BMW or Mercedes?
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:20 am
- Location: Burton on Trent
- MMOC Member: Yes
BMW or Mercedes?
Hello, I have decided to replace my nine year old BMW series 3 and am undecided. As I tow a caravan I need a 2 litre engine and am tempted with another series 3 as my current one is excellent. However, the "C" class Mercedes has turned my head and I've had a favourable test drive in one.
My stipulations are: Petrol engine (my annually mileage doesn't justify a diesel, and in any case, I prefer petrol) and a manual gearbox. Entry level models will do, I don't need all the bells and whistles.
I've seen examples on the internet around 16/17 plate.
Which would members go for?
My stipulations are: Petrol engine (my annually mileage doesn't justify a diesel, and in any case, I prefer petrol) and a manual gearbox. Entry level models will do, I don't need all the bells and whistles.
I've seen examples on the internet around 16/17 plate.
Which would members go for?
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 2765
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:41 am
- MMOC Member: No
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
If you have a 9 year old low mileage excellent BMW, my advice would be to keep it frankly but we all change our cars for different reasons. I have owned and driven different models of each make and would once have said that Mercs seemed better built and BMWs seemed a better drive but I'm not so sure that Merc build quality is what it was and one or two friends and colleagues who run them have had disappointments and fairly major faults with their C class Mercs. We all have different needs and so I would recommend you drive a few different cars and choose which you like the best and get offered the best deal on. The vast majority of such cars will be automatics, so your choices will be limited in manual form.
Last edited by ManyMinors on Sat Jun 30, 2018 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:20 am
- Location: Burton on Trent
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
Thanks for this ManyMinors. My current car is just shy of 100.000 miles (having bought it six years ago with 46.000) and I realise towing can put a strain on components such as the clutch. I've spent a pretty penny on it and I feel I don't want to spend any more hence my reason for a newer car with a lower mileage. On paper, both cars are capable of towing the caravan.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 2180
- Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 9:41 pm
- Location: Sutton Coldfield
- MMOC Member: No
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
I would probably go for the Merc. BMW seem to have re-invented the rusty car, 10 year old BMW's seem to be showing signs of rot these days.
My Minor:
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535
- geoberni
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3598
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
- Location: North Leicestershire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
I personally have no experience of either BMW or Merc as a brand; aside from one 'too good to miss' chance to get a new Mitsubishi back in the 90's when I needed the 'family car', I've pretty much always had Vauxhall or Ford.
But a close friend often has BMWs, and equally often finds them very expensive to run with silly design faults, like his recent experience with water ingress into the black box that BMW thought would be a good idea to put in the top of the tailgate.
A bit like your experience by the sounds of it, so your BMW money pit isn't unique.
But a close friend often has BMWs, and equally often finds them very expensive to run with silly design faults, like his recent experience with water ingress into the black box that BMW thought would be a good idea to put in the top of the tailgate.
A bit like your experience by the sounds of it, so your BMW money pit isn't unique.
Basil the 1955 series II
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1904
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 11:37 am
- Location: Near Belper
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
We've had BMW's and Mercs in the past and ,despite their strong points, I think both are somewhat overrated. The last C class had its front suspension collapse, luckily just before it was out of warranty. Some local mechanics won't touch them these days and main dealers are expensive on servicing and repairs. Don't think I'd get another of either.
-
- Minor Addict
- Posts: 641
- Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:16 pm
- Location: North Yorkshire
- MMOC Member: No
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
Go Ford, nice handling, reasonable parts prices and for the same money as a Beemer/Merc you get a better car for the money. Vauxhall have handling issues, especially understeer.
Good home offered for custom splittie
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 2765
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:41 am
- MMOC Member: No
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
The big trouble with purchasing one of the larger Fords (Mondeo for example) when still a fairly new and expensive car is that the value quickly drops like nothing else and you'll be left in very few years with something of no value because they have no "kerb appeal". I do agree that the cars themselves drive well but if you want to retain as much of your cash as possible buying an expensive but fast depreciating car is like setting fire to £20 notes and the occasional repair bills for keeping your old car going for a few more years will be a much less expensive alternative.
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 2953
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2016 4:39 pm
- Location: Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
I'm very biased in favour of Ford having had a succession of nearly new Escorts, Focuses and even a Fusion over the last 23 years. Only niggle with the latest one is the 'hill start assist' which is easy to pre-empt, causing some rough pulling away!
I suppose in the C-class or 3-Series bracket, it would have to be a Mondeo which is probably smaller, or a Vauxhall Insignia, which is definitely smaller although there seems to be a new facelift imminently which might be bigger (and better!).
I suppose in the C-class or 3-Series bracket, it would have to be a Mondeo which is probably smaller, or a Vauxhall Insignia, which is definitely smaller although there seems to be a new facelift imminently which might be bigger (and better!).
1956 4-door called Max
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
Mentioning bigger ( not sure about better) cars, I'm mystified as to why the same model car gets bigger every year.
I presume it's by public demand,-------- an ego thing Mines bigger than yours?
I presume it's by public demand,-------- an ego thing Mines bigger than yours?
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 2953
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2016 4:39 pm
- Location: Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
They don't get much bigger inside. It's nearly all extra safety padding to keep the more idiotic drivers safely cocooned. My 2015 Focus has no more leg-room or elbow room than it's 1999 predecessor, but the steering wheel is much further away from the windscreen!
1956 4-door called Max
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1090
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 10:49 pm
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
Plus, I suppose, the undeniable truth is that people, at least in the countries where most cars have traditionally been sold, have got bigger (and continue to do so) as the years pass.
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
Didn't think of the obesity epidemic, however I'm still inclined to put it down to one upmanship!
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1090
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 10:49 pm
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: BMW or Mercedes?
Not just obesity either - my nephew is 6' 5" and his younger brother is 6' 9"