Merc W124 or BWM E39?

[carltonboyce]

I need an old smoker estate and have been reading the "Best Smoker Barges" thread with interest.

I've narrowed it down and can't decide between the toughness, repair-ability, and old-school elegance of the W124, even if it's a bit cruder, slower and less fun than the alternative E39 - which will be faster (in 540 form...), more comfortable, more complex (with soooo much to go wrong).

What do you all think? I know that they drive very differently - and that a decent W124 will be usefully cheaper than a decent E39 540 - but could do with PHers' thoughts please! I guess in summary I'm torn between the wafty power of the E39 and the tough, pukka W124. Pretty typical dilemma, eh?

[edo]

2001 BMW 5 SERIES 540I M SPORT ESTATE AUTOMATIC HIGH SPEC
Trade Seller: Tyrrell Automotive Ltd

42,500 miles, Metallic SILVER GREEN WITH GREY LEATHER, MOT-07-2011, 2 Owners. HIGH SPEC INCLUDES ELECTRIC GLASS SLIDING SUNROOF,ELECTRIC SEATS WITH MEMORY,FRONT SEAT HEATING,COMMS PACK INCLUDING TV,SAT NAV TELEPHONE,BMW HI FI SPEAKER SYSTEM,XENON HEADLIGHTS,ELECTRIC TAILGATE,RETRACTABLE REAR LOAD FLOOR.FACTORY DETACHABLE TOWBAR, FULL SERVICE HISTORY. MUST BE SEEN Anti theft system, Child locks, Climate Control, Computer, Electric sunroof, Full Service History, Heated seats, Leather seats, Locking wheel nuts, Metallic paintwork, Navigation system, Telephone, Towbar, TV, 3x3 point rear seat belts, ABS, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Cruise control, Front armrest, Headlight washers, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Roof rails, Radio/Cassette, Side airbags, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Traction control, Alarm, Rear wiper, Reverse parking aid, Drivers airbag, Front electric windows, Front head restraints, Height adjustable drivers seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, PAS, Rear electric windows, Remote central locking, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Metallic Paint, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers, Electric door mirrors, Front fog lights, Heated door mirrors

£5,995

[jimmyjam]

I currently have a W124 estate which I moved to from an E36 estate. I know its not an E39 but there will be some comparisons. The E36 was by far the most reliable car I have ever had, it was faultless bought for £1300 and never a trouble. However, it did lack interior character and the inside dated and felt a bit sad! However, the W124 is a delight and an occasion inside and you do feel like you're wafting around. However, cheap money like mine, will buy something thats likely to have problems and mine certainly hasn't been the 'carved from rock' reputation I'd heard. But I'd still have it all day long over the BMW because it has character. I reckon it will grow into a more handsome classic than the BM too.
Head and wallet say BMW, heart and looks go Merc.

[carltonboyce]

edo said:

2001 BMW 5 SERIES 540I M SPORT ESTATE AUTOMATIC HIGH SPEC
Trade Seller: Tyrrell Automotive Ltd

42,500 miles, Metallic SILVER GREEN WITH GREY LEATHER, MOT-07-2011, 2 Owners. HIGH SPEC INCLUDES ELECTRIC GLASS SLIDING SUNROOF,ELECTRIC SEATS WITH MEMORY,FRONT SEAT HEATING,COMMS PACK INCLUDING TV,SAT NAV TELEPHONE,BMW HI FI SPEAKER SYSTEM,XENON HEADLIGHTS,ELECTRIC TAILGATE,RETRACTABLE REAR LOAD FLOOR.FACTORY DETACHABLE TOWBAR, FULL SERVICE HISTORY. MUST BE SEEN Anti theft system, Child locks, Climate Control, Computer, Electric sunroof, Full Service History, Heated seats, Leather seats, Locking wheel nuts, Metallic paintwork, Navigation system, Telephone, Towbar, TV, 3x3 point rear seat belts, ABS, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Cruise control, Front armrest, Headlight washers, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Roof rails, Radio/Cassette, Side airbags, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Traction control, Alarm, Rear wiper, Reverse parking aid, Drivers airbag, Front electric windows, Front head restraints, Height adjustable drivers seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, PAS, Rear electric windows, Remote central locking, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Metallic Paint, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers, Electric door mirrors, Front fog lights, Heated door mirrors

£5,995

I know, damn you! Absolutely bleedin' gorgeous, isn't it? This is the sodding car that's made me re-think the W124 decision that was all boxed-off...

[MC Bodge]

Merc. The sensible choice I suspect.

Or then again, just buy a Mondeo.

[richardxjr]

Under 2 bags (Or a need for 7 seats) = W124. Over 2 bags = E39.

Had a W124, still Want an E39 540 touring some day.

[edo]

carltonboyce said:

I know, damn you! Absolutely bleedin' gorgeous, isn't it? This is the sodding car that's made me re-think the W124 decision that was all boxed-off...

[carltonboyce]

richardxjr said:

Under 2 bags (Or a need for 7 seats) = W124. Over 2 bags = E39.

Had a W124, still Want an E39 540 touring some day.

Succinctly put Sir. The definitive answer - unless someone knows better...

[geeteeaye]

[tali1]

2001 BMW 5 SERIES 540I M SPORT ESTATE AUTOMATIC HIGH SPEC- interior with recaros on estate is pretty rare - but that seems badly overpriced as it last of line 53 reg money

[v8mustang]

Just replaced my 124 300d estate with 300c tourer, the old girl's still on the drive. Had it 12 yrs, done nearly all the servicing myself, perfect wafting mobile and the kids loved the 2 rear facing seats. Even better than that though, it ran on 90p/liter bio diesel. I'm torn as to whether to keep it under wraps or get rid.

[VeeFour]

tali1 said:

2001 BMW 5 SERIES 540I M SPORT ESTATE AUTOMATIC HIGH SPEC- interior with recaros on estate is pretty rare - but that seems badly overpriced as it last of line 53 reg money

It's also a particularly nasty colour inside - and I'd have my doubts about that mileage, too - as it's fitted with what looks like a Nokia phone cradle, so it's likely to have been a company car for at least the first 2 / 3 years of its life.

[tali1]

VeeFour said:

tali1 said:

2001 BMW 5 SERIES 540I M SPORT ESTATE AUTOMATIC HIGH SPEC- interior with recaros on estate is pretty rare - but that seems badly overpriced as it last of line 53 reg money

It's also a particularly nasty colour inside - and I'd have my doubts about that mileage, too - as it's fitted with what looks like a Nokia phone cradle, so it's likely to have been a company car for at least the first 2 / 3 years of its life.

I actually like the interior!
Big risk for Trader to have a "clocked car"- although company car and phone cradle are simply not enough proof really of suspect mileage

[VeeFour]

tali1 said:

I actually like the interior!
Big risk for Trader to have a "clocked car"- although company car and phone cradle are simply not enough proof really of suspect mileage

They may not be proof, but they'd have me looking very closely into the history of the car.

It may even have been clocked without the trader knowing about it.

[sparks_E39]

E39, it's the answer to a lot of car related questions. Keep a grand in the bank spare for a car fund. E39's are complicated and expensive beasts.