It seems that in the 1970s the BMW 5 series was more reliable than the Mercedes W116 & R107 in Road & Track’s owner surveys. And as the burnout video shows, the BMW single row timing chain was stronger than the Mercedes chain in the 380SE/SL V8.
1977 BMW 530i burnout
Between 1970 and 1980 the Mercedes W113 Pagoda Roof SL and the BMW e12 530i were the 1st and 2nd most reliable cars Road & Track surveyed. They even gave fewer problems than any Japanese car!
Road & Track March 1979 BMW 530i (1975-78)
Problem areas 6 / Reliability areas 0 average for all cars 12/7
R&T Owner Survey BMW 530i
Road & Track August 1977 Mercedes 450SE/SEL/SL/SLC(1972-76)
Problem areas 9 / Reliability areas 0 average for all cars 12/7
R&T Owner Survey Mercedes 450 series
1977 BMW 530i burnout
Between 1970 and 1980 the Mercedes W113 Pagoda Roof SL and the BMW e12 530i were the 1st and 2nd most reliable cars Road & Track surveyed. They even gave fewer problems than any Japanese car!
Road & Track March 1979 BMW 530i (1975-78)
Problem areas 6 / Reliability areas 0 average for all cars 12/7
R&T Owner Survey BMW 530i
Road & Track August 1977 Mercedes 450SE/SEL/SL/SLC(1972-76)
Problem areas 9 / Reliability areas 0 average for all cars 12/7
R&T Owner Survey Mercedes 450 series