gaazmon

The 540i was the best BMW 5-series ever produced in my opinion. Don't like the new design at all. The 2001 740i was the best BMW ever built in my opinion. Everyone I know who owns or owned one loves it.

hpd177

Quite simply the E looks better and leases out cheaper than a comparably engined 5 series. But without question when you are behind the wheel of a BMW 3 or 5 series you have unquantifiable sense of perfection and pleasure.

doriftomodachi

Except for the plastic radiator that frequently needs to be replaced

Dema

I heard similar opinions that W210 was the best E class (pure German design) and it had also a radiator problems.

220S

Hello. Newbie to the forum.

I'm sort of in the same position. As a one time Benz owner but a multiple times BMW owner, I'm now shopping for a new MY09 sedan.

Price-wise (going strictly with MSRP) the BMW 550i (with sport pkg) is only $1000.00 more then the same equipped Mercedes E550.

But I argue that these are two really different cars. The Bimmer is more about spirited driving while the Benz is more about cruising and creature comforts.

I'm about to place an order for a MY09 BMW 550i with a MT. But the other day I started to have second thoughts. And those thoughts had to do with how do I want to drive these days. Do I still want to be Speed Racer sliding around the canyons? Or do I want to finally calm down and drive normally but still have a comfortable Euro car with good road handling manners?

I've now been considering going with the Benz and deciding whether the 350 or the 550 will work for me.

It's a purely subjective decision on my part. But I will still contend that BMWs are usually more about motorsports. And that shows up in their suspensions and geometry.

Here's the link to my own decision issues on another forum (before I joined this one.) BelaB is my nick there. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...-new-w211.html

DavidNJ

The latest 5 series is nicer than the earlier one of the same style. However, the Benz is nicer looking inside and out, ESPECIALLY with ventilated seats and optional leather.

However, MB no longer offers drive dynamic ventilated seats on a 6-cylinder E. On the % series, other than an M5, it is a priority one option, limits interior colors, and requires you two buy two leather interior upgrades (Dakota as part of the premium pack and Nasca as priority one) Ugh!

If I was dropping 60-65 tomorrow, I would be standing in my Jaguar dealer. More attractive inside and out (only short coming I found was hard plastic on the sides of the console). A wide array of features, all standard on the Supercharged. Good paint (like ordering designo on an MB).

My second choice would be a 3 series...well an M3. Readily available. No ventilated seat but an optional leather upgrade that includes the bottom of the dash. And a dual-clutch auto shifted transmission. The wife wouldn't go for that one though.

I LOVE my ventilated seat. I like having a fold down rear seat and find park distance sensors VERY useful. Leaving MB though, I would REALLY miss the telephone keypad on nav. I think the Jag has it as part of a touch screen nav.

I tell the Jag dealer I want a supercharged with the 2.9L diesel and 17" wheels. He says move to England. I am VERY happy I have the extended warranty on our E class.

howif

Agreed. I did love the 540i. Living in Chicago made the 540i challenging to drive in the winter. Had to change the tires every season. That was primary reason I was leaning heavy toward the E due to the 4matic. It is different than the BMW, the E has its own merits that I enjoy.

I do have to say, my wife's Audi A6 still drives the best in the snow. Its quite the snow bunny.

K-A

I'm thinking of buying a high Mileage 97-00-ish 5-Series as a beater, my favourite Bimmers aside from the last generation ('03 MY style) M3's. You can get them (the 5-Series) for super cheap with really high Mileage, but my only concern with that is the probable reliability issues....

MB_E500

I drove BMWs since 1990. My last was a 2005 545i with Nav, Heads-Up Displ, sport package, front and reat seat heat....and the i-drive. I just bought a CPO 2006 E500 with all options with 10,000 miles. The MB is a superior car in terms of styling and comfort (esp with air adjustable suspension). My 545 was quicker and cornered like an ice skater compared to my E500. But, once inside the cockpit the MB is a dream.....the BMW i-drive simply is a nightmare and my wife could never change the AC or radio station without driving off the road.

Biggest thing I miss: RDS Info for the radio and Personalised FOB. The BMWs recognises the FOB when approaching the car and adjusts everything including heat, radio to memorized settings. Way better then getting in an holding the memory position to reset...just the seat.

PS: Only Canadian models get the REST function on the MB. BMWs get it on all models standard.

Dema

MY 09 has RDS and FOB supposes to be personalized, including radio presets.

howif

Really? What model year did MB enable the RDS? Its was annoying to switch from my 2000 BMW which had RDS but my 2005 MB does not. Its funny that MB's Command screen is huge but does not have RDS.

Dema

My car is MY09, I can't say for older E class. It has also HD radio, so most of FM channels are received as HD. I guess RDS is essential part of HD.