Discussion
Talk me out of this...
So this is the situation. Last year I sold my E46 M3 to fund a business I started. This left us with 1 car, a Mini Cooper S Cabrio. A nice car, especially as 90% of our drives is in the city, with 2 people max. For the other 10% of the drives, I'd really like something special again. Fuel consumption isn't an issue as it wouldn't do big mileages, and hey, every hobby costs money, right? Anyway, the business is working out fine, so I'm in the position to buy a second car again.
As a big BMW and especially M fan, I was looking at E34 M5's, which are véry nice of course. But when looking at those, you inevitably come across the Mercedes 500E. Since I was born in '78, this has always been one of my childhood heroes. It ticks a lot of boxes for me : room for 4 when needed, feel good factor of 11, auto box isn't a negative, big cruiser for our yearly trip to the south of France (I live in Belgium btw)... I even read they are quite/very reliable (apart from the known wire issue...).
So, why shouldn't I do it? Are the véry expensive to run (even with low mileages)? Potential big bills? Not that fun to drive and own?
Thanks already
Bram
So this is the situation. Last year I sold my E46 M3 to fund a business I started. This left us with 1 car, a Mini Cooper S Cabrio. A nice car, especially as 90% of our drives is in the city, with 2 people max. For the other 10% of the drives, I'd really like something special again. Fuel consumption isn't an issue as it wouldn't do big mileages, and hey, every hobby costs money, right? Anyway, the business is working out fine, so I'm in the position to buy a second car again.
As a big BMW and especially M fan, I was looking at E34 M5's, which are véry nice of course. But when looking at those, you inevitably come across the Mercedes 500E. Since I was born in '78, this has always been one of my childhood heroes. It ticks a lot of boxes for me : room for 4 when needed, feel good factor of 11, auto box isn't a negative, big cruiser for our yearly trip to the south of France (I live in Belgium btw)... I even read they are quite/very reliable (apart from the known wire issue...).
So, why shouldn't I do it? Are the véry expensive to run (even with low mileages)? Potential big bills? Not that fun to drive and own?
Thanks already
Bram
I know my reply wouldn't be of much use as I've never been in the position to even consider owning these cars. But since, like you, I'm a massive BMW M fan and the E34 M5 is probably my all time favorite sporty sedan with the 500E/E500 a close second, I have to tell you - if I were in your position I would never look for someone to talk me out, because it's impossible and really not needed - these are two of the greatest sedans ever produced, and you should be happy you can actually have one of them. Just do it - they are only going one way price-wise.
I'd go for the M5. Every time. Hope this helps
I'd go for the M5. Every time. Hope this helps
I guess it depends on how you intend to use the car. The Merc is effortless and torquey while the M5 you have to work for the speed. Similar in the corners. The M5 is the more sporting option but the E500 probably more robust, easier to maintain and quicker in straight line acceleration.
Futse said:
Nice job of talking me out of it ;-)
Helping with my 2p!
Futse said:
...but there's just something about the Merc...
It's the bear-wide stance... I prefer the early car a lot more, but that's a classic pic lol
At the end of the day, I'd guess, it's about choosing a weapon - an elegantly fat 32v v8 benz or ///M's finest? A friend with a clean early e34 pointed: "It needs revs, so you don't feel how fast it is, until you see the cars from the stoplight start disappearing quickly in the mirror in 2nd."
The Benz is probably the better car to own of these two though - it's the more classy car, equally as capable, less to go wrong. But you'll make more money on the BM and you get to be 21 again
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