BMW and Mercedes are two of the main German auto manufacturers which have been in endless competition to be the best. Whilst there have been some cases where one or the other has emerged victorious in specific niches, they are equally matched overall.
Mercedes has always preferred the V8 as its weapon of choice, whilst BMW makes excellent straight-6s – however, both automakers have tried something new on certain occasions to have the edge over the other. Mercedes had AMG design an entirely new V8 engine specifically for this purpose, whilst BMW went a different way and instead of a V8, stuck a V10 in their flagship 5-Series. Theirs is a truly ridiculously fun, ongoing rivalry to observe.
During this fabulous automotive war, sometimes accompanied by the most entertaining advertising campaigns, the companies tried to ‘one-up’ each other with exciting performance cars, many of which have now become bargains, due to their depreciation and decline in popularity, after their respective production runs. Here are a few of those badass cars, which are now found on the second-hand market for a fraction of what they cost new.
10 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG
The C43 AMG was Mercedes’ entry into the performance small executive sedan market, to take on the likes of the BMW M3. It featured a 4.3-liter V8, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, with power going to the rear wheels. The car made 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, with the top speed being electronically limited to 155 mph; however, some cars reached a reported 168 mph.
Today, a C43 AMG can be bought for around the $20,000 mark, depending on the condition and mileage. The C43 is one of the coolest retro Mercs as it helped introduce the world to what was to come from AMG.
9 1998 BMW Z3M Roadster
The Z3M Roadster was built to compete with the Mercedes SLK32 AMG, which featured a 350 hp supercharged 3.2-liter V6. The BMW on the other hand, had a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated straight-6, producing 321 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, due to regulations, the Z3M sold in the States had the less powerful engine, resulting in only 240 hp and 225 lb-ft.
There are many choices of Z3 to choose from, but the one to go for is the top-spec Z3M. It offered the best dynamics and handling, all whilst the brilliant straight-6 revs to its 7,800 rpm redline. One of these exciting roadsters costs less than $20,000, making it a rather good value for money.
8 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430
The first-generation CLK dropped the copied styling of the E-Class Cabriolet it replaced, in favor of a bespoke design. It was also more focused on the luxury aspect of driving, so many were bought with a smooth V6. Mercedes however, decided to add a bit more excitement and flair to the CLK range, so a V8 was added.
The CLK430 was still primarily focused on luxury, however, it received slightly sportier bumpers and monoblock wheels from the era’s AMGs. It produced 280 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, just behind the C43 AMG – not bad for a car that now costs under $18,000.
7 1998 BMW E36 M3 Sedan
The BMW E36 is not known as many people’s favorite M3, but it does have some good qualities. For instance, the E36 was the first M3 available as a sedan, opening up the market to a wider variety of people. This meant a 3.2-liter straight-6 engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, and drive going to the rear in a family-sized sedan. How sporty is that?
The E36 hasn’t proved very popular, so picking one up is relatively easy and costs below the $20,000 mark. Just be sure to do the proper research as the S50/S52 engine was prone to having issues in this application. Overall, it is a cool car to have, especially with some aftermarket modifications.
6 2001 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
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The E-Class is Mercedes’ mid-size executive saloon and one of the most popular models they sell. It is available in a variety of specifications, with engines ranging from inline-4 turbo-diesels to supercharged and twin-turbocharged V8s. In the late 1990s, however, with BMW having made a success of the E39 M5 with its 4.9-liter V8, Mercedes decided it wants a piece of the performance saloon pie.
Enter the E55 AMG, which featured a 5.4-Liter supercharged V8, producing 350 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque going to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission. It could do the 0-62 mph sprint in 5.7 seconds and topped out at 155 mph. Today, W210 E55 AMGs are worth around $20,000 – or less if one is found on auction.
5 1985 BMW 635CSi
The BMW 6-Series E24 was only ever sold with a straight-6 engine in various configurations. The European-spec 635CSi produced 282 hp from the M88/3 3.5-liter, whilst the North American M6 (the first of the line) was fitted with the 3.5-liter S38, producing 260 hp. The drop in power was also due to the US regulations insisting on a catalytic converter for all US-spec cars.
Today, the 635CSi/M6 is available for a varying amount of money depending on the condition – however, one in good condition could cost less than $15,000. It is important to check for rust, as fixing the chassis and bodywork could be tiresome and may very well end up costing more than the car.
4 2000 BMW E39 M5
The E39 M5 has become one of the more popular models in second-hand BMW markets. It was launched in 1998 to the cheer and roar of the automotive world as it was the first M-Car to feature a V8. Whilst the 5-Series was available in an estate body style and an automatic transmission, all E39 M5s were sold as a saloon with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The E39 M5 is simply one of the coolest BMWs on the market and definitely one of the best super-saloons in automotive history. It is available for around $20,000, although some may be even less than that. Before buying, make sure the VANOS system operates properly, as it tends to get clogged up quite easily.
3 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL500
The Mercedes SL is a luxurious grand touring convertible designed to cross continents in with style, grace, and opulence. Mercedes emphasized this by offering the SL with not just one, but a selection of three V12s. It also had a choice of four V8s and a few 6-cylinders thrown in for good measure. The top-spec V12, the SL73, featured the engine which eventually powered the Pagani Zonda 7.3.
However, for an SL more in the affordable price range, the SL500 is an excellent choice. It has all the luxuries of the era – meaning leather seats, cruise control, and other features found in the flagship S-Class. SL500s are available for around $12,000, with a good condition AMG-Line going for just under $10,000.
2 2000 BMW E38 750iL
The E39 BMW 7 Series is simply one of the best-looking saloons ever designed – just ask Doug Demuro. It has beautiful proportions, smooth engines, and is comfortable enough to close a business deal on your car phone (Yes, it had a car phone!). The pre-facelifted 7-Series looked great, although it is the facelifted model which stands out from the crowd.
The E39 was available with a range of engines, from a 2.8-liter straight-6 in the 728i to a 3.5-liter and a 4.4-liter V8 in the 735i and 740i respectively, and finally a silky-smooth 5.4-liter V12 in the 750i – which is the desired one. The popular 2000 BMW 740iLs are already available for around $9,000 – a steep price for a saloon, but with it being a V12, many of the options are automatically ticked.
1 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500
The Mercedes S-Class is the luxury car all other luxury cars strive to beat. It is the car that sets the standard for luxury saloons for the years to come and Mercedes themselves uses the S-Class to design their smaller E- and C-Classes. With the W220 model, this was accentuated.
The car featured keyless entry and keyless go, which is the first time ever in a production car – with the actual key being a plastic card, which is carried in your wallet. The W220 featured other firsts – many of which have now become standard across much of the motoring world. Back in 2000 when it was new, the S500 with a 5.0-liter V8 had a price tag of around $72,000 ($110,000 today). However, they are now available on the used car market for around $15,000 – a fraction of the original cost.