i grew up in my father's w140 so i have a deep love for it and my first car was an e38. i'm a massive bmw fan now because the driving experience of the e38 really captivated me! the w140 is definitely the more comfortable car and the better one to be driven in, but the e38 is a better car to drive. my 740i was very reliable as well, never let me down and what a presence that car had. another great video!
Same here man I grew up in my grandpa’s bmw 745i & fell in love with it as i got older & bought it from him but when i seen the e38i had to get it & my next is w140 💪🏾
Yea I have an 1999 s320 I love it just something about it idk what it is I also have an 2004 Audi A8L but I love the s320 more I could only imagine the s420 or the s500 even the s600
Hello Josiah, this is my dream car but I don't see many on the road and concerned about reliability? I'll be 50 in November and really would love to just get my dream car
In my opinion the W140 is the last great Mercedes. Once the standard wear and tear items are replaced, the car is like new again for another 150k mils, which is repeatable forever. Also the power and comfort still beats most cars today without all the TV screens and nonsense allowing you to enjoy driving. The only real price difference is parts. Stronger parts cost more money. In short the car is extremely reliable and very affordable because most parts are easy to find at good prices. Yes, Buy your dream car as soon as you can. The more I learn about the W140's the more I love them. Buying this car has been a great decision.
I am lucky to have owned and driven both of these cars for a long period of time. My personal preference is the W140 which I still keep for more than 15 years but the E38 730iL, a long wheel based saloon which was a driver car, was kept for 5 years....W140 is the answer of both luxurious and comfort...in my opinion, it's quick too if you floor your throttle once in a while...
I'd get the W140 without a second thought. I wouldn't even consider the BMW. The W140 was Mercedes-Benz at its peak. You simply cannot beat that. In the 1990s, the W140 was the best car in the world, bar none.
I have owned many E38s and many W140s. I currently own the final year w140 1999 V12 edition s600.I also own final year 2001 e38 750il V12 Both black Lookwise... Of course the w140 has more presence.. presidential powerful and closer to my heart. The e38 is sportier modern and more enjoyable to drive. Both Best of the Best the last of the true iconic BMW and Mercedes sedans.
I had a 2000 E38 BMW 735i in the same colour, keeping it nearly 12 years - my fifth 7 series. Most expensive faults were punctures, a fuel tank and an alternator. Mine had full Sat Nav' good for
@@HLClassics well i have a 2009 lexus ls460 shortwheelbase....if ever you would like to do a comparison video, do let me know...as in my humble opinion, the late 2000s lexus still embodies the build quality, luxury and performance of the w140 or the e38
We're based in Malaysia, and yes there are many old Mercedes-Benz still on the road today, the W123, W126, W124, W201, W202, W140 are fairly easy to spot on the roads.
Thanks! The XF10 and XF20 would be a more like-for-like comparison of that generation. If you have one or know of anyone who has one, we would be keen to feature it in a video or two. :)
Lets put it this way.. I agree with everything you guys said and your review is 100% spot on. I would still rather own and drive BMW E38. So it’s a preference, not really a comparison. Also don’t forget to mention Audi A8/S8 (D2). Those 3 cars, either would do the trick. Cheers 🍻
Love your passion for luxury cars especially the W140, I would be very interested if you could do a video about the Princess Diana W140 S280. I've heard so many interesting things about that car, it had a very checkered history.
oops sent comment before finishing - The E38 reminded me of my 1970s Daimler Double Six and drove more like my 1980s XJS so as I travel quite long trips in Australia (just did 1350ks from Sydney to Queensland) I like my E38 as it drives as well today as it did new. Do not disagree about E38 longevity issues but its still a fabulous car to drive in 2022. One thing that was worth doing was updating to technology with the Resler iBus module as well as installing the idrive app plus Apple Carplay
I had a 140 600 SEL. I have a Bentley, very late model Jag, and other very nice cars. That 600 SEL not only is the best car I have ever owned, it's the best car I've ever sat in, period. The 0-60 time of 6.5 is not accurate. Car & Driver tested one in 5.7. It was a very quick car.
