GregTR

^ This.

Ultimately I think we're splitting hairs when we're discussing driving feel, features, performance etc. of these marques. The difference is marginal at best. Picking one over the other will most likely come down to emotions and personal preference and not a rational decision as I really don't think there is a bad choice between the two.

Interestingly I actually prefer the look of the F10 over the W212 but given that the W212S provides way more utility and the F10T is not sold in the US the decision was already made for me. I love the MBUSA slogan about the E-wagon, it really tells the whole story: "It's not like every wagon in its class. It is every wagon in its class".

steelgrey

I probably should let this thread die....but I buy my cars for one reason...Passion. It seems that car manufacturers lay in wait...just to bring out a car I can't resist. Mazda saw that I didn't have a two seater roadster so they built the Miata. So off I went to the Miata dealer in Dec 1989. Did I pay over invoice...hell yes...but the car turns 24 in Dec and I still love it. Next the Infiniti G35 Coupe...I had wanted a Datsun 240Z since 1970...so Infiniti dresses up the Z Car and I can't resist...wanted sort of a bare bones model but, two days after I ordered one the dealer called and they got in a black one fully loaded. Of course I went down and bought it. it will be 11 years old in Dec has 23,400 on the odo it is and immaculate. Enter Mercedes Benz...I had always kind of wanted an MB, But, there just wasn't anything affordable. Yes, I adore the SLS. So what's MB do...why they bring out the E Coupe...off I went to the dealer...list of options in hand. Did I know it was built on the C chassis...no...did I know it had MB-Tex instead of leather...no. Do I love the way it looks...absolutely!!! Black. almond interior.

My rambling point here is that...sometimes I believe we get all wrapped up in statistics, options, accessories and let's not forget status...and forget the most important thing about a car. How it makes you feel when you drive it!!!

I would love to try a BMW...but until they DESIGN something that is not the same car, just a smaller or larger version (they came close with the 6 series coupe and then what do they do, bring out the 4 series coupe that looks the same. Then they bring out the 6GT and what do they do bring out the 4GT) I will probably never own one. Not because of price or tech...they, as well as Audi have all the bells and whistles and technology but they lack that visceral factor that would make me want to run down tomorrow and pay too much for one. (Car salesman love me)

This will probably be my last MB and I'll probably own it ten years from now...and I'll be on to something else. Because of my age I only have about 10-15 years of driving left.

So guys..forget the specs...if you truly enjoy your car...that's where it's at. Remember, you will not be able to drive forever.

W210

Find the 5 to cramped inside compared to the E, the E is also much more comfortable.

xolinlevh

Treated horribly every time i went into our local BMW dealer. i was 26 when i got my E, 24 for my C. Every time i walked into the BMW dealer and strolled around the floor i was constantly ignored. When i DID try to test drive a 5 (having actually received an invite in the mail) the sales person i approached asked me several times in a row if i was actually there to buy or if i just 'wanted to drive a nice car'. Finally let me drive one, but i loved it (tho hated the look). After that ill never buy a BMW.

SolidGranite

To be fair you're going to have bad experiences in a dealer no matter the brand if you go to enough of them. Don't pass on BMW or any other maker because of bad treatment. Most car dealers are filled with slime unfortunately. Buy what makes you happy and never look back.

petee1997

I must be one of the lucky ones. I have had the same dealer for twenty years and the people there have been excellent. Some of the cars from 1995 to 2005 were duds but that has been resolved with Dr.Z. My cars over the last eight years have been flawless.

Jeffy

One of the biggest things for me is that I just can't stand BMW interiors. Yuk.

xolinlevh

Well, i didnt want to ramble on in my post but ill give a bit more info: Its not the first time id gone in and been treated the same there. Over the years leading upto my buying my C and then subsequent E, ive gone there with friends to look at the new models, used inventory, etc. And have consistently been treated the similarly. One other example at the same BMW dealer, they are also a Mini dealer and i went in with a friend to take a look at them, we walked in and the woman sitting at her desk in there glanced up at us and did the quite obvious look us over head to toe (two college age kids, me white, her black) and went back to work. After several min of us walking from model to model, comparing features, specs, prices, we wanted to test drive and as we approached the sales woman another couple entered the room, middle aged suburban looking couple. She flew out of her seat and right past us to greet them, offer them a drink, and see what she could do to help them. The entire time ignoring us. So we flat out left and my friend ended up ordering her Mini elsewhere.

Contrast that to my current Benz dealer, the first time i went to look at the C class id seen online, i parked in the lot and started walking around, it was only a matter of min before a sales guy ran out to see how he could help and if i wanted the keys to anything to try out.


I know its brash to judge an entire brand by one dealer, but its the consistency of the bad service there that really puts me off the brand. I know i could go to 10 other dealers and get 10 different levels of service, but just the gall of this one, the level of blatant disrespect they have repeatedly shown me, really creates a bad association in my head.

i-like-typer

ps: I shouldn't compare between my AMG sport with SE

I shouldn't compare colour metallic wtih solid

upload with neighbour's E90

from what I think, since 2007 W204, Mecedes back on the track as it should be, as E46 was sold alot everywhere, from now on are Benz's world!

back to here, E90 5 is not much different than E60, boring interior, and all all BMW the same same not much good looking dashboard dials!

but from all above E90 will about cheaper 10%-15% than W212 when both brand new!

i-like-typer

simple answer but this is 5 lose about!

hyperion667

REALLY don't like the rear reflectors either, glad none of my cars have those....
planning on tinting the part on the new S class too

GregTR

The E90 is the previous generation 3 series. What you have in the photos is an F10... Just sayin'...

W210

Yes, I thought the cars have similar exterior but the 5 seems so much tighter inside, especially in the back (as well as the trunk, and even the fuel tank). And when getting in and out of the driver's seat, I find myself not having to bend down as much in the E, perhaps because of the door opening and vehicle height.

With my daughters to drive around, the E seems like a far better choice, as a people mover offering a most comfortable and solid ride, the E is hard to beat.

Another reason, here in Canada, MB have factory stores while BMW dealerships are independently owned, huge difference is service from my personal experience.

DC-IT

When I had my BMW, my dealership gave excellent service and my CA was always eager to let me test drive any new models.

I also find no difference between the corporate M-B store vs the franchise stores.
My last two M-B (2011 ML350 BT + 2013 E350 BT) were bought from a corporate store but I serviced them at a franchise store.
Even though I did not buy from the franchise store I was given excellent service and in fact at the last service for my E350BT I was given a new 2014 E250BT to drive till my car was ready (3+ Hours).

W210

Can't compared between factory and franchise MB shops in Vancouver as I only see factory stories in town, but BMW franchise stores always fail to meet my expectation.