[instalher]

hey guys, I am going to be upgrading my 3 series for better riding car, I have narrowed my choice down to the 5 or Mercedes e class, now I have been doing a lot of homework on the 17 e class and iam totally blown away by how far ahead of the 2016 5 series this car is,,,, well that's what the reviews all say in head to heads,, my question is, I know the 5 is going to be new for 17, but will it compare price wise and feature wise with the e class...

[Bmw doubles]

BMW always has better technology, transmission and turbos of course.

Mercs has a better ride quality due to stock non run flats, less power, but luxurious non the less.

M vs AMG is a different story. My wife's merc is cool...

[PJinCA]

To answer your question: Yes, the 2017 5 series will be a completely different car. Not the F10, it will be the G30 model. It is taking the carbon fiber structure of the new 7 series and making it better. It is supposed to be over 200 lbs lighter than the F10, and more variants geared towards enthusiasts. Do I like Mercs? Yes, but for me, my dad was a big Merc fan, always had one or two when I was a kid. So to me, that is the difference, silly as it might be, the Merc is and always will be a "Dad's car" to me. I will get one when I retire

[mzabbas]

The 17 5 series should be competitive to new e class. As for which is the better car, depends on what you want from your cars.

If you want luxury and a good driving experience, go for the merc. depending on the version you get, you can get speed also.

If you want a sport sedan, with a great driving experience and technology, BMW is the answer. The 5 series is the best balanced sport and luxury sedan.

Of course this is all speculative, as G30 (2017) 5 series is not out yet. Also looks will be subjective, but I feel all Mercs now look the same.

Good luck.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by mzabbas

If you want a sport sedan, with a great driving experience and technology, BMW is the answer. The 5 series is the best balanced sport and luxury sedan.

Right on, couldn't have said it better.

Based on current generation of BMW, so F10 and previous (now outgoing) version of E Class, it's an absolutely no contest in my opinion. Things might be different with new generation of both cars, but usually aren't, both brands have their own strengths and new models, while different, aren't likely to drastically alter that.

Outgoing E series has great fit and finish, very luxurious, looks OK, is a bit smaller inside (especially front headroom and overal in the back) and seems to be tuned for comfort, long distance highway traveling. It's very good at that, if that's your thing. Driving them both back to back, if you value spirited driving/driving dynamics, the difference is staggering between the two. F10 (and Audi A6 while we're at it) are both a lot better than outgoing E class. Both are still fantastic highway/long distance touring cars, can't really say that E class blows them away in that aspect either.

[vpatel867]

I was not impressed with the 2017 E300. I drove that for good 30+ miles. Interior was A+.

[ndinh]

Originally Posted by PJinCA

Do I like Mercs? Yes, but for me, my dad was a big Merc fan, always had one or two when I was a kid. So to me, that is the difference, silly as it might be, the Merc is and always will be a "Dad's car" to me. I will get one when I retire

That's funny. I grew up in the back seat of my dad's various model MB's. That's how I normally view the brand also, with the exception of the obvious super high end models. A couple of years ago when we were looking for a car for my wife, I asked her if she wanted the E-class and she said it looks like a middle aged mom's car.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by ndinh

That's funny. I grew up in the back seat of my dad's various model MB's. That's how I normally view the brand also, with the exception of the obvious super high end models. A couple of years ago when we were looking for a car for my wife, I asked her if she wanted the E-class and she said it looks like a middle aged mom's car.

To be fair, that's what it is.

I mean 5 series and Audi A6, though sportier look and feel aren't far off from that image either. OK, maybe not "mom" for either of them but "middle age" and up.

[krautmeister]

I went through this about 5 months ago...and here I am in a F10 550i M Sport....I like to think of it as M5 lite. Does Mercedes have a "AMG lite"? Is that the new "s" designation? Anyhoo...

My wife: The Mercedes is "cuter" than my F10. E350s are literally like Hondas in Atlanta.... every RHOA wannabe who can manage a lease payment has one. Not that its a bad car... I just have disdain for having a flood of the same cars!

The only way I was going to go E class was to go AMG... and that would have put my new fun car window on a longer rotation so I went lower priced (Preowned F10 value) so hopefully to get my 991 4S sooner! I figure in 3 years a 991 4S will be in the sweet spot for depreciated value.

BUT you're looking at NEW cars so E Class vs. F10 of similar specs... 4, 6, 8 cyl...I'd go BMW due to being more sport oriented. I like the handling and don't mind the harsher ride (although I think its negligible). I think the 8cyl issues have been mostly resolved so you're good from that stance of N63 vs N63TU on the BMW side.

[instalher]

hum ill wait till the g30 comes out then for a test drive and see how it compares,, I couldn't care less with handling, speed, cornering, sound, ect, what I want is the most comfortable ride I can get, with good gas mileage, and easy to live with interior,, I due mostly long distance driving, so I need to be refreshed after a 7 hr drive.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by instalher

my question is, I know the 5 is going to be new for 17, but will it compare price wise and feature wise with the e class...

Forgot to comment on this part.

They always were fairly comparable, so yes, I don't see why it would be different this time. Just to be "fully informed" about your choices. Maybe give A6 a try too, it's a fantastic car, and again, comparable in price and features.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by instalher

hum ill wait till the g30 comes out then for a test drive and see how it compares,, I couldn't care less with handling, speed, cornering, sound, ect, what I want is the most comfortable ride I can get...

