[chair]

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:

The Contenders
BMW 740Li DPE Signature
• Model Year: January 2020
• Mileage: 50,000 km
• Key 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 E350d
• Model Year: February 2022
• Mileage: 14,000 km
• Key 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 Usage

• The 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 Considering

• Design: I’ve always been a fan of the G11/G12 BMW 7 Series design. It feels elegant, bold, and timeless, whereas the E-Class, while fine, doesn’t have the same emotional pull for me.
• 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 Thoughts

The 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.

Thanks you for helping me decide.

[astrodex]

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 than the E Class even if two years older.

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!

[Sensible_Speed]

Go for the Bimmer. It is the posher car and probably better to drive as well. The petrol engine is also quite the mill and should last a bit.

[Maverick5490]

Originally Posted by chair

Hi all,



The Contenders
BMW 740Li DPE Signature
• Model Year: January 2020
• Mileage: 50,000 km
• Key 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.

Please verify the service history on the 740 as the engine is troublesome on high mileage and is a fuel guzzler, also check if the car is under extended warranty.

[lamborghini]

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. I would also expect it to rattle less than the E Class.
Maintenance for both is around 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 except it will have more wear and tear.

In terms of living with them in the city - they're both not going to be the easiest to maneuver around, but the 7 gets more respect on the road as compared to the E.

[GTO]

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).

[adityaNview]

Going against the tide, I would have preferred E350d.
As much as I love BMWs, there is a beautiful elegance which the Mercedes E class brings. The curves, the creases and that opulence. Oh the luxury.
But my preference is mine alone, you will have to choose what makes you feel alive.

[L8ButV8]

Buy a lower run 7 series. It will suit your needs better -- it's a better luxury barge & a better driver's car. However 50k km is a lot for these cars -- many of the components are past half their life & some (e.g suspension) will be some ways from factory spec. You might have consistent issues, especially compared to the nearly new 14k km E class.

While my suggestion is to buy a lower run 7 series, I think the E class will leave you very satisfied too.

[Cresterk]

The E class is basically a new car.

The 7 can be considered an S class competitor.

Bargain hard on the 7, there are never many buyers for a 5 year old petrol luxury barge.

[cefiljoseph]

One additional factor you might want to consider is the how much the warranty can be extended to? Get the cars checked at their respective dealers and get a quote for the repairs and warranty. It might just be the best 10k you would spend that helps you buy so much peace of mind and certainty to the ownership. I would buy the car that could get the highest possible warranty. With these generations for either of the models, a fault with the AC could easily run into lakhs and that's just one of the many things that could go wrong. Hence, I would make a decision based on the evaluation and warranty costs. Otherwise, both these are great models with the 7 being even better deal used (for a reason of course). All the best with your purchase!

[Sahil]

Go for the 7 for sure. I have a similar gen 730Ld and the backseat and overall luxury is way above what the E class even with its LWB offers.
My experience with the 7 has been trouble free and I don’t think reliability between the two cars would be much different.

[chair]

Update: It's been a long, eventful journey, from my first car I bought myself in 2009 to the newest garage addition in 2025. Having considered options (E350d vs 7-Series) and taken on board all advice on this forum, I thought I'd tell you about my car ownership journey that brought me here. Each car has taught me something – some fondly recalled, others I'd sooner forget. Here’s the chronological rundown of the machines that have shaped my automotive adventure so far:

2009 – Pre-owned Suzuki Baleno LXi (pre-owned)
My first car was a 2006 (3-year-old) Maruti Suzuki Baleno LXi bought in 2009 for ₹2.8 lakh. It was humble, but boy, was it fun to drive. The Baleno had a rev-happy engine and steering feel that taught me the joys of a well-balanced sedan. The AC was a chiller. As a young man with a taste for my tunes, I also properly upgraded it. I mounted a better head unit, upgraded speakers, and installed a subwoofer + amp. With that configuration, the tiny Baleno turned into my personal disco mobile! It never lacked a beat mechanically either, and I fondly remember this car being my first sojourn to freedom on wheels.


