Comparison- which would you choose: '97 S500 vs. '97 740il - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MPM77 · #1 01-09-2003, 02:36 PM

I know this is a Bens forum so don't be too partial, but please vent as much as you like on this comparison!!

I am thinking of buying either one of these cars. I was pretty much set on buying an S500 until I drove my friends ‘95 740il. I was taken away by the amazing road manners of the 740. He put the 18" Sport rims on the car, which improved handling a good deal. I recently test drove a 97 S420, but it was raining and the test drive was very short and not enough for a good comparison. First impression was that the S did not have the same road manners as the 740. The steering did not seem to provide the feedback that the 740 provided. However, the S had the stock rims (I would intend to change to 18" AMG) compared to the 740. As I am not expecting the car to handle as well as the 740 should it handle much better than my 2000 RL? It may not have seemed to handle as well as the 740 but ride quality was much better. I have always loved the W140, but do not want a sloppy boat since I like to drive fast. I want to be confident if I happen to break the 100mph barrier and a turn comes up. There will be times when I race (highway) that 740 – anyone know who would win?

I have not driven the S500 yet. Can someone let me know if the difference between the 420 and 500 is noticeable?

Any suggestions/comments that anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

I have done some research on what to look out for with the S, namely the A/C systems, pneumatic locks, rear window regulators, etc. From what I have found from 97 and up most of these problems were corrected or improved. Anything else I should look out for?

Also, I know the 740 has about 5 computers throughout the car, which control different systems. The dealer can access these systems and change/adjust certain settings in the car. Some of these settings include: turning on/off the auto up/down feature on the doors, adjusting the auto lock when the car is in taken out of park*, changing the alarm system chirps, adjusting the way the transmission shifts**, etc. Does anyone know if any of this is available on the S-Class?

*The owner can choose between different time intervals to lock all doors or different speed settings.

** The owner can adjust how the car shifts. Either more sporty shifts or a more refined shift, hold the lower gear while acsending/decending a steep hill, even adjust the trans not to shift until 3000 rpms when the engin is cold to help warm things up.

I would like to know some of the finer advantages of the S-Class that make the S-Class so great.

Thanks,

Michael

Gilly · #2 01-09-2003, 03:33 PM

Find out if the engine has been replaced YET on the BMW. Never seen anything like it. We sell BMW at our dealership and they were (and still ARE!) replacing the V8 engines in the 7 and 5 series BMW's.
The 140 chassis evap problems seem to be mostly on the earlier model S class, from 92 up to 95 or so. We don't replace nearly as many up here in Wisconsin as they do in the southern tier states.

On the 97, it has the 722.6 transmission which is an adaptive shift transmission.

I HATE the noise the BMW makes when it locks. Not really a chirp, kind of a sickly little wimpering kind of noise, like "WEW". Mercedes just flashes the lights, much better in my opinion. The newer model BMWs just make a "beep" noise when locking/unlocking.

The 140 is an extremely safe tank of a car. I'm not a "huge" 140 fan, but I would definitely rather have a 140 than an 7 series. It is a very capable car as far as handling if the driver is competant. Very different feeling than the BMW. Surprising how stable the 140 seems given it's size. Speed is it's best friend, very solid feeling at high speeds.

Gilly

MPM77 · #3 01-09-2003, 03:52 PM

Thanks!

I have heard about the v8 engine problems on BMWs. Supposedly, the problem was corrected with '96 and newer models. I heard somewhere that the problem had something to do with a chemical that they used to coat block. Supposedly, the problem is US gas. Something in US gas deteriorates the coating and eventually causes the engine problems. Not sure how much I believe that though.

I feel your pain with the chirp/wew sound when locking/unlocking the 740. Supposedly, this is one of the settings that could be changed by reprograming the alarm.

Anyone else out there have any comments on this comparison?

royaiii · #4 01-09-2003, 07:56 PM

There is no question that the MB is the better choice. The old 7 seems to be incapable of keeping its value. The recirculating ball system in my 99 S420 is so light that I wish I could retrofit it on all my cars. The trans is unbelievable, imperceptible and smooth. If you are looking for a sport car, you should look at a lighter car but the W140 is the quintessential luxury car. If I want to drive sporty, I take my 01 S600 w/ ABC definitely not the S420. As far as high speed stability, I have taken it all the way to about 120 mph and it is extremely stable and quiet with no wander and the brakes outshine the BMW. The engine in the MB is much better than the BMW because it does not suffer from as much electrical problems.