I have an early e38, with the "old" v8 from the e32, and i've got to say that if you know what you are dealing with, and you know its weaknesses, you can drive it like a madman, or you can drive it like an executive, it doesnt make a difference. For me it's the car of choice, i own it since it was 20 years old, and now its almost 30, still pretty much flawless, and it never missed a beat, even though it was pretty high mileage when it got to me ages ago. Its my second e38, the first was a frugal 28i, i instantly fell in love with the "balance" this car has to offer. It has something for every occasion, and every kind of driving style, and it looks and feels perfect whatever that occasion is
Śmiałem się kiedyś z Fiatów. Ale w pewnym momencie potrzebowałem taniego, ekonomicznego, w miarę młodego auta. Kupiłem Fiata Albea 1.2 80KM z gazem, z przebiegiem ok. 180.000km. I od tamtej pory nie śmieje się z Fiatów. Dwa lata używałem praktycznie bez usterek i doinwestowania. Spalanie zawsze do max. 8l LPG. Na trasie wydmuszka bez problemu osiągała licznikowe 160km/h. Duży bagażnik, dość praktyczne wnętrze. Jedyna wada to drewniane hamulce. Dzięki Janek za film, i wspomnienia...
Great video, great cars. I'll have both. BMW for sportiness, self-driving, casual and serious businesses, Mercedes Benz, for my official usage and some businesses. I actually used to own a 1997 model e38 then a 2000 model e38 back then, what an amazing car.
My BMW 740il was a driver's car. It was truly an experience owning such a luxurious V8. There isn't a modern car that compares to either of these titans from the 90s era. Modern cars are simply too plastic and absent of driver intuition. Perhaps the 6 figure cars can suffice, such as a Rolls Royce or Bently. In the 90's however, you could wait a few years and have an ultimate driving machine in your posession.
I own a W116 350SE, a C124 300CE-24 Sportline, and an R170 SLK320. So a committed Mercedes owner - but I HATE the corpulent, overly complex W140 and prefer the E38. However, this was the start of BMW and Mercedes lemminglike race over the cliff of excessive gadgets and electronics. Poor reliability and maintainability are the inevitable result. Very good comparison!
my dad had both. the w140 was way better built and is mechanically superior but the he preferred the e38 because he considered the interior as more comfy and it handled better.
I've got a year 2000 E38 and its so reliable I use it every day. It's a real head turner and I'm often complimented about how cool it is. I can't say the Merc has ever done it for me, horrible boxy design and built for rich old executives with a chauffeur to drive them. The BMW is totally different and is a drivers car that you want to drive. That Lady Diana once said she wouldn't be seen dead in a Mercedes, lying cow.
_I never heard that Lady Di ever said that; but even if she did, you really couldn’t help yourself but drag her into this sooo disrespectfully? Just give your opinion whatever it maybe and just let her rest peacefully you MISERABLE TROLL !!! Even forget her status, just a little respect for the dead you can’t manage? Get your beef and scream at people who are alive and what they are or are not doing/saying and just let the dead be! UGH._
The w140 is hands down the best in every aspect. It’s built better. With better materials, has a way way WAY better engine with more power. Has a much better transmission. Is far more reliable in the long haul. And it’s bigger and more comfortable. BMW stereo sucks balls blows speakers and kills subs in back shelf. The W140 has a superior Bose sound system that was infinitely better for its time. The Benz is also quieter. There’s a reason this car is the king of luxury cars. There’s a reason you see it in all the movies even to this day! Because it’s a Mercedes. Mercedes invented the car they know what they are doing. Hence their tried and true mantra. The Best or Nothing. BMW has always been kept at a distant second place.
As an owner of a BMW L7, I disagree. My L7 has been extremely reliable, in fact I have had zero problems.The BMW DSP stereo is equal if not better than the Mercedes Bose system! The ride quality is superb and it handles as well. E38 is the king of luxury cars! I also own a W140 but it has not been reliable, gave me lots of problems.
The W140 definitely holds up MUCH better as can generally be seen at this point. Nothing wrong with the E38 at all, they were and still are one of the best cars from the best automotive eras, however some parts feel like they weren't built to last as long, glued on so to speak when compared with the W140 that feels like the whole car was chiselled out of a single piece of granite!
The E38 CERTAINLY holds up better than the W140. in fact there are cars with over 1 million miles on them. These cars were built to last forever and it shows!
I don't know exactly how the Audi A8 D2 would have competed against the two. But it wouldn't have been an to big off a deal to mention it. Anyways thanks for the content and keep it up.
