Chrysler LeBaron GTS vs. BMW 1985

Did the 1985 LeBaron GTS really outperform BMW??

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Chrysler
• LeBaron
• GTS
• vs.
• BMW
• 1985

[takutaq]

Did the 1985 LeBaron GTS really outperform BMW??

YES, IT DID!!

[Retrontario]

It's over over there!

[palebeachbum]

I've driven many k-car based Chryslers of the 80's and early 90's and an '84 BMW 5-series. I can attest first hand that the k-based Chryslers were nicer driving cars. The Bimmer was so noisy and uncomfortable. The Chryslers were smoother, quieter, and more comfortable. for like half the price I would totally buy a Lebaron GTS new back then over the BMW.

[jet79637]

@thatmuse76 Congratulations, you were one of the lucky ones.

[McVaio]

@thatmuse76

No it was not a higher production car. The Americans didn't like the liftback concept and the Dodge Lancer/Chrysler LeBaron GTS didn't sell well. They were rare back then and they are very rare today.

Furthermore, you will have to take into account that owners of more expensive cars take better care of their vehicle. I live in Europe and I rarely see any BMW of that age. If I do, many times the sheet metal is rusted through. Most Chryslers are in better shape.

[thatmuse76]

@McVaio

Yeah, I had a 528e and yes it was a great car.

[thatmuse76]

@jkarrde

More accurately, it's like comparing a Mercedes 240D to a Ford Sierra Cosworth. One car is fast, one car was actually built with quality in mind.

[thatmuse76]

@madmanmapper

They should do a rematch 25 years later. I'll look on the used car lots for a BMW 528e and you check the junk yards for a LeBaron and we'll meet at the track.

[thatmuse76]

@McVaio

Daily, I still see at least 3 or 4 BMW 5-series of this vintage on the road, although I think I have seen one LeBaron/Lancer on the road in the past year. That is pretty pathetic since I am sure the Chrysler was a higher production car. Sure if you build a car out of garbage parts, it's going to be cheaper.

[thatmuse76]

@jet79637

I had a BMW of this vintage and the only time I had electrical problems was close to the time the car had 300,000 miles on the odo and was close to 20 year old which would be roughly 50,000 miles and 10 years after most of the LeBaron/Lancers were being used for scrap metal. Might I add the only electrical problems were some dashboard lights electricals.

[thatmuse76]

@cloycebox

The 528e was marketed as a "diesel alternative" when it came out in 1982. I had one and it would easily get 32mpg on the highway which was a major achievement for a car of that size from the early 80's. What it lacked in power, it made up for in torque (mine had a 5-speed). I knew folks that had the LeBaron/Lancer of that era and their car was in the shop far more than my 1982 528e.

[thatmuse76]

@NY3UVL714

I had a 1982 BMW 528e which I bought in 1996 with 141,000 miles on the odometer and sold it six years later with over 300,000. The only major issue is the clutch finally needed to be replaced at 225,000. Apart from that, no major issues.

[NY3UVL714]

@ch665

Oh yes they did! 30 yeas ago when the 528e came out BMW was a notoriously high maintenance brand. 528e was an expensive for it's time car that lacked performance and reliability, got by on snob appeal alone.