John Deere M vs. E series

[Birn]

Am in the process of purchasing a John Deere 100hp 4WD tractor and am torn between the utilitarian 5101E and the 5100M with its bells and whistles and much higher price. Anyone out there have any guidance to offer.

Thanks.

 

[T Dew]

I think you meant the 5101E. I recently found myself faced with a similar dilemma, and I ended up with the M series. The E series are great machines, I love them, and still recommend them to lots of people. For the me the heavier duty M series was a better fit for several reasons. I found myself essentially chasing the features of the M; many of them can be added to the E. What you cannot add is the heavier weight, the better hydraulics, the better transmission, and the superior cab. It really comes down to your comfort, your pocketbook, and the planned use of the machine. You cannot go wrong with either one, but if you are going to spend a lot of time in the cab you'll never regret the comfort of the cab. To be totally honest the E will do just about everything the M will do for a lot less money. You can't go wrong either way. What are your intended uses? That might help everyone point you in the right direction.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

x2

I have an E and drool over the M's all the time. For my first personally owned tractor, my pocketbook was the limiting factor. I would be most concerned about making sure you get enough horsepower for the tasks you plan on doing. Alot of times a good deal comes up on some implement and your tractor is "almost" big enough. lol ASk me how i know! I stopped at the dealership the other day and Found myself looking at a 6130D and it happened to be sitting next to my 5083E and MAN what a size jump!

 

[murphy1244]

Welcome to TBN:welcome: good luck with the search

 

[Birn]

Thanks so much, T Dew and RedNeckRacin. Yes, you're correct T Dew it's E vs. M. I made the mistake of buying a 5085M 2WD a couple of years ago. The tractor is fine, but it's slightly underpowered (and underweight) for the 15-foot HX7 cutter I have and it's often helpless in the gumbo mud I have to navigate much of the year. I'm more of a weekend conservationist, planting trees, clearing out invasive species and converting land used for row cropping into pasture. In other words, not a heavy-duty farmer. I'll probably put 150 hours on it a year. I want this to be my last tractor though. For a $12K difference you wouldn't think a jump seat would be a big thing, but if you have grandkids you know what I mean. I think the 15hp increase in power will be adequate (don't you?). Love the fuel economy of the 5085M. Again, I really appreciate your replies.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks so much, T Dew and RedNeckRacin. Yes, you're correct T Dew it's E vs. M. I made the mistake of buying a 5085M 2WD a couple of years ago. The tractor is fine, but it's slightly underpowered (and underweight) for the 15-foot HX7 cutter I have and it's often helpless in the gumbo mud I have to navigate much of the year. I'm more of a weekend conservationist, planting trees, clearing out invasive species and converting land used for row cropping into pasture. In other words, not a heavy-duty farmer. I'll probably put 150 hours on it a year. I want this to be my last tractor though. For a $12K difference you wouldn't think a jump seat would be a big thing, but if you have grandkids you know what I mean. I think the 15hp increase in power will be adequate (don't you?). Love the fuel economy of the 5085M. Again, I really appreciate your replies.

FWIW, You can put a buddy seat in the 5083e, refer to the threads by gocards1177.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...cing/278033-new-5083e-553-mx10-delivered.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/275718-m7040-5083e.html

 

[Birn]

My son and I were just out at the dealers kicking the tires on a Sunday afternoon when no one was there. It's hard to not notice and appreciate the lower center of gravity of the M, the guard over the exhaust pipe and maybe the more luxurious cab. But I also like the stripped-down simplicity of the E. It seems perfectly adequate. A Toyota vs. a Lexus.

 

[The kid]

Welcome to TractorByNet. :tractor:

 

[T Dew]

I agree with everything you said, and that's why I said you cannot go wrong either way. I know I am going to be spending a fair amount of time in my mine and using it for some fairly hard work over the next several years. That contributed to the desire to go with the M over the E. As someone said earlier you can add the buddy seat to the cab of the E series (and I agree it is a necessity for the kids and grand kids). Some dealers might argue with you, but there are plenty of threads on here that show it is possible and frequently done. You should go to the dealer and drive them both and see what you think. On the other hand, if you never get in the cab of the M series you won't know what you're missing. Depending on what you're coming from the E series cab might seem really luxurious. I know I was sold on the E until I made the mistake of spending little time in the M.

 

[cdodson21]

I just couldn't bring myself to buy an indian made tractor. I have no experience with the E series but I have with the 5003 series. They are stiff in my opinion.

 

[T Dew]

I am very much of a fan of buying American products made in America, but it is almost impossible to do that. The E series (with the cabs) are assembled in the US, but I am willing to bet that many if not most of the parts are manufactured elsewhere. If I recall correctly the M series has parts sourced from all over the world as is the case with most of these tractors now days. The cast iron parts on almost everything seems to be cast in either India or China. I'd love nothing more than to only buy US made products, but I have a farm that needs tractors. It is sad, but there is no real way around it anymore.

 

[cdodson21]

Sad but true. only real American stuff is the stuff we couldn't even fit in our barn.

 

[Birn]

As I understand it, both tractors are "assembled" in Augusta, Ga. Like every other vehicle made, I expect the components come from all over. T Dew, I'm trading in a 5085M, about which my only complaints are that it's slightly underpowered for my 15-foot batwing mower and only 2WD. I've sat in the E. While the seat isn't quite as cushy as the one in the M, it seems fine otherwise. Thanks again.

 

[T Dew]

You can install an air ride seat in the E to make it a little more comfortable.

Tom

 

[foreman Etexas]

JD has a special on RFD-TV today at 7pm(C)

 

[gocards1177]

I haven't had much seat time since it's too wet here, but what little time I've had in my 5083E I would say that I'm quite satisfied. It's a big step up from my Kubota L3800, for sure. I never sat in or even considered an M series, so I'm not any help on the E vs. the M, though. I agree that I like things simple and I don't need every bell and whistle. If I do I can add them with time. As for weight, for what I do, it's heavy enough. I can always add. Other's on here have said that the current E cabs aren't too different from the M's, and I trust the opinions of the members on here. As for the buddy seat, that was key for me. For what I need, I would have saved myself some $$$ and gotten a Kubota M7040 if I could have gotten a buddy seat. Here's a pic below of my buddy seat getting used for the first time!

As for country of origin, my 2011 Tundra has a door plate that says "Made in USA". I can easily find parts all over it that were made in China, Mexico, etc. Hardly anything is truly "Made in USA", but I do try to look for it when I can.

 

[T Dew]

That picture right there proves that the buddy seat is a necessity and worth every penny. It also proves that you can get it in the E series. This thread is actually almost making me wish I had gone ahead and purchased the E vs the M. I debated over it for a long time. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever machine you purchase.

 

[Birn]

Thanks to all. I think I'm good with the E.

 

[gocards1177]

Thanks to all. I think I'm good with the E.

Without knowing much about the M I would say you'd be happy with either. It's a function of features versus pocketbook.

 

[T Dew]

Congratulations in advance of your purchase. Show us some pictures once you get her.