#5 01-09-2003, 09:03 PM

I would pick the BMW, for a big car it handles very well and at high speeds you feel safe just like most Mercedes cars. I also love the huge amount of leg room in the back, you also get trash cans in the rear doors of the IL. I also love the interior design particularly the way the wood is blended into the dashboard and hides the cassete player.

The engine problem involves nikasil in the cylinder walls and was fixed permanenently in 1996. The 1997 BMWs do not have this problem at all.

If you do buy the BMW or Mercedes, make sure you get a warranty, both are expensive to fix.

#6 01-11-2003, 04:41 AM

They both are capable cars, and come from different schools of thought. I used to be a BMW fanatic, and after looking at the newer Mercedes stuff, I am hooked. The BMW just looks cheap to me. I do like their road manners, and the BMW "feels" sportier. The big Merc feels like a much heavier car, alot more secure. I dunno, I am able to appreciate their good qualities, but if I was gonna buy a big sedan like that the choice would be the Benz. I know for a fact you won't lose as much money in depreciation in the Merc.

blackmercedes · #7 01-12-2003, 08:18 PM

How long are you going to keep the car? The Mercedes and BMW will probably have similar long term operating costs, as niether is a "cheap" car to maintain over the long haul. BMW uses ZF automatic transmissions and are not built anywhere near as well as Mercedes' units. BMW engines are well made (except for a whack of V-8's) and their bottom ends are strong. In the W140, you'll have either the over-built bullet proof M119 DOHC engine, or the over-built bullet proof M113 V-8.

Years ago the dealer network would seal the deal. MB dealers had much better customer service. Today, at least in my neck of the woods, this is not so. They're pretty much equal.

That said, the Mercedes will have a much higher resale value over time.

Things like the interior materials are also more robust in the Mercedes, and 20 years from now, the MB will be in better shape.

Mercedes' parts supply is the finest of any maker. My Dad has a 1973 300SEL, and finding parts is a simple as a trip to the dealer. I know a few people with W113 SL's, and they can keep them in top shape thanks to MB's incredible parts supply.

Driving experience? The MB is different from the BMW. It has longer legs, but is not as nimble.

MPM77 · #8 01-13-2003, 04:46 PM

I am not planning on keeping the car no more than 3 years or when the warranty expires. In fact, just last week I was looking through an estimator book at a friend’s body shop and found out how expensive these parts can be. For example, front struts - $425-each, rear - $900-each!!! Or how about the driver side window at $425!! And Xenon - headlamp assembly - $1800-each!!!!

It's just not practical to own one of these beasts without a warranty.

My heart was always with the W140 until I drove the 740il. However, I can't argue or disagree about the Benz holding up better than the BMW. From my personal experience, the suspension on my friends 740 rattles and little things are beginning to break/malfunction on the interior. However, I have never really driven a W140 long enough to recognize/experience any of this. Although, most, if not all, that I have seen seem to be in near-showroom condition. That is, the paint seams to be in very good condition and the seats never seem to look worn.

I guess I can sacrifice a bit of handling for better overall ride quality, unmatched interior quality, and less depreciation expense.

Question:
Does anyone have any info about the Starmark program? I spoke with a dealer and was informed that if a MB is “Starmarked" the car is basically out of warranty until something breaks that is covered under warranty. At that point the warranty is activated and is good for one year. Does anyone know if this is correct and if so, can it be extended?

Gilly · #9 01-13-2003, 10:50 PM

Here's the official link:
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/starmark/index.jsp

Click on that, then click on the "About STARMARK" icon, should give you the info you need.

Gilly

MPM77 · #10 01-14-2003, 07:51 AM

Thanks for the link. The last time I visited the Starmark site it did not have all that detail. And the price is very reasonable, $1950 for a 24/month warranty, not bad!. I was expecting $3000.