Whenever I think about buying a new car as a daily driver, I quickly remember just how much vehicle you can buy for a fraction of even the cheapest new cars, if you’re willing to put up with some age. Thanks to the beauty of depreciation, big, German executive cars can be easily found for less than half the price of a new Corolla. These two are prime examples.
Last Friday’s cars weren’t weird—on their own, at least. But together, they seemed like a strange pairing. In fact, the vehicles shared virtually one thing: The letter “P.” The lightly rusted Studebaker Lark VI was painted in a lovely shade of pink, while the Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer had a name that started with the letter P.
Though I preferred the off-roadiness and the quirkiness of the Pinzagauer over the Lark, there were 463 of you who didn’t agree, which was enough for the Studebaker to take the win. Not terribly surprising, I guess, seeing as how the pink sedan was cheaper and it actually ran and drove.
When I learned I’d be writing today’s SBSD, I knew of only one district of Craigslist worth going to: The Pacific Northwest. I feel like the region is a bit of a hidden gem for window-shopping for cheap cars, as it’s just as diverse as California’s selection, and just as rust-free. But not as picked-through, since Seattle isn’t known as the driver’s capital of the world. Here’s what I found.
1997 BMW 704iL — $9,500
Engine/drivetrain: 4.4-liter V8, 5-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Victoria, BC
Odometer reading: 132,000 kilometers (~82,000 miles)
Operational status: “Like new”
This generation of 7 Series—the E38 body style, for the nerds—is arguably the most iconic of all the big BMW sedans. Its simple, monolithic design was the last of its kind for the brand before its design studio was helmed by the now-legendary Chris Bangle, who totally revamped the lineup with, at the time, highly controversial vehicles.
Let’s dissect the name of this car. The 7 obviously stands for the model, and “40,” in this case, gives away which engine is under the hood. While it originally represented the 4.0-liter V8 under the hood, this 1997 model was the first year to get the bigger 4.4-liter version, making 282 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The i stands for fuel-injected, while the L denotes this model as a long-wheelbase model.
Even without the L in the badge, it’s pretty easy to spot the longer-wheelbase 7 Series model of this generation—all you have to do is look at the rear door. If it’s weirdly elongated compared to the front, you’ve got yourself some extra legroom. The beautiful green paint on this model looks to be in great shape, as do the “M Parallel” multi-spoke wheels. The interior, meanwhile, looks to be in weathered (but good) shape, and there’s even a car phone, which probably hasn’t worked in decades.
According to the seller, this 740iL comes with new tires and a new timing chain tensioner, which is a nice addition. They describe it as “like new,” which is pretty good for a car that cost over $60,000 new, and is now listed for $9,500.
2004 Mercedes-Benz S600 – $9,500
Engine/drivetrain: 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12, 5-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Portland, Oregon
Odometer reading: 137,000 miles
Operational status: “Not perfect,” but “pretty darn nice.”
If your tastes lean more modern, let me present to you this 2004 Mercedes-Benz S600. This big Benz came from the next generation of German limousines, when manufacturers began to move away from subdued and boxy designs to more streamlined and curvy.
While this isn’t my favorite-looking generation of S-Class, this top-tier version got a set of lovely chrome monoblock wheels that round out the profile nicely. Plus, this one is painted in an actual color (red), which makes this car extra special, seeing as how virtually every S-Class I’ve ever seen is painted in some shade of black or silver.
The biggest selling point in this car is denoted by the “600” in the name, which signals the mighty engine under the hood. There are 50% more cylinders here than in the BMW, and 200% more turbochargers. Power from the boosted V12 here is vast: 493 hp and 590 lb-ft, enough to dust the BMW with ease.
With all that extra power comes added complexity, of course. Thankfully, the seller’s been meticulous with maintenance, replacing stuff like the coil packs, spark plugs, intercooler pump, radiator, water pump, blower motor, trunk motor, a/c compressor, and engine control module within the last 30,000 miles. More recently, they’ve also replaced some ball joints, sensors, drivetrain mounts, and fluids. But as I’ve learned the hard way, lots of recent maintenance does not always mean a reliable car down the line—something that’s especially true with 20-year-old German cars.
