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| Message: | " considering either a 1991 560SEC in mint condition with 83,000 miles or a lower mile 2001 BMW 740i/740il/750il. I know this is like comparing apples to oranges?"" - IT'S APPLE TO APPLE IN THIS CASE " How safe is the 560SEC? I was suprised to find out this coupe only weighs 2800 lbs? ...the BMW 740iL weighs around 4600 lbs?." - YOUR/THEY ARE WAY OFF ON THOSE WEIGHTS, THE M-B 560SEC IS 3890 LBS. AND THE BMW 740iL IS THE SAME. Both are very safe, and I would give a nod more in the M-B direction for crash survivability - BUT BOTH ARE VERY 'SAFE' STRUCTURES. OVER THE DECADES ANY GIVEN BODY SIZE OF M-B COMPARED TO BMW, THE M-B BODY SHELL STRUCTURE IS THE HEAVIER BUILT. THICKER METAL IN MANY PLACES, HEFTIER BOXED IN COMPARTMENTS. M-B HAS ALWAYS LEANED TOWORDS MORE WEIGHT AND LESS 'PERFORMANCE' WHERE BMW IS A LEANER MORE NIMBLE DRIVING CARS. THAT IS YOUR APPLE VS ORANGE - IN DRIVING FEEL. REPEAT - BOTH TAKE A LICKING AND ARE SAFE. "How reliable is this specific model?" - TO A LARGE DEGREE, ONLY AS RELIABLE AS THE TECHNICIAN SERVICING IT, AND FREQUENCY. "...we have experienced typical frequent trips to the shop..mine (1989 535i 190k)in the shop once every 3 months for all sorts of things...2.5 years of owning it I would be lying to say I found it reliable as much as I loved driving it...boyfriends 1998 540i DINAN could go 70,000 miles without seeing the shop?" - IT SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY ROUND, THE 535 IS A 6-CYLINDER, RELIABLE BIG-SIX THAT SHOULD ONLY REQUIRE OIL CHANGES AND VALVE ADJUSTMENTS - SOME OIL LEAKING - A GREAT MOTOR FOR WAY OVER 100,000 MILES. THE 540 ON THE OTHER HAND IS LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO 80,000 WITHOUT COMPRESSION LOSS, WATER PUMP FAILURE, TIMING COVER OIL LEAKS, MANY SUSPENSION BUSHINGS FAILING. BUT BEING A 'DINAN' IT PROBABLY RECIEVES BETTER MAINTAINENCE, AND DRIVING BEHAVIOR, AND DAILY CARE. M-B 560SEC SUSPENSION BUSHINGS LAST FAR LONGER THAN BMW'S, AND YES, M-B WATER PUMPS ALSO FAIL - BUT THAT M-B 560SEC V-8 IS A GEM - FAR BETER LONG TERM RELIABLE MOTOR THAN THE BMW 540. "I understand both are going to cost $1000-$3000 a year to maintain properly which is fine. But the once every 3 months deal, constantly breaking down type gig was a little much for me? Thanks. Your input and knowledge is appreciated." - WELCOME TO THE USED CAR MARKET. MAKES LITTLE DIFF BE IT BMW, PORSCHE, MERCEDES-BENZ... PROOF OF MAINTAINENCE, BOOKS STAMPED, RECIEPTS, MATURE OWNERS AND DRIVING BEHAVIOR, THE TECHNICIANS SERVICING THE CAR,INDEPENDENTS VS DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WILL UP-DATE THE CAR WHENEVER IT'S IN FOR SERVICE WITH THE LATEST CAMPAIGNS, RECALLS, AND PREVENTING 'ISSUES' AND UNSCEDULED VISITS. FIND THE CAR YOU ENJOY DRIVING, ARE EXCITED TO LOOK AT, FEELS THE BEST WHEN SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, THAT'S THE CAR FOR YOU. The 560SEC gets my vote. Happy car hunting. C.D. Darien, CT. 20 years with M-B (1970 - 1990) + 18 years with BMW (1990 - 2008) | ||||
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