Motor Trend 6-cylinder midsize luxury sedan comparison...
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2011 E350, 2004 911
Used to get 5 auto mags, but they all say the same thing and test the same vehicles. Get MT for free, otherwise would not subscribe to any. All auto mag "journalists" critreria are basically as follows:
big engine, transmission and wheels; must go really fast; must do 0-60 really fast; must ride marginally (e.g. "road feel"); must have poor sound insulation so can hear road & engine noise, etc.; and so forth.
Also, generally must be a BMW or a Corvette or cost upwards of $70,000. Periodically will choose another brand to prove they are not biased. Yeah, right. Never an M-B.
We all know why M-B "E" Class is the superior vehicle.
M-B: The ultimate automobile!
big engine, transmission and wheels; must go really fast; must do 0-60 really fast; must ride marginally (e.g. "road feel"); must have poor sound insulation so can hear road & engine noise, etc.; and so forth.
Also, generally must be a BMW or a Corvette or cost upwards of $70,000. Periodically will choose another brand to prove they are not biased. Yeah, right. Never an M-B.
We all know why M-B "E" Class is the superior vehicle.
M-B: The ultimate automobile!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Not to mention, the E60 hurt the W211 in sales throughout their production runs. The W212 not only reversed that, but rained on the F10 5-Series' "first year parade" (which is usually the most inflated of all a cars model years since it's a first year design) by significantly outselling it last year. 
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 165
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From: USA
2018 Porsche Macan, 2017 NSX, 2011 R350
Not to mention, the E60 hurt the W211 in sales throughout their production runs. The W212 not only reversed that, but rained on the F10 5-Series' "first year parade" (which is usually the most inflated of all a cars model years since it's a first year design) by significantly outselling it last year.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: USA
Multiple
Wow. MB "trounced" BMW by 119 cars........NATIONWIDE in the E vs. 5 category! You are right. But I am not surprised that the E is outselling the 5 by a few units. From personal observation, I'm betting the average E-Class driver is considerably older than the average 5-Series driver. Most younger car enthusiasts will prefer performance and quality over comfort and the aura of the 3-pointed star. That may explain why combined sales of BMW outpaced MB by a significant margin. Did you notice that the YTD Change in car sales was -2.6% for BMW and -8.0% for MB? The numbers for March of this year show BMW is up 21.4% while MB is down -8.8%. Also notable, the Lexus GS numbers are up a whopping 494%. The competition is getting tough!
Last edited by rjm; Apr 23, 2012 at 05:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 165
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From: USA
2018 Porsche Macan, 2017 NSX, 2011 R350
Wow. MB "trounced" BMW by 119 cars........NATIONWIDE in the E vs. 5 category! You are right. But I am not surprised that the E is outselling the 5 by a few units. From personal observation, I'm betting the average E-Series driver is considerably older than the average 5-Series driver. Most younger car enthusiasts will prefer performance and quality over comfort and the aura of the 3-pointed star. That may explain why combined sales of BMW outpaced MB by a significant margin. Did you notice that the YTD Change in car sales was -2.6% for BMW and -8.0% for MB?
I wouldn't be surprised if the average E driver is older than the 5-series driver. But yes, I would also generalize by saying that the younger enthusiast would prefer performance over comfort. As for quality, that is debatable. Some would say the E is still better made (and/or has higher quality materials) than the 5, others would say vice-versa. But if you also mean reliability/quality, that's even more debatable in favor of the E.
Nevertheless, if performance/sporty driving is what I'm looking for, I would take an F30 3 series over all of them.
Last edited by Cal; Apr 23, 2012 at 04:58 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Maryland
2012 E350W4
Wow!!! I had really high regard for the A7 until I saw these pics... Makes me REALLY GLAD I chose the E... It looks so much sexier than the A7... 
Although the A7 would definitely appeal to the "sportier" side of me, E wins hands down! -- IMO -- But tell me, is the A7 really a competitor for the E? I would think it would be better matched against the CLS or another similar model M-B...?
Although the A7 would definitely appeal to the "sportier" side of me, E wins hands down! -- IMO -- But tell me, is the A7 really a competitor for the E? I would think it would be better matched against the CLS or another similar model M-B...?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Wow. MB "trounced" BMW by 119 cars........NATIONWIDE in the E vs. 5 category! You are right. But I am not surprised that the E is outselling the 5 by a few units. From personal observation, I'm betting the average E-Class driver is considerably older than the average 5-Series driver. Most younger car enthusiasts will prefer performance and quality over comfort and the aura of the 3-pointed star. That may explain why combined sales of BMW outpaced MB by a significant margin. Did you notice that the YTD Change in car sales was -2.6% for BMW and -8.0% for MB? The numbers for March of this year show BMW is up 21.4% while MB is down -8.8%. Also notable, the Lexus GS numbers are up a whopping 494%. The competition is getting tough!
Wow!!! I had really high regard for the A7 until I saw these pics... Makes me REALLY GLAD I chose the E... It looks so much sexier than the A7... Although the A7 would definitely appeal to the "sportier" side of me, E wins hands down! -- IMO -- But tell me, is the A7 really a competitor for the E? I would think it would be better matched against the CLS or another similar model M-B...?
Although the A7 would definitely appeal to the "sportier" side of me, E wins hands down! -- IMO -- But tell me, is the A7 really a competitor for the E? I would think it would be better matched against the CLS or another similar model M-B...?
Glad to see more people here who find the E to be as stunning as I do.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Nice try, Trolly.
Let's see you show up in any Threads in this Forum to not misguidedly bash the W212 and talk up some other car. I was one of you once, then I saw the light. You obviously come around here for a reason, just get one and join the club.
Let's see you show up in any Threads in this Forum to not misguidedly bash the W212 and talk up some other car. I was one of you once, then I saw the light. You obviously come around here for a reason, just get one and join the club.
