BMW 530d 99/00 model or Mercedes E320 CDI 99/00 model?

[blitzed400]

Does anyone have any experience of owning either of these vehicles?

Which would you say is the better motor out of the two in terms of reliability, comfort and MPG?

 

[gazzab]

Not had a 530d , had a 525i. Now got an E320CDI (51 reg).
The 530d was changed in 99 (I think) to a more powerful map etc.... so go for later model. It looks good in sport spec.
The BMW is the sportier feeling car. I think the merc feels faster though than a 530d (have used a friends sedan version).
Not sure about MPG as I tend not to bother tracking that. I assume they are both similar.
Both cars have their probs - that era Merc will suffer rust issues and possibly electrical germlins.
The BMs are famous for eating their turbos.
The Merc looks the more sophisticated and is the more comfortable car. People will think the car is worth a lot more than what you paid for it.
The BMW though will look better placed in ASBOs car park (oops I mean ASDA).

 

[stumpy]

Not sure I agree with the above. Try both and see which you prefer as they are very different cars. The facelifted 5 looks better and has some worthwhile improvements. Turbos can go and a few electrical maladies (parking sensors etc) but apart from that, they are very good. 5'ers do rust however. I've had a new bonnet and some work done inside the fuel filler bowl because of rust. The 320 is a bit quicker. The 530 seems to average early to mid 30's mpg in my hands.