which handles better ? w211 or 5-series ?
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
BMW's have always had quicker turn-in and throttle response and great steering.
Mercedes have concentrated on handling bad road surfaces. That's why they've had smaller/narrower wheels in the past in order to have low unsprung weight.
I've had German cars on and off since the 50's and the E320 is as good as I've ever had as a long distance driver.
It's too bad the new 5-Series is so ugly, at least on the interior.
Mercedes have concentrated on handling bad road surfaces. That's why they've had smaller/narrower wheels in the past in order to have low unsprung weight.
I've had German cars on and off since the 50's and the E320 is as good as I've ever had as a long distance driver.
It's too bad the new 5-Series is so ugly, at least on the interior.
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From: CYPRUS
E200K (03)
Having recently changed from a 5 series to the E I find that cornering ability of the 5 series was better. However the E has its merits in that it feels a much more solid car. It is certainly more refined and comfortable. My daily commute is a total of 60 miles and what matters in the end is how relaxed you arrive. E class in that respect is far better.
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
A 6/04 Road & Track comparo had the E320 besting the 530 in the two objective tests of handling, lateral acceleration around a 200-ft skidpad and speed through a 700-ft slalom:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/d...s_data.pdf.pdf
That's a revealing result; most testers (and drivers) would give the subjective edge in handling to the BMW because it just feels more nimble. I suspect that the E-Class is actually faster through corners than it feels. It's not huge fun but it seems to get the job done pretty well.
Not that it matters much in the real world. Northern California is rich in great sports-car and sports-sedan roads. but our car spends 99% of its time on city streets or freeways. That's probably the case with most W211s. Say, what do you folks in the Midwest do for twisty-road thrills?
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/d...s_data.pdf.pdf
That's a revealing result; most testers (and drivers) would give the subjective edge in handling to the BMW because it just feels more nimble. I suspect that the E-Class is actually faster through corners than it feels. It's not huge fun but it seems to get the job done pretty well.
Not that it matters much in the real world. Northern California is rich in great sports-car and sports-sedan roads. but our car spends 99% of its time on city streets or freeways. That's probably the case with most W211s. Say, what do you folks in the Midwest do for twisty-road thrills?
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From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
The Bimmer has a precise steering feel and this sometimes translates into better cornering by some people, but it is not a skid pad measure. I used to own a E46(328i). The handling and the braking on that car were impeccable for a 4 door sedan 
It was a very nimble car. My current daily drive, G35X, comes very close to it for a lot less money and more power.
It was a very nimble car. My current daily drive, G35X, comes very close to it for a lot less money and more power.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
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From: Obama Land
K Car
I would say for handling:
5 Series (non M) > W211 (non AMG)
W211 AMG > 5 Series (non M)
5 Series M > W211 AMG
Now the order based on my personal preference:
1. M5
2. E55
3. E500/E350
4. 5 Series
I only like the M5 better than the E55 bacause it comes with a manny tranny.
5 Series (non M) > W211 (non AMG)
W211 AMG > 5 Series (non M)
5 Series M > W211 AMG
Now the order based on my personal preference:
1. M5
2. E55
3. E500/E350
4. 5 Series
I only like the M5 better than the E55 bacause it comes with a manny tranny.
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Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by BudC
BMW's have always had quicker turn-in and throttle response and great steering.
Mercedes have concentrated on handling bad road surfaces. That's why they've had smaller/narrower wheels in the past in order to have low unsprung weight.
I've had German cars on and off since the 50's and the E320 is as good as I've ever had as a long distance driver.
It's too bad the new 5-Series is so ugly, at least on the interior.
Mercedes have concentrated on handling bad road surfaces. That's why they've had smaller/narrower wheels in the past in order to have low unsprung weight.
I've had German cars on and off since the 50's and the E320 is as good as I've ever had as a long distance driver.
It's too bad the new 5-Series is so ugly, at least on the interior.
Hmmm....throttle response?