For design, it is the taste of a person who is more beautiful, apart from driving the s-class is quieter, in other aspects they are incomparable and the best German limousines so far
I'd agree with your summation that the W140 is indeed the better car. My 400SEL to this day is so imposing on the road and drives with utter smoothness and grace. It so happens that the E38 is my favourite BMW.
I own an e38 735i and a w140 320, love both but spent more on bmw repairs its latest problem is ignition spinning which left me stranded. I previously had an Audi A8 and an Lexus LS400, both good cars but not on the same level as 140 or E38. I f one had to go it would be the BMW.
Agreed Datuk Faz. Lots of W140s on Mudah, and only a handful of E38s. Most of them severely neglected and would require a small fortune and quite some time to put right again.
I agree 100% with all what you guys said But I would rather drive an e38 and here's why In my country Syria everyone calls the w140 "shabah" which means ghost And we call the e38 "kaherat al shabah" which kinda means the w140 defeater So I guess that's enough to say that the e38 is better than the w140 ;)
While I have a clear 'winner' - to call these competitors is not really true. The w140 is arguably the best luxury car ever produced, full stop. The e38 is a VERY cool sporty/luxury car. However it is a compromise over true luxury car though.
Nice review! One question I'd like to ask though: Did the E38 in this video have the double paned windows? Those were an option on them and most in my region have them. I wonder how big the difference in interior quietness is when comparing a W140 to an E38 with double glazed windows
Thanks! This particular E38 did not come with double paned windows. The W140 is noticeably quieter compared to this E38, but we've not had a chance to compare to an E38 with double paned windows.
@@StragTacGaming that’s correct! And even the 750 double glazed weren’t as thick as Mercedes. Nor Did they hold up well after about 8 years or so many many many bummer, I mean Bimmer, owners had issues with the windows delaminating and getting all dogged up in between the panes. I have to say I owned both the 750iL and the S600. The BMW was a beautiful car I will say. But the big Benz was just the better car. I kept them both up with impeccable maintenance, the BMW sadly finally died after a crank bearing failed. It had 130,000 miles on it. My Benz?? Well I traded it in with 297,527 miles on it. Took it for new brakes and service, saw a new s class that I loved, the service manager actually bought my old car. Still has it as his weekend cruiser.
@@garrettdodson6110 As a BMW owner and enthusiast I also think that the W140 is the better car. But sadly I dont think it is for me as I like drivers cars, and the E38 has better handling, and stuff like the interior being angled towards the driver is just right up my alley. Also while the W140 is extremely quiet, I'm sure the E38 is also a very quiet car. I currently drive an E39 and it's the quietest car I've driven so far. It's as quiet as a W211 E-class I have also driven (but not owned). The W211 is also an excellent car but sadly not for me, the handling was not that impressive, the steering was extremely light and I didn't quite like the feel. I feel like Mercedes' are less driver focussed but more luxury-focussed
as a BMW driver, and Fan, I love the e38, adore it, that being said i would get me a beautiful *Black* because the rest of the colors are terrible in my opinion w140 s320 1995-1998 or s500 because it's the better car
The W140 is not that bulletproof as they say. The drivetrains are, but rest of the car is certainly not. Rust issues, faulty electronics, vacuum leaks, scarcity of parts etc. The car also came equipped with the first can bus system and you need the very expensive diagnostic computer to read out fault codes.
They really are from my experience... The bodies and interiors are built just as tank like as the drive trains. The rust proofing on the W140 is second to none actually, unlike the W220 that followed it, those REALLY had rust issues. Electronic issues were minimal for their era, especially when compared to BMW etc. I've never been in a W140 with any electronics that don't work as far as I can remember. The vacuum systems do leak yes but that's normally a very slow process that gives you years of warning. The pumps can be rebuilt/replaced very easily by a handy owner as they are just under the back seat.
We disagree. We never had a W140 break down on us and leave us stranded on the road. Considering that the electronics lasted for 2-3 decades, it is testament to the build quality of these cars. Name us another car of similar complexity that has lasted as long, and we'll reconsider.
@@HLClassics agreed... Not sure where this guy is getting his info from! Rust issues? The W140 was probably one of the best rust proofed cars of it's era and W220s 10-15 years newer would out-rust them! The only faulty electronics I know of is the engine harness which cost me $180 for a near new used one and under 45 mins to swap out. And scarcity of parts? I love Mercs of this era because EVERY single part is numbered and can be searched and found instantly. Every last part can be found on eBay either brand new or reconditioned...
