I like that bit
We'll come onto the Viano saga later !:twisted:
I like that bit
It seems to me that if you start with a good quality product and look after it as the manufacturer would have wanted it will look after you from whichever stable. Avoid turbo chargers and small high revving engines and remember that cost effective motoring has little to do with mpg and everything to do with depreciation and trouble free longevity. My 1988 BMW 735iSE (straight six), bought by me in 1991 has now done 250000miles and continues to be used daily by my wife (18.5mpg average...the car not the wife). The two repairs were a replacement head gasket and torque converter at about 170000miles, an expensive year. This has been cost effective motoring over 18yrs. in a comfortable good quality fun car to drive.
My 1987 Volvo 760GLE (190000miles) has had no serious surgery but is looking ''tired'' from being used as a builders ''van''.
My SL 500 has been expensive to date by comparison on a cost per mile basis because of the high depreciation, I bought it new, but I intend keeping it indefinitely and expect to get similarly cost effective motoring as I have from my BMW in the fullness of time.
I ran Mercedes in the 1980's...a 220D, a 280SE and a 500SEL all reliable cars run to almost 200000miles when I used to cover about 40000miles per year.
The 500SEL was fabulous, 1984 I think, the other two under powered.
Too much dialogue in one post...sorry
Mic
We'll come onto the Viano saga later !:twisted:
As always, BMW probably drives better, but Mercedes probably nicer to be driven in.
But what, other than perhaps flooding or an engine bay fire, would cause the need for so much mechanical replacement?
It seems to me that if you start with a good quality product and look after it as the manufacturer would have wanted it will look after you from whichever stable. My 1988 BMW 735iSE (straight six), bought by me in 1991 has now done 250000miles and continues to be used daily by my wife (18.5mpg average...the car not the wife). I ran Mercedes in the 1980's...a 220D, a 280SE and a 500SEL all reliable cars run to almost 200000miles when I used to cover about 40000miles per year.
The 500SEL was fabulous, 1984 I think, the other two under powered.
Too much dialogue in one post...sorry
Mic
The taxi / PH market is dominated by mercs for 2 reasons. Image and residuals.
Your 735 (M30) engine, along with it's 4 cyl cousin M10 were up there as the some of the most bullitt-proof engines ever built. I worked for BMW when these were still in production & as long as the oil is good & the cam spray bar bolts don't come loose, they with last forever. It was a version of the M10 1.5 litre turbo that powered the F1 cars in 85/86 ish. With the turbo on FULL boost (for qualifying only), they apparently got 1500BHP+ out of them!!!
Shame (some) of their current engines dont quite have the same qualities.
Image yes, but not residuals.
E60 BMW 5-Series have always held onto there value noticeably better than W211 Merc E-Class' do. Not sure about 7-series vs S-class. BMW don't have a competitor to the Vito.
I see that they are now the official ground transport provider for 2012. Seems a bit daft to me seeing as BMW don't make a proper MPV ala Viano
Or have Lord Coe and Dame Tessa Jowell not thought that one through?
Probably nothing in it for them Alex
I I see that they are now the official ground transport provider for 2012. Seems a bit daft to me seeing as BMW don't make a proper MPV ala Viano