BHPian chair recently shared this with other enthusiasts: Hi all, I’m in the market for a pre-owned luxury sedan with a budget of around 65 lakhs, and I’ve narrowed my options down to two very tempting choices. Both cars have their unique strengths, but I’m having a hard time deciding which one is going to be easier to live with in Bombay. Here’s what I’m considering:BMW 740Li DPE SignatureModel Year: January 2020Mileage: 50,000 kmKey Highlights: The 7 Series is the quintessential luxury sedan, offering unmatched space, refined performance, and impressive tech. It’s also a joy to drive, with its 3.0L inline-six petrol engine delivering smooth, powerful performance.Mercedes E350dModel Year: February 2022Mileage: 14,000 kmKey Highlights: The long-wheelbase E-Class is the go-to for rear-seat luxury in this segment. With its plush cabin, powerful diesel engine, and excellent ride quality, it feels almost like a mini S-Class. The fact that it’s much newer and lightly driven adds to its appeal.My UsageThe car will primarily be used for weekday city commutes, where comfort, refinement, and ease of use matter the most.On weekends, I plan to drive the car myself. I enjoy spirited driving, so driving pleasure is an important factor.What I’m ConsideringDesign: I’ve always been a fan of the G11/G12 BMW 7 Series design. It feels elegant, bold, and timeless.Age & Mileage: The E-Class is two years newer and has only 14,000 km on the odometer compared to the BMW’s 50,000 km. How significant is this difference for long-term ownership?Maintenance Costs: I understand both cars will have high maintenance costs, but I’d appreciate insights into their long-term reliability and upkeep.Space & Features: The 7 Series clearly offers more space, but the E-Class, being newer, might have some more contemporary features.Reliability & Longevity: Considering their respective ages and usage, which one would be the better bet for the next few years?Additional ThoughtsThe BMW 740Li is tempting for its flagship status, spacious cabin, and iconic design-it feels like a car I’d genuinely love every time I see and drive it. On the other hand, the E350d, with its newer model year, lower mileage, and luxury-focused approach, seems more practical for day-to-day use. I’m leaning toward the 7 Series simply because it feels like the car I’d connect with more, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. Is the newer E-Class a better bet for my requirements? If anyone has experience with either of these models or insights into ownership costs and reliability, I’d really appreciate your inputs. Thank you for helping me decide. Here’s what GTO replied:BMW 7-Series any which day. It’s from a full segment up, and that’s obvious in the quality & build. Both are LWB sedans, but the BMW will be more fun to drive. The BMW will be more reliable in the longer run too. If you intend to keep the car for a long time & your running isn’t excessive, go for used petrol cars, no matter which car you buy. I expect a 10-year diesel car ban to come to MH sooner or later (just like Delhi-NCR).Here’s what BHPian astrodex replied:From the sounds of it, looks like you are already smitten with the 740Li and the only thing that is keeping you from getting it is the age and KMs. Regarding age, the difference is only in 2 years and I don’t think you would notice any technological difference between the two. The 7 series would still have a more premium feel. Regarding kms, I understand 50K can bring in some more additional service expenses, but BMWs have pretty good quality. If you can get the regular service details and do a thorough checkup before buying I think the 7 series would be right for you. With either vehicles you have saved a lot of money going via the pre-worshipped route. Splurge a little and go with your heart for the 7 series!Here’s what BHPian lamborghini replied:Honestly, I’d look for a newer 730Ld and call it a day. No matter what people say about the ride quality, etc. – an E is an E at the end of the day. The quality of materials used in the 7 – especially the M-Sport make it feel that much more special. Maintenance for both is similar – suspension is one to watch out for in both of these as they both come with Air Suspension but otherwise I don’t expect the 730Ld to be any different than the E350D in terms of maintenance.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