I have them both and same year 1998 E38 740il and W140 S320 The 740 I prefer to drive and look at. The W140 I prefer to own. Both my cars are low mileage. The BMW IS ENDLESS in maintenance. Always something to fix. Impossible to get parts. W140 is bulletproof. Not as fun to drive, not as sexy to look at. BMW spends more time in the shop.
Lol, the Mercedes fanboys here... E38 is widely recognized as the best looking sedan of all times. Handles SO much better, incredibly ergonomic interior, sport contour seats still haven't even been bested by w221 seats IME. W140: boring design stuck in the 80s, inside and out. Drives like it looks: a Grandfather car, M120 is admittedly an amazing engine but by the time the Merc transmission has completed its shift, the BMW has already arrived at its destination. Cabin noise, build quality and soft close doors W140 winds. But no one misses W140s for how it drives and which owner today is still driven around in the rear seat? Exactly. 750i every day of the week and twice on Sunday - when the German Autobahn is truck free.
i grew up in my father's w140 so i have a deep love for it and my first car was an e38. i'm a massive bmw fan now because the driving experience of the e38 really captivated me! the w140 is definitely the more comfortable car and the better one to be driven in, but the e38 is a better car to drive. my 740i was very reliable as well, never let me down and what a presence that car had. another great video!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video! You indeed have the best of both worlds, splendid cars that won't let you down.
Same here man I grew up in my grandpa’s bmw 745i & fell in love with it as i got older & bought it from him but when i seen the e38i had to get it & my next is w140 💪🏾
w merc and bmw fans ❤
yo grandpa is baller mine had comunist copy of fiat and this car ceased to exist long time ago
The w140 is the best S-Class ever made, I own a W222 S550 and always miss my old W140 S500.
Yea I have an 1999 s320 I love it just something about it idk what it is I also have an 2004 Audi A8L but I love the s320 more I could only imagine the s420 or the s500 even the s600
The W140 will live forever. An absolute masterpiece and one of the very greatest cars of all time.
I have a W140 500SEL, for me it's the best car of the world and I don't need other car, greetings from Ecuador.
Greetings from Malaysia!
W140 hands down. Nothing beats that.
My 1997 W140 S500 is by far the best car I have ever owned and is still my daily driver.
Hello Josiah, this is my dream car but I don't see many on the road and concerned about reliability? I'll be 50 in November and really would love to just get my dream car
In my opinion the W140 is the last great Mercedes. Once the standard wear and tear items are replaced, the car is like new again for another 150k mils, which is repeatable forever. Also the power and comfort still beats most cars today without all the TV screens and nonsense allowing you to enjoy driving. The only real price difference is parts. Stronger parts cost more money. In short the car is extremely reliable and very affordable because most parts are easy to find at good prices. Yes, Buy your dream car as soon as you can. The more I learn about the W140's the more I love them. Buying this car has been a great decision.
I am lucky to have owned and driven both of these cars for a long period of time. My personal preference is the W140 which I still keep for more than 15 years but the E38 730iL, a long wheel based saloon which was a driver car, was kept for 5 years....W140 is the answer of both luxurious and comfort...in my opinion, it's quick too if you floor your throttle once in a while...
W140 ❤❤❤❤
I'd get the W140 without a second thought. I wouldn't even consider the BMW. The W140 was Mercedes-Benz at its peak. You simply cannot beat that. In the 1990s, the W140 was the best car in the world, bar none.
Definitely the W140 for sure
once i saw in movies Mercedes W140, its become my dream car, like s600,s500, . Its beatiful cars, dream car ,
W140 is a tank wearing a tuxedo.
E38 is a Ferrari wearing a tuxedo.
E38 is a driver’s car
W140 is to be driven in.
W140 is the king of the road. Living room on the wheels 😎🤗
Yes, the Cathedral!
Regarding to W140.
There is a 7.3Litres V12 Engine configuration made by Brabus (during its time)
Absolute beast of an engine
W140 S73 7.3 V12 Brabus 👌
E38 B12 6.0 V12 alpina 👌
I have owned many E38s and many W140s.
I currently own the final year w140 1999 V12 edition s600.I also own final year 2001 e38 750il V12
Both black
Lookwise... Of course the w140 has more presence.. presidential powerful and closer to my heart.
The e38 is sportier modern and more enjoyable to drive.
Both Best of the Best the last of the true iconic BMW and Mercedes sedans.
