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Auto Zeitung Comparison: F10 5-series vs New A6 and E-class

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Here's a first teaser for one of the most heated 'battles' in 2011. Audi recently pulled the wraps off their all new A6, and this encouraged the folks at Autozeitung to a first comparison. The contenders: BMW F10 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-class.

Autozeitung on the exterior:
"There are no suprises here, all three cars are in good shape and will age well. The Mercedes is rather 'classic', the BMW as usual sporty due to it aggresive kidney grilles. The design of the Audi is sharp and precise, but it could have used a bit more effort to change the trademark singleframe grille. Nonetheless, it's a car to look forward owning."

Autozeitung continues saying that the A6 comes in 80 kg less than the predecessor, in average. Bumpers, hood, boot and doors are all made from aluminum. Yet, this makes for less of a weight difference in this comparison than you'd think. Audi state 1610 kg for the A6 2.8 FSI, an F10 523i (204hp) is only 15kg heavier, the Mercedes E 200 CGI (183 PS) even 80kg lighter.

On the engines Autozeitung claims that "Audi isn't up to the competition yet. Only few engines are available at the launch in March, but Audi promises to follow up fast - including S6 and RS6 models." Initially available (in Europe) are the 2.8FSI (204hp), the 3.0FSI (300hp) and two variants of the 3.0TDI (204hp, 245hp). The A6 2.0TDI will follow later. Audi's double clutch transmission isn't available for all variants.

Both BMW and Mercedes offer more engines to choose from. For the F10 the range goes from the 520d (2.0l Diesel, 184hp) and 523i (204hp) all the way up to the 550i (N63, 407hp). Mercedes leaves even more choice: E 200 CGI (1.8l petrol engine, 184hp), E 200 CDI (136hp) and E 350 CGI (292hp) just to name a few.

Expect more (performance) comparisons fairing the F10 against the new A6 to trigger in soon as the A6 gets closer to its market launch in March 2011. In the meantime, enjoy some pictures after the jump.

[source: Autozeitung]

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[pharding]

Thank you. Very interesting. On the bottom row of photographs, the F10 interior is in the Audi A6 column.

[AlBoston]

Gotta say I think the MB and BMW look much more elegant than the Audi. Hate the popup nav.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by pharding

Thank you. Very interesting. On the bottom row of photographs, the F10 interior is in the Audi A6 column.

Thanks, fixed that.


Best regards,
south

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by AlBoston

Gotta say I think the MB and BMW look much more elegant than the Audi. Hate the popup nav.

I don't like it either (the Nav screen) Interestingly, MB has eliminated their pop-up screen in the new C Class facelift and have gone to an 'embedded in the dash' screen.

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. Or, what car magazines used to call, a "Billy the Big Mouth Bass" nose.

I seriously doubt that the bumpers are made of aluminum. I think that might be a typo. I imagine they're made of plastic like all other cars. Metal is not a good material for bumpers (who wants a dented bumper all the time.) And most all cars in this category have doors, bonnets, and boots made of aluminum.

[ghueser]

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

[Acquarian]

Another car they should have included is the Jaguar XF,

[AlexK]

I disagree about new E-class having a "classic" design (if it's a correct translation) - each time I look at its front I think of current model Lexus GS... They should've stayed with more oval shapes for headlight parts, like the previous-gen model (W210/W211), or use more "classic" monoblock design, like the current-gen C-class or GLK.

[masamune]

Why are they still not separating the exhaust on the lower scale 5 series? It is borderline embarrassing. BMW knows it looks sportier and that's why it's on the 535, but even $20k Hyundais have this design. It's just another nonchalant way for BMW to lure buyers to higher end models. And you know BMW is having to pay extra to specially manufacture these parts since it differs from the rest of the line.

[GuyOh]

i think the..
front of the A6 looks the best
side 5er
rear tied 5er and A6
interior slight edge to A6

overall i like the 5er the best

[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..

[MzSpeed]

If i ever live to a mature enough age to cross shop these cars my choices will be:

1st - BMW m-sport 5 series
2nd - Audi s-line A6
3rd - I would go with non M-sport and S-line before i go Mercedes E-class

but when its time for the big boys there will be no cross shopping. Mercedes S-class is a dream

[Koni]

Maybe A6's front looks great but rear lights are borrowed from a kind of truck. Annnd I would't choose car that looks so similar to A8, A7 and probably future A4.

It's annoying that BMW and Audi build cars that look almost the same..

However 5er wins

[bmwdinamo]

Originally Posted by Acquarian

Another car they should have included is the Jaguar XF,

1
Jaguar is finally making nice cars.

[pharding]

Originally Posted by Franz Josef Popp

I love BMW I own a 5 series, but Audi wins this time around.

I agree. BMW is too conservative with the F10.

[strumbringer]

I like the face of the Audi, but I can't stand the butt. Overall, I like the F10 better, especially with the M-Sport kit.

[AlexK]

Originally Posted by pharding

I agree. BMW is too conservative with the F10.

I prefer more gradual exterior design changes instead of sudden "jumps" like other manufacturers (MB, Audi, etc.) are trying to do, or like BMW tried to do with their (visually) awful E60 and E65 models.

[kooper]

Originally Posted by masamune

Why are they still not separating the exhaust on the lower scale 5 series? It is borderline embarrassing. BMW knows it looks sportier and that's why it's on the 535, but even $20k Hyundais have this design. It's just another nonchalant way for BMW to lure buyers to higher end models. And you know BMW is having to pay extra to specially manufacture these parts since it differs from the rest of the line.

I'm not too bothered with it personally. Yes, double-exhausts may seem more balanced, but strictly speaking is it really necessary?
Having said that though, would be nice if they could've offered it as a no-cost option.

Concerning the comparo, the Audi's front isn't too bad, but it's just way too close to the A1. The rear-end just does not appeal to me at all.
E-class is OK, though nothing really stands out.
The 5 Series rear is great, but there's just something about the front that bugs me a bit. Can't put my finger on it, but it just seems a bit plasticy? I think it's the air-intakes on the front bumper. Maybe just this particular color that throws me off a bit. Anyway, easily enough rectified with the M-sport kit.

Personal favorite is of course the 5.


EDIT: Forgot to mention that I absolutely despise the LED foglights on the E.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by pharding

I agree. BMW is too conservative with the F10.

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

[Merciphil]

the audi nav looks so out of place

[Joer]

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..

Yup that's correct, it's a diesel.

Lovely thing that you probably don't get many of, over there. Shame as they produce lots of black smoke and sound great! Good for fuel economy though...

[comar1979]

Originally Posted by Merciphil

the audi nav looks so out of place

Looks like a iPad