Don't wait, sounds to me E class (as I know it based on previous model) is perfect match for what you're after.

Not completely serious of course, if you can wait, why not, just so you can compare.

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by instalher

hum ill wait till the g30 comes out then for a test drive and see how it compares,, I couldn't care less with handling, speed, cornering, sound, ect, what I want is the most comfortable ride I can get, with good gas mileage, and easy to live with interior,, I due mostly long distance driving, so I need to be refreshed after a 7 hr drive.

If that is your criteria , then I can speak from personal experience on the 5 series. I have had 3 different 5 series now, out of 41 cars I have owned in my life, and each of my 5ers I have taken on business from LA to San Jose (about 6.5 to 7 hrs), and I have never been more comfortable in any car. When driving a long time in the 5 series (meaning 4+ hrs) I get out feeling as if I had driven any other car for 20 mins. And that is a feat for any car for me, I am 6'4" / 250, so finding any car I am comfortable in is a struggle.

[Gilgorm]

Based on your criteria, go for the E-class. I drove MBs for 33 years. Most, but not all, were very good at long distance cruising. They are soft and were just fast enough to get me where I wanted to go.
The F10, and hopefully the G30, are more spirited cars with plenty of power on tap when you need it on the highway. They are rougher riding but not objectionable cars.
Definitely get Comfort Seats. They smooth out the car a great deal. Test-drive with them.
Test drive both cars for sure.
Price wise, they compare.
Technology wise, they compare.
I doubt I'll ever go back to MB but I do test drive MB every time I look at a new car.
Good luck.

[Bmw doubles]

Kinda of a comparison in the same realm

[The Beast]

There simply isn't enough information about what you are looking at to give you serious advice on which would be best for your needs. Too many people giving out advice based upon general differences between the two brands. BMW's have got a lot softer from a ride perspective over recent years (in SE guise) and Mercedes are now offering vastly firmer set ups than they historically did (in AMG line).

Cars are highly customisable nowadays so it depends as much on the specific spec as it does on general brand characteristics... You need to provide information on which specific model you are looking at, the trim level, the type of suspension (i.e. active or passive) the type of seats, etc, etc for anyone to give you a balanced view

I like the look of the interior on the new E Class, not sold on the external looks but have not seen one with the full AMG bodykit and large wheels, however based upon previous experience this will ruin the ride.

I would personally wait for the new 5 to come out if you can wait that long and then try them both out or come back with exact specifications of both models you are considering if you still need some advice

[Apples12]

having had an E-class as a hire car whilst my 5er was in the bodyshop - i wouldnt touch an e-class with a barge pole!

1. interior on the e-class just felt cheap, crap and plasticky - very very rubbish materials, and this was an 'AMG-line'

2. the transmission....AWFUL! so much lag in gear shifts, horrible compared to the lovely 8speed in the f10

3. yes, i think the e-class looks slightly nicer - strangely, it felt like driving a smaller car given its long wheelbase and overall size - the 5er in comparison feels like your aiming a barge down a road hitting the go pedal!

entirely personal choice, id suggest test driving!

[The Beast]

Originally Posted by Apples12

having had an E-class as a hire car whilst my 5er was in the bodyshop - i wouldnt touch an e-class with a barge pole!

1. interior on the e-class just felt cheap, crap and plasticky - very very rubbish materials, and this was an 'AMG-line'

2. the transmission....AWFUL! so much lag in gear shifts, horrible compared to the lovely 8speed in the f10

3. yes, i think the e-class looks slightly nicer - strangely, it felt like driving a smaller car given its long wheelbase and overall size - the 5er in comparison feels like your aiming a barge down a road hitting the go pedal!

entirely personal choice, id suggest test driving!

Interesting was that the all new E Class (2016 model) or the outgoing one?

[Apples12]

that was the outgoing model, on a 65plate unfortunately!

only thing i'm still getting used to (6months and 25,000 miles later) is the pedal offset

[Bmw doubles]

Apples12 agreed on transmission. Mercs have the worst delay in shifting. I've counted almost a 3 seconds between gear shifts on the 350 I own. Maybe someone on the merc boards knows of a TCU flash to fix that. BMW has the best trans in the business stock

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by Bmw doubles

Apples12 agreed on transmission. Mercs have the worst delay in shifting. I've counted almost a 3 seconds between gear shifts on the 350 I own. Maybe someone on the merc boards knows of a TCU flash to fix that. BMW has the best trans in the business stock

lol, I doubt that, I had several friends go from a 5er to a merc. they liked the cars, but hated the online communities. mods cost a crap ton more for mercs, fewer owners like "modders" , and (again, this is second hand, but from several people) the place like mbworld people Weren't as helpful and general sense of no line cares

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Bmw doubles

Apples12 agreed on transmission. Mercs have the worst delay in shifting. I've counted almost a 3 seconds between gear shifts on the 350 I own. Maybe someone on the merc boards knows of a TCU flash to fix that. BMW has the best trans in the business stock

Transmission delay was the thing I hated even more than E class soft ride, and I hated the soft ride A LOT.