Drove 5-series from san jose to san diego
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
2018 Macan, 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, 2024 G63
Drove 5-series from san jose to san diego
Last weekend I drove my friends 525i and no offense to the owners of 525i - the more I drove the more I hated it.
Don't get me wrong, 5-series is a great car, good handing and fun to drive for a short distance. The transmission was really smooth as compared to my 03 e320 (I am sure transmission for newer w211's are better).
At first I was excited (maybe just because I was driving the "ultimate driving machine"). The car felt like a sports car and had all the features of a luxury car.
But there was something not right, the sporty side and luxury side of the car were not going together. At times it felt like the drive is
lexusiss. The seats are terrible. I had to take a break every 2 hrs to keep my back straight. The back seats were even worse. Oh, and the looks, I just hate it.
The IDrive is a real no no.
I guess I can conclude by saying 525i is a good car but not in the same league as the Eclass. The car itself is confused if its a luxury or sports car.
Driving my W211 today was such a relief.
Don't get me wrong, 5-series is a great car, good handing and fun to drive for a short distance. The transmission was really smooth as compared to my 03 e320 (I am sure transmission for newer w211's are better).
At first I was excited (maybe just because I was driving the "ultimate driving machine"). The car felt like a sports car and had all the features of a luxury car.
But there was something not right, the sporty side and luxury side of the car were not going together. At times it felt like the drive is
lexusiss. The seats are terrible. I had to take a break every 2 hrs to keep my back straight. The back seats were even worse. Oh, and the looks, I just hate it.
The IDrive is a real no no.
I guess I can conclude by saying 525i is a good car but not in the same league as the Eclass. The car itself is confused if its a luxury or sports car.
Driving my W211 today was such a relief.
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
2018 Macan, 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, 2024 G63
That's true.
I made my friend drive my E-class after our trip and he agreed to most of my comments.
A potential E-class customer
I made my friend drive my E-class after our trip and he agreed to most of my comments.
A potential E-class customer
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
My uncle has a 330ci with a dinan chip and intake. He's always been a hardcore Beemer fan. He just both his wife an 04 e320, the 1st benz he's ever bought (I told him to go for it). When I asked out hows the car, he replied "man, nothing like a mercedes."
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From: Spokane WA
E 500 4matic, MINI John Cooper Works
I was a BMW owner for years - I had a 530i, a 740i and 535i. I won't go into details but let me say only that I will NEVER own a BMW auto or motorcycle ever again. Aside from the car differences and there are many the biggest difference I found was that of the factory. In dealing with MB when there is an issue they do not go out of their to avoid paying a warranty claim, just the opposite. In the case of BMW they are arrogant and insulting.
I have owned 4 E cars, my last being the 500 4matic and think it's an amazing car. I am totally conent with it. If my stock portfolio ever recovers or I live long enough to see that, I will definitely get a new one after the 212's been out for a few years.
Steve
I have owned 4 E cars, my last being the 500 4matic and think it's an amazing car. I am totally conent with it. If my stock portfolio ever recovers or I live long enough to see that, I will definitely get a new one after the 212's been out for a few years.
Steve
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00 clk320 97 bmw 728se 09 vauxhall insignia
;-) I came over from the dark side too, went from e30 to e36 3 series, to e23, then 2 e32 7ers then an e38 but now i`ve had a w168 and w208 the mercs are just miles better, looking forward to getting a w211. Still got the e38 but it`s relegated to a beater for the wife to take to work.
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
One thing I must say about BMW is that I LOVED and still LOVE the 2001 740i with M sport package. Just beautiful. I love that car. My friend had one, it was gorgeous. Best BMW ever made IMO. Up in my favorites along with the W140 S-class.
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From: canada
2006 E 500 4matic W211
I don't know about this. I came out of a 545 before I got my E500. I won't go into the look of the cars as looks can be very subjective, but there is still something to say about the ultimate driving machine, I much prefer the drive and handling of the 545 over my E500. I am just waiting for the new 5 series to debut before deciding if i will return to the fold.
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03 E500 and Corvette
[QUOTE=steveberde;34......... If my stock portfolio ever recovers or I live long enough to see that, I will definitely get a new one after the 212's been out for a few years.
Steve[/QUOTE]
Same boat I'm in,, stock needs to recover.
Steve[/QUOTE]
Same boat I'm in,, stock needs to recover.