So which one would you rather have? The stately, subtle green BMW or the turbocharged, red-painted Mercedes powerhouse? Both are very much up my alley, so I won’t be upset, no matter which one you go for. So please, follow your heart.
Top graphic images: Craigslist sellers
IRL I wouldn’t stop to look at either of these. They’re too big for my taste, and they have that old German luxury car rep. BUT since the game is choose one, give me the Merc, because V12 baby!
Easy. The BMW is the last of the handsomes and the MB is the first of the uglies.
What’s a 704? Seams like an awfully tiny displacement.
That is an excellent way of describing the styling, although I’d go back another generation to call a Mercedes handsome.
And the ’91 S Class in “The Peacemaker” with George Clooney and Nichole Kidman did some major damage to the bad guys. A really entertaining car scene.
Love the look of the BMW from this era, lesser engine be damned.
Wasn’t there an SWG article about a Mercedes SL of this era and how it was an utter pile of crap with less than 100k miles on it?
The BMW would be an adventure to Roadkill back to Ontario, and I won’t have to deal with importation nonsense. I mean, it’ll likely quit before Calgary and I’ll be flying back, but I’ll forever be able to put ‘My other car
iswas a BMW sticker’ on my Mazda afterwards.This feels like asking which sweating stick of dynamite you’d rather bang on a rock.
I’ll go with the BMW. It won’t be cheap if anything critical fails, but it has to be less frightening than a twenty-year old turbocharged V12 Mercedes. Right? The 740 is a timeless design anyway. The Mercedes is a bit bland and when those headlights haze over it will look more like a big Hyundai than a very expensive executive sedan.
I’ll go electric if I want a smooth powerhouse. That V12 just doesn’t get my juices going like it used to. Especially with two snails clogging the exhaust and dropped into a melted candy bar of a car. N/A V8, though, those can sound good with a decent exhaust. Plus that era of BMW is so right looking. If someone is making me burn dino juice, hand me the keys to the Bimmer.
I Was all set to vote for the BMW, then I got to the drivetrain of the Mercedes. It’ll bankrupt me, but I gotta go with the twin turbo V12. Wasn’t gonna leave any inheritance for my kids anyways.
The temptation of a V12 does not win over that shade of green. Not my favorite 7er or BMW of that era (that honor goes to E39), but still won my heart and vote.
My heart wants that twin turbo V12, but my brain knows I could never keep it running. The “less complicated” 740i is my winner today. Obviously it helps that it’s one of the best looking cars ever built and comes with a color scheme that I love.
The BMW is the definition of class. It’s my pick today, though the V12 calls to me as well. Bit too pricey for a “both” day, though I could be convinced!
The BMW looks fantastic, but I’ve always wanted a V12, gotta be the Mercedes for me this time.
I had a golf buddy who picked up a used 750iL (V-12) on the cheap. One day, I drove over to his house in my Accord, set my clubs in the BMW’s huge trunk and we headed out in the Bimmer. A couple of miles into what would have been a 20-mile round trip, I smelled raw gas and suggested we pull over and take a look under the hood. Fuel was squirting out from I don’t know where, and I suggested we go back to his place and take the Accord to the golf course. I don’t know how that thing didn’t catch fire.
Not longer after that, he had a very used Jaguar XJ. I don’t know what happened to the BMW other than he said it wouldn’t start one day. He had a thing for very depreciated European cars that he didn’t know how to work on.
I do remember that the digital displays for the trip computer were not happy. It does give me pause that my car has two panels, one a touch screen, that may not be happy someday.
Oh yeah, these things are both ticking maintenance time bombs.
