BMW 530i more reliable than Mercedes 450SE

[axlon]

It seems that in the 1970s the BMW 5 series was more reliable than the Mercedes W116 & R107 in Road & Track’s owner surveys. And as the burnout video shows, the BMW single row timing chain was stronger than the Mercedes chain in the 380SE/SL V8.

1977 BMW 530i burnout

Between 1970 and 1980 the Mercedes W113 Pagoda Roof SL and the BMW e12 530i were the 1st and 2nd most reliable cars Road & Track surveyed. They even gave fewer problems than any Japanese car!

Road & Track March 1979 BMW 530i (1975-78)

Problem areas 6 / Reliability areas 0 average for all cars 12/7

R&T Owner Survey BMW 530i

Road & Track August 1977 Mercedes 450SE/SEL/SL/SLC(1972-76)

Problem areas 9 / Reliability areas 0 average for all cars 12/7

R&T Owner Survey Mercedes 450 series

[axlon]

Remember when Mercedes were only owned by Doctors?!

This BMW video also shows a doctor owning a 525. The yuppies hadn't come yet.

Up to 2.20 on the test track, and then the doctor and his family. Of course back then only professional men owned these cars, lol.

1973 BMW promotional film

I suppose they would have shown these on projectors at dealerships?

There was a great 1980 comedy film with James Coburn and Shirley MacLaine. Both were doctors, he had a silver Mercedes 450SEL and she had a red 450SL. The days when Hollywood movies were worth watching. What the heck happened?!

[axlon]

Here's Mercedes promotional video for the W116 S Class. Both the 5 series and S class came out in 1972. Both have a sort of double bumper rubber look.

1974 Mercedes W116 Video

Clause Luthe oversaw the 5 series' restyle for 1977, and is also credited with the e28 5 series and e32 7 series. Looking back at the old reports it was often said the e12 5 series drove like a small W116 S class! Starting with the 1968 six cylinder BMWs, the two companies were looking at each others cars very closely. That continues to this day, with Audi joining in too as the years went by.