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2018 E400 4matic Wagon
I love those classic pre-Bangle 7-series! Now that Chris Bangle is gone, maybe BMW styling will return to its classic past. Oh, and they need to get rid of that dreaded iDrive.
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I don't know about this. I came out of a 545 before I got my E500. I won't go into the look of the cars as looks can be very subjective, but there is still something to say about the ultimate driving machine, I much prefer the drive and handling of the 545 over my E500. I am just waiting for the new 5 series to debut before deciding if i will return to the fold.
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
I was a BMW owner for years - I had a 530i, a 740i and 535i. I won't go into details but let me say only that I will NEVER own a BMW auto or motorcycle ever again. Aside from the car differences and there are many the biggest difference I found was that of the factory. In dealing with MB when there is an issue they do not go out of their to avoid paying a warranty claim, just the opposite. In the case of BMW they are arrogant and insulting.
Too bad, as they are very likely the world's least reliable cars.
Don't need new water pumps on Mercedes at 60K miles.
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i535
I test drove 535 before taking E350. I liked it more, however BMW asked more money for less options so I decide to stay with Merc. I really like iDrive and MY09 iDrive became even better. Actually my 9 years old son can operate iDrive much better than me. We are all old farts can learn simple stuff.
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From: Near Toronto
09 E350 4Matic Avant Garde, 07 BMW 335i Cabriolet M-Tech
From someone who just came from a 530Xi
I recently switched from an 06 E60 530Xi M-Sport to an 09 W211 E350 4Matic Avant Garde. Here is my take:
Ride: MB
Handling: BMW
Power train: BMW
Exterior styling: tie
Interior styling: MB
Front seats: BMW
Back seats: MB
Driver assist - ease of use: BMW
Driver assist - features: MB
Voice command: MB (BMW never understands what I said)
Fun to drive: BMW
Value for money: MB
Ride: MB
Handling: BMW
Power train: BMW
Exterior styling: tie
Interior styling: MB
Front seats: BMW
Back seats: MB
Driver assist - ease of use: BMW
Driver assist - features: MB
Voice command: MB (BMW never understands what I said)
Fun to drive: BMW
Value for money: MB
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
2018 Macan, 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, 2024 G63
I recently switched from an 06 E60 530Xi M-Sport to an 09 W211 E350 4Matic Avant Garde. Here is my take:
Ride: MB
Handling: BMW
Power train: BMW
Exterior styling: tie
Interior styling: MB
Front seats: BMW
Back seats: MB
Driver assist - ease of use: BMW
Driver assist - features: MB
Voice command: MB (BMW never understands what I said)
Fun to drive: BMW
Value for money: MB
Ride: MB
Handling: BMW
Power train: BMW
Exterior styling: tie
Interior styling: MB
Front seats: BMW
Back seats: MB
Driver assist - ease of use: BMW
Driver assist - features: MB
Voice command: MB (BMW never understands what I said)
Fun to drive: BMW
Value for money: MB
Not sure what kind of seats you had in your BMW, but the stock front seats definitely need improvement.
Value for money: MB - Can you please elaborate on this? I thought it was the other way around.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I drive a 525 a lot as well ('06). Good car but not great, in fact I drove it to pick up my M-B when I bought it 
Interior feels cheaper and not as "livable" and classy as the Benz. Handling is of course much more connected, you feel like you're driving the car more than pushing it, I personally like to cruise so I prefer the more luxury oriented drive of the M-B in a way. E wins no contest IMO in elegance and exterior design, the 5'er can look pretty badass if it wants to, but won't be as timeless as the E, and to me personally, when I have both cars parked together, the E looks even more attention grabbing due to its cleaner and more monolithic essense.... At least to me
Design wise the car seems to try harder than the E inside and out, to get more of the "ooh" and "ahh" factor going for it, but IMO once you really live with both and get up close and personal, the W211 prevails.
Interior feels cheaper and not as "livable" and classy as the Benz. Handling is of course much more connected, you feel like you're driving the car more than pushing it, I personally like to cruise so I prefer the more luxury oriented drive of the M-B in a way. E wins no contest IMO in elegance and exterior design, the 5'er can look pretty badass if it wants to, but won't be as timeless as the E, and to me personally, when I have both cars parked together, the E looks even more attention grabbing due to its cleaner and more monolithic essense.... At least to me
Design wise the car seems to try harder than the E inside and out, to get more of the "ooh" and "ahh" factor going for it, but IMO once you really live with both and get up close and personal, the W211 prevails.