2011 – Honda City ZX GXi (pre-owned "slushmatic")
In 2011, my next step was in a hand-me-down 2007 Honda City ZX GXi AT. It was the aged dolphin-shaped City with a 5-speed torque-converter auto. It was reliable, bulletproof, and lasted our family for years – typical Honda strength-without a glitch. But having stepped down from the Baleno, the City felt surprisingly sluggish and unengaging to drive. That auto box was smooth but robbed it of all the entertainment; full acceleration mainly translated to din and minimal advancement. On the plus side, it was comfortable and somewhat frugal. I moved the amp and sub from the Baleno to the boot of the City and installed a pair of Blaupunkt component speakers in the front and 6x9 coaxials at the back. With those modifications, at least my ears were satisfied. The City continued to perform dependably, but I was already itching for something more exciting.


2013 – Volkswagen Vento 1.6 AT (pre-owned)
By 2013, I was frequently behind the wheel of my live-in partner's VW Vento 1.6 Automatic. It was my first proper experience with a German sedan in India. Build quality-wise, the Vento was a revelation – solid thud on door close, high-quality interiors, and a planted feel at a speed that trumped the lightweight Honda. I liked its highway behaviour and the feeling of security from that tank-like construction. However, the 6-speed auto transmission was agonisingly slow. It was always half asleep, always a beat behind to react. Overtakes needed careful planning (and sometimes a prayer). That Vento taught me not all automatics are equal – its gearbox calibration was obviously set for placid city driving, not spirited driving. However, being a daily commuter, it was fine, and the vehicle felt premium for its class. It was well designed, but it was not all that exciting with that auto 'box.


2015 – Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI DSG (pre-owned)
In 2015, I made a big step up. I won a pre-owned 2013 Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI DSG (petrol) that was barely 2 years old with only 11,000 km on the clock. Price? At ₹11.5 lakh – a steal of a deal for a virtually new luxury barge. This was my maiden venture into entry-level luxury, and I was smitten from the word go. The Superb truly lived up to its billing: space and comfort were limousine-like, the 1.8 TSI turbo petrol was beautifully punchy, and the DSG dual-clutch transmission. I loved that car.

Of course, no Skoda DSG ownership experience is complete without the usual gearbox fright. Lo and behold, the dreaded DSG mechatronic failure finally caught up with me. The gearbox suddenly malfunctioned one fine morning and shifted into limp mode, skipping gears – my heart dropped thinking I was down by a couple of lacs. But lo, even though it was way beyond warranty, Skoda amazed me with an effortless repair. They replaced the mechatronic unit without any trouble or expense (this was when Skoda was attempting to repair its reputation, and the dealer experience was great). Then, the Superb performed flawlessly. Having this car was a pleasure – it caused me no trouble after the fix, and I kept it as one of my favourite cars. The Superb had taught me to shop secondhand, which could be phenomenally rewarding. Provided you possess some warranty or good support when things do take a turn for the worse.




2016 – BMW X3 2.0 xDrive (pre-owned)
High on the triumph of the Superb, in 2016, I became ambitious and decided to do a full Monty with the luxury bit. I acquired a pre-owned BMW X3 at around ₹24 lakh. It was roughly 3-4 years old at the moment. It met all the checkboxes on paper – a sporty BMW SUV, nice interior, a stout diesel motor, and an AWD – everything that I wanted, I believed. In fact, this X3 became my worst driving experience ever. In a matter of months, it acquired one problem after another: first, the 4WD system quit (warning lights everywhere), then the vehicle would occasionally enter limp mode on highways, the fuel pump failed shortly afterwards, and the transmission began to act strange with jerky shifts. And if that was not bad enough, oil leaks from the engine compartment and melted interior trim pieces greeted me (BMW's notorious soft-touch plastics, ouch!). The car seemed haunted.

I knew the service centre people by first name back then. Wallet-draining repair estimates and perpetual breakdown fears were now part of my daily life. Having that BMW was all I had dreaded about these complex cars. After finally getting rid of the X3 (to my great relief), I vowed never to touch a BMW again. This part of the journey was an agony lesson: a high-end badge is worth nothing if the vehicle doesn't remain intact.



2021 – Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI Highline (pre-owned)
Skip ahead to 2021 – I remained in the VW-Skoda fold (which had been good to me with the Superb) and acquired a second-hand 2020 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI Highline. It was merely 1 year old with 7,200 km on the clock, effectively showroom-new and complete extended warranty. The asking price was ₹24.5 lakh, worth it for the mileage and peace of mind. The Passat may lack the BMW flash, but it's a subtle executive sedan that does everything well. After the X3, I was happy with the subtle and solid.

