Wife wants a wagon, which choice?

[Gooch]

Wife wants a Benz (status thing). So I'm looking at E320 or an E39 wagon. Looking at the Benz forums they state you better get an extended warranty if you buy a E320. If it was me I'd get an E34 wagon, but I need to get her something newer. Anyone got an E39 wagon or experience with E320? I'd like to know what years are best in the E39 and what to stay away from in the Benz or BMW. I prefer the BMW straight six and don't want to spend over $20K.

Thanks,

[Matt P]

Real happy with the E39 Wagon, but...

..like any BMW you can spend some effort keeping it in tip top shape.

[winfred]

id stick with bmw from what little contact i've had with later mercedes is they are REAL expensive to deal with and problematic, in terms of easy to work on the e39 don't hold a candle to a e34 but they are not bad cars if you can get past the crappy radio and cheep plastic everywere

[Mr Project]

Well, I think the E39 looks way better than the W210, so that should seal it right there. :)

That being said, I don't think there are any real 'touring-specific' issues with the E39s, and the E39s seem to generally be pretty solid.

The W210 Benz's are not known for reliability, though my father owned one with no trouble. Of course, he only owned it from 22,000 to 30,000 miles.... :D

[winfred]

missed it by that much (said in my best maxwell smart voice)


Of course, he only owned it from 22,000 to 30,000 miles.... :D

[Elekta]

Four 530iTourings under 100k miles, and all reasonably priced. (http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/results.jtmpl?model=530IT&body_style=&color=&max_mileage=100000&doors=&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=&start_year=1992&end_year=1996&min_price=&max_price=&distance=any&certified=n&advanced=&advcd_on=y&make=BMW&address=78703&search_type=used&x=17&y=14)

You could really make one of these tip top shape for way under $20. Buy for $9500, new tires, stereo, suspension, one major repair (take your pick of valve cover/pwr steering/or AC.) and you'd be at or about $15k. The white one with the black interior sounds the nicest, but all of these look pretty good. Just a matter of a leakdown test(if nik'd), and careful inspection of repair history.

Decent E39 Tourings start at around $26k(the 540's). Why by a high mileage 4 year old car over a fair mileaged E34, especially if that's what you know.

$.02