8 series BMW/cl500

[dec11]

anyone own or owned either of these? i'd be talking about 1997-98 for the BWM and 2001 for the merc

im thinking of buying one at the end of year, have always loved these big luxury coupes and im kinda stuck in the 90's and early 00's as far as cars go, i dont care much for the look of modern cars.

whatever one i decide on will just be something for me to polish to death and drive the odd time, rather than a daily driver, i commute on a fireblade weather permitting.

[DSM4Life]

Never own a BMW. A BMW should only be leased due to the expensive maintenance and repairs.

[red_hulk]

Never own a BMW. A BMW should only be leased due to the expensive maintenance and repairs.

That's true. A friend of mine bought a BMW for like 10k I believe, not sure on exact model or year I think an 01-03. Anyway, a few months in it started running weird he took it in to find the chassis was cracked. Cost a few grand to fix

[scorpion62]

I have worked on both cars Dec and I would say that the CL is a far better car than the BM and the cost of repairs will rush you the same as both cars are up at the top off the market

[austinite]

Since the cars being considered would be 10 to 12 years old, maintenance should not be a deciding factor because both will require it and neither is cheap. But for those year ranges, I would certainly choose a Mercedes. Not my choice if it were more recent years as BMW really created a happy marriage between sport and luxury.

[scorpion62]

Since the cars being considered would be 10 to 12 years old, maintenance should not be a deciding factor because both will require it and neither is cheap. But for those year ranges, I would certainly choose a Mercedes. Not my choice if it were more recent years as BMW really created a happy marriage between sport and luxury.

Yes austinite I would agree that BMW have created a great mix between the two however so have Mercedes

[gixxerboy1]

i would go with the Merc, in my experience its cheaper to fix. and its a better car then the 8 series

[MR-FQ320]

I cant really comment about those particular models in detail. Personally I'm a BMW fan and would go with the 8 series, I think its an awesome looking car, as always go for a Full Service History example, in Esoril Blue.

I work in the automotive industry and its a well known fact that Mercedes used inferior and sub quality parts during the 90's, Mercedes does not always equal quality, Unless there is an AMG edition.

[MR-FQ320]

IS that you in you avi gixxer?

[gixxerboy1]

IS that you in you avi gixxer?

yea that was a couple weeks ago, lost some size

[capetown]

Always wanted to own a bmw but you cant get block heaters in them. I live somewhere that its -50 Celsius for feb and march. For all u cali people, a block heater is when u plug ur car into an outlet to keep the block and oil warm. I only say that because i have seen people from cali think we all drive electric cars because the see us all plugged in. Lol

[dec11]

I cant really comment about those particular models in detail. Personally I'm a BMW fan and would go with the 8 series, I think its an awesome looking car, as always go for a Full Service History example, in Esoril Blue.

I work in the automotive industry and its a well known fact that Mercedes used inferior and sub quality parts during the 90's, Mercedes does not always equal quality, Unless there is an AMG edition.

yeah, Merc did start building motors from the cheaper parts and apar quality suffered big time, but it would be factory AMG spec i'd be going for. hard to believe these once 80000 cars go for as little 5-6k now!

[gixxerboy1]

a cl500 wouldnt be an amg, that would be a cl55 or cl65

[dec11]

I have worked on both cars Dec and I would say that the CL is a far better car than the BM and the cost of repairs will rush you the same as both cars are up at the top off the market

cant argue with that!

ive heard the 4.4 bmw is supposed to be almost bullet proof, is it the auxiliary parts that are the prob?

[dec11]

a cl500 wouldnt be an amg, that would be a cl55 or cl65

yeah sorry meant a 55 isf it were to be AMG

[< <Samson> >]

Just about every older higher end vehicle turns into complete garbage. Look at any 7xx BMW or S Series Benz.

They all fall apart, anything from suspension to head gaskets. . . . I sure do think they are cool though. But, they will nickel and dime you to hell and back 10x over.


No high end car can survive far past 100k without substantial repair. Unless it is a Lexus. . . . Just my pro opinion.

[scorpion62]

cant argue with that!

ive heard the 4.4 bmw is supposed to be almost bullet proof, is it the auxiliary parts that are the prob?

Used to be however the after market parts took the sting out of these as you don't have to go to the dealers to buy a lot of these parts now plus the Internet you can pick up anything you need cheap

[dec11]

Just about every older higher end vehicle turns into complete garbage. Look at any 7xx BMW or S Series Benz.

They all fall apart, anything from suspension to head gaskets. . . . I sure do think they are cool though. But, they will nickel and dime you to hell and back 10x over.