W140...the King of all cars
Yes, quite definitely
I had a 2000 E38 BMW 735i in the same colour, keeping it nearly 12 years - my fifth 7 series. Most expensive faults were punctures, a fuel tank and an alternator. Mine had full Sat Nav' good for
I own the W140 and it's a Beast
❤❤❤❤.
Agree
Missing out on the other contender, the LS400. If you could do a LS400 vs 740iL vs S420L that'll be prefect!
We would love to do that showdown! The LS400 is very rare here unfortunately, even rarer than the E38.
Is there lots of old Mercedes there? What kind is the most and where are you guys
@@HLClassics well i have a 2009 lexus ls460 shortwheelbase....if ever you would like to do a comparison video, do let me know...as in my humble opinion, the late 2000s lexus still embodies the build quality, luxury and performance of the w140 or the e38
We're based in Malaysia, and yes there are many old Mercedes-Benz still on the road today, the W123, W126, W124, W201, W202, W140 are fairly easy to spot on the roads.
Thanks! The XF10 and XF20 would be a more like-for-like comparison of that generation. If you have one or know of anyone who has one, we would be keen to feature it in a video or two. :)
The E38 was the definition of a perfect sedan, still is!
I've owned a few versions and model years of each and loved them both. However, the W140 is my favorite and is the best! Great video!!
E38 for me wins outright in one area.....it is a beautifully sleek design!
My e38 740 is The finest car I owned. A real looker and modified exhaust mmmmm
The E38 does turn heads wherever it goes
Lovely video....nice commentary. .good cinematography...
Thanks!
Lets put it this way.. I agree with everything you guys said and your review is 100% spot on. I would still rather own and drive BMW E38. So it’s a preference, not really a comparison. Also don’t forget to mention Audi A8/S8 (D2). Those 3 cars, either would do the trick. Cheers 🍻
They are fantastic cars in their own right. There are days that we feel like a E38 would do the trick.
Very nice video, thank you.
Thanks for your support!
Bmw E38 ... the best .
But both are classics 👌
There is no battle, there is only W140! That was proper Mercedes in every way.
W140 is the King
Love your passion for luxury cars especially the W140, I would be very interested if you could do a video about the Princess Diana W140 S280. I've heard so many interesting things about that car, it had a very checkered history.
W140 screams class
Mercedes Benz = Los Angeles Lakers!
BMW = Golden State Warriors!
Agreed on your conclusion... another wonderful video..thank you 👌🏾
Thanks for your kind words and support!
w140 is without a doubt the greatest and best and I still own a copy of it and I love it very much. I follow you from Iraq
Super video. I have bouth cars . The bmw 740i swb and Mercedes S320 lwb. They gonna stay with me til my end
. The best cars ever👍
Would have the W140
Always
These cars are beautiful, and if you ever release this video with sound I will watch it.
oops sent comment before finishing - The E38 reminded me of my 1970s Daimler Double Six and drove more like my 1980s XJS so as I travel quite long trips in Australia (just did 1350ks from Sydney to Queensland) I like my E38 as it drives as well today as it did new. Do not disagree about E38 longevity issues but its still a fabulous car to drive in 2022. One thing that was worth doing was updating to technology with the Resler iBus module as well as installing the idrive app plus Apple Carplay
A well-maintained E38 is a joy to drive, whether in town or on the highways. And certainly quite the looker!
I had a 140 600 SEL. I have a Bentley, very late model Jag, and other very nice cars. That 600 SEL not only is the best car I have ever owned, it's the best car I've ever sat in, period.
The 0-60 time of 6.5 is not accurate. Car & Driver tested one in 5.7. It was a very quick car.
These two bloody legends.
I have an early e38, with the "old" v8 from the e32, and i've got to say that if you know what you are dealing with, and you know its weaknesses, you can drive it like a madman, or you can drive it like an executive, it doesnt make a difference. For me it's the car of choice, i own it since it was 20 years old, and now its almost 30, still pretty much flawless, and it never missed a beat, even though it was pretty high mileage when it got to me ages ago. Its my second e38, the first was a frugal 28i, i instantly fell in love with the "balance" this car has to offer. It has something for every occasion, and every kind of driving style, and it looks and feels perfect whatever that occasion is
The E38 is definitely versatile, suits practically every occasion
Śmiałem się kiedyś z Fiatów. Ale w pewnym momencie potrzebowałem taniego, ekonomicznego, w miarę młodego auta. Kupiłem Fiata Albea 1.2 80KM z gazem, z przebiegiem ok. 180.000km. I od tamtej pory nie śmieje się z Fiatów. Dwa lata używałem praktycznie bez usterek i doinwestowania. Spalanie zawsze do max. 8l LPG. Na trasie wydmuszka bez problemu osiągała licznikowe 160km/h. Duży bagażnik, dość praktyczne wnętrze. Jedyna wada to drewniane hamulce. Dzięki Janek za film, i wspomnienia...
