E60 Touring v Merc E-Class Estate
Discussion
Specifically the 530i v the 320CDI, which would you choose for your comfortable, practical family car and why?
The BMW is presumably the more driver-focussed steer whereas the Merc is more wafty.
I also appreciate I have pitched a lovely straight-6 petrol against an oil burner but the equivalent 320 petrol is thirstier and slower than the diesel.
I would prefer a petrol but I just can't get away from how practical the Merc is over the BMW - the 7 seat option is also attractive.
Budget of £10k would get me a nice later model Merc or an earlier, higher mileage E60.
Thoughts? Concerns? Things to worry about?
-Fox- is usually vocal about BMWs so would be interested to hear your opinion mate.
Cheers,
L83
The BMW is presumably the more driver-focussed steer whereas the Merc is more wafty.
I also appreciate I have pitched a lovely straight-6 petrol against an oil burner but the equivalent 320 petrol is thirstier and slower than the diesel.
I would prefer a petrol but I just can't get away from how practical the Merc is over the BMW - the 7 seat option is also attractive.
Budget of £10k would get me a nice later model Merc or an earlier, higher mileage E60.
Thoughts? Concerns? Things to worry about?
-Fox- is usually vocal about BMWs so would be interested to hear your opinion mate.
Cheers,
L83
80sboy said:
BMW beats the Merc in almost every area. Looks better too.
All IMO obviously.
Hmm, the OP said he was looking for a comfortable, practical family car - the Merc is more comfortable, and more practical. All IMO obviously.
I am biased as a previous owner of one, but if comfort and practicality are amongst the most important factors, the the E-Class wins it by a mile. It will swallow a ridiculous amount of stuff and waft you hundreds of miles in comfort leaving you feeling fresh as a daisy at the other end.
It's not as much of a driver's car as the BMW, but it's a family estate, not a sports car.
yellowbentines said:
Hmm, the OP said he was looking for a comfortable, practical family car - the Merc is more comfortable, and more practical.
I am biased as a previous owner of one, but if comfort and practicality are amongst the most important factors, the the E-Class wins it by a mile. It will swallow a ridiculous amount of stuff and waft you hundreds of miles in comfort leaving you feeling fresh as a daisy at the other end.
It's not as much of a driver's car as the BMW, but it's a family estate, not a sports car.
Yeah after reading his post again maybe you're right there. Like you said, the Merc will probably be softer and marginally more practical. I am biased as a previous owner of one, but if comfort and practicality are amongst the most important factors, the the E-Class wins it by a mile. It will swallow a ridiculous amount of stuff and waft you hundreds of miles in comfort leaving you feeling fresh as a daisy at the other end.
It's not as much of a driver's car as the BMW, but it's a family estate, not a sports car.
If it was me the BMW would win hands down, I think it's just the better car. Our 535d is very comfortable, extremely quiet, very 'wafty' and you can cover huge distances with ease.
Op, if you're covering great distances in the car I'd make sure you find one with a decent stereo! It makes the journey much more pleasant. My 3 series has the base stereo and it is very tiresome to listen to, even on short journeys. I'm in the process of an after-market upgrade.
You'd probably be happy with either car to be honest.
yellowbentines said:
80sboy said:
BMW beats the Merc in almost every area. Looks better too.
All IMO obviously.
Hmm, the OP said he was looking for a comfortable, practical family car - the Merc is more comfortable, and more practical. All IMO obviously.
I am biased as a previous owner of one, but if comfort and practicality are amongst the most important factors, the the E-Class wins it by a mile. It will swallow a ridiculous amount of stuff and waft you hundreds of miles in comfort leaving you feeling fresh as a daisy at the other end.
It's not as much of a driver's car as the BMW, but it's a family estate, not a sports car.
The decision for me around diesel v petrol came down to the amount of miles v the amount of car to the money. Doing 10-15K a year meant I went down the petrol route. I was very keen to go petrol over diesel having owned a diesel for 44,000 miles previously.
edit - I wrote my post within the quote above
Edited by kieranjholland on Thursday 26th January 19:41
Monkeylegend said:
80sboy said:
BMW beats the Merc in almost every area. Looks better too.
All IMO obviously.
I assume you have owned or driven both to make such a sweepimg statement?All IMO obviously.
The BMW felt like a more sorted car and was just much nicer to drive than the Merc, which felt wallowy and slow in comparison. The diesel engine in the BMW is in another league too.
So there...
80sboy said:
Monkeylegend said:
80sboy said:
BMW beats the Merc in almost every area. Looks better too.
All IMO obviously.
I assume you have owned or driven both to make such a sweeping statement?All IMO obviously.
The BMW felt like a more sorted car and was just much nicer to drive than the Merc, which felt wallowy and slow in comparison. The diesel engine in the BMW is in another league too.
So there...
Pretty much decided I want a petrol engine, need that lovely sound.
A late E280 might be a possibility.
Will ask my neighbour if I can have a snoop around his 530d to see how practical it might be (can't put two kids in the boot!).
Anyone have any pointers of what to look out for / problems with either of these cars (petrol guise)?
A late E280 might be a possibility.
Will ask my neighbour if I can have a snoop around his 530d to see how practical it might be (can't put two kids in the boot!).
Anyone have any pointers of what to look out for / problems with either of these cars (petrol guise)?
