W211 or E60 5 Series

[Nik_Endeavour]

Due to having changed jobs which would require a commute again (32 miles each way from Bristol to Swindon) the RX-8 is not going to be a viable economical choice.

I am torn between a W211 (have wanted one for ages) and a recently discovery on a 5 series of the same age. Budget is slightly limited to between £4000 to £5000 and it has to be a diesel.

Any advice which would be best and least likely to give problems?

Nik

 

[John]

Watch out for swirl flaps on the BMWs of the era you are looking at:

BMW diesel engine "SWIRL FLAPS" all you ever ever need to know about Swirl flaps!

As much as I like the E60, and of course W211, I would probably go for a W211 facelift if it is within budget.

 

[davidjpowell]

Watch out for swirl flaps on the BMWs of the era you are looking at:

BMW diesel engine "SWIRL FLAPS" all you ever ever need to know about Swirl flaps!

As much as I like the E60, and of course W211, I would probably go for a W211 facelift if it is within budget.

Or Port Inlet Shutoff motors in the W211

ETA We had a E60 facelift 520d at 150k, which was a nice car.

 

[joecash]

you should get a 2004 w211 diesel circa 100k for that sort of money but make sure you know what you are buying - if not sure get the services of a good indy to look it over before parting with your hard earned. Never trust the word of a garage at these prices!! If all else fails buy a toyota!!!

 

[Bakili]

My opinion,
W211 is much nicer inside, w211 avantgarde is nicely spec'd car. Command must have in w211.

What engine you thinking, e220-e270 or e320 cdi

 

[jamesfuller]

I must say the interior of an E60 is a dark and depressing place to spend time. The leather is like plastic. But having said that, not bad reliability and they do drive well. Keep an eye on the tyres, the runflats can wear in odd ways and make road noise.

 

[jamesfuller]

I would look at and drive as many as you can so you get a feel for a good one. As they can vary quite a bit not always relating to the mileage they have covered

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Your budget should get you a decent W211 E270 Avantgarde CDI; bulletproof engine and possibly the best interior I've ever owned.

Your two main concerns on these will be Black Death and the SBC system.

I've owned seven (or eight, I forget) and they've all been excellent all round cars.

 

[gIzzE]

I have owned both and both were great cars, but I would put the S211 (I had the estates) as the second best all round car I have owned.
Depends what you want from it, I had a DMS mapped 535d sport touring and it was great, but as an every day cruiser the Merc edges it.

I liked the interior of the E60, it felt a lot more modern than the 211, however the 211 felt more luxurious, but then I had black interior on the BMW and grey on the 211.

I reckon far less to go wrong on the BMW, SBC brakes will go at some point on the Merc, can be very costly, I'm not sure I would want the worry of a pre facelift (sept 2006 build) car. Swirl flaps are the only thing that may go on the BMW and that is a quick fix anyway.

I would get a car with out comand now, it is too dated imho, even the later 2009 NTG2.5 version I had is now starting to feel a bit dated, I certainly wouln't pay a premium for it, in fact the fact it is a ball ache to upgrade I would prefer a normal stereo and the chance to put something decent in there myself.

The e60 is very focused for an exec car, you can really chuck it about, not something you can do with the e class, if you might miss that go for the BMW, if you want complete comfort go with the Merc.

Oh, if you go BMW budget for ditching the run flats, they ruin an otherwise amazing car.

 

[flango]

I'd think if you really need a diesel, I'm currently in the office for a couple of weeks and do a 38 mile commute each way so I've been using the CLK, it costs me less than £2.50 per day to use the CLK compared to the Volvo. 17p per mile in the CLK and 14p per mile in the Volvo and I know which one I'd rather be in

 

[gIzzE]

I agree with that, I used to get the following on a 27 mies trip from cold...

530i 33mpg
535d 34mpg

e320 v6 petrol 32mpg
e320cdi 37mpg

Just not worth worrying too much about it, plus the petrols tend to be far more robust and less things going wrong as they get to this age.

Unless you are looking at a 520d vs E220cdi, then you may see some savings.

 

[davidjpowell]

520d was stuck at 47.8 mpg for a long time and had perfectly adequate performance.

 

[jamesfuller]

I think a 535d could be quite economical if you could drive it sensibly. Something i never managed. They do move well when you give them some stick.

 

[gIzzE]

No they drink fuel, well the earlier ones anyway, I averaged 26mpg over 35k miles in 12 months.
On a spirited run you would see late teens, sat at a very, very steady 50mph it would get to around 38mpg.
Normal mpg for a motorway run sat at say 85mph was just over 30mpg.

 

[John]

The facelift (2007 onwards) 535d shows a distinct improvement in the economy although I don't think one would be within budget here.

 

[Nik_Endeavour]

I have found a 530i with LPG conversion done with 88700 miles. Anyone knows any obvious any issues with it?

 

[flango]

Not an engine suited to LPG check for valve seat regression.

 

[gIzzE]

The facelift (2007 onwards) 535d shows a distinct improvement in the economy although I don't think one would be within budget here.

Yeah very true, mate went from a pre facelift to facelift and went from 26 to 35 average.

 

[Seamster15]

Personally i'd not touch an ageing E60 Diesel, but if you do check for:

Swirl flaps, Cracked exhaust manifolds, Glow plugs, Faulty DPF. On Estates - Rear wiring looms issues causing battery drain, tailgate opening/closing issues, rear air suspension pump issues due to faulty hoses etc, etc, etc..

Turbos and alternators tend to expire around the 150k mark also.

Good luck.

 

[Nik_Endeavour]

Any thoughts on the 320 engine? I have found one with 138k for 2400? It's an avangarde but no command