 540i Sport with all options (we love these and have had 3!). Its still a fabulous car and I still look forward to driving it. Can't say that for any Mercedes we have ever had.....
Hope this helps
Mercs are not that bad!
In fact on the quality side and generally cruising along, there are ideal. Some of them are not bad looking either.
Even the v8 AMGs make pretty good performance cars with a noise to die for .... But for the run of the mill exec mobile, Bmers generally handle better, have more performance, better economy and IMHO look better.
rezaq said:
Earlier this year I thought I'd try a Merc and bought a very rare 2008 E500 Sport 5.5 V8. The car itself was MINT and perfect with all options. It was 1 owner, black with 50K and fMBsh. I bought it from Mercedes as an approved car.
I just couldn't get on with the car. Old man looks aside, the air suspension was comfortable but rubbish with too much bodyroll. The fit and finish was reasonable but not quite like my E60. It went in a straight line, but nothing else. The most boring 5.5 V8 390HP car I have ever had. It even sounded of nothing! I mean cold start a 550i and you'll hear it rumble, cold start an E500 and you hear NOTHING.
You really did miss the point of the E500, it is the ultimate waft machine, it is meant to be soft, quiet and refined, with a good turn of pace for the autobahns. I just couldn't get on with the car. Old man looks aside, the air suspension was comfortable but rubbish with too much bodyroll. The fit and finish was reasonable but not quite like my E60. It went in a straight line, but nothing else. The most boring 5.5 V8 390HP car I have ever had. It even sounded of nothing! I mean cold start a 550i and you'll hear it rumble, cold start an E500 and you hear NOTHING.
The E63 is the one you wanted if you found the above lacking in those areas.
To get anywhere near BMWs sport steering feel you'll need an AMG Merc for the price range you're in. So the C55 is a good choice as even though it lacks the supercharged nutterness of the E55 it's lighter and cheaper(ish) on parts. I love my E55 and it's got that shock factor in a straight line that I've never had in a BMW of the same era, handles about 9/10ths as well as a E39 M5 but has the benefit of bring able to revert to MBs comfort mode when shuttling the mrs around. The C55 will be similar but with Airmatic it'll be firm but compliantly sprung all the time. Also the noise AMG get out their engines is awesome. You may find that a C55 is a bit small compared to the E39 though.
Mr E said:
Quite. I expect it to be as silent as possible.
I actually went from the 335i sport touring into the Merc as I found the 335i rock hard ride wise and not dynamic enough to justify that ride quality, and found the turbo 335i just a bit meh all round, power on tap no matter what rev range or gear you are in, but ultimately would suit a more laid back car, it just wasn't a sporty engine at all. gizlaroc said:
BMW manual gearboxes have been woeful for years now, nearly a recall on them between 2005 and 2011 but BMW avoided it as it would have cost them billions.
I'm trying to think what BMW you own that is so much better with a manual 'box over the auto?
E36 M3?
Z3 M Coupe?
Big engined Z4?
Try e39 530 sport.I'm trying to think what BMW you own that is so much better with a manual 'box over the auto?
E36 M3?
Z3 M Coupe?
Big engined Z4?
andyiley said:
Try e39 530 sport.
Interesting, I had a manual 330i and then went auto 530i and always thought the 5 series would feel weird in manual guise, and one of the reasons I never bought an M5. My old man had a manual E34 though which I got to drive and liked that, so don't know why I got that in my head about manual 5 series.
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