Great video!
Thanks!
W140 S320 would be preferred daily driver
I have a W140, but dream of owning the E38 as well.
One day your dream will come true!
Lucky enough to own both of them right now, I enjoy both of them in thier own special way
Great video, great cars. I'll have both. BMW for sportiness, self-driving, casual and serious businesses, Mercedes Benz, for my official usage and some businesses. I actually used to own a 1997 model e38 then a 2000 model e38 back then, what an amazing car.
We have driven the E38, it really is a driver's car. Not so comfortable in the back seat though.
I love both, so I have e38 750il and w140 s500. Wish to find s600
My BMW 740il was a driver's car. It was truly an experience owning such a luxurious V8. There isn't a modern car that compares to either of these titans from the 90s era. Modern cars are simply too plastic and absent of driver intuition. Perhaps the 6 figure cars can suffice, such as a Rolls Royce or Bently. In the 90's however, you could wait a few years and have an ultimate driving machine in your posession.
I own a W116 350SE, a C124 300CE-24 Sportline, and an R170 SLK320. So a committed Mercedes owner - but I HATE the corpulent, overly complex W140 and prefer the E38. However, this was the start of BMW and Mercedes lemminglike race over the cliff of excessive gadgets and electronics. Poor reliability and maintainability are the inevitable result. Very good comparison!
The BMW..yess
W140 King forever😍
my dad had both. the w140 was way better built and is mechanically superior but the he preferred the e38 because he considered the interior as more comfy and it handled better.
I have a E-38 750 IL 2000 model, silver/Black,V-12 ,& Love it, it Makes Great driving experience and Better yard Art .🍸
I agree, BMW was great when it came out, better to drive then Mercedes, but overall Mercs quality is undeniable
I've got a year 2000 E38 and its so reliable I use it every day. It's a real head turner and I'm often complimented about how cool it is. I can't say the Merc has ever done it for me, horrible boxy design and built for rich old executives with a chauffeur to drive them. The BMW is totally different and is a drivers car that you want to drive. That Lady Diana once said she wouldn't be seen dead in a Mercedes, lying cow.
_I never heard that Lady Di ever said that; but even if she did, you really couldn’t help yourself but drag her into this sooo disrespectfully? Just give your opinion whatever it maybe and just let her rest peacefully you MISERABLE TROLL !!! Even forget her status, just a little respect for the dead you can’t manage? Get your beef and scream at people who are alive and what they are or are not doing/saying and just let the dead be! UGH._
With alllll respect to BMW e38 but
W140 is incomparable ❤
The w140 is hands down the best in every aspect. It’s built better. With better materials, has a way way WAY better engine with more power. Has a much better transmission. Is far more reliable in the long haul. And it’s bigger and more comfortable. BMW stereo sucks balls blows speakers and kills subs in back shelf. The W140 has a superior Bose sound system that was infinitely better for its time. The Benz is also quieter. There’s a reason this car is the king of luxury cars. There’s a reason you see it in all the movies even to this day! Because it’s a Mercedes. Mercedes invented the car they know what they are doing. Hence their tried and true mantra. The Best or Nothing. BMW has always been kept at a distant second place.
We weren't aware of the speaker issues, thanks for sharing!
As an owner of a BMW L7, I disagree. My L7 has been extremely reliable, in fact I have had zero problems.The BMW DSP stereo is equal if not better than the Mercedes Bose system! The ride quality is superb and it handles as well. E38 is the king of luxury cars! I also own a W140 but it has not been reliable, gave me lots of problems.
The W140 definitely holds up MUCH better as can generally be seen at this point. Nothing wrong with the E38 at all, they were and still are one of the best cars from the best automotive eras, however some parts feel like they weren't built to last as long, glued on so to speak when compared with the W140 that feels like the whole car was chiselled out of a single piece of granite!
