Probably too early to tell as they're just now falling out of warranty.
Which one to buy? E90 BMW vs 2015-16 Mercedes E350
- Thread starter northestPM
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I understand you don't keep track of vehicles, don't take an interest in them, etc.
But what exactly do you want to say here?
Coils might have already been changed with updated ones. The updated ones are rock solid.
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My 2008 328i Wagon has the N52. I’m a firm believer of preventive maintenance. Engine oil (PUP) every 7,000 miles and GM6L45 trans service every 30,000 miles. Blackstone Lab analysis after every engine and trans fluid replacement. The engine does need a quart of oil every 4,000, but everything else is fine. As of this afternoon the odometer is 348,977 miles!
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There are a lot of cliches, maybe our lives are "affected" by what we hear on the internet. I heard nobody likes manual transmissions, they are unbearable whenever a person encounters traffic. I must be a strange alien who loves punishment and yells at clouds!
On the post you're referring to, it's said that generally turbos aren't reliable over 100k. Probably the reality is they're generally reliable until they need to be rebuilt. 100k has nothing to do with it.
What's interesting is 100k is some magical number, or it was. I recall being a kid and having my parents "celebrate" when 2 cars hit 100k. It was a magical, round number. One that has zero bearing on a modern vehicle.
On the original post, I'd go E92, only because I own one and nothing's ever broken on it. Well, the power window switch cracked, driver door, passenger side, and yes, visions of being out $150-$200 danced through my head. Luckily, a new $23 aftermarket was available. Same as new. Same deal would have been $600+ on my Lexus, as there is NO aftermarket. I tried and they didn't work at all.
I went as far as saying I wasted my money on an extended warranty being "scared" by the internet, they said you cannot own a BMW out of warranty, and I believed the internet. It's the internet, don't mess around with it. Well, I've been out of warranty for 14 years, and out of extended warranty 11 now (did 7/100 and I lost my money like a person at a casino).
And Toyota\Lexus owners sure didn’t disappoint with their V6 Camry suggestions, the pinnacle of automotive ownership.
Back to the OP, you’re looking at two very different driving experiences. Mercedes will give you that smooth, relaxed driving dynamic, while the 3 series BMW will be much stiffer and will feel less refined but will feel like it’s on rails.
A more comparable to the E350 BMW would be a 535i IMO.
Back to the OP, you’re looking at two very different driving experiences. Mercedes will give you that smooth, relaxed driving dynamic, while the 3 series BMW will be much stiffer and will feel less refined but will feel like it’s on rails.
A more comparable to the E350 BMW would be a 535i IMO.
Yeah, window regulator. Dorman to save, $46.
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Interesting to use BMW and "less refined" in the same sentence. I find it quite the opposite. I would say that of Lexus, owning both presently. If anything, at least this era, BMWs were so refined, you wish maybe they weren't and could be more raw.
If you take OPs choice, which is an e350 vs an e90, I think “less refined” is quite accurate.
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Based on physics alone, forgetting about the real world, an inline 6 engine is way more “refined” when compared to a V6. It’s virtually impossible to call a V6 that, imho.
Between the two, I’d definitely lean toward the BMW over the Mercedes. Not that I can really afford either, but I know the maintenance costs for a Mercedes would be tough to handle on my budget. 
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I own a BMW with an M54 engine, which is the older brother to that E90's N52. I've had it for about 14 years as a daily. I say get the BMW. Although I do love me Mercedes, they are pretty trash for the price they change and the price of parts. Their engines are a nightmare to work on, not to mention electrical bits.
With the N52, you have to make sure your cooling system is tip top, change your oil every 3,000 miles, fix any oil leaks and if you have vacuum leaks, fix that as well. You'll be golden for many many years. The engine itself is very very strong and will go on seemingly forever but you CANNOT let the cooling system fail, as one overheating incident may cook your engine for good. To mitigate this, just check the coolant and oil once week. Easy.
Also, the E90 will be miles better at driving feel and driving dynamics AND IMO, looks better than that E350.
With the N52, you have to make sure your cooling system is tip top, change your oil every 3,000 miles, fix any oil leaks and if you have vacuum leaks, fix that as well. You'll be golden for many many years. The engine itself is very very strong and will go on seemingly forever but you CANNOT let the cooling system fail, as one overheating incident may cook your engine for good. To mitigate this, just check the coolant and oil once week. Easy.
Also, the E90 will be miles better at driving feel and driving dynamics AND IMO, looks better than that E350.
One of the things I love about my E90, is how well it has held up. Mine is going on 16 years old and has over 100k on it. It has been subject to lousy New England roads its entire life. No squeaks or rattles yet and the steering is solid and suspension tight. The BMW enthusiast community is also very helpful. If you have a problem or need help there is a lot of info out there.
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Not too many agree with me, but the best attribute is the steering feel. It's not available today (hasn't been since EPS) at any price. I understand society has moved on and today's steering is "excellent" especially by Porsche. But it's a rationalization that the past is gone lol I saw a post years ago, gave their E9x to a teenager and the teen said the steering was broken it was so heavy
p.s. have had mine 18 years
My E90 has long way ahead. It has 149,000+ miles, but I am counting on my 8yrs old to inherit it.
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Maybe a way to look at OP's question, if I had a car collection, would either of these two be in it (imho E92 M3 should be in everyone's collection)? imho the E9x is worthy. I believe that when it came out, it was the best ever 3. Again, nobody would believe it, but the coupe turned heads. Literally. Would a '16 E350, doubtful. At the same time, they're not the same vintage. I consider 2010+ to be the malaise era for all cars actually because an awful lot went downhill
I'll throw my 2 cents in here with a vote for MB E350. I have a 14 and a 15 ML 350. No problems with either. The ML is the most comfortable vehicle I've had. The 3.5 is easy to change the oil from the top which is what MB recommends. I bought the 14 E350 with 70k miles on it. It had been dealer maintained. Carfax didn't have much on it but I visited the servicing dealer and asked for its service records. They printed out a 3 page record of services. They really milked the original owner to my benefit. By 14 the E's bugs were worked out and they are great vehicles. Change the oil and trans fluid on time and you shouldn't have any problems.
I had a BMW 3 series and had the cooling system issues.
I had a BMW 3 series and had the cooling system issues.
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Not quite the same comparison but I had a W204 C300 Sport at the same time as my E90 330i. The E90 is no doubt the driver's car and is far more dynamic, engaging and sporting. The W204 was softer and felt like an old man's car by comparison. However, the W204 itself was still a great driving car and more suitable for comfortable cruising. I assume the E350 leans more into comfort and luxury, so it really comes down to what you're looking for.
I also like that you can buy a base model 2006 325i and it will still have all the same charm the other models sharing the chassis have. A friend has a 2006 325xi that is closing in on 260k miles. It has needed some maintenance over the years obviously, but still just as tight and crisp to drive as my car.
The steering is also one of my favorite attributes. I jump in a new car with EPS and feel like with a twitch of the steering wheel I could flip it over into the median.