I wanna buy a reliable mercedes saloon for 5000 pounds

rammster

I just had a look at autotrader and did what bal and tom had suggested. And I can see BMW 3 series models upto year 2000 ! Now how cool is that. Unbelievable stuff. If Merc and BMWs are so similar then why is it that BMWs lose value so much, is it just the iconic image of Mercs or is there a genuine practical issue behind it.

Anyway guys thanks a lot, atleast you have got me focussing on something more practical then. I hope everyone agrees that BMWs are more reliable cars than Mercs .

Now where to get one from????
and also, what is this E talk (E36,E9 etc.) , are these series of engines.
I believe that a 325 is superior to 318.

I was just coming to terms with terminology surrounding Mercs, and now you guys have got me talking BMWs .

tomstickland

E is just a generic model number, they moved through in sequence I've got an E30 3 series (1984-1991). Meanwhile they made E31, E32, E33, E34, and E35s before releasing the E36 3 series in 1991. I've no idea what, for example, an E34 is, it might have been an earth mover for all I know. I'm sure that there's a list somewhere on the web.

I don't know if BMW are more reliable than Merc. I doubt there's much in it. My preference for BMW is more to do with their committment to driving pleasure, whereas I view Merc as a bit more like Jaguar ie: big, comfy barges.

tomstickland

Here you go: http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/enumber.html

balsingh

BMWs do lose their vlue a bit quicker than Mercs but thats cos they are a bit cheaper to buy in the first place and admitedly, they are more common. But you watch any episode of Top Gear or read most car magazines and the equivalent BMW is usually better than the Merc.

Cardew

I think lots of people become BMW fans or Mercedes fans and stay loyal - almost like supporting a football team.

Both are good sound cars and I would agree that most motoring pundits prefer the performance and handling of BMWs but would concede that Mercedes are a better long term bet.

I think BMW, and to a lesser extent Mercedes, tarnished their image by producing some cheaper entry models.

I know what I prefer!

shown73

In the final analysis, there is only one make in which you can sit in the drivers seat, look along the bonnet, and see that three pointed star...
It's an icon, whichever way you look at it, and something which BMW has not, and will never have, regardless of the practical merits.

tomstickland

Depends on what you want though. I don't want an icon. I want to enjoy driving the car. ie: it's a personal thing between me and the car, not what anyone else thinks about it.

shown73

Point taken. I've driven both, and the pleasure is equal perhaps, but different, if you see what i mean. There is a world of difference between driving a beautiful, big, SE-series Merc, and a three-series beemer. Who, in the final analysis can say which is better? Personaly, I find them both a pleasure to drive, but as an almost pensioner, I suppose that the balance would fall on the big Mercs side. Different strokes for different folks, there is no right or wrong.

tomstickland

Aye, well I'm 33 and I've still got 45% of the hot hatch madness in me, so an old 3 series combines the spirit of that along with a more refined and mature aspect. I guess that a Merc is blended a bit more towards the refined bit.

The amazing thing is that a slightly battered 15 year old car can still make me feel like the world's a great place. Top marks to BM for the E30.

shown73

And top marks to Merc, for building a huge brick of a car in the SE series of the late 80's . early 90's, which just seemed to stick two fingers up to the world. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. Driving round London is to see traffic parting in front of you like moses with the parting of the waters. It does have its charm, trust me. I first experienced this with a Mk10 Jaguar in the 70's, and it can be a lovely feeling, insulated from the cares of the world, wafted along in complete luxury. I'm not knocking the 3-series by any means, it's sort of the 3.8 Jag of its day, i suppose, that was really great as well. Notice that they are all rear wheel drive, by the way, like cars ought to be.