atl2nyc

Getting the little one in and out of the back seat is starting to get annoying in the CLK, so I am looking (gulp) to upgrade to four doors.

Did any of you do any serious evals of the 5 series before getting your E class? If so, I am interested in hearing your thoughts.

I'm most interested in the E550 vs. the 550i in particular.

thanks in advance....

Dema

I did such research however for 535 vs E350. I found 535 as a better car, more power, better ride quality, some nice features you can't find in E, like head up display, side sunshades, and multi contour sport seats. E has only better exterior style. Finally I got E class since it was significant cheaper. So I can guess that 550 and E350 have equal power, and difference between these two cars is even less. Certainly E550 class will be bargain.

clkeezy

How so is the E class significantly cheaper than the 5? I know if you add all the options for the 5 it will probably be more, since you have less things standard in it than the E, but starting price the 5 is a few g's cheaper right? I am also in the same boat as OP, having very difficult time between 5 and E. On one hand I love the driver involvement and ride in the 5 series and to me it is much better than the E (sport wise). But styling goes to E no doubt, it is just a cleaner, more elegant design, which looks even more great when fixed.

cjf_moraga

BMW lent me a 550 the other day and though I loved it (as the driver) my passengers hated it! Especially the rear seats which they found really uncomfortable compared to an E-Class... (let alone our S-Class)

Both models are getting old now though and will be replaced in the next year or so. You may want to wait?

Chris

Dema

Currently MB offers better lease rates. Perhaps from purchase point view the cars are on the same price. Since 09 E class is out, you can negotiate very good price for 08 E class.

Few thoughts about electronics, some people do not like iDrive, since too many movements to select certain function. E class has direct buttons and full keypad for dialing numbers of entering othe information. BMW BT is better since supports more phones.

Untertürkheim

The current E class is probably the best designed, most elegant, and best all-around driving car on the road (especially with airmatic), without a doubt in its price range. The E550 can be very well equipped, the only thing missing are the drive-dynamic seats.

Also, you can get an E550 now with all the options, and get some great savings.

gaazmon

Yup, friend has 2007 530, back seats suck. Can't get comfortable. On the other hand, love the E320's back seat (especially with a fine lady and the moonroof in the back )

Scraz51

I looked at a few new 5s, the interior styling is really lacking compared to the E, but that is IMHO, you really have to sit in them to know what you want. Personally though the E just gives you a little more bang for your $.

Holson

While I think the 550i with the sport package is a VERY sharp looking and great sounding car (lovely exhaust note), the interior (which I feel matters more in a car like this) does not hold a candle to the W211 E-Class in terms of looks, material quality, seat comfort, and back seat access & comfort.

In this case I'd take the Benz even as a BMW owner. The E-class is just such a stately and comfortable car.

bestoverall

I was debating the exact same issue, but I was looking at used car market. Comparing BMW 535 vs. MB E-350 in used car market, E350 would probably come out $4-5K cheaper than comparably equipped Bimmers.

One big difference between the two models that wasn't mentioned above is the cargo space. In my previous 01 BMW 535, I could only put in 2 golf bags in the trunk comfortably and had to take out drivers to accomodate 3 bags. There was no way in hell to put all 4 bags in that tiny trunk. With E350, 3 bags comfortably and 4 bags with drivers taken out - big difference for avid golfer like me.

jlw000

I also spent significant time looking at the new 5 vs. the e500. Drove several of both. I have only driven BMW for the past 20 years, nothing else. Been through several. Never even test drove a MB until I started to search for a new car.

Leader Board:
Handling: BMW by a long shot. Even when compared to e500 with airmatic set to sport. Just no comparison between the two. Road feel much better and more responsive. It was the main (only) reason I almost went with another BMW.

Responsiveness: BMW again. Touch the pedal and it goes, not so in the MB...you've got to push that pedal and it still is not as sharp in response.

Exterior styling: MB...by a long shot. The current 5 series styling is a travesty...a disaster. It was the single largest reason I did not go with the BMW. I tried to convince myself it was better than I believed it is and could not get there.

Interior styling: MB..again by a long shot. The fit and finish of the BMW is good, but the design feels spartan. The MB on the other hand feels rich and plush (especially in the dark charcoal color..the other interior colors on the MB do not seem as rich to me). It is very comfortable (especially with dynamic seats and the back seat gives a great ride).

Fun Factor: Tie really. But they are not fun for the same reasons. I liked the BMW for handling, but overall the MB was better overall ride for everyone else in the car. Both cars are fast and fun in that regard.

Dema

You should drive latest MB E550. I was surprised that responsiveness was changed. Now car behaves like my previous Z4. MB has also paddle shifters now, so you can manage shifting yourself. BMW has nicer 3 spokes steering wheel, which can be more suitable for sporty driving.

gaazmon

I agree E over 5. However, I'd take that 335i of yours any day over a C350, in almost all aspects.

LaicepsYdobon

No to hijack the thread or anything but +1 to that. The new C-class is atrocious at best; in my opinion of course

lkchris

BMWs are WAY less reliable than Mercedes.

For one: You'll get to replace your water pump AND radiator every 60K miles.

You'll want to be very careful to assure the BMW you get doesn't have runflat tires.

jagata

Owned both e-class and 5 series both 2006 models. E-class way better, bimmer felt like cheap japanese car too plastic feel for my taste inside and ride.

K-A

I remember when driving my Mom's Car to buy my old S500 (new 5-Series), when chatting with the fellow who owned the S, he asked "so is that your Camry?"....

My Brother was trying to get me into a 5-Series before I bought my E-Class, there was NO way I could do that. Those things are just hideous, and they haven't "grown on me" (a statement I don't believe in really anyway) at all too. I've had Bimmers in the family since I was 12, never been too crazy about them, but this new style they've got going on is just barf.

The 3-Series is a nice and cute car though, far better than the C-Class IMO.

atl2nyc

Guys - thanks for all the responses. I've driven the E before, and I will find time in the next couple of weeks to test drive the BMW.

Also, someone mentioned that both cars are nearing the end of their model life. Was that a 2010 statement?

luckytruck

purely on looks, i took the e class versus the 5 series

gaazmon

Don't forget the thermostat replacements as well. Cousin has a 1998 528i.

LaicepsYdobon

Yes, both MB and BMW will be introducing their new models next year (2009) and they should be available to purchase in the US by mid to end of 2010. The 7 year design cycle for both the 5 series and the E-Class are in sync.

nantucketsleigh

If I needed a new car right now I would opt for an E550 - there are some very good deals locally i.e. a $65K MSRP available for $51k. If I could wait, I would. The E will be restyled but likely have the same drivetrain in the 8 cylinder model. The 5 series is said to be "unBangled" with much better electronics and a new twin turbo V8 which is significantly stronger than MB's 5.5 liter.

Dema

No reliability records for 07-08 5 series yet, so I believe 5 series are much more reliable now.

Figuero

Going by the track record of both marks I would avoid the early releases of the next generation models coming out in 09 for at least 2 years.
As far as E550 vs. 550i....... follow your priorities (who is riding in those rear seats though...really?) they are both grand automobiles but very different animals. I would be willing to be seen in either one.

magnus203

I have never looked back in regret at selling my 5 series to jump into my E. The E class is just a mich more defined drive, for such a large car its so agile and on the highway its like gliding. The 5 series felt like a fat old man on roller skates.