BMW 5 series or Merc E Class

[F1ngolf]

Arkaneslayer,

 

Interesting choice...if I have enough $$$ to buy a spare car.

[Scratch_head]

Hello F1Golf,

 

Hee hee... just saw your post... I was in your shoe one month ago... deciding

on the 5 series and the new E class. Well, I finally decided on the new E Class.

 

The factors that make me chose the new E class:

1. Nice styling.

2. Much better interior build quality

3. Image

4. New Product Line (W211)

 

Point 4 is especially important if you intend to sell your E class fours years

later, as no impending new E class product should be launching soon. Considering

that a typical product line lasts 7 years, including of a midlife facelift. This

will not have a drastic impact on your resale value.

 

However, if you have driven the current 5 series, its handling is better than the new

E class... try turning fast at junction along leng kee with both cars and you will

know what I mean. Torque isn't everything. Handling is just as important.

 

I did not get the 5 series as the new 5 will be launched last qtr of this year

and this will severely bring down your resale value. Case in point: who wants to buy

the old 7 series now when the new one is available??

 

So, the end of my story is that I got the E class. E200k, if that is your next qn.

 

Cheers and hope this helps.

 

2 cents' worth from a "guo lai ren".

Edited April 15, 2003 by Scratch_head

[F1ngolf]

Hi Scatch_Head,

Your experience really helps. Did u consider the E240 ? If so,

why u decide otherwise beside the $16k difference ? I started

looking at the E240 initially because of the V6 engine. The sales

person seems to indicate that E200 may be better value i.e. the

performance and finishing differences (if any) do not

justify the $16k price difference. Your comments, pls.

[Guyver]

Is this the new BMW 5 series... nice!!

[Guyver]

Yah... agree with u... from what i've heard.... BMW servicing... ... expensive right??

[RadX]

Relative.....

[Scratch_head]

Hello F1NGolf

 

I did not go for the V6 (e240) engine as like you put it, the 16k

difference is not worth my money. Furthermore, I am buying the car not

for "chionging" and more for my family affairs and a better image quotient.

Anyway, I put better use for my money. I chalked up a few more ks (about 3) to upgrade to

the avant garde 17" rims/wheels and a white speedometer. kewl!

this is money well spent. and not 16k for just a v6.

 

also, a merz is still a merz.... base model premium brand always attracts a larger

pool of buyers. might as well you buy the e200 and trim-up your car to make

it look more attractive. maybe an 18" AMG wheel for you?

[Saaber]

[Assassin]

No offence taken.

[Assassin]

Servicing costs really depends on which dealerships you are comparing with. PML would be comparable with C&C. In any case, the minor servicings should be around S$300-S$500 while the major servicings should be around S$500 - S$1200.

 

But there are specialist BM workshops outside that can do the servicing for you at a much cheaper price you see. For MB, its a bit harder to find such workshops.

[Saaber]

There is one near circuit road....

[Assassin]

And what is the name of that workshop ? Kompressor Benz Auto ?

[Saaber]

Let me drive by and see carefully.......will update you later...

[Assassin]

ok !

[Scratch_head]

should be superworkshop

well known for servicing continentals, esp benz.

[Assassin]

Ok. Apparently Kompressor Benz Auto and Super Workshop are in the same area...so will drop by maybe tomorrow to take a look.

[Cool_jazz]

I am no guru but this is based on my own experience. Generally speaking the power of an engine can be derived from a mathmatical formula. Horsepower = (Torque x RPM) / 5252. Based on the formula, if you increase the RPM, you increase the horsepower. In general, a bigger engine will have higer torque. So a bigger engine can achieve a rather higher bhp number without having to rev till the redline.

 

This is what I have experienced, had some 2L and a 3L NA car in the family. The car with the 3L engine pulls easily and hardly ever hits above 4000 rpm even when I floored the accelerator, yes even at high speed. A smaller engine will have to rev really hard to get the necessary power to propel the car from rest, a smaller engine will also probably be running at above 4000 rpm when the car is doing anything above 180 kmh.

 

The snag? Higher rev = more engine noise. Think of the great Honda SiR, Type-Rs. Great engine, great bhp, fairly good toque but high rpm.

 

Sports car (as in F1, Lambo, Ferrari etc) have the big engines with the ability to maintain high rpm.

 

So where does this bring us? Enter the turbo and super chargers... these kits packs more compressed air into the engine thereby increasing the torque.

 

The Supercharger (kompressor) is a more sophisticated alternative to the well-known turbocharger. The advantage in relation to the turbocharger is that you get no "delay" because the Supercharger shows its power at once. With the Supercharger you get a far more cultivated and controlled power development, with traction at the lowest rpm and flexibility as the key word. No time delay exists between moving the throttle and boost pressure response. When motoring along, the boost response is as fast as you move your foot. Another plus point, tax savings, because the E200 is actually a 1.8L unit.

 

Downside? Fuel economy, the harder the car is driven the less the fuel mileage. Sound, the Supercharger unit whines when under boost and it is known to sound like a sewing machine in the Mini Cooper S. Of course this is subjective and some people love the sound. Maintenance, additional piece of kit means additional maintenance cost, more parts to be replaced etc. Turbo chargers have been known to overheat and might kill the engine but thus far have yet to hear anything about the supercharger

 

Summary, getting the E200 Kompressor is going to save you quite a bit of money. Savings from the cost and the road tax, but it will not be as refined as a NA engine.

Edited April 15, 2003 by Cool_jazz

[Cool_jazz]

Yes... that is spot on.