E39 530d or E class Merc ?

[georgen]

Chaps,

The time has come to part with my Saab 93 as it's just not large enough for the 4 of us. My thoughts for a new car are heading towards a 530d sport or a diesel E class Merc, but I can't decide what to go for.

I absoulouty love the E class and think it's a beautiful car, but I can't help thinking that the E39 would be a wiser and safer option. Space and reliability are absoloutly paramount and I still want to be able to use the car in a "spirited" style now and again.

Any thoughts y'all ?

[jaymos]

what year car are you thinkin of gettin?

[georgen]

what year car are you thinkin of gettin?

Anything between 2002 - 2005 really. I've spied a 2002 530d that looks nice..

[Blitz]

I've been in a e320, sounds great, ultra smooth. But I think a bit boring. They are also well known to rust. (W210)

[jaymos]

ye think you are best with a 5 series, think between those years was a bad time for mercs build wise

[E30BeemerLad]

Indeed those mercs are notoriously badly built and like to dissolve. I'd be thinking of an Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDi quattro if I wanted a good family wagon with space, not sure what price they go for though

[Morat]

Space in a A6?

[Blitz]

I thought the W210 was well built apart from the rust issues.

[bss325i]

Stay away from the merc unless you have deep pockets and like rust!

[jaymos]

I thought the W210 was well built apart from the rust issues.

ye they were, but didnt they finish making them around 2002, i think the problems were with the model after the w210

[georgen]

I guess that the Merc's out then...

A6 is a good call, but I'm just not an Audi fan at all. A 530d sport in silver it is then !!

[jaymos]

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/b ... -1996.aspx

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/m ... -1995.aspx

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/m ... -2002.aspx

here you go fella, reviews of the cars, check out the owners reviews on the left to get an idea of what people actually think about the cars

[325ish]

I work as a teck at a main dealer merc garage the e class 210 were solid regarding engine., g/box etc. The shell was known for rust BUT if the car has full main dealer history merc would cover a percentage of the cost. (depending on year). The 320 engine would easily go well over 300,000 miles!! i have even seen one car in for a service which was a taxi and covered 589,000miles and apart from the interior being complty f**ked the engine still ran really well!!!

[Blitz]

I work as a teck at a main dealer merc garage the e class 210 were solid regarding engine., g/box etc. The shell was known for rust BUT if the car has full main dealer history merc would cover a percentage of the cost. (depending on year). The 320 engine would easily go well over 300,000 miles!! i have even seen one car in for a service which was a taxi and covered 589,000miles and apart from the interior being complty f**ked the engine still ran really well!!!

My dads old E320 Avantgarde estate very well put together. No rust though because it was a Jap import.

What I found weird was that only the drivers seat was electric.

[Andyboy]

530d's are alright, but avoid the autos as a) they're crap and b)the fuel consumption takes a hit to the tune of 3-4 mpg. The autoboxes in these are made by GM and they have an issue with the oil pressure solonoid -the internal diaphragm splits, oil pressure drops and the box dies. They also have the bloody swirl flaps. Yuk.
Go for a manual 525d or 530d, change the crankcase breather for the new type, maintain it religiously and it should be alright.
Mercs have good engines, weak autoboxes (sealed for life nonsense) plus rust. The Audi A6 2.5TDi Avant is an excellent car.