saelee39

I am in the market for a car. My choices are 2002+ BMW 745 Li (first) or 2001+ Mercedes S500 (second). If anyone own these cars, I would like to get some input.

1. Difference between the 745 Li and 745I?
2. How reliable are these cars, do they break down alot: transmissoin problems etc.?
3. Is it okay to buy one if it is a little over 100k mileage?

Any pointers?

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Honestly you might have more luck at a BMW or Mercedes forum, but from what I know you'll be choosing from the lesser of two evils based on your questions. Neither is even remotely reliable, both have been prone to several different problems, both are extremely expensive to repair, and I wouldn't own either out of warranty...let alone 100K.

Ever thought about an LS or A8?

pagemaster

Based on your questions. I would go for neither. I think these cars suffer because of long reliability issues.

LS430 is very good bet. I would go for 03+

luxury1

+1. The LS430 is going to cost you far less in the long run. The other two are nice cars but you should be willing to pay dearly when problems arise (and they will).

What is your budget?

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

If you are going for soething that unreliable, you might as well go for the MOST unreliable and get the jag haha

newr

I would stay FAR AWAY from both of those cars

RON430

Good grief, sure a bunch of S and 7 posts going on. The S is a marvelous car and the 7 isn't far behind. At least until the new 7 arrives. My GS will be replaced by most likely a 7. And as much as I value a drivers car, if I were buying used, I would go for an LS. Maybe that seems idiotic and you could have a wonderful experience with any car but if I were buying used, I would go for the LS even though it isn't on your list and won't provide things the S or 7 will.

The 7 has flirted with sporadically getting up on CRs recommended list as they improve the 7 reliability but the S, and the A8, have awful reliability. I know, I know, somebody is going to post how they have had an A8 for 15 years, done one oil change, and have had zero problems after 1,876,437 miles, but you are the exception.

It is just too frustrating, and expensive, to have these wonderful cars and get fed up with the bills. Oh, and the Lexus isn't going to be any better than the others if you get one that has problems. It is just that your chance of getting one that will give you problems is remarkably low. I recently went through this with a friend who actually does make a good living but is cheap. Not thrifty or frugal, cheap. Well he has begun thinking about a luxury car and we went over some experiences with bimmer and Lexus and he was starting to warm up to Lexus. Then I told him that I just had the 90K mile checkup with timing belt package including water pump done and it was $2400. I also told him that the GS headlight assembly on my 2k1, as I am sure many of you know, is a solid unit with the high and low beam and when mine was replaced under warranty, the bill was $1200 for one side. So, while Lexus is the way to go, don't assume you are driving a Corolla. If you need repairs or have Lexus do the service, it won't be very much different than the others.

All right, now everyone who does their own oil change and doesn't believe in any other maintenance can chime in. Of course you can do your own maintenance and save bucks if you have the skills and time. I've gotten out of that form of entertainment.

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

I think the L indicates long wheelbase BMW. I have driven a 2003 & a 2007 7series both are the most annoying vehicles I have ever driven because they are impossible to drive smoothly. Starting off, shifting, braking, ride comfort, stopping, and throttle response are abrupt & jerky.
The S-class MBZ is the complete opposite, I test drove new 2000,01 & 02's daily looking for imperfections & never found any in the S class. In 2003 MBZ made the "Command" system more complicated & had numerous problems with it. I think this was the main cause of the new unreliable reputation.
I bought a 1999 XJR Jag in 2003 with 101,000 miles on it because IMO it drives better & looks better than the BMW or MBZ. Put 40,000 miles on it only 1 problem: fuel pumps quit pumping, $ 362 per pump, dealer charged $1,500 total to replace. After 4 years I would have bought a lower milage Jag but was afraid of gas prices going up so bought my IS350

mmarshall

I would not buy either one if it is out of warranty. Both are well-below average in reliability, according to Consumer Reports.

If you want to take a chance even with poor reliability, you will find the 745 to be slightly more of a drivers' car in the steering and chassis. It handles more crisply than the (non-AMG) S-Class, but the S-Class has marvelous ride and is a true luxury car. Both of them have what I consider frustrating and complex I-Drive-type controllers...and are loaded with high-tech devices (overloaded, IMO).
The 745L, as noted above, is a long-wheelbase version.

If you live in bad-weather area, I would also check out the competing Audi A8. The 7-series does not offer AWD; the S-class does in some models, but the Audi Quattro is a superior AWD system.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Check out the Edmunds owner reviews on both cars

2001 S500

2002 bmw 745
Do your full research.. Good luck

cjf_moraga

Minor note. The 2002+ S500 does not have an I-Drive type controller. The current (post 2007) S550 does but that is not the model the OP is asking about.

Chris

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

What about an Audi A8L? And are you looking for a S500 lwb?

leedogg

If I were to get a German car, it would only be a lease, under one of those maintenance inclusive programs. I would NEVER own one out of warranty, and especially over 100k. Why do you think they're selling it?

SilverBull

Yes, I would get a Lexus as well. I am leaning back towards Japanese cars more and more. The problems I keep reading about BMW's is overwhelming. The 335 has two major issues now. Those are fuel pumps and oil cooler(overheating) problems. I would not be excited to own a German car with 100,000 miles on it. You can probably get one at a severe discount but it doesn't make it a good deal.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

There was only the lwb in the US

Like what most say when it comes to German cars: buy the latest you can afford

Both of these cars are dirt cheap right now, but don't think their maintenance is proportional to their value. It's still expensive as hell to maintain/repair.

The good thing with BMW with the extended manufacture/maintenance warranty is you're covered.

If you're going for the s class, go for 2003+ with their minor facelift and nav system upgrade (2004 for dvd based). Try to find one with the AMG sport package because stock won't be exciting.
Granted my 01 s class had little nagging issues, it's been fine (for mb standards).
Go to mbworld.org (w220) section and read up on them

The 2002 7 series extended their warranty to 100k miles

Between these, I'd go for the A8L