Mercedes or BMW which would you rather daily drive for under $7000

So I am looking at a couple of different cars and trying to choose a new daily driver/futue toy. I have always loved the boxy C Class Mercedes and found a 1999 C43 with 145K miles and records for a decent price. My only concern is reliability and maintenance costs.

I am also looking at either a e46 or e39 (e34 if I can find a really clean one) with less than 150k miles. With the BMWs I would like to do a LS1 swap in a year or two. I have owned an e36 and a e90 which I did enjoy, but kinda want something a little less common.

To throw a wrench in the works, so to speak, I am also considering a Lexus SC or GS due to the reliability. Again would like to do an LS1 swap if I get an SC. I know these cars are not considered to handle as well as the BMW, but how bad are they really?

So I leave it to the GRM brain trust to help me sort this out. If I talk about this any more to my wife I think she is going to have me committed.

I have no experience with any of the cars listed but like the looks of the Benz.

If you get a BMW you're doing an engine and trans swap but if you get a C-class you're not? And you're concerned about reliability?

It's kind of hard to take this seriously...

Neither?

I've had both and I vote neither. Get yourself a nice Lexus IS300.

The engine swap would be down the road once I get a new truck. The BMWs are well documented for v8 swaps while I have read the ls1 swap on the C-Class is a royal pain in the...

Other options, cause that's what we do on this forum: P71 Crown Vic ? Or what's the big Infiniti that showed up at the challenge in 2014 and sparked the aristocrat thing? I can't keep straight the number/letter naming gobbledygook.

Of the three listed I would look to the Lexus if I wanted a solid daily driver. Depends what kind of "handling" you want. A Lexus handles very well as a comfy cruiser.

I would love a P71, however my wife told me I would be sleeping in it if I bought one...

For some reason this got me thinking that a 740i with a monster turbo diesel motor in it and some sort of manual trans would be a good idea. I am thinking that 1000 ft lbs would be a nice round number to aim for.

V-8 swapped Volvo 240!

On the reliability front, Lexus. Although why engine swap? 1uzfe is a nice engine. Do an sc400 and do a tranny swap (see what I did there?) I loved my e39, with a manual and m52 fwiw, but for the money of an ls swap you're probably very close to m5 territory. BMWs don't phase me, but merc costs do (says the guy with an e61 and w211).

The best GS400 you can find? I personally wouldn't touch either. If I absolutely had to choose, it would be the E46. The merc's are just not that fun to drive.

Go buy a minty e36 M3 for that money, and don't worry about the engine swap because the drivetrain will be fine.

1988RedT2 wrote: V-8 swapped Volvo 240!

5.0 swap with mercury marine(Volvo) valve covers on it...

Within your options? E46.

Extra? V8lvo.

You want a Lexus for reliability but then do an engine swap? Does not compute.

I vote Lexus LS because I think a turbo + 1UZ is such a sweet sounding motor. Add coilovers, some sticky rubber, and shift kit and you're good to go. For current reliability plus later LSx swap, though, I think an e39 would suit the bill pretty perfectly. Make it a wagon and manual for extra points.

E34 with the M62 V8 and a rear mounted turbo.

All of the M3s in that price range that I have looked at need at least that much in repairs to bring them back to life. I know what ever I find will need some work, but it seems like everyone who owns one around here does even know what an oil change is.

I forgot about the Volvo, I am going to have to see if I can find a nice wagon. Although my wife may have something to say about that one.

The not-C class. BMW cheaps out their cars better than Merc does. C class feels horrible. 5 series to E class would be a toss up and 7 series vs S class the S would win.

BlueInGreen44 wrote: Other options, cause that's what we do on this forum: P71 Crown Vic ? Or what's the big Infiniti that showed up at the challenge in 2014 and sparked the aristocrat thing? I can't keep straight the number/letter naming gobbledygook. Of the three listed I would look to the Lexus if I wanted a solid daily driver. Depends what kind of "handling" you want. A Lexus handles very well as a comfy cruiser.

I remembered. First gen. Infiniti Q45.

I kind of want this.

4k e36 m3

I wonder if it's been beat as hard as I think it has. Super stiff bushing setup.