cali4sun

Can you even get a good BMW M5 for $15K? Definately not a later model at that price. I was just looking at one the other day 2008 BMW M5 for $49K. I'd pass on the 928 looking at your previous vehicles. You probably should have keep the Porsche 993!

'89 S4 GP White/Black
'76 912E Silver/Black

BC

I drove an E34 M5 for a couple weeks. If I was not so "in" to 928s at this point, I don't think I would need anything else for a DD with some fun mixed in. Iron block 3.5L, dual cams, 315hp, nice and torquey but also has a peaky feeling. Fast enough to get into trouble, and if not, simply boost it. The chassis could handle 600 with some tweaks. LOVED that car. Honestly the only thing I have driven that I would take over a 928.

Raron

Several 00-03 M5's listed between $12k-$17k. Wouldn't want the 120k mile $12k-er but the 70k $15-16k ones are looking attractive!

Nobody has commented on the 500E... Anyone ever owned or driven one? That car is built even better than the 928! Tons or pressence and class. Of course it is even less involving than the M5. I keep asking myself if the special feeling I would get every time I get in it will make up for the extra 15% of driving involvement missing compared to a 928 or M5.

delisedesign

definitely a good point....i think for 15k you can get a real nice 928 but a dog of an e39 M5.....but if youre looking for better value north of 20k, the M5 will be in better condition and have better performance, while the 928 will just be in better condition, but same performance

pcar928fan

Aaron,

I sent you an email awhile back with contact info for Jim S. He recently sold his 500E and he has owned 928's constantly for the last 20+ years and he has 2 kids and still have the '88 5spd S4... I guess that says it all, but you might shoot him an email and get his thoughts.

I think he got $17k or $18k for his but I am not sure of the condition. I recall him saying they were no cheaper to maintain than a 928 though.

Raron

Thats right James, I forgot about Jim. Will ping him...

jcb928

IMHO- Unless you have a burning desire to own a 928 the juice just is not worth the squeeze. All 928's need something plus with the current market the 928 is not the best buy. The 500E is a interesting car!!! you just missed a nice one with 89k at the SFBAY Mercedes dealer for $13k. The problem with 93-96 Mercedes cars is they will all need a new engine wiring harness soon because of the insulation that was used during those years.

For around your budget I just bought a 01 Mercedes S430 that really needs nothing (100% Mercedes serviced & 111k miles) for $10k. I would look at a 01-04 S55 AMG, S500 sport or if you could swing $22k this is the easy answer,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-S-...item3cb42242e4

IMHO- Unless you have a burning desire to own a 928 the juice just is not worth the squeeze. All 928's need something plus with the current market the 928 is not the best buy. The 500E is a interesting car!!! you just missed a nice one with 89k at the SFBAY Mercedes dealer for $13k. The problem with 93-96 Mercedes cars is they will all need a new engine wiring harness soon because of the insulation that was used during those years.

For around your budget I just bought a 01 Mercedes S430 that really needs nothing (100% Mercedes serviced 111k miles) for $10k. I would look at a 01-04 S55 AMG, S500 sport or if you could swing $22k this is the easy answer,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-S-...item3cb42242e4

It only has 493HP with a modern suspension, gps navigation, climate control and I am sure the air conditioned seats will not be needed much in Texas

Jadz928

Nice writeup, Deiseldesign

delisedesign

thanks....its an interesting comparison, and these two cars are, in my opinion, the ultimate benchmark for all modern performance cars

delisedesign

Mercedes are extremely well engineered, and in a class of their own.... congrats on your recent buy.....
buuuut with no manual option, and the bulk of their performance aimed at luxury, safety, and haulin *** straightline autobahn speed, i think they are apples to oranges here.....

Kaz

I've had both a 928S4 and a 1992 500E. I bought the 500E from a dealership, it had around 70,000 miles on it and I purchased an extended 100,000 mile Starmark warranty from MB. Good thing too because over the next 8 months I broke about $5,000 worth of parts and labor. The car looks great, I loved driving it but in the end, whenever it broke, it had to be towed. The 928 can run somewhat injured and still get you home, the Benz could not. It also ate fuel like nobodies business and the brakes weren't that great at slowing that much car down. It is not much of a canyon carver but a great roadtrip to Vegas kind of car. Bury the throttle, let her run and keep your eye on the fuel gauge.

Marine Blue

I owned a 92 500E with 48K miles for two years (sold at 61K miles) before buying the S4 and later the GT.

If you're interested in a fun toy which will be entertaining and engaging I would choose a 928 5spd. If you're looking for seating for four, best build quality of any car bar none choose the 500E.

The 500E is fun on straights and the acceleration is every bit as strong as an S4 but it will feel heavier in the corners and it definitely isn't as capable or engaging. It will travel long distances very easily like the 928 but the 928 seats are more comfortable and they keep you planted better.

For reliability I would choose the Merc over the Porsche, no comparison really. The Merc has a few weak points but if you have a PPI done and the car comes with maintenance records you should be fine. Check out 500ecstasy.com for more info.

I haven't owned an M5 so I won't comment on that.

Dan87951

I would stay away from the newer mercedes. I have a buddy with a 2003 E55 AMG with supercharged engine and we always had to visit the thing at the dealer, it was never at his house. He got tired of it and sold it! The S55 03+ share the same engine just with a little more output. A simple search on the internet will reveal there reliability is anything BUT dependable!

Ispeed

Once the maintenance is done, 928s are really solid. Only a few things will leave you stranded: dead fuel pump, LH failure (preventable with a rebuild)... Nothing else comes to mind- IF the maintenance is up to date.

dprantl

And usually even that isn't the fuel pump, just the damn connecting piece to the in-tank pump...

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft