BMW or Mercedes?

[Furby]

I got a feeling this'll prompt a 'mag vs. 'cocker style debate, but it's worth asking...

My wife has informed me that we'll be trading my van in early next year to get her something like a Ranger to drive. I got no problem with this, and while the Megavan is wonderful for hauling lots of paintball players and their gear, it's getting long in the tooth. The downside to this is that I'll be driving my wife's '94 Geo Metro. She understands that I despise this car, and she has it in her head that it'll last less than three months with me driving it.

So, the question is, what do I get to replace it? BMW's and MB's are REAL cheap down here used, and I wouldn't mind having one or the other to have around for what little driving I do during the course of my normal day, and to tinker around with. 3 and 5 Series BMW's can be had in reasonable condition for $2000 or so, and the same with 190E's and 280's. So, which is easier and cheaper (relative term, I know) to work on and live with on a day to day basis? I'm no mechanic, but I'm fairly handy with cars.

[Kevmaster]

I've seen benzes go and go and go

I'd take the benz

[afrankart]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
same with bimmers. That would be my personal choice. Plus, most perform (slightly) better.

[RenagadeOfFunk]

im smart... i choose both...

[Python14]

Bimmer

[afrankart]

Originally posted by RenagadeOfFunkRTPcf
im smart... i choose both...

Smart? Questionable...

Old enough to drive? Most certainly not.

[FalconGuy016]

I would choose BMW any day over mercedes.


Do understand that any part will cost $600 now though

[Gitaroo Man]

Originally posted by RenagadeOfFunkRTPcf
im smart... i choose both...

smart? he is asking an opinion and has a budget.....i agree with afrankart...


yeah i would chose bmw just cause my dad owns one and i own a 13 year old one and i absolutely LOVE both...they run great and look great.

[SlipknotX556]

Mercedes are having lots of problems now, ever since they started to be made in the USA. Get a BMW.

[PyRo]

Well for 2k he isn't getting a very recent mercedes. Choosing between the two I think I like BMW's better, even though I dislike both of them.

[Kevmaster]

yeh, im guessing late 80s-early 90s benz or beemer....not like a 2k is gunna go for 2k...hehe...i made a joke

[Greg98]

Get the beamer, plain and simple. Between the lower end models and years, beamers are so much nicer in all aspects, and the benz's look like old men's cars in those years. The E36 can be bought at a great price, and have very few things to look out for. They are also gorgeous, ride well, the inline 6's perform beautifully, and the gearbox is smooth and precise. If you'd like my impressions on the E36 (3 series made from 92-99) drop me an email, and I can tell you what to watch for when buying one, and common repairs necessary. good luck in the car hunt!

[xmetal2001]

I dont know about the older stuff but a very generalized rule of thumb is Go for Mercedes if you are looking for luxury and BMW if performance.

Obviously that really only works with comparably models. From what i've seen i tend to agree with the rule also.

My opinion: BMW.

[giblit]

i have a 88 bmw and what ive noticed with other 88 bmws is they get REALLY loud after a while, mine has like a puking exhaust sound that is really annoying and its the engine that is making the sound and they say they cant fix it. so watch out for early bmws.

[MarkM]

Buy the BMW unless you can get a diesel Mercedes, I know you guys tend not to go around curves but the BMW will go where you point it and Mercedes float around corners like a boat in a storm unless you have paid loads of money to lower it and uprate the suspension and as soon as you start swapping rims and suspension parts then you get other handling problems unless you swap out everything. In a like for like comparrision then the BMW wins everytime.