No high end car can survive far past 100k without substantial repair. Unless it is a Lexus. . . . Just my pro opinion.

i'd only consider one that has had a comprehensive service history and a re-vamp on the niggly stuff, i once had a fiat coupe 20vt that prob cost me x2 what i paid for it, lovely car but not going through that again! lol

[dec11]

Used to be however the after market parts took the sting out of these as you don't have to go to the dealers to buy a lot of these parts now plus the Internet you can pick up anything you need cheap

you reckon the 4.4 bmw engine is better than the cl55/c43/c32 mate? '00 m5 is another possibility

[MR-FQ320]

M5's are well known to be over engineered, I have no first hand experience of either car but I would plump for the M5, had a look at a few mercs they look cool too, either way your going to be at the petrol station quite a lot haha

[scorpion62]

you reckon the 4.4 bmw engine is better than the cl55/c43/c32 mate? '00 m5 is another possibility

No mate the Merc has 302 hp V8 that's growls when you press the throttle kids start crying when they hear this thing it comes with every toy you can think off mate the BMW is a good car but the Merc in my opinion out shines the BMW for what you are paying for both these cars the Merc offers more for your money

[Skyrinegt]

Had a 7 class was a piece of shit, all the wiring in those older BMW and Mercedes were too small of gauge and over time become very brittle it's almost impossible to not have electrical issues and they are always expensive to repair

[pasha]

Man im a huge fan of BMW.. i have owned 2 of then and they where both problematic... and expensive to fix.. still a big fan but if a where to get another one it would be under warranty.

[< <Samson> >]

Don't forget the lovely adjustable suspension. . . . Oh man, that shit rox

All the control arm bushings & ball joints are just like old Chevys < Total cheap rubber crap.

[dec11]

had a lax night at work so did alot of research, the '00-'03 mercs seem to get bad press big style, AMG or not.

'00 M5's seem to come out tops as far as reliability goes.

just one thing springs to mind, there cant be any way possible that AMG's were all hand built, i mean 00,000's of them a year???!!!! that doesnt add up

[ramacher]

I am driving a 2001 BMW 740i Sport model. Best car of my life, ill post pics when I get home. But if you don't maintain it regularly, it can be a hassle. Just redid the exhaust with a Remus system, and bought new leather for the interior. Going to make a roadtrip with a couple of buddies for the USC v. Oregon football in November from Portland and can't wait to cruise down i-5 in it.

[ramacher]

On the same topic, I don't think i would go for the 8 series, because BMW discontinued it, and parts are really hard to come by. Get a 7 series, 2000 or 2001 model if you want that bigger car, or even a M5 in from 00-03.

[dec11]

On the same topic, I don't think i would go for the 8 series, because BMW discontinued it, and parts are really hard to come by. Get a 7 series, 2000 or 2001 model if you want that bigger car, or even a M5 in from 00-03.

a 7 series would be too 'stately' for me i reckon. M5 sounds the ticket.

[ramacher]

Yeah M5 is the way to go then only because if the parts break down you can buy them almost anywhere, as opposed to the 8 series which BMW doesnt even make anymore, thus you would have to take it to the stealership if/when it breaks down.

[fukngruvn]

I had a 91 BMW 850. Great car, but def would not use it as a daily driver. Those things WILL break down from time to time, but if you have a bit of mechanical background, working on this car is not that difficult. Also, autohausaz . com still stocks lots of parts for this car.

[fukngruvn]

Yes, it is riced out on 20's. If this and a CL are your first two choices, considering both will break down frequently and be expensive to repair, I'd recommend the BMW hands-down based mostly on the fact of how much more rare and unique the car is vs CL. 850 is a beautiful car and was way ahead of it's time.

[dec11]

as far as parts for an 8 series, didnt the 4.4 engine live on in other later BMW models for quite some time? ie, the 5 and 7 series?

its looking like im going to aim at an M5, prob will have to go to England for one,

[dec11]

Yes, it is riced out on 20's. If this and a CL are your first two choices, considering both will break down frequently and be expensive to repair, I'd recommend the BMW hands-down based mostly on the fact of how much more rare and unique the car is vs CL. 850 is a beautiful car and was way ahead of it's time.

looks nice and clean, wheels dont suit her at all though mate. ironically the 4.0 & 4.4 were slightly quicker than 5.0

[MR-FQ320]

as far as parts for an 8 series, didnt the 4.4 engine live on in other later BMW models for quite some time? ie, the 5 and 7 series?

its looking like im going to aim at an M5, prob will have to go to England for one,

Good choice mate, plenty to choose from on eBay, pistonheads and Trader, go for one with FSH as much BMW as possible and one with as few owners as possible, posssibly from a older gentleman haha, i know its a lot to ask but its a buyers market, sellers are bumping prices up on adverts ready for a knock down on the telephone and then a further discount when you view a vehicle.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[JAB1]

I love m5's, thats my vote!!

[fukngruvn]

looks nice and clean, wheels dont suit her at all though mate. ironically the 4.0 & 4.4 were slightly quicker than 5.0

Lol. Agreed. Bought this car out of Japan (i'm in Canada). Even though the rim style doesn't suit the car, I bought it just because it stood out. I really do not like the stock 850 rims.

The 5L is really not very fast, but it has a beautiful pur. The exhaust note is unlike any other.

[fukngruvn]

also, good luck on the M5 search! those are magnificent looking cars as well and a blast to drive.

[dec11]

Good choice mate, plenty to choose from on eBay, pistonheads and Trader, go for one with FSH as much BMW as possible and one with as few owners as possible, posssibly from a older gentleman haha, i know its a lot to ask but its a buyers market, sellers are bumping prices up on adverts ready for a knock down on the telephone and then a further discount when you view a vehicle.

Good luck, keep us posted.

yeah, should be ready for one just after xmas when we move. side by side parking here and i'm not leaving something like that sitting for my fvckin 'couldnt give a shit' neighbours and their kids banging the mummy mobile doors off it

[jbm]

Merc all the way!