Hi by the way....

My lease is up and I'm in between these two cars...

2008 MB e350 4matic - premium II package, sport package, etc.
2008 BMW 535xi - sport package, premium package, etc.

I love my car now, but I need something more practical with AWD.

PRO BMW
Bit faster
I like BMW's
Zero cost maint.
Optional 6 speed

CON BMW
Not crazy abt 5 series styling
Leases for more

PRO MB
Elegant styling
Excellent lease deal
Short term lease (27 mos)

CON MB
Underpowered
Scheduled maint. costs a few hundred $$ every 15k mi.
Lots of people in my company have the same car

Whadaya guys think???

FYI: I'm leaning towards the MB...

edit: 8:07pm est.... I meant to write 535xi, not 525xi....

 

Bmw.

 

I have a 530xi Touring and I absolutely love it. The continued warnings from Consumer's Report regarding electrical/electronic gremlins in the Benz drove me away. Why not buy a one year old 530xi? You'll get the remainder of the factory warranty plus they add two more years so I have an 06 that has a warranty till 2012. Brake pads, wiper blades, oil changes, you know the gig, all get replaced. Go BMW man, what are you crazy?

 

You're 25, BMW ftw. If you can spring for it, upgrade to the 535. You won't regret the turbo 6.

 

Both are great vehicles; however, I'd go with an RL.

With that said, I see you're interested in leasing (which is why I'm assuming the RL is out of the picture). Just remember that great deals are to be had if you purchase an RL (and IMHO, it's a better vehicle than both you're looking at)...

 

I'd say BMW. The Benz is nice but a bit older than you are.

PS - what company do you work for where you can afford such a nice car at only 25?

 

350, amazing jack of all trades

 

edit! I mean 535xi!

Changing it now...

 

Which do you like driving more?

Based on your pro and con lists, I'd favor the BMW as well, even though it's not as nice looking as the E-class is now.

 

535xi imo.

What is the difference in lease programs?

 

BMW's more expensive, but the E class has some crazy lease deals lately...PM me, I'll get you a re-frikkin-diculous deal on an E350 4Matic...

 

see... I like BMW since they're fun to drive, but I'm weary to make quick judgement since I've spoiled myself with the M. I like the e350 since I've been inclined to like luxury over sport recently, but test drove the MB and wasn't WOW'ed. I've driven the 535xi -- felt great even in automatic. Would ideally like 6 speed, but since I'm going for practical... 6 speed wouldn't be ideal...

BMW leases for more due to residual and MB gave me a deal I'd be nuts to walk away from, but I did anyway. I just want it for 2, 3 yrs at max...

Has MB really taken that much of a customer satisfaction hit lately?

 

MB is taking an unbelievable 8k off of cap cost (MSRP) whereas BMW is only taking off 2k... I haven't negotiated with BMW yet though...

Money factors remain standard...

 

why do you say that?

 

I have a Black/Black loaded 535xi in 6 speed manual (1 of 5 in the entire country) inbound for a customer that hasn't given me a 100% committment for that car.

If i'm not mistaken, the BMW program is for 36 months, and the E class is 24.

 

I was looking for numbers vs. numbers.

 

A lot of factors come into play, so it's not such an easy answer.

But the MB program is a heck of a lot better than the BMW lease program at this moment.

 

Because sometimes after a long day, you want your car to just disappear. The benz does this very well. The car practically drives itself smoothly regardless of what you do. Sure it isn't as fun as the BMW, but I have a lot of respect for it and I don't think of the 525 as a very sporty car anyway.

 

I have driven older S/SL500, E430/320, had a C280, and driven a newer E350 4matic. I love Benzes. I have also driven older 5 and 3 series, along with a newer 330xi. In my opinion they both feel great but in different ways, BMW gives a slightly sportier feel and MB gives a slighter more luxurious/classy feel. Their AWD's are both bomb. It is a bit different situation with a lease, but with new luxury cars depreciation is ridiculous. It seems like you prefer MB styling which I do as well, but with AWD, turbo, and manual option, I would say BMW. Now if you were looking at the V8 AWD's I would say MB. MB's have aways felt smoother to me.

 

Reconsider the E350 because it favours luxury more than the BMW. I understand you already own an M so why not try something else?At the end of the day, you might want a quiet car to drive home.

Personally,I would take the 535xi. That car will take care of you. A car this expensive is suppose to make each drive memorable. I haven't driven one yet, but based on the N54 engine on my 3 series,I have not regreted once my purchase. Styling-wise, I think both look great,in fact I always thought the 5series looked gorgeous. I think it'll grow on you.

 

I think if you are looking for luxury the mb is the way to go. I love the ml350 sport I bought my wife, but if I was buying for myself bmw would be the obvious choice.

 

bmw hands down

 

535 changes everything: 535, 535, 535,535,535,535 x1000. It's a no-brainer man!

 

Wow M3 to a E350... while i can see why you want the change in comfort... will you not miss the sport?

Personally if i wanted more comfort than sport after owning a M3, i think the 535xi would be the best balance.

E350 is giving up a lot of sport fun compared to the M3. I wouldnt be able to adjust that easily being only 26. My buddy sold his 330ci for a IS250 since he was tired of the roughness and wanted something smoother. He regrets it now since hes already bored with the Lexus after 15k miles. Im sure you going through the same thing he did.

 

I have driven the ML350 and E350 and I am pretty impressed with that motor. I have not driven the 535i/xi but have driven the 545i, 550i and 335i (E90) and I am a bit more impressed with the E60's handling characteristics and the N54 motor is simply awesome. Though it may not seem too impressive on paper, the E350's 268hp/258 lb-ft motor felt fairly strong to me...though not as much as the N54.

That said, I would get the 535xi over the E350 but the margin of (my) preference is not all that great. No bad choice here IMHO.

 

535>E350

And the 535 is not just a bit faster, but a lot faster.

 

The 535xi will be more fun than the E350. And won't the new E Class come out before the new 5 series, I know that matters to some.

 

I can't imaging why you would go with the slow old-person mobile.

 

535xi ftw.

 

Come on now, you're 25......an E350 is nice but its for a 50+yr old lucky wife.

Go with the BMW, if you're leasing again. Make sure you find out if there is an owner loyalty rate reduction on the 5 series before you lock in int. rates (if ordering). Makes a nice difference.

 

I'd definitely go with the 535xi...hear too many bad things in terms of the MB e lately

 

If the new C-Class is any indication, BMW.

 

Sorry, I thought for some reason it was the 528 you were looking at. Now that I see it's the 535 I change my vote. That engine rocks.

 

535 xi is an amazing car... I think you would come to like the car very quick.