bmoon_007

What's up guys, well it's time for a new ride since the new year is coming around. I have a 1st Gen GS and the car has been great to me. I am looking into 3 different types of cars, the 2nd Gen GS400 the BMW 540i or a C series Mercedes ( ) They are all in the same price range that I am willing to spend since prices will drop come the new year. I would like an 8 cylinder (prefer manual) if it's a GS or BMW. Please help and if you can give me some type of info I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again,
- b

HGill

If you want something reliable like your first gen, stick with the GS 400. The 540i is the best handling of the bunch, but repairs and maint. will be killer. The C-class is a smaller car and in a completely different class. The C class will be the slowest of the bunch, unless you go with an AMG model.

veritek

When I was in the market for a mid-sized luxury car, I looked at the GS, 5-series, and the E-class (although you're looking at the C-class). I drove all three, looked at other features and specs, and finally chose the GS, and am so glad I did. It looks the best, drives like a luxury car should, and no mechanical problems whatsoever. The 5-series on the other hand, well, problems galore. Mercedes = solid car, but too heavy, and the styling was too dated. GS, styling is still fresh, and again, mechanically sound vehicle and a great ownership experience.

Joelseff

MB and BMW will be plagued with electronic gremlins. My boss had a 540i 1998 model and one of my best friends used to be an all MB family. My boss sold the Bimmer and got the Chrysler 300 (more reliable than the 5 but it is made by MB) because of several electronic failures, and my buddy switched over to Lexus from benz because of the same reason(he used to have a ML500, 190 & 560 SC). I have an Acura RL and will soon cross over to a GS430 or 400!!!

cliffud

iTrader: (3)

ditto.

this should be a no brainer man! pick up the GS4!

sdbrandon

I have had 5 BMW's, including my current 645. My advice, take the Lexus.

Seriously though, I cannot believe some of the stupid stuff BMW has been doing lately. I love the cars overall but the issues are many.

1. They are getting rid of oil dipsticks in favor of unreliable sensors
2. Runflat tires with no spare/jack on a 550i will run you about $1500.
3. iDrive needs a lot of work
4. My car visits the dealer for repair about 4 times per year.
5. Constant flow of software updates of which the dealers know little about.

I can go on and on. I am done with BMW. Life is too short to spend you time repairing a car even if it drives the best. With lexus, at least it drives.

bee0818

iTrader: (4)

Eliminate the C class altogether.

I too had the tough decision to make between the 540 and the GS. I ultimately chose the GS because I wanted something reliable and comfortable.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a die hard bimmer fan (had a 2002 M3, 1995 supercharged M3, 1997 328i and my wife currently has a 2003 325i), but I am at a point in my life where I want to spend less time in the shop. Do some research on the 540 and you will find that it, like so many bimmers, are plagued with numerous repair items once the car passes 60K. If you are willing to stomach the maintenance, then go for the 540 (6 speed!). Almost nothing looks better than a 540 with M5 bumpers and angel eyes!

Shawnmack

It depends on what you like best if you want a more sportier car go with the Bimmer. If you want a car that looks good, gets a lot of compliments and reliable Go with the Lexus Plus the Lexus has more Hp than the 540I and I think the Lexus is faster too.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

A car that blows both cars out of the box and at the same price point used..... 99-01 Audi S4 6 speed. Just a thought. Sinc you want a v8 6 speed, nothing beats the 540 with the sport package

bmoon_007

Thanks guys for all the advice. I've been to both forums and I have noticed problems with the BMWs. Don't get me wrong, I want a GS4 also, but just think it's a little cheesy having a 1st Gen GS and a 2nd Gen GS. I want to keep my 1st Gen for daily driving and whatever I get for modding. So do you guys think it's cheesy!?!

- b

LexFather

C-class= outmatched and outgunned
540 is sportier stock with sport pack, still looks fantastic, can be modded, mechanical and electric issues, have $$$$ and patience. Fantastic car.
2GS is fine stock but if you mod it, can handle even better than a 540. Steering will always be a little lighter, the car will actually work

IMO, not cheesy to own a 1GS and 2GS...hell I would love to do that!

aliti19

Not cheesy at all to have a 1st & 2nd gen GS. We have my GS, an ES, and an LS in our driveway now. I'm trying to get my mom in an RX asap.

I was actually deciding between an 540i 6-speed and the GS430 last year as well. Although i LOVE a manual car & the handling of the BMW, i would rather have a car that won't cost me a fortune to repair & looks classier IMO. So i went for the logical choice with the GS.

mam14225

C class is crap.

540's are awesome but can develop expensive electrical and drivetrain issues. The GS is the smartest buy, but maybe just not as sexy. hmmmmm, which one is quicker?

SoCal_VIP

My girlfriend recently bought a new car. She came out of a Mini Cooper that was smashed by a Expedition (shes ok). She wanted to get a bigger and safer car and since she felt so safe riding in my GS and GX she decided to get a sedan. We test drove the following..

1. 03 C230 Compressor 06 C280 Compressor
2. Acura 04+ TSX and 05 TL
3. 2006 IS250 & 350

She loved the C classes at first becuase it was the perfect size for her, but she didnt like ALL the features. The car to her was to hard to get in and just enjoy. She didn't like the Acuras at all. She felt as if they were missing something, in the end she picked up a IS250 (didn't need the extra horsepower of the 350). In my eyes the C classes are nice cars, but for that amount of money to up keep and the amount of people that drive those damn things I would go with the GS400. By no means am I giving you advice because I drive the GS but mearly because of the fact that 4 of my friends in the last 2 months have traded their C230's, 530I's and even a 02 S430 for LEXUS GS's series cars.

The older 5 series bodies are nice, but only if its a M5. The C CLasses are girls cars. Now the GS400 V8 300HP sedan...you can fill that part in. *This is my .2 cents

Good luck!

bluerex

you should ask this on mbworld and bimmer forums too. but different circumstances for different people. for example, me personally, i could afford to get the gs4, e55 pre03, and 540 or m5. but to tell you the truth, i am not in a financial state to incur large maintanence on the two german cars, so gs4 it WAS for me. good luck, i'm sure you'll love what you end up buying