jprescott

Had a cool experience on vacation in Newport RI this past week. Split my time between 03' E320 with basically no upgrades(brother's) and 530i 04' with parktronic and logic7(cousin's). Observations:
Starting with E320 vs E500
1-Pick up and torque so superior in E500 that if you can afford it go for E500. Totally underwhelmed with E320. Did not feel it was worth money.
2-Suspension on E500 as you all know is airmatic standard. Unbelievable difference. This with the engine power of E500 make me feel that my car is luxury and the E320 misses the mark.
3- Brakes. This has been beaten to death but the car I was in is same year as mine but braking was different. Not as bouncy, more linear. I will point out to dealer again but I'm sure they will blow me off as usual.
4- Sound system in my car is HK and The E320 had basic package. I'm embarassed that MB would even put this system in a 50k car. The Dodge intrepid and Toyota Camry have much better sound!? Not that HK is awesome but it's adequate.
5- Over all I feel my E500 is a good lux car for the money.Did not walk away from E320 with a warm and fuzzy feeling. That 350 engine will probably do the job.

Throwing the BMW 530i in to the mix I would say that although the drive feels much better than the E320, the interior is so basic and almost pedestrian that the lux style and look of MB far outweigh drive in this case. This Beemer did have logic7 and I will say that BMW did a much better job with sound than MB. Seats were also more comfortable. I dont know if they were an upgrade or not. idrive was fine and intuitive enough but it is probably the reason the car looks so bare. Most typical switches and lights that make a car interesting in the dash were gone.

HELL ONA HARLEY

Before my purchase, I test drove the 320 and the 500 and have to agree with you....

DaCeptak0n

There's nothin bad about the pick-up and torque of a E320. It's just as luxurious as the next Mercedes I believe. The HK system is great, at least in my car, even with the mp3 player in the AUX input. The suspension is adequate, the sound is adequate, and everything else is adequate..THOSE 320s w/AMENITIES that is. By adequate, I mean the E320 is worth the lease payments being made on it...

Don't put down the E320 where the E320 you drove had no upgrades...BONE STOCK as I believe you're insinuating (quote no upgrades)...

Captain Obvious

I've driven a 525i, 525i with sport suspension, and a E320 without Airmatic.

The 525i with sport suspension is a marvel. It corners better than my 330i sport with no body roll. If you were to replace the runflats with a normal performance all season tire, it would be unbelievable.

The standard 525i was well sorted, but a little too soft.

The E320 feels like a much heavier car, and gets unsorted over bumps. In fact, I find that most BMWs are less jarring over the bumps. The car bounces around like a Caddy. With only 3600lbs, they obviously engineered this feel into the car intentionally.

I drove a Audi A6 S-line that weighs more, and was much more lively. The E320 suspension feel could have been accomplished 40 years ago without much effort. As a driving machine, I find it severely lacking in not only the suspension, but the throttle response and steering also. The current E rides like the previous generation looks.

The W211 has the best looking/feeling interior by far though.

Apollo

Obviously works for BMW. Who else would say that the 5 series is anything else but a POS. Go and waste someone else's time.

EclassOzz

nothin is wrong with the e320 at all,i setlled for the 320 instead of the 500 because of cost,i got a fully loaded e320 for a hell of a deal,on the 500..thats too much..and you saying how good the 500 is over the 320...why dont you compare the 55amg to the 500..if the 320 is crappy compared to the 500..than the 500 is a ****box compared to the 55..i dont care to have a sport feel in my sedan,if i did i would of got the 500,but i dont care,but dont say that crap that your disappointed in this and that on the 320,thats why theres 3 models..if you want a sportier or even more sportier,i wish some 55amg guys would make a post "e500 vs. e55amg" thatd be a great one! we all have the same car but different engine and suspension..which no one even knows about! id still take my 320 over a 500 anyday cuz its fully loaded and im savin a bunch of money and the v6 is good enough for me

ATS

All E-Classes are E classes and are in the right family..

Nevada Jack

As far as I know, with the 2003 Sport pkg and E2 options, the E320 is the same car as the stock E500 minus the 4 zone A/C and some other non performance items. The engine is the major difference. For someone who is happy getting to 60 mph in 7 seconds or so (or really doesn't care) the E320 is every bit the same car as the E500.

To say the E320 is less of a car shows a lack of knowledge of the available options on the E320 and a "bug" in the brain about performance.

I think the author should either drive an E320 with Air Suspension and other options or just go quietly to the BMW dealer and buy one of those.

I love my E320...

jprescott

The above were observations only based on the cars I drove. Nevada Jack you are correct that if you add airmatic you are getting close to the E500 drive. Getting to 60 in less than 7 seconds has nothing to do with it. It's the response of the engine and the car. There is a big difference. It becomes remarkably obvious in highway driving. I have to admit that similar equipped cars may not warrent the difference in price.