The Passat soon became the family workhorse. I enjoyed it from the first day – the 2.0 TDI diesel provided good torque for cruising on highways with ease and gave excellent fuel efficiency at one point of 1000km to a tank full. The ride was smooth, and the interior was full of amenities (cooled seats, DCC, 360 cameras, excellent sound, plush leather everywhere, you name them) in that neat VW design. It was tank-like in build, providing a reassuring feeling of security. Above all, it was completely hassle-free and reliable to own. At last, a German motor that didn't kick back! This Passat reaffirmed my belief that you can locate almost new used cars of excellent value with perseverance. It was the sensible, head-over-heels option – and it proved worthwhile, providing 2+ years of pleasurable, trouble-free driving.



2022 – Skoda Octavia 2.0 TSI Style (brand new)
In 2022, I did the unthinkable (to myself, too) – I opted for a brand-new car after years of used ones. The vehicle which tempted me was the new fourth-generation Skoda Octavia 2.0 TSI. I acquired a 2021-made Style variant (I drove it away in early 2022 with a generous discount). The Style trim cost me some of the luxury features of the L&K – no Canton or powered passenger seat, and a few extras were absent. But for real, as soon as I drove the Octavia, I didn't give it a second thought. It was magic on wheels for the driver in me. And to my good fortune, I didn't have to suffer from the L&K ugly alloys. The 2.0 TSI turbo-petrol motor and nicely sorted MQB chassis transformed the Octavia into an absolute pleasure to drive.

The handling, the pinpoint steering, and the manner in which it gets up and moves when you accelerate hard all had me grinning from ear to ear. Having driven the more staid Passat, the Octy got me remembering what I'd been missing out on in driving excitement. The Octavia became my de facto party car in the garage. It's one of those vehicles that has you driving the long way home just to relish the ride. Omitted features notwithstanding, I believe it was worth every penny for the drive alone.



2023 – Passat's premature demise and a Skoda Kodiaq L&K comes home. (pre-owned)
Life has its surprises – 2023 presented us with a scare that none of the previous car issues could hope to rival.
My wife suffered a serious accident in our Passat. She was driving with our dog on a highway to Goa when she was involved in a serious collision. The Passat was written off – a complete write-off – but at the cost of itself, my wife's and our dog's lives were saved. The car's sturdy construction, airbags, and safety systems performed just as designed. Even after the ghastly impact, the cabin was still intact. My wife emerged without a single bruise, and our dog was okay. It was a terrifying experience, but watching how the Passat shielded them only made me more determined to emphasise safety in any vehicle we are to own. We were very thankful for the German build quality and some luck that day. Without the Passat, we needed a new family car, and we needed it urgently.

Both of us were rattled, and with a baby on the way, our priorities turned to something more solid and secure, ideally with the added security of a warranty. Having shopped around, we homed in on a lightly used Skoda Kodiaq L&K. We spotted a nicely maintained 2019 model, loaded to the hilt in the Laurin & Klement trim and supported by an active extended warranty for peace of mind. The Kodiaq is essentially a Superb-on-stilts, and it checked all our boxes after the accident – it's roomy, very comfy, full of features to overflowing, and holds a top safety rating. The raised SUV riding position and AWD provide further confidence when hauling the family around. It didn’t hurt that the Kodiaq drives very well for its size; the 2.0 TDi + DSG combo in an SUV is reasonably fun when in the mood but mostly sluggish. In a way, the Kodiaq healed our wounds, bringing back a sense of security and normalcy. It has seamlessly taken over the Passat’s role in our household, and we’re delighted with it.




2025 – Return to BMW with a 7-Series (740Li) – a fright, then delight (pre-owned)
After giving up on BMW, here we are in 2025 with a BMW again. And not a random BMW, but the flagship 740Li sedan (the G12 LCI, a.k.a. the one with the humongous grille). How did that happen? Well, sometime toward the end of last year, I caught myself drooling over a used 7-Series that popped up for sale. It was a deal too good to pass up on an early 2019 730ld with only 8000km on it in the M-Sport trim, loaded to the gills. Even with my past BMW trauma, the temptation of a top-of-the-line luxury barge was too great. I rationalized that years had gone by, BMW had surely fixed things, and this one still had some warranty remaining (through Edel Assurance). In January when I was there to reserve the car, a another purchase who test drove the car only ahead of me - had paid the token while I was stepping out of the car. It was lost. A couple of days later, however, a newer LCI 740li appeared on the list at Infinity Motors BMWs premium selection lot.