The E38 CERTAINLY holds up better than the W140. in fact there are cars with over 1 million miles on them. These cars were built to last forever and it shows!
I don't know exactly how the Audi A8 D2 would have competed against the two. But it wouldn't have been an to big off a deal to mention it. Anyways thanks for the content and keep it up.
Definatly the w140.
Can you do a review on the 1990~1994 w126 preferably the 500se.
1990-1994 would be the W140, not W126
@@HLClassics ok.but will you be doing a review on the w126.✌
Yes we will!
@@HLClassics awsome man.apprreciate it.
Stay blessed✌
I am so happy... I have a S500 from 1996...🤣 🤣 And i love it, A LOT 🎉
Wonderful!!
For design, it is the taste of a person who is more beautiful, apart from driving the s-class is quieter, in other aspects they are incomparable and the best German limousines so far
I'd agree with your summation that the W140 is indeed the better car. My 400SEL to this day is so imposing on the road and drives with utter smoothness and grace. It so happens that the E38 is my favourite BMW.
What is the background music?
750il E38 if you drive it you don't want to drive another car 5.4 engine and looks more sporty
Just bought a w140 a daily, cant beat it.
How many E38 are alive in comparison to W140s?
i love to drive my mercedes benz w 140 but i like to have a bmw 7 serie also
Both are fantastic in their own way.
Your new BMW 750. All the usual refinements, machine guns, rockets and a GPS tracking system.
E38 ofc
W140 of course ❤❤❤❤❤
2 Tanks from 90* I own C140
Any chance of doing a W140 v Rolls-Royce Silver Spur comparison?
Oh yes, most definitely! That would be an interesting comparison
I own an e38 735i and a w140 320, love both but spent more on bmw repairs its latest problem is ignition spinning which left me stranded. I previously had an Audi A8 and an Lexus LS400, both good cars but not on the same level as 140 or E38. I f one had to go it would be the BMW.
The E38 would be my choice. A timeless design. Quite a bit better looking than the Mercedes,, IMHO, of course.
The E38 is indeed a very handsome car. Sadly, no other 7-Series coming from BMW can hold a candle to the E38 in terms of design.
I actually l love both. But not so easy to find good specimens these days.
Agreed Datuk Faz. Lots of W140s on Mudah, and only a handful of E38s. Most of them severely neglected and would require a small fortune and quite some time to put right again.
I have w140 & E38 + R129 every car from them have different taste of driving
Very true indeed
Mercedes w140 is the best car in the world
without a doubt it was gonna be the s-class, it is the standard other brands race against!!
I agree 100% with all what you guys said
But I would rather drive an e38 and here's why
In my country Syria everyone calls the w140 "shabah" which means ghost
And we call the e38 "kaherat al shabah" which kinda means the w140 defeater
So I guess that's enough to say that the e38 is better than the w140 ;)
Legendary car's
Agreed!
Beautiful
While I have a clear 'winner' - to call these competitors is not really true. The w140 is arguably the best luxury car ever produced, full stop. The e38 is a VERY cool sporty/luxury car. However it is a compromise over true luxury car though.
My dream is w140, but i also want e38 👌👌👍👍💙💙
Nice review! One question I'd like to ask though: Did the E38 in this video have the double paned windows? Those were an option on them and most in my region have them. I wonder how big the difference in interior quietness is when comparing a W140 to an E38 with double glazed windows
Thanks! This particular E38 did not come with double paned windows. The W140 is noticeably quieter compared to this E38, but we've not had a chance to compare to an E38 with double paned windows.
E38 750s all came with dual panes while it was optional on the others in all markets besides North America.
@@supra1722 Did I read that right that double glazing was standard on 750 in NA, but not even an option on 740s?
@@StragTacGaming that’s correct! And even the 750 double glazed weren’t as thick as Mercedes. Nor
Did they hold up well after about 8 years or so many many many bummer, I mean Bimmer, owners had issues with the windows delaminating and getting all dogged up in between the panes. I have to say I owned both the 750iL and the S600. The BMW was a beautiful car I will say. But the big Benz was just the better car. I kept them both up with impeccable maintenance, the BMW sadly finally died after a crank bearing failed. It had 130,000 miles on it. My Benz?? Well I traded it in with 297,527 miles on it. Took it for new brakes and service, saw a new s class that I loved, the service manager actually bought my old car. Still has it as his weekend cruiser.
