[keanu1]

Audi looks more modern and the interior is very nice exept the screen !!! the screen looks so fragile!!
It depends on everybody's taste but the real chalenge will be on the twisties to see if bmw is still number one!!

[Touring]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

I also don't like that gaping mouth grille on the Audi. It's not so bad if you have Euro plates, but with US plates it looks like a big black hole.

Looks like a oversized vakuum cleaner when you have it in your rear view mirror.

[hks786]

I have a feeling I might prefer the A6 due to it's interior.

I really like the new 5 but I think at first glance looks a bit plain from the front and similar to the 3 series. The same can be said about the new A6 too though (similar to A4/A8). Also, it's hard to pick between the sport packages (S-line and M-sport) because they both really improve the looks of both cars.

However, when I look at the interiors the BMW has an interior which is very similar to the 7 series and X5/X6. Whereas the A4/A6/A8 all have unique interiors which I really like over their BMW counterparts. The popup screen may not be everyone's taste but I like it because you can hide it when you don't need it. It gives a clean look.

[moody320d]

I have to say the 5 series really is in its own class for me! beautiful car!

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

Ironically, it is the A6 which is being accused of being too conservative, as it looks just like a scaled down A8.

Isn't it true that BMW is employing the "sausages of a different length" with the 3, 5, and 7 series?

I think you could say that your reasoning applies to the F10 and yet to be released F30...

At least the Bangle designs were different...some hated them, some loved them, but at least they sparked conversation.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by hks786

However, when I look at the interiors the BMW has an interior which is very similar to the 7 series and X5/X6. Whereas the A4/A6/A8 all have unique interiors which I really like over their BMW counterparts. The popup screen may not be everyone's taste but I like it because you can hide it when you don't need it. It gives a clean look.

I gotta agree on the interiors--basically BMW to Audi. I did some serious cross shopping before I went with BMW again in December, and I was very impressed with every Audi that I sat in...they are just really nice places to be...

However, the driving dynamics of the MB C class and Audi S4/TT left a lot to be desired, so back in the relatively plain BMW is where I find myself. Interiors are just not BMW's "thing"...but it is made up in the driving experience.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Thanks for sharing this with us

In my case we are changing our Jaguar X Type AWD for the 2011 Mercedes E 550

The RFT for BMW was a deal breaker, too bad BMW does not give there customers an option on tire selection. Two of my friends feel the same way and there next car will be a Mercedes as well.

[vladberca]

M Sport looks so good on 5 series! Also the range of engines of 5 series is superior to its competitors! The road tests will prove that for sure

[illirep]

Perhaps I'm biased in BMW's favor, but I think the 5 series takes the cake in every category!! Especially for the interior. I just think "de-tuned and conservative" when I look inside an Audi and Benz. The BMW cockpit says "driver's car"!

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by ghueser

Good to see that Mercedes is still using the old foot pedal for the Emergency brake. Very modern.

They're being careful not to confuse their demographic, so perhaps it'll be around for the next 20yrs

[positiveions]

BMW AND AUDI has the most cleanest interior; though Audi's pop-up display is awkward. MB has the most cluttering buttons inside. I guess clean and simple interior wins my admiration.

[Titanflux]

Originally Posted by Dmc

Err is that correct? Mercedes E200 CDI with 136hp? Was it a typo for E300 with 236 hp? Why would a 1.8L or 2.0L engine generate 136hp and expect to sell? I wonder if an unmodded lawn mower could beat it on a quarter mile..

1 that's right. Wouldn't touch one, but as company cars in the UK (and some other EU countries) are personally taxed on the basis of CO2 emissions bands, it fits into a really low band - its not just about economy despite our nearly £6.00 per gallon fuel costs at the moment! People will be tempted by it as a result, regardless of the fact it will be slower than a tortoise.

It's the same reason why 320d and 520d models outsell bigger engines by several times. BMW expect the f10 520d to account for 70-80% of UK sales. Same goes for A6 2l TDIe engines.

For the same reason I go for 520d models - the tax is far less. I would gladly have a 530d or 535d if it was my own personal car, but as a company car it becomes much, much more expensive in tax.

[Bamsha]

Originally Posted by illirep

Perhaps I'm biased in BMW's favor, but I think the 5 series takes the cake in every category!! Especially for the interior. I just think "de-tuned and conservative" when I look inside an Audi and Benz. The BMW cockpit says "driver's car"!

I agree with this. The BMW center-console is so harmonic in its design, whereas Audi looks like they nailed a plywood board in the middle and put a stick in it. Mercedes has same problem but to a lesser extent.

Exterior-wise im uncertain about the Audi, it looks agressive but a bit cross-eyed, there is something not right with it.

[AlexK]

Originally Posted by Merciphil

the audi nav looks so out of place

It not only looks out of place, it is also (theoretically) less reliable since it has many moving mechanical parts/gears and electric motors which can easily fail (from mechanical wear or manufacturing defect) and prevent you from using the display even if all the non-moving electronics are still working perfectly. Such things really make you think about true definition of Audi's "Truth in Engineering" slogan

[AlexK]

Originally Posted by comar1979

Looks like a iPad

Nah, not like iPad but more like one of those after-market cheap stereo systems with motorized retractable displays which you can install in any car of any price, something like:
http://mobile.jensen.com/mobilemultimedia/?sku=UV10

[bmedude]

the beamer and audi are both lovely vehicles! I'll stay quiet about the MB.

[Bols]

Why is it audi pictures allways have a gray background as they look like a 3D render , but BMW and Merc allways give you pictures of the cars actually driving?

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by bmedude

the beamer and audi are both lovely vehicles! I'll stay quiet about the MB.

The new Mercedes W212 is a weird design. Gorden Wagener is the new head of design and it seems like he's trying to emulate a Bangle era sort of thing. And he's already generated plenty of controversy in the automotive press with the W212.

He put those dog haunches on the rear fenders to historically connect it to the 1953 Mercedes E Class Ponton, and did the same with the new CLS. Kind of like an attempt at the Hofmeister Kink. But nobody knows anything about the Ponton and so nobody but insiders can't make the connection. And that attempt ends up looking like a mistake.

Check out Jeremy Clarkson's newspaper review about the W212's design. It's not very kind. And he's a big Merc fan.

The previous W211 E Class was a much nicer design, imho. This new one looks like an everyday Japanese styled car.

[AlexK]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

Check out Jeremy Clarkson's newspaper review about the W212's design. It's not very kind. And he's a big Merc fan.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/dri...cle6717935.ece
Yea, it was an entertaining read:
"Mercedes says, apparently, it added the crease as a nod to some model in the company’s dim and murky past. Probably the one Hitler drove."

[13entley]

Audi. The A6 is a work of art. My dream car is the rs5 coming out also.

[lawgone]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Isn't it true that BMW is employing the "sausages of a different length" with the 3, 5, and 7 series?

I think you could say that your reasoning applies to the F10 and yet to be released F30...

At least the Bangle designs were different...some hated them, some loved them, but at least they sparked conversation.

1000. BMW created lots of new fans with the Bangle designs. Too bad they'll lose them with these boring new designs.

[Dom]

Originally Posted by 13entley

Audi. The A6 is a work of art. My dream car is the rs5 coming out also.

You anywhere near Wildwood? Many a happy summer spent there in my student days. Still have friends in Cape May Courthouse.