The car blemish or its nose notwithstanding was breathtaking. And in all honesty the new grille is fantastic in the flesh and really well proportioned to the car's size. The vehicle came with a full BSI plus package and an even sweeter deal through Edel Assurance's extended warranty – essentially, I broke all my own rules to justify it! Since, after all, the 7-Series had long been my white whale car, and I thought if not now, then never? So, I went ahead and purchased the large Bimmer earlier this year. At first, it was pure heaven.

The 740Li is in another world when it comes to comfort and presence. The back seat is like a business class lounge, and yet I find myself frequently taking the driver's seat because that 3.0L turbo-petrol inline-six and adaptive air suspension make it a joy to drive for such a big car. It's eerily silent under cruise and can tear a hole in the horizon when you bury the throttle. I fell in love with it again. I believed this BMW would justify the brand. But then, hardly 5 days of ownership, Murphy's Law caught up – and how. I started the car one morning only to be greeted with the suspension fault warning. The vehicle had fully dipped down, and the ride height didn't compensate. In short, the air suspension had packed it in. My stomach plummeted to the ground; I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Here we go again with the BMW gremlins, I muttered to myself. The vehicle was more or less unusable and had to be towed into the workshop on a flatbed. The compressor had given out – an unprecedented failure for such a young 7-Series, but that's what occurred. The following 22 days in the workshop was a nervous ordeal.

I at last wrote a stinker to BMW and, to their credit, they acted quickly.

I received several calls the following day, the car was fixed within a week, they replaced both front air struts and the compressor out-of-warranty, no questions asked. BMW India's customer relations also called to check up and see that I was being looked after – a nice surprise, I should say. Nevertheless, those three weeks had me chewing my nails, questioning whether I'd made a monumental error coming back to BMW. Fortunately, since that repair, the 740Li has been perfect.

It's once again the dream machine I imagined. I've added a few hundred kilometres to it since, and every drive puts a smile on my face. This car's refinement, performance, and level of technology are simply breathtaking. Whether I'm cruising in comfort or speeding along a speedy highway dash, the 7-Series does not disappoint. It's a treat to behold that streamlined, long bonnet, the power – it makes me feel like I'm getting a bit of an occasion each time. Looking back, I'm happy I gave BMW a second chance (with fingers crossed, admittedly). The 740Li has been all I could have wished for, apart from that initial glitch. It seems like a deserving culmination (so far) of this odyssey – from a ₹2.8 lakh Baleno to a flagship Bavarian limousine. At times, I simply can't believe it. Up







Next: Tuning the 7er's Sound System
One place where the 740Li fell short for me is the sound system. For a vehicle of this caliber, the factory stock sound system is unimpressive. I'm something of an audiophile and I couldn't let that pass. I’ve contacted Ramie at SoundFactor Pro (one of the best in the business for high-end car audio) to upgrade the Bimmer’s audio. The plan is to go for plug-and-play components from Focal and Goldhorn. This means we’ll swap out the factory speakers for Focal units and add a Goldhorn DSP amplifier, all while using compatible harnesses so that no OEM wiring is cut and all original functionality is retained. The idea is to significantly elevate the sound quality – cleaner highs, better bass, more clarity – without compromising the car’s stock look or electronics. It’ll essentially be an “OEM+” audio upgrade. I’m excited about this mod because the 7-Series will tick every box for me once it's done. It'll be the perfect luxury express with supreme comfort, performance, and great sound.

Reflecting on this 15-year odyssey, I am filled with gratitude and joy. There have been peaks (the Superb's unadulterated joy, the 7er's luxury) and troughs (the X3 fiasco, the Passat's crash), but each of those moments taught me something and influenced my choices along the way. I'm grateful for where these experiences have brought me – the vehicles in my garage, insight, and memories.

Here’s to appreciating the present (I’ll never take a trouble-free drive for granted again) and looking forward to what’s next.

The plan is to enjoy the 740Li to the fullest, get that audio upgrade done, and hopefully have many years of smooth motoring. And, of course, having an inkling of the car bug, I'm guaranteed to be back here in a few years wondering about the next upgrade – but in the meantime, I will enjoy every second of this next chapter. Thanks to everyone on the forum for coming along for the ride and for all the advice and camaraderie. Cheers to the road ahead!