Last edited by K-A; Apr 30, 2009 at 05:22 PM.
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From: Near Toronto
09 E350 4Matic Avant Garde, 07 BMW 335i Cabriolet M-Tech
For me the new MB E350 4Matic is better value for the money than a new 535i xDrive simply becasue I got it for a much better lease deal than the latter. Compared to BMW, MB offers deeper discount, lower lease interest rate, higher lease end residual value and a 39 month sretched lease. It would have cost me a lot more to lease the 535i xDrive.
Last edited by FKD; May 3, 2009 at 10:25 PM.
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
2018 Macan, 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, 2024 G63
Mine was a 530Xi M-Sport so the front seats are sport seats with excellent support, great side bosters that firmly hold you in place and power thigh extension. Even with no lumber support, they are far better than the ones in my current E350. In that BMW you sit IN the seat, while in the MB you sit ON the seat.
For me the new MB E350 4Matic is better value for the money than a new 535i xDrive simply becasue I got it for a much better lease deal than the latter. Compared to BMW, MB offers deeper discount, lower lease interest rate, higher lease end residual value and a 39 month sretched lease. It would have cost me a lot more to lease the 535i xDrive.
For me the new MB E350 4Matic is better value for the money than a new 535i xDrive simply becasue I got it for a much better lease deal than the latter. Compared to BMW, MB offers deeper discount, lower lease interest rate, higher lease end residual value and a 39 month sretched lease. It would have cost me a lot more to lease the 535i xDrive.
My thinking was that BMW's can be more economical in the long run because of the 5 year zero maintenance program.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I'm a long time Bimmer owner (many versions) and I almost bought a 550i.
The 550i wins hands down in performance and handling. The E Class chassis is sloppy and the car has body roll and the steering is way over boosted. There's no comparison.
That said, the E Class is much, much more comfortable esp on longer drives. And so I bought a 2009 E350 (with every option including full leather.) The E350 is incredibly boring to drive. But it's perfect for what it really is: a comfy cruise mobile.
I would have bought one of the S Class cars if I could rationalize spending that sort of cash on a luxo-barge cruiser.
I wouldn't consider the 535i (I just prefer normally aspirated motors) and the 525i is an overweight, underpowered slow poke, so what's the point there? The NA V8 in the 550i is a magnificent motor. And it's mated to a good gearbox and a very well-tuned chassis.
I would have got the E550 (for it's wonderful V8) but airmatic scares me and the E Class chassis isn't tuned enough to make driving it with a V8 that much fun.
The E350 is so boring to drive that I can fall asleep cruising in it. And that's why I like it. I have my Porsche to take care of the boredom. The 550i would have kept the boredom at bay, but then I wouldn't have been able to sleep during those long drives
The 550i wins hands down in performance and handling. The E Class chassis is sloppy and the car has body roll and the steering is way over boosted. There's no comparison.
That said, the E Class is much, much more comfortable esp on longer drives. And so I bought a 2009 E350 (with every option including full leather.) The E350 is incredibly boring to drive. But it's perfect for what it really is: a comfy cruise mobile.
I would have bought one of the S Class cars if I could rationalize spending that sort of cash on a luxo-barge cruiser.
I wouldn't consider the 535i (I just prefer normally aspirated motors) and the 525i is an overweight, underpowered slow poke, so what's the point there? The NA V8 in the 550i is a magnificent motor. And it's mated to a good gearbox and a very well-tuned chassis.
I would have got the E550 (for it's wonderful V8) but airmatic scares me and the E Class chassis isn't tuned enough to make driving it with a V8 that much fun.
The E350 is so boring to drive that I can fall asleep cruising in it. And that's why I like it. I have my Porsche to take care of the boredom. The 550i would have kept the boredom at bay, but then I wouldn't have been able to sleep during those long drives
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
It's a decent car, but the 525 is just a measly performer, power-wise. I don't need or crave a super beast of a motor, but when I notice a car is "slow" it ruins the driving experience. I'd definitely advise your friend to go with a 530i at least.
It does feel connected to the ground well, and it feels like a solid car with a strong chassis. The interior is okay but the materials and vinyl seats are pretty bad for what you'd expect....
As for problems, I think it's been problem free but it does only have just over 8K Miles.