As far as choosing the BMW over the MB you got that wrong. The E320 is much more car in most ways when compared to the 530i.

Miguk_Saram

..hmm.. I'm not so sure the all the "flaming" is warranted here..

As I see it, jprescott is not 'putting down' the e320, he is merelely contributing what he thought to be useful information - as so many others, including myself, do regularly on this forum.

Personally, I do not think that anyone who contributes to this forum intends to 'bash' any of the models; and those who read it, read it to stay informed.

With that said, I have neither driven an e320 nor an e55; the e320 because I felt it would be underpowered (for my taste) and the e55 because I felt it would be too much (again, for my taste).

Thanks, jprescott, I found your post to be informative.

Nevada Jack

I guess these are the items that got to me a little. They are not exactly complimentary to owners of the E320. He voiced his opinion and I responded to what I interpreted as a "slam" on the E320. His later response to my input explains his position.

I did not intend to "flame" him...just express my feeling as he did his Maybe I was a little more emphatic.

No harm, no foul.

BTW...I was not the only one in this thread that found some fault with the comments about the E320.

BlueMonk

I went to the E introductory test drive here in Dallas a couple of years ago. Attendance was sparce and I got to cycle through the cars as much as I wanted -- both the 320 and 500. From that experience, I liked the 500 much better but I worried that it was too controlled an enviroment for a good test. So I enjoyed jprescott's comparsion and the addition of the BMW.

BTW, I went with the 320 strictly on price. It has not disappointed me but I am sure I would enjoy the 500 a little more. Plus it gives me something to aspire to for my next car.

Nevada Jack

I see we are both partial to Pewter...no difference there...:-)

allenjdmb

No doubt that the 211 is a nice car, 6 or 8 cylinder. I've had both, yes I prefer the V8 , but everyone's situation is not the same. Howver, if a six is what you want, you better take a hard look at the 530. I just returned from a 1200 mile trip in a 530 with sport and premium, and was quite impressed. Trip computer (which is superior to Benz computer) said we averaged nearly 79 MPH in each direction, and nearly 33MPG at those speeds. Tranny is far superior, brakes are more linear, suspension is far better sorted out, at least with the sport package, and you get 18" wheels with their sport package too. For my taste, seats were far superior. Base radio in the e60 is pretty awful, but logic 7 and HK about equal with each other. Yeah, you have to decide if the e60 body works for you or not. I like it, especially in some particular colors, but others can't live with it. Of course, it has it's own problems/ issues too: I Drive, cheap looking interior parts. But don't forget it also has free maintenance, including brakes, that our buddies at DC have taken away for 05. Would I take the 530 over the E500? Probably not. But I warn you, don't drive the 545 or you'll be quite tempted. By the way, I'm a second generation Benz geek, so just trying to offer some insight. The new DC/Benz organization sickens me.

DavidNJ

The sport package 5-series doesn't really have a MB equivalent. And some features are there (charcoal filter, REST, auto-recirc) that aren't on the E-class. And the seats are better. Much better if you order the comfort seats.

However, if the sport package is too much for you (my wife doesn't like it), then the MB is very comparable. And the interior, especially with the premium leather, definitely looks much better in the MB. Which is 70% of the reason I am even on this board.

The other 30% is the diesel engine, which combines power (under the curve, a little over 190 average) with economy. The petrol sixes, while they have more peak power, don't have as much average power under the curve. And the MBs feels strained getting to it.

If you don't drive your E320 foot-to-the-floor (to be, the E320's throttle was like an on/off switch), I'm sure its fine. If you do, I think you will find it wanting. The V-8 is better, and IMHO so is the diesel. Just the diesel feels strange because of the steep torque drop off before the upshift.

champaigntaste

I have been car shopping for a couple of months now and have had the opportunity to drive the vehicles that are being discussed:
1. BMW 530 with sport package
2. E320 (gas)
3. E320 CDI
4. E500



For me (and my opinions support much of what allenjdmb and davidnj state):
1. The BMW has the best handling of the lot, although not by a wide margin
2. The Mercedes interior quality and layout is much superior to the BMW
3. In terms of acceleration, the E500 easily wins, the BMW 530 / E320 CDI are about the same, the E320 gas trails the pack
4. The Mercedes exterior is more attractive, although I don’t hate the Bangle styling of the BMW as some do

If you are satisfied with the performance of the E320 gas model, don’t let people tell you its inferior, just be happy with it. Not everyone pushes their vehicles. I think anyone would choose the E500 over the E320 if they cost the same, but they don’t. I chose the E500 with fewer options than the E320 with more options. I know I would have regretted not getting the larger engine, whereas I could live without some of the options. I believe it’s a personal decision. I might have given the E320 CDI more consideration had my wife been more inclined to support the diesel option and had I not got such a great deal on the E500.

I would agree with allenjdmb that depending what you rank as important, the BMW 530 is worth considering as an alternative to the gas E320 or even E320 CDI.

DavidNJ

The E60 530 styling is even good in some aspects. The trunk line merges very elegantly into the taillight in profile view. The 'cat's eye' headlights have some genuine style, and the laid back grill has a modern aire.

Now the E60 greenhouse looks like it was grafted from some other car. The sides a flat, tall, and plain. And from the rear, the bustle trunk, bumper curves around the taillights, and license plate indentation look very disjointed.

My contrast the front of the W211 has a sporty, modern, and stylish flair while retaining an MB look. Better than the current S-class and C-class IMHO. The sides are good, styled and interesting, with tasteful chrome accents. The rear is well proportioned and inoffensive, possibly attractive, however I wouldn't call it pretty.

David

P.S.
Opinions are like....everyone has one...including me.

HELL ONA HARLEY

I think the e-class has a great ***....Best feature on the car.
Different strokes......

lig

hmmm... this is tough. I really dislike the Bangle-ized BMWs. The 530Sport *dynamically* is a lot more fun to drive than my E320.

The interior is chintzy and the exterior has been hit with the Bangle stick - so there is little chance of me moving into a 5 series after my lease is up.

The E320 is IMO a better highway car - it really is superior as a long-distance cruiser and the interior (I have an '03 with leather, heated seats, sunroof and HK) is very well done.

jprescott

Great comment Hell on a Harley. It's funny that two separate people have told me that the w211 has a nice ***. Must be true. Adds more creedence to those who make fun of the "Bangle butt".

99E320_Bilal

Hey Apollo, i noticed that you own a Mercedes-Benz E-230 CDI. Is that car any good compared to past diesel engines, in terms of Performance?
I drive a 2000 BMW 528i and 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-320 and thinking of trading the E-320 for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-320 CDI. Heard its much more powerful than the E-320 gas, is this true, or should be lloking around for something else?

Brian_I.

If we're all being completely honest I do have to say that after 4500 miles with my 320 I am starting to see where the complaints about the 5-speed tranny are coming from. I really want to test out the new 350 with the 7G just to see the difference.

OT: It's funny how so many people think that the E500 is actually bigger than the 320.

Silvergt02

I think the greatest factor here in throttle response is the 7 speed tranny

SAguirre

I am a very educated Mercedes Benz consumer and I also would think that the 7 speed transmission might be better, BUT! In my eyes, it still has to prove its longevity to me. For the most part, Mercedes has always had the most durable transmissions (if serviced) of any German/European car. I wonder, however, about the 7G transmissions being in the same league with the others.

I personally have never owned an MB with more HP than my 300E until now. But I grew up driving 560SELs and other tanks. I have driven the 320CDI and the 500. I would actually prefer the CDI to my E320 gasoline, but like I have said tons of times before; I need and really use the 4-matic. The E500 to me is not justifiable (money is not the issue).

When I hear the comments slamming the gasoline E320, I have to consider who is doing the judging. It always someone from someone in the USA. We are so spoiled here that we have really become blind to what a car should really be. The E320 and the new E350 will be very unpopular in Europe since they are considered fuel guzzlers and have "huge engines." The E500s are very rare there.

I would be willing to bet that over 80 % of all the NON-TAXI/Fleet W211s in the world are 4 cylinder cars. Travel some and see it for yourself. At the same time, if you are used to bullet acceleration, the E320 is not for you and the comments posted at the start of this thread are very correct. However, I don't consider any car that is under 8 seconds when going from 0 to 60 to be a slow car. The E320 is a very adequate car for US standards and is a rocket compared to the average W211s that are sold around the world.

If you complain about the E320's performance, I think that you are missing the point. It would be as if E55 or E500 owners started to complain about the low fuel mileage! If you buy a V8 E, then you are obviously not buying it because of its fuel consumption numbers. If you are buying an E320, then you are not buying it to go drag racing.

I must add however, that my E320 has already beat most of the little cars that some of my students bolt those big spoilers to. NO, I don't race my students all the time, but I have been at starts of longer roads when a teenager pulls up next to me and want to race. I look at their cars and then I see if I am in the mood. Most of the time, My E320 either keeps right up or gets ahead of them. So if I get pulled into the childish stuff with my E320, I cannot imagine what I would be doing with a V8 E class!

I think that all opinions here have been very valid, but we are not thinking or coming from the same base.

Just my thoughts here,

Steve

Rustybody

I've owned my 320 for 2 years. If I was to be critical of the car I find a miss match between the engine torque, the gearbox ratios and the ECU (controlling the kick-down). It just can't be driven smoothly in my area.
On rises and dips around my area the car will pull up the hills painfully, in too higher gear, will not drop out of 5th fast enough, then near the rise drop 2 or 3 gears. It makes it a difficult car to drive smoothly. The only way I can drive it smoothly is to gear down manually prior to reaching the hills to control the cars performance better.
I think some re engineering, i.e. (different cam?), in this area would make it a better car.