I wanna buy a reliable mercedes saloon for 5000 pounds

balsingh

I prefer BMs too (fantastically engineereed) but they are as common as Vectras and Mondeos these days

tomstickland

Buy a car because it does what you want not because it's common or not common, that's my take on it anyway.
Anyway, the principles are similar in terms of Merc & BMW.
You can buy a lot of car for not much money, they are well built and reliable, but you should allow a contingency for something being wrong that might cost a bit to fix. In the long term it will still be cheaper than a lot of other cars.

Cardew

tomstickland wrote:

You should look at buying a BMW instead. I'm biassed of course, but I think that they're similar but better.

I have agreed with most of your posts until now! but then I am biased as well!

tomstickland

What do Mercedes have that BMW don't then?

FJSRiDER

tomstickland wrote:

What do Mercedes have that BMW don't then?

BMW's aren't Mercs.

Which is exactly what rammster, who started this thread, is asking about.

Which Mercedes - not which BMW. :rolleyes:

tomstickland

Yes I can read.
If you look at some of my other posts in this thread you'll see that I'm suggesting that BMW and Merc both offer similar things, but I was teasing a bit and suggesting that BMW are, in my opinion, slightly better cars.

My last reply was a light hearted reply to this

I have agreed with most of your posts until now! but then I am biased as well!

It's up the original poster to tell me whether I'm helping or missing the point.

Cardew

tomstickland wrote:

What do Mercedes have that BMW don't then?

Somebody more famous than I once said:

"My boy, if you need to ask such a question - you wouldn't understand the answer!"

No interventions please! - its just banter!

rammster

No Tom, I think you have been pretty helpful there. Having said that even if it was a BMW for 5000 pounds, what exactly do you think would be the best one/ series to go for.

I must say that I like the styling of a merc more than a BMW, but after reading what you experienced lot have got to say about the cars, i would say that the choice would have to be a practical one. However I would draw the line for Audis or VWs, they are definitely a no no.

If a BMW , then which one and which year ( like the mercs)...

If a merc , then E series of the early 90s, manual (more suitable for me as pointed out) , would be a practical option.

Lastly where should i go looking. I do searches on Ebay and I find all sort of stuff selling at reasonable rates, but I would rather buy it from a garage or a dealer.

Also what do you guys think of those out of the town garages having loads of cars in them . Will they be a place to hunt for a good deal.

I know that if I went to authorised 2nd hand merc or BMW dealer , I wouldn't have any joy with that sort of money.

balsingh

Now you're talking - you will always get more BMW for your money than Merc (Mercs hold their value a bit better). I know for a fact that for £5000, you can get a late E36 model 3 series (around 1998 'R' plate). At a push, you may even be able to get a higher mileage E46 3 series on a 1998 'S' plate. With BMWs, especially the 3 series, most people buy a manual so they tend to be very economical too.

Not quite sure if you can get a good 5 series for 5k, but I you should be able to get one of the earlier E39 models (1996 'P' plate).

Hope that helps ... between my family, we have owned 6 BMWs over the last 15 years so we know the 3 & 5 series cars well.

First port of call is to look on https://www.autotrader.co.uk and that will give you an idea of what you can get for your money.

tomstickland

Mercs & BMWs are similar concept, so you can't go wrong with either.
For £5K you can buy hell of a lot of car. E36 (1992-on) M3s go for £7-£8K, so for £5K you can buy a really sound vehicle.

5 series can be cheaper than 3 series due to their perceived extra size.

I really don't know that much about the exact models in the BM range. Personally I'd look at late E36 325s. The E36 Diesels aren't much cop according to a BM mad friend of mine. The E39 Diesels are OK though.

I'll ask him for advice.