Merc E220/BMW525d MPG and Reliability

CKhalvashi

Hey guys,

I'm just wondering if anyone can give me a little help with what MPGs you're getting/got from either of the above models. Preferably looking around the US$6000 mark (the first is horribly overpriced), so something like this or this.

I'm spending around 4 months of the next year in my native Georgia (in spats, and will be lending the car to a relative when I'm not around), and would prefer one of the above, due to the ease of availability of spare parts in the abovementioned country, plus the ease of getting rid of it when it's no longer needed. Auto gearbox is a must, as are comfy seats.

Official reviews on both look good, so just wondering if anyone on the forums has any experience of either (never owned a Merc this new, but owned a BMW 535d that was 9 years newer). I'm assuming that anything we're looking at just came from Germany (due to location), so should be looked after.

Thank you!

CK

Hintza

I think you need to ask the locals which one is best for spare parts etc. Even if it can do 50mpg that is no use if it is parked at the side of the road awaiting a part. I suspect it might still be MB but you will need to check.

To check real life mpg go to honest john.

agrinnall

Aren't most of the luxury cars stolen in Germany taken further East to be sold to buyers who either aren't aware or don't care? Assuming you don't wish to be in either category, perhaps you would be better to buy in Germany yourself and do a personal import into Georgia.

GAZ237

Stick with the BMW. The Mercs bodywork rust big time.

CKhalvashi

Hintza wrote: »

I think you need to ask the locals which one is best for spare parts etc. Even if it can do 50mpg that is no use if it is parked at the side of the road awaiting a part. I suspect it might still be MB but you will need to check.

To check real life mpg go to honest john.

I know that both of these are easy models, purely due to the number of them in the country.

Georgia is a large market for exports from Europe, and driving through now, there's very little Russian stuff on the roads now.

agrinnall wrote: »

Aren't most of the luxury cars stolen in Germany taken further East to be sold to buyers who either aren't aware or don't care? Assuming you don't wish to be in either category, perhaps you would be better to buy in Germany yourself and do a personal import into Georgia.

To be put on Georgian plates, the car will have had its identity checked. I don't know if you're aware of how the automarkets work in Rustavi, but you have to show proof that you've worked in the motor trade for at least a year, including your accounts, receipts etc, then again at 6 month intervals.

Due to the unique economy of the country, there are huge levels of self-employment, so I know large amounts of people that have worked on them.

CK

agrinnall

CKhalvashi wrote: »

To be put on Georgian plates, the car will have had its identity checked. I don't know if you're aware of how the automarkets work in Rustavi, but you have to show proof that you've worked in the motor trade for at least a year, including your accounts, receipts etc, then again at 6 month intervals.

CK

Well, I'm sure you know the country much better than I ever will, but your view seems rather rose-tinted if you are trying to convince us that there are no dodgy motors sold there.

CKhalvashi

agrinnall wrote: »

Well, I'm sure you know the country much better than I ever will, but your view seems rather rose-tinted if you are trying to convince us that there are no dodgy motors sold there.

I know that everything isn't completely clean that comes in/out, same as in any country, but I'm saying that to put it in Georgian plates, the country has German/Dutch officials working, to ensure that the vehicles are clean.

Those that end up in Kazakhstan or Armenia (which is maybe 50% of those transiting Georgia for those two countries alone), I don't know about, as these will never be 'officially' imported, if that makes sense.

CK

Hintza

agrinnall wrote: »

Well, I'm sure you know the country much better than I ever will, but your view seems rather rose-tinted if you are trying to convince us that there are no dodgy motors sold there.

Following your argument to its logical conclusion you should only ever buy from an authorised dealer regardless of where you live as any car could be dodgy (even then it might still be dodgy).

If I was going to Georgia and needed a car I certainly wouln't be buying one in Germany to take with me, unless of course it made economic sense to do so.