Minor pedantic bulls
t incoming......... I hope I'm right, but.
E60 Is the saloon
E61 is the touring.
You can't get an E60 touring its like wanting a 5 series saloon estate.
Not a bad conundrum to have thought, when my Mrs is back after maternity leave this is the car I'm after to.
Remember to post pics of what you get, or you'll get banned.
t incoming......... I hope I'm right, but. E60 Is the saloon
E61 is the touring.
You can't get an E60 touring its like wanting a 5 series saloon estate.
Not a bad conundrum to have thought, when my Mrs is back after maternity leave this is the car I'm after to.
Remember to post pics of what you get, or you'll get banned.
I'm a huge BMW fan been in them for last 12 years, some new, some nearly new and current older e39. On looks etc I hate the e60 (er E61 Thank you)although in M Sport guise not so bad. the post 57 reg cars have improved interiors but if you are serious about performance a 535d sport is hard to beat but not sure its available on your budget. That said not sure how good a car you'll get as with either they will be quite leggy at that price.
I think there's very little in it. Personally a well specced merc tips the scales for me.
As for my E39 tourer I love it and I am staying put until the latest generation dips under £20k.
As a curve ball what about a 55 or 56 reg X5 3.0d. They are a fantastic drive. if you are brave a 4.4i but I can't go recommending it. I owned the new X5 before the E39 and it was stunning and as a driving experience just blew me away. So very capable, quick (yes) and economical. Oh and its quite spacious for those family camping holidays. If you can double your budget go for a 57 x5 3.0d SE with dyn and media packs.
I think there's very little in it. Personally a well specced merc tips the scales for me.
As for my E39 tourer I love it and I am staying put until the latest generation dips under £20k.
As a curve ball what about a 55 or 56 reg X5 3.0d. They are a fantastic drive. if you are brave a 4.4i but I can't go recommending it. I owned the new X5 before the E39 and it was stunning and as a driving experience just blew me away. So very capable, quick (yes) and economical. Oh and its quite spacious for those family camping holidays. If you can double your budget go for a 57 x5 3.0d SE with dyn and media packs.
We have an E61 525i. Drove the MB equivelant and TBH found it a bit too soft and didn't feel that it was put together as well as the BMW either. My wife also commented that it felt like "an old man's car", whatever that means.
IMO the BMW is the superior car in pretty much every way (assuming you don't need 7 seats). Better looking, better handling, better engine, better built etc.
We went for a non M-Sport model as thought the price difference wasn't justified and couldn't put up with the ride quality.
Changing the standard fit RFT's for normal tyres has improved the ride/handling hugely also.
IMO the BMW is the superior car in pretty much every way (assuming you don't need 7 seats). Better looking, better handling, better engine, better built etc.
We went for a non M-Sport model as thought the price difference wasn't justified and couldn't put up with the ride quality.
Changing the standard fit RFT's for normal tyres has improved the ride/handling hugely also.
I have a 2005 E61 530D. It is a fine car to drive and has loads of room for 5 adults + decent carrying capacity.
The Merc though has even greater carrying capacity and without doubt a softer ride.
If comfort and load lugging are your priorities go for the Merc. If enjoying driving the thing is important, go for the E61.
On your mileage you might as well go for the petrol version, then you do not have to worry about the DPF, or turbo, either car will make you happy, but for your budget you will be looking at a 2004/5/6 version depending on mileage.
Get the youngest car you can, even if the mileage is higher, BMW had a few issues with the very early cars which were sorted out with updates, later versions were better.
If you want more detailed info have a look at this forum.
http://forums.5series.net/forum/4-e61-touring-disc...
The Merc though has even greater carrying capacity and without doubt a softer ride.
If comfort and load lugging are your priorities go for the Merc. If enjoying driving the thing is important, go for the E61.
On your mileage you might as well go for the petrol version, then you do not have to worry about the DPF, or turbo, either car will make you happy, but for your budget you will be looking at a 2004/5/6 version depending on mileage.
Get the youngest car you can, even if the mileage is higher, BMW had a few issues with the very early cars which were sorted out with updates, later versions were better.
If you want more detailed info have a look at this forum.
http://forums.5series.net/forum/4-e61-touring-disc...
I had an E60 saloon and had to change to an estate due to lack of room with the dogs and luggage. A friend of mine had a 5 series estate and the boot was not as big as you would think it should be.
I ended up settling for an e320 mainly for the boot size. It is a nice comfortable car, but the BMW was just a nicer car to drive. If you are not overly bothered about the boot space you would loose by having the BMW, then I would say that as you are doing mostly A and and B roads, that this would be a better car for you. Unfortunately for me I needed the boot space so went for the E class. Don't get me wrong it's a good comfortable car and I would choose it again if it came down to space. If it hadn't been for the required space, I would have gone for the BMW.
The best E class to go for is the post facelift model (2006).
I ended up settling for an e320 mainly for the boot size. It is a nice comfortable car, but the BMW was just a nicer car to drive. If you are not overly bothered about the boot space you would loose by having the BMW, then I would say that as you are doing mostly A and and B roads, that this would be a better car for you. Unfortunately for me I needed the boot space so went for the E class. Don't get me wrong it's a good comfortable car and I would choose it again if it came down to space. If it hadn't been for the required space, I would have gone for the BMW.
The best E class to go for is the post facelift model (2006).
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff