1997 E39 528i Auto - Good buy or not

Jacques6912

New member
I did view the 528 and it was indeed a beautiful car, only problem - Tamper dot was on and missing service history from 2016 did not give me any assurance. The seller gave me proof he bought the vehicle with the current mileage, but there is no way that the mileage can now be guaranteed pre Aug 2024 when he bought it. Long story short..i'm now looking at a W164 ML
 

Benji

Well-known member
I did view the 528 and it was indeed a beautiful car, only problem - Tamper dot was on and missing service history from 2016 did not give me any assurance. The seller gave me proof he bought the vehicle with the current mileage, but there is no way that the mileage can now be guaranteed pre Aug 2024 when he bought it. Long story short..i'm now looking at a W164 ML
Yeah walk away...Id bet my house that mileage has been turned back...

Also, a W164 ML350 is by some margin the worst car I have ever driven. Keep in mind I have driven a Toyota Corolla Cross and a Mercedes GLA. The 164 does nothing well and seems to pride itself at being "somewhat adequate" yet comes with similar running costs to a E39 540i which at least excels at some things.
 

Jacques6912

New member
Yeah walk away...Id bet my house that mileage has been turned back...

Also, a W164 ML350 is by some margin the worst car I have ever driven. Keep in mind I have driven a Toyota Corolla Cross and a Mercedes GLA. The 164 does nothing well and seems to pride itself at being "somewhat adequate" yet comes with similar running costs to a E39 540i which at least excels at some things.
Interesting!..could you please explain on why it is the worst you had?
 

Benji

Well-known member
Interesting!..could you please explain on why it is the worst you had?
If Im honest, this is the first time I have come across someone actively looking for a W164. I thought they were only bought new by idiots who needed the newest Merc or they were inherited by unfortunate souls as karmic debt repayment.

My in-laws own a clean and well looked after example, around 100k km, equipped with the offroad pack and air suspension. I have driven it extensively, including holidays to the coast etc.

I know it isnt trying to be a performance car, but it makes no effort to drive decently. There is no steering feel or suspension control to speak of, it manages to be wallowy and uncomfortable at the same time so everyone in the back is immidiately car sick. The auto box is tragic in the truest definition of the word, seemingly incapable of reading the mood, reluctant to get involved, generally being clumsy. The 350 is underpowered and uninspiring and complains when you try extract progress from it while drinking fuel - we averaged 11L/100km on the open road and around 15 in town. I struggle to find a silver lining in all this mediocracy - maybe one could say the AC is powerful, and it is comfortable and quiet on a smooth highway with no corners...but the same could be said of a Suzuki Esspreso

It seems to need a suspension airbag once a year and recently unceremoniously grenaded it's powersteering pump, taking the steering rack with it. It kills its battery after a few days of standing.

Subjectively, the styling looks like a product of DEI - basically, there is none

I shall stop before this mediocracy puts me to sleep :sleep:
 

Jacques6912

New member
Hehehe, thanks for sharing your experience!! I have an interesting interest in "weird/unpopular" vehicles, but you are really the 1st person that i came across that have so much hate for the w164. I am looking at a low mileage, 79k km ML500 with the 5.5 285kw engine (service records to proof mileage this time) - yep i am totally aware of possible enormous maintenance bills etc etc but you get alot for your money - no installment - low insurance

Perhaps I must just buy me a Nissan Alcera KOTS! :sick:
 

Riaad

Events Organiser
Hehehe, thanks for sharing your experience!! I have an interesting interest in "weird/unpopular" vehicles, but you are really the 1st person that i came across that have so much hate for the w164. I am looking at a low mileage, 79k km ML500 with the 5.5 285kw engine (service records to proof mileage this time) - yep i am totally aware of possible enormous maintenance bills etc etc but you get alot for your money - no installment - low insurance

Perhaps I must just buy me a Nissan Alcera KOTS! :sick:
why not a x5 4.6is or 4.8is ? :unsure:
 

Benji

Well-known member
Hehehe, thanks for sharing your experience!! I have an interesting interest in "weird/unpopular" vehicles, but you are really the 1st person that i came across that have so much hate for the w164. I am looking at a low mileage, 79k km ML500 with the 5.5 285kw engine (service records to proof mileage this time) - yep i am totally aware of possible enormous maintenance bills etc etc but you get alot for your money - no installment - low insurance

Perhaps I must just buy me a Nissan Alcera KOTS! :sick:
The ML500 at least has some power and they came with bigger wheels and different bumpers, so they may look and handle better, but probably be less comfortable. The motor in the 500 is also known to be reliable and at least you have some performance on hand as a silver lining.

To be honest, any 20 year old german luxo barge will need maintenance - budget around 30-50k a year, Still good value for money compared to newer cars if you have the appetite
 

Jacques6912

New member
The ML500 at least has some power and they came with bigger wheels and different bumpers, so they may look and handle better, but probably be less comfortable. The motor in the 500 is also known to be reliable and at least you have some performance on hand as a silver lining.

To be honest, any 20 year old german luxo barge will need maintenance - budget around 30-50k a year, Still good value for money compared to newer cars if you have the appetite
Thank you for your honest advise. I have a friend with a mechanical service workshop who owns a CLS500 with the same 5.5 engine which could be helpful to obtain parts and with repairs.. He has the car for quite a few years and had minimum expenses so far..key is maintenance, hence i am pedantic about service history. I am not in a hurry so let's see....
 
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