The rest, yes. But, BMWs have NEVER been known for throttle response. They began as airplane engines and response of throttle was never a strong point. They are and have always been screamer engines. HP vs torque. V vs in-line. MB vs BMW. Classic.
Other than that, I agree that the 5 series is a better track car. I remember all the articles claiming the new E (211) was a better handler than the new 5, but I've had enough real life since to know better. I had to wrestle the '04 E500 to hang with the 545 and I got used by a new M5 in the canyon twisties in the '05 E55 (never fear, I smoked him at every light getting up there and back). I love my E, but the Bimmers have to be one of the best handling sedans in the world.
I also had a 2000 328i (actually wifes) and that thing was fast (not quick).
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From: Stuttgart, Germany
'06 E320 CDI; '00 BMW 530d 5-speed manual
I can tell you from personal experience (I own a '00 530d and a '06 E320 CDI) that the BMW has better "track" feel to it, but lets be REALLY honest here - unless you live in a country like Germany (like I do) WHY do you care? In the US, we drive at a legal 65 and most of our roads are straight and narrow. Here in Germany if you've ever been to the Stuttgart area, you are unaware of how may two lane roads (that have legal speeds of 60mph or better) that they really have. If I was still living in the US, I can tell you w/out a doubt that I would buy an E320 CDI over a BMW 535d any day of the week - they both cost about the same, but the E320 has more everyday USA function than the BMW.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Huh? You don't really think that only people in Germany can haul *****, do you? He asked about handling, not top speed stability. OK, so your highways are faster, so what? We have twisties here that have 55mph speed limits on them. If your point had any merit at all, everyone would be driving huge boats. And by the way, I wouldn't have a 320 gas or d.
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2005 E500 AMG pkg
Originally Posted by mon-004o
I can tell you from personal experience (I own a '00 530d and a '06 E320 CDI) that the BMW has better "track" feel to it, but lets be REALLY honest here - unless you live in a country like Germany (like I do) WHY do you care? In the US, we drive at a legal 65 and most of our roads are straight and narrow. Here in Germany if you've ever been to the Stuttgart area, you are unaware of how may two lane roads (that have legal speeds of 60mph or better) that they really have. If I was still living in the US, I can tell you w/out a doubt that I would buy an E320 CDI over a BMW 535d any day of the week - they both cost about the same, but the E320 has more everyday USA function than the BMW.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
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From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Originally Posted by jangy
Hmmm....throttle response?
The rest, yes. But, BMWs have NEVER been known for throttle response. They began as airplane engines and response of throttle was never a strong point. They are and have always been screamer engines. HP vs torque. V vs in-line. MB vs BMW. Classic.
Other than that, I agree that the 5 series is a better track car. I remember all the articles claiming the new E (211) was a better handler than the new 5, but I've had enough real life since to know better. I had to wrestle the '04 E500 to hang with the 545 and I got used by a new M5 in the canyon twisties in the '05 E55 (never fear, I smoked him at every light getting up there and back). I love my E, but the Bimmers have to be one of the best handling sedans in the world.
I also had a 2000 328i (actually wifes) and that thing was fast (not quick).
The rest, yes. But, BMWs have NEVER been known for throttle response. They began as airplane engines and response of throttle was never a strong point. They are and have always been screamer engines. HP vs torque. V vs in-line. MB vs BMW. Classic.
Other than that, I agree that the 5 series is a better track car. I remember all the articles claiming the new E (211) was a better handler than the new 5, but I've had enough real life since to know better. I had to wrestle the '04 E500 to hang with the 545 and I got used by a new M5 in the canyon twisties in the '05 E55 (never fear, I smoked him at every light getting up there and back). I love my E, but the Bimmers have to be one of the best handling sedans in the world.
I also had a 2000 328i (actually wifes) and that thing was fast (not quick).
BMW throttle by wire is significantly better than pretty much everything out there. There is a little delay in W211's throttle input.