[ArjunPadmakumar]

Reading your post has been very inspiring!
Congratulations and wishing you a decade of enjoyable driving ahead sir��

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by chair

Next: Tuning the 7er's Sound System
One place where the 740Li fell short for me is the sound system. For a vehicle of this caliber, the factory stock sound system is unimpressive. I'm something of an audiophile and I couldn't let that pass. I’ve contacted Ramie at SoundFactor Pro (one of the best in the business for high-end car audio) to upgrade the Bimmer’s audio. The plan is to go for plug-and-play components from Focal and Goldhorn. This means we’ll swap out the factory speakers for Focal units and add a Goldhorn DSP amplifier, all while using compatible harnesses so that no OEM wiring is cut and all original functionality is retained. The idea is to significantly elevate the sound quality – cleaner highs, better bass, more clarity – without compromising the car’s stock look or electronics. It’ll essentially be an “OEM+” audio upgrade. I’m excited about this mod because the 7-Series will tick every box for me once it's done. It'll be the perfect luxury express with supreme comfort, performance, and great sound.

Congrats on your purchase!

Did you finally get the audio upgrade done? Please share details. I too have a G12 730Ld and not impressed with the sound either.

[chair]

I did get it done — though it took a while.

I explored a few options, but it was clear early on that I wanted to keep the car as OEM as possible without affecting my extended warranty. The only real speaker option was the Focal Inside solution. However, the DSP offered some room to play, which made a huge difference.

At first, I considered just upgrading the DSP. However, it became evident that the stock speakers couldn’t handle the revised output, so I decided to go all in.

DSPs I considered:
1. Audiotec Fischer – Match UP10 DSP
- Output: 8 high-level + 1 RCA Preout
- Single sub-out
- Input: 8 high-level (2 up to 32V), Optical SPDIF
- 11-channel DSP, 64-bit
- Total RMS: 700W–840W
- Class GD (Audiotec’s refinement of Class D)
- Sold with the plug-and-play harness for BMW Harman systems

2. Goldhorn DSPA 1012 Plus
- Output: 10 high-level + 12 RCA pre-outs
- Dedicated sub-out channels
- Input: 12 high-level, 2 AUX, Optical, Coaxial, Bluetooth
- 12-channel DSP, 64-bit
- Total RMS: ~940W
- Class D
- BMW Harman harness available, but needs some custom integration

Why I chose the Goldhorn:
I wanted long-term flexibility — more inputs, more outputs, RCA pre-outs for future upgrades, and expanded tuning options. The virtual surround, Bluetooth priority, and DSP customisation were just what I was looking for.

Sound dampening:
The Dr Artex Silver + Lace 15 combo was absolutely worth it. Even with the heft of the G12’s doors and padding, the added power demanded extra damping — and it’s made a clear difference in isolation and sound control.

Speakers used:
• Front Stage: Focal IS BMW 100KL
• Centre: Focal ICC BMW 100
• Rear Stage: Focal IS BMW 100KL
• Rear Shelf: Focal IS BMW 100K
• Underseat: Focal ISUB BMW x2 (2Ω)

There’s a lot of talk online about upgrading the amp—and yes, it does the trick for some—but I’ll be honest, the speakers have made an enormous difference. And I don’t think I’d have it any other way.

The sound is clear, dynamic, and full of energy. The highs are crisp, the lows are clean, and the soundstage has completely shifted. The system now sounds like something this car should’ve come with stock.

I’m keeping the rest low-key for now. But once my extended warranty runs out, I’m tempted to add a monoblock Hammertech amplifier and a dedicated sub in the boot to throw another 650W into the mix.

I don’t listen to music for bass — I listen for clarity, texture, and energy — and in that sense, I’ve got to doff my hat to Ramie at SoundFactor Pro. Working with him was a treat. The tuning sessions took me back 20 years, and the job he did was absolutely top-notch — clean, precise, and done right.

Here are some installation pictures. Happy to answer any questions anyone might have.

The kit of parts


The rather sad sound curve at the start


The home for the DSPA


The DSPA


The Harness



Installing the DSPA




Installing the underfloor Subs





Damping the doors