@@garrettdodson6110 As a BMW owner and enthusiast I also think that the W140 is the better car. But sadly I dont think it is for me as I like drivers cars, and the E38 has better handling, and stuff like the interior being angled towards the driver is just right up my alley. Also while the W140 is extremely quiet, I'm sure the E38 is also a very quiet car. I currently drive an E39 and it's the quietest car I've driven so far. It's as quiet as a W211 E-class I have also driven (but not owned). The W211 is also an excellent car but sadly not for me, the handling was not that impressive, the steering was extremely light and I didn't quite like the feel. I feel like Mercedes' are less driver focussed but more luxury-focussed
W140 , Mercedes Era At Its Best.
Pour moi c'est E38 avec le V8 diesel 4.0... parce que la ligne est plus légère, plus fine
as a BMW driver, and Fan, I love the e38, adore it, that being said i would get me a beautiful *Black* because the rest of the colors are terrible in my opinion w140 s320 1995-1998 or s500 because it's the better car
Mercedes is the King but that E38 is special to me
The E38 did put up a strong and respectable fight.
@@HLClassics excatly
The W140 is not that bulletproof as they say. The drivetrains are, but rest of the car is certainly not. Rust issues, faulty electronics, vacuum leaks, scarcity of parts etc. The car also came equipped with the first can bus system and you need the very expensive diagnostic computer to read out fault codes.
They really are from my experience... The bodies and interiors are built just as tank like as the drive trains. The rust proofing on the W140 is second to none actually, unlike the W220 that followed it, those REALLY had rust issues.
Electronic issues were minimal for their era, especially when compared to BMW etc. I've never been in a W140 with any electronics that don't work as far as I can remember.
The vacuum systems do leak yes but that's normally a very slow process that gives you years of warning. The pumps can be rebuilt/replaced very easily by a handy owner as they are just under the back seat.
We disagree. We never had a W140 break down on us and leave us stranded on the road. Considering that the electronics lasted for 2-3 decades, it is testament to the build quality of these cars. Name us another car of similar complexity that has lasted as long, and we'll reconsider.
@@HLClassics agreed... Not sure where this guy is getting his info from! Rust issues? The W140 was probably one of the best rust proofed cars of it's era and W220s 10-15 years newer would out-rust them!
The only faulty electronics I know of is the engine harness which cost me $180 for a near new used one and under 45 mins to swap out.
And scarcity of parts? I love Mercs of this era because EVERY single part is numbered and can be searched and found instantly. Every last part can be found on eBay either brand new or reconditioned...
@@HLClassics My L7's electronics has lasted for nearly 25 years. No issues whatsoever...
I'd ride around in the w140, but I'd drive the e38.
We would agree as well
I have them both and same year 1998 E38 740il and W140 S320
The 740 I prefer to drive and look at. The W140 I prefer to own. Both my cars are low mileage. The BMW IS ENDLESS in maintenance. Always something to fix. Impossible to get parts. W140 is bulletproof. Not as fun to drive, not as sexy to look at. BMW spends more time in the shop.
w140 , all day long
In my country they there car of gangsters in the 90's
MB W 140
BMW E38
Audi A8
On my 3rd w140 in the past 12 years when I'm bored of it I will get a BMW. LOL
Why not have both in your stable?
I drive my w140 daily, on 1000+ mile road trips, totally love it. The e38 sits in a lot with a bad engine.
Yeah right... The W140 is also notoriously unreliable! Wiring harness issues PSE pumps etc...
@@madhanaekanayake2187 its a 1999, the late models didnt have wiring problems. 200k miles and running great.
@@K0nt4kt Yeah but its got other issues like the PSE pump issues...
Lol, the Mercedes fanboys here... E38 is widely recognized as the best looking sedan of all times. Handles SO much better, incredibly ergonomic interior, sport contour seats still haven't even been bested by w221 seats IME. W140: boring design stuck in the 80s, inside and out. Drives like it looks: a Grandfather car, M120 is admittedly an amazing engine but by the time the Merc transmission has completed its shift, the BMW has already arrived at its destination. Cabin noise, build quality and soft close doors W140 winds. But no one misses W140s for how it drives and which owner today is still driven around in the rear seat? Exactly. 750i every day of the week and twice on Sunday - when the German Autobahn is truck free.
Bmw is better in term of driving and handling...Merc is the most luxurious ever....
Yes, the DNA of both are quite different
BMW 👊💪👌