[Bobbypitaya]

Last month, my lease on 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic was up and I was looking for my new ride. It was a long story, but I'm done with Mercedes, so I want to give BMW a try.
I did test drive both 535i Xdrive and 528i Xdrive. The dealer set both cars nearly at the same price with 528i has more options than the basic 535i. I know that 535i has more powerful engine, but with my style of driving, the smaller engine with more options is just right for me.
I ended up choosing 528i Xdrive with Luxury trim and some great options over the base 535i and I'm happy with my decision. This is my first BMW after 9 years with 3 Mercedes Benz. BMW is just a great car. Love it!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Nice!

[SoDigito]

Congrats on your new ride and welcome aboard.

[Bobbypitaya]

Thank you.

[Grover432]

Great choice.

[ezmaass]

Congratulations! Enjoy it - and welcome to the better of the German brands!

[NewM3driver]

Enjoy. You're going to like the Bimmer.

[m_alnimah]

Congrats on your new Ride.. Great Choice.. But i would have suggested the Adaptive LEDs as well otherwise Great Great Choice

[m_alnimah]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Enjoy. You're going to like the Bimmer.

Thats Right! After just driving a Bimmer you'll have to own one!!

[Mr Clean]

Welcome to the dark side !

[Bobbypitaya]

Yup! Adaptive LED would be nice, but coming from 9 years with Mercedes Benz standard yellow Halogen headlights to BMW adaptive bi-xenon already makes me happy. It's already a big step.

[NewM3driver]

After driving the BMW for three years you will never go back to Merc.

[paul223]

Son, you made a right choice.

[NewM3driver]

looks awesome. In the last pic i see the front of a Merc.... what's up with that? lol After getting used to the bimmer you will never be able to drive a Mercedes again. I wish you had gone for the straight 6. That is what BMW is all about. No worries, you'll have something to trade up to in three years.

Congrats and enjoy the new ride!

[Bobbypitaya]

I took the picture on the same day I had the brand new BMW delivered and the Merc ready to return back to the dealer after 2 years lease. So far I'm happy with my 528ix engine. It's good and fast enough for my everyday drive with good MPG. I spent out the engines diferences on several options that makes my everyday rides enjoyable. And yes! I don't think I'd ever go back to the Merc again.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Bobbypitaya

...And yes! I don't think I'd ever go back to the Merc again.

Never say "never" right ?

I tried, much harder than a person should when buying a car, to like E350 during my test drive. (Un)fortunately it just ended up being quite disappointing experience for me, in terms of handling and just overall feeling on the road, it really wasn't what I like. Looks and fit and finish are great, but too floaty for my taste.

Not saying it's a bad car, I get why people like it, there is lots to like there, but 5 series just handles (and looks in my opinion) much better, I'm sure you won't regret it long term either.

[Bobbypitaya]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Never say "never" right ?

I tried, much harder than a person should when buying a car, to like E350 during my test drive. (Un)fortunately it just ended up being quite disappointing experience for me, in terms of handling and just overall feeling on the road, it really wasn't what I like. Looks and fit and finish are great, but too floaty for my taste.

Not saying it's a bad car, I get why people like it, there is lots to like there, but 5 series just handles (and looks in my opinion) much better, I'm sure you won't regret it long term either.

Yes! E350 is not a bad car at all as I had it for 2 years. Personally, as The Interior designer myself, the design, the look and sensibility come before performance and handling and this F10 won me over W212. I think the BMW designer did a good job. they really pay attention to every small details. It gave me a smile when I noticed the same crease from the center of the hood flows into the cabin over the dashboard and continue to wrap around the cabin to the rear. This kind of little details that won me over and it shows how well the Exterior and Interior designer works together. I didn't find this in the W212, it seems to me that It was designed by several designers who does't communicate well with each other. All the creases and lines on the F10 exterior flows from the front to the side and onto the rear taillights ends beautifully. It make more sense than W212 where some lines and creases was dropped off somewhere with no reason as the designer try to correct it on the facelift version. With F10. I just love the design and that's my passion. I'm not touching the performance and handling, since it's not my field as you can see I picked the 528ix. The exterior and interior design of F10 won me over W212.