W124 Estate versus E39 Touring

[phoenix_nights]

Happy new year.

I am faltering. I have spotted a '94 150,000 auto 7 seater W124 in good condition (in green but cant have everything) but now i am also thinking of a 98 BMW 5 series touring.

Why i was looking at the 5 series is that they seem so comfortable but my heart really is with the w124 (would be my 3rd merc).

So could anybody convince me why i should not go for the 98 touring ?

 

[Ian B Walker]

W124 build quality speaks for itself. Nothing further to say really

 

[bolide]

5 series estate

The 5-series estate really falls down when it comes to interior space. I'm told it's a bit like a reverse Tardis - much less space inside than you'd think from the outside. Also does the 5-series have self-levelling suspension?

It's a bit unfair comparing a 98 car with a 94 but space & carrying capacity may swing your vote

Are you looking at a petrol or diesel car?


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[phoenix_nights]

Petrol as i probably will convert to gas in a year. Always had the idea of owning a car for like 20 years or something so the w124 would be perfect as it would age really well. I actually have no real need for carrying capacity (except for a mountain bike) and a honda civic would easily be sufficient but i just love the long estates.

Yeah cant really compare the 94 with a 98 beemer and there would be the obvious price difference. I only need the car at the weekends so am thinking may be waste having a beemer sitting around in dublin waiting to be broken into. The w124 kinda blends into the streets a bit when parked.

 

[glojo]

I always buy what I like, and blow what other folks think.

Asking advice is always a good idea to find out the faults of your prospective vehicle, but buy what you like, in the colour of your choice.

My choice would be the 124, but there is nothing wrong with the tiny little 5 series

Why are you comparing the 5 series with the 124 and not the rustier E-class? (earlier models are allegedly not effected by the rust rodent )

Good luck with the decision
John

 

[Rose Chap]

The E39 5 Series is a great car, in saloon or estate guise. As great as W124s are (and I used to have a '91 300E which I adored) I'd go with the BMW in this instance. Its newer, just as classy in estate guise and, providing you get a good one, just as reliable as the elder Mercedes.

Also, I'm sure the prices are about comparable between a '98 5 Series and a '94 E Class. Am I right?

 

[MangoMan]

Merc......'nuf said.

 

[Futurevisuals]

Hello all,
I have just joined in the hope that I can get some advice as I want to purchase a 300 TE as a matter of urgencey as my current car is for sale.
I am prepared to travel for the correct car and my budget is £1500 - £2000 max.

Does anyone know where to point me ?, I am searching the trader and e-bay but would prefer to find a specialist or enthusiast to buy from

ty

Matt

 

[sym]

Wouldn't want to sway you one way or the other ( ) - but suggest that you drive both and make up your mind - will just say that I have been extremely pleased with mine so far. Build quality on the E39 is good.

S.

 

[andy_k]

Hello all,
I have just joined in the hope that I can get some advice as I want to purchase a 300 TE as a matter of urgencey as my current car is for sale.
I am prepared to travel for the correct car and my budget is £1500 - £2000 max.

Does anyone know where to point me ?, I am searching the trader and e-bay but would prefer to find a specialist or enthusiast to buy from

ty

Matt

don't buy a 300TE unless

a, it's a 24 valve

b, you don't care about fuel consumption

c, it's a 300 Diesel

shop around for a 320 or 280, either will be more economical and a more refined engine

HTH

Andy

 

[MangoMan]

Correct me if I'm wrong; but can you get a 300TD 24 Valve?

Thanks.

 

[andy_k]

sorry I worded my post wrong


don't buy a 300TE unless

a, if it's a petrol engine make sure it's the 24 valve one - it's the only petrol 300 worth having

b, if you buy the standard 12 valve one make sure you don't care about fuel consumption

c, even better if you've got to have a 300 make sure it's a 300 Diesel (preferably a multivalve)


that makes more sense


Andy

 

[MangoMan]

So you can get a 300 Diesel Multivalve? (24v)?

 

[andy_k]

Nick (Bolide) is the expert on these cars - here's one on his site

http://www.w124.co.uk/actions/carsforsale.taf?page=detail&id=200578


Andy

 

[MangoMan]

Thanks.

 

[prprandall51]

The E39 is a great car but the single most important point is:

what is the engine? and if it is a 6 or 8 cylinder car manufactured before Sept 1998, has the engine been changed by BMW (with full documentation)?

If it hasn't been changed, the engine is probably completely knackered.

If it has been changed, then I would reccommend the E39 to anyone.

PHilip

 

[Howard]

Why would the engine have been changed ?

Do you mean the whole engine changed by BMW ? was there a major problem with them ?

 

[Will]

Why would the engine have been changed ?

Do you mean the whole engine changed by BMW ? was there a major problem with them ?

They had major problems with the cylinder linings, nicosil (sp?) which lead to loss of compression etc.

Many cars were recalled/fixed by BMW under warranty, but not all!

HTH

Will

 

[prprandall51]

All BMW 6 and 8 cylinder engines were potentially affected in cars from about 1996 to (I am pretty sure, but not definite) Sept 1998 BUILD (ignore the date of registration).

They were alloy blocks with a nikosil or alusil lining - a very thin super-hard coating applied directly to the aluminium bores to stop them just wearing away. Fine everywhere in Europe except Britain, where our high sulphur fuels dissolved the lining leaving the pistons running in pure soft aluminium. Ooops.

BMW replaced all affected engines up to 4 years / 90,000 miles free of charge. They changed the block for one with iron liners and the pistons and associated bearings. It was like having a new engine for free (ish). If the car needed servicing, they did that for free, too (they had to replace just about everything, anyway, so why not).

If the car has the replacement engine, then it should be a peach. If the engine wasn't replaced, you would be buying a potential shed.

Not all engines were affected (depended on the fuel you used) and high sulphur fuel was phased out some while ago in this country. Unfortunately, there must be a lot of engines that were part worn but never got detected and so are still out there.

Any owner will have the documentation. The swap cost about £4,500 per car!!

Search the web for nikosil for more info and potential purchasers should ask any BMW dealership for details on a specific car - it will be in the nationwide service records database if the engine was done.

Philip

 

[Rose Chap]

Porous bore liners. BMW and Jaguar used nikasil in the cylinder bores, which could have been corroded by the high sulphur content of UK unleaded around in the mid to late 90s.

If the bore liners corrode the engine loses compression and ultimately becomes useless. Back when I was thinking of buying a late 90s Jaguar XJ8 I learnt all about this problem. You can take your Jaguar to a dealership and get them to do a 'blow test'. This checks the compression on the engine and they will tell you if its okay or not. I'm sure BMW must offer a similar service for their cars. The cost for Jaguar wasn't very high.

Additionally, its worth noting that even if the engine hasn't been replaced, yet passes this test, it should be fine as UK petrol no longer has the high sulphur levels.

Hope this helps.

Andy