I am looking to purchase a low mileage 90s BMW or Merc Benz. I've found a few of them from the 92-98 early to mid to late 90s with under 70k. What should be the last years I should look at for each? Thanks for the help!
I remember these E class of this era to be very reliable and solidly built:
Also, here is a video (series) about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoHX2AyWj2Q
What are you hoping to get out of the vehicle? (I.e. will it be primary/daily driver - if so how many years and mileage you hope to rack up, or will it be 2nd/3rd vehicle, or a project car, knock around car).
BMW's of early years and even till now are not exactly reliability built, say pre 90s was a bit better. If you are coming from just a daily driver standpoint. Some exceptions here and thereof course but all of em have that awful oil pan gasket change, done a couple of em already, hate it every time. Not the worst job in the world but definitely the most "but why though" as it can easily extend a 4 hour job to 8. If you happen to get one with it prior replaced e en better, but if it hasn't happened yet you are in for it. It can easily go up to a grand for the job, not much for transmission failure but expect vanos problems and check engine lights often. Mercedes on the other hand tend to use quite a bit of plastics, and clips and other plastics become brittle over time, most also love to eat up gas or diesel, and srs goes off and will always have some sort of electrical malfunction due to brittle wires and mice (for whatever reason, vermin love eating those cars in particular). Parts are easier to change and figure out for the benz for me personally, but I work on cars for a living haha, I'd say if it had to be between the 2, bmw for sportier, benz for comfort. If you go for bmw, 325i is just fine and as basic as you can get for bmw, gg with any M model, super expensive nowadays. If benz, e-class with give you a decent level of comfort. Either way, keep up with maintenance,they both will need a lot unless you get really lucky.
