300TE vs 525i - Benzworld.org

RGubbioli · 05-20-2005, 08:25 AM

Guys, I am back, once again looking at Mercedes estates. This would be my third one in a year [:0]! (1st was bought for mom, 2nd got stolen).

Anyways, having had a 200TE and then a 230TE I am now looking at a 300TE... evolution?

This time I am also considering BMW's, blasphmeny, I know... Bt has anyone any valuable insights into how the 525 Touring compares to the 300TE? Main issues being driving comfort, reliability and 'common issues'.

Also, how bad is fuel consumption on the 300 6cyls?(I live in London and will soon be a poor MBA student).

One last question, does anyone know if the following alloy wheels would fit? (the 300TE comes without alloys)

AS1062 033140
7Â½Jx16H2ET51
1404000902

Thanks!

Six_wheeler · 05-21-2005, 07:38 AM

You really don't wanna hear my answer to that, do you? [:D]

RGubbioli · 05-21-2005, 09:11 AM

Well, I didn't wite it because I was bored...!

[:p]

alexnatt · 05-24-2005, 10:04 AM

my 88 TE gets 22 miles per US gallon on the highway. probably 18 in mixed driving. At $2.30 per us gallon of premium.

lnkprksoldier · 05-24-2005, 08:48 PM

my 300E gets about 16-17 on the streets. that is mostly probably because i think the fuel pump is from the same year it was made ( 87 ) and sometimes i have to drive a little faster than enforced in the streets....

E320 Tea (W124) · 05-25-2005, 02:55 AM

The fuel consumption of my E320 T is in the city about 13 litre per 100kilometer (or 18.1 US-gallon per mile)

german autobahn 14l/100km (16.8 US gallons)
non german motorways 10.5l/100km (22.4 US gallons)

I assumed that 1 Litre is about 0.264 US gallon and that 100km are about 62.13 miles.

redwood · 05-25-2005, 03:56 PM

In all honesty they are both very good motorcars.
Build quality is more robust and rigid on the W124 estate when compared to the E34 touring. engines for the E34 touring do very well as far as not needing very much servicing. However the M103 will outlast the BMW engine which tends to suffer from worn rings on high mileage examples. BMW might be more of a nimble handler due to slightly lower curb weight. Mercedes engine makes more torque and has a higher top speed (approx. 139 mph) versus about 130 for the BMW. Both petrol engines offer pretty good fuel economy. It depends on which marque you are biased towards. keep us posted...

cangolden · 05-26-2005, 06:21 AM

I have owned a 525 and by far the Benz 300E out performs the 525 in every department.
My 300E gets 22 highway and 19 city ..I remember the 525 did the same ..

neanderthal · 05-26-2005, 11:36 PM

W124 much better than an E34 in most measures. the BMW will be faster and handle better, slighly better fuel economy. certainly more of a "drivers car" than the benz.

my brother has an E34, and i have a 124. his car is shot, mine still looks new. his performs better than mine, handles better. mine looks better, has a nicer interior (its held up a whole lot better!!!) and holds its speed easier at freeway speeds.

redwood · 05-27-2005, 12:31 PM

Like I said the Benz WILL outlast the BMW.
BMW may handle better but when it comes to
outright durability no one does it better..
I don't know if I can say the same for the
newer W211's which have had a few recalls already.