Re: I think I might prefer the E320 wagon... (archive)

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I disagree with you regarding the performance of the Mercedes with the BMW.... The E320 is quicker than the M50, but just feels sluggish cause the engine is a little lazy, and doesn't rev as hard, but 0-60 times reflect that the E320 is still about a second quicker than the 530i touring.. Regarding braking distances, I totally disagree with you again.. The E320 is just as effective, and stops on a dime.. Yes it's a heavier car, and has more body roll, which just makes it more amazing how Mercedes could get that thing to stop.. It feels like anchors being thrown when I stomp on the brake pedal.. I think your opinion is just biased towards the BMW touring... Unless BMW came out with a M5 E34 or 540i touring, I think the Mercedes is a superior car for family luxury and utility.. The 525i touring and even the 530i touring is simply too slow for a performance minded sports wagon.. I feel my 525i sedan is underpowered as it is... Throw in the touring with kids in the back seat and that thing must be a slug.. just my .02..

I love my Touring Wagon. Let me get that out first, because what follows is obviously going to be a bit slanted.

My bro in law bought his wife a nice little Christmas present - a 1995 E320 wagon (they had a good year, NASDAQ not withstanding). As it sits here waiting to be delivered Christmas day, I got to take a (very) little drive and see how it felt and compared. They are very different cars, but it was good to see another nice car and have the experience reinforce my own (fairly recent) purchase. Some notes---

Bigger than the e34 wagons (no $h|t!), but most of that size is out the rear end, where there is space for a foldaway 3rd seat. Okay for kids, and since they have 4 of those, a real decision maker in favor of this car. The BMW was way too small for them, and they have been MASSIVELY disappointed with the Chrysler Town and Country they currently use.

Lots more grunt off the line (again - no $h|t!). Bigger motor, more torque - yet the difference in acceleration is not that great over my little M50. BMW always gets more out of their engines than MB, and this is no exception. Add a chip, and I'll stick with the 2.5 liter bimmer. Throw in the option of the M60 3 liter? You know where to find me.

Ergonomics in the driver's seat - NOBODY does this like BMW, and this highlighted the fact for me quite well. My father in law kept turning on the cruise control when he made left-hand turns. You have to reach out and under the steering wheel to get to the headlight switch. Lots of controls are down and away from the road, which is where one should have their eyes. Not at all impressed. And no glove box. Hmmmm.

Fun to drive? not. It feels like an amazingly well-put together station wagon (which it is) rather than a driver's car with a hump on the back (which the bimmer is). Those little stock 195/65 Continental's don't help much. The stopping power is nothing near my Touring. It doesn't feel sloppy like a Buick, but it doesn't feel connected either.

Cost - actually pretty comparable, when I look on line. This dealer was asking a LOT more than Edmunds list, though I think my bro in law got a good deal. Generally about 5K more than a comparable year 525iT and 3K more than a 530iT.

They will love it for a long time. It is a Cali car with only 40K miles on it, and it really is a fine bit of machinery. As I mentioned, with 4 kids to cart around to school, the bimmer wasn't even an option. With my one kid, the bimmer is perfect. I might have to step up to one of the MB's someday when there are more pitter-pattering little feet, but I think there will always be a bimmer in the stable from here on out.......

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