BMW. I know I should get all hot and bothered for the 12 cylinder, and on some level I do, but I have long been fantasizing about a deeply depreciated German limo for highway miles and that 740 is essentially the platoni- er, Teutonic ideal. I love those parallel wheels too. So good.
The BMW won’t be cheap to keep on the road necessarily, but IMO it has a less complicated, more common drivetrain, and I like the boxy looks. If we were comparing two 1997 big body euro sedans I would probably pick the Benz.
I’m sure either of these would put me into the poorhouse in about 5 seconds. But if I’m in the poorhouse, I’d at least like the luxury of knowing I got 12 cylinders and 2 turbos out of the deal.
You’re not living in a poorhouse, you live in the car!
It’s why you bought the limo version of these things.
My brother opted for a V12 S class. Knowing what he’s spent on parts for that vehicle I went with the BMW.
This guy couldn’t get out of the 740 for the pic?
Looks like the classy owner’s dipshit son. “Shut UP, DAD!”
Looks like he’s browsing used Cybertrucks on CL.
Both are great but the 7 is just too good looking to pass up.
They both look like $10K grenades, but the BMW is a more elegant grenade.
Love the V-12, but not to actually own one. The BMW is the last era where the car looked like a bespoke suit, now they look like track suits with words on the butt. I’ll take the big 7.
The Benz really just doesn’t do anything for me. Yeah, I know, V12. As if I’m going to be able to keep that fucking thing running.
The BMW is better looking, and I at least have an outside chance of keeping it alive.
This is the automotive equivilent of “Thank you Mistress, may I have another” for my checkbook.
A lot like a mistress. It demands-
A nice place to live
Expensive care and feeding
Constant attention
Significant depreciation over time
bimmer if only for that green and the condition
S600 – no question. A little biased, as I currently drive a 2004 S430 (also in a color!), but I’ve actually had friends send me this listing. The car seems like a steal – it’s had all of the ‘common problem’ issues that crop up around 100k addressed, and even still has functional ABC. I’d plan to replace ABC with steel springs when problems start cropping up with it though.
There’s lots of information out there about keeping W220s going (thanks to their reputation), and the M275 V12 has proven to be a reliable engine. I understand the support for the E38, but, reliability wise, and cost of DIY upkeep factored in, I’d sooner take my chances with the S600.
Looks, V12, Evaporator Core, needlessly intricate engineering no bueno, BMW all the way. or preferably neither TBH.
I voted for the Benz. If I am buying an impractical, high maintenance luxury car, I at least want one with a V12.
I would argue “both” might be the sensible choice today, though. Realistically, these are going to break often and be expensive to fix. If you buy a $10k well-used German luxury car, you should have at least $10k available for near-term repairs/maintenance. Given that, you may as well spend your $20k to buy both. There is a risk both cars could break before you save money for repairs, but (assuming an inspection shows both are currently in good running condition) there is a good chance you will have at least one functional vehicle while you save up money to repair the broken one. Plus, if you have a backup car, there will be less urgency to repair your car – with extra time you might be able to do the repair yourself or at least find a mechanic who can fix it cheaper.
Of course, “neither” is the truly sensible choice, but that is boring.
The person who has an expensive, old German luxury car as the backup to an expensive, old, German luxury car has some very specific, egregious sins they feel they must atone for.
Alternatively, the person who has an expensive, old German luxury car as the backup to an expensive, old German luxury car is awesome.
I’m too boring to do something as crazy as using two temperamental aging German luxury cars as co-daily drivers, but I would absolutely respect anyone who did that.
Also, this is The Autopian and not Consumer Reports – why should we support the sensible option when an asinine but cool option exists?
Maybe a nice Honda or Toyota would make a better backup car.
I have this setup, but with Saabs. Never sure if I should recommend it or not. They both run fine, but one definitely needs a radiator now, and the other has a ground fault that means one headlight won’t work.
Biggest issue with the Merc is if it needs a specialized scan tool. I sold my S212 because of that. If I can’t program modules myself, then I can’t afford one of those cars.