E350 vs 535i
I believe many of us have the dilemma, considering that the cars are very similar and coming from reputable German car makes. So I would like to share my very subjective but hopefully not very biased comparison of both since I have first owner experience of them. Since my ownership of E350 a bit longer, I may still miss some good sides of 535i. Let me know if you think I tis worth to cross post it in BWM forum.
535i vs E350 Preconditions Similarly equipped with MSRP $63K for E350 and $67K for 535i Major differences E350 -Sport 535i -Luxury -Head up display Like E350 more for More intuitive adaptive cruise control activation and control - Smarter adaptive cruise control for cases when a car in front is making turns or just a road making sharp turn. It can detect any obstacles in front in wider range. - Easier to set, resume or cancel - Remembers distance set - It can steer on lower speeds Smarter blind spot detection - It indicates better situations when the functionality is active - Warning lights are better visible - Sound and vibration notification More comprehensive sun visors - 180 degree protection from sun Auto windshield wipers are always on - They start cleaning if something accidentally spray on a windshield Multifunctional display in center of speedometer - It can show current song, or navigation instruction, or trip computer there - It is used also for different diagnostics and warning Reading center display less distractive - I read it easily without turning head Gear shifter easier manipulate and it doesn’t take space in center console - Current gear is also displayed on dashboard More storage in center cabin - There is storage in center console - There is storage under seat - Glove box has a shelf More informative cameras 360 view and backup - Backup camera show moving tracks based on wheels turn - Real 360 view covering sides, front and back Navigation instructions and display more convenient - Navigation screen shows upcoming intersection names - Navigation instructs to prepare to turn and change lane It has regular tires - Regular tires are cheaper and potential give more comfort ride Trunk space easier to organize - It has standard holder for groceries Steering wheel has convenient perforation for better grip - Car can also detect if a driver released grip but driver steering can be required Overall interior is nicer - Central analog clock gives more luxury feel - More wood accent gives richer feel Standard head lamps give better view in dark - Standard LED lamps are very good Full 10 buttons phone dialer - Easy to punch phone number and it has also separate buttons to pick up or hang up call Hold feature somewhere more useful - A driver can decide if activate it or not at any stop I like 535i more for Smoother acceleration - Car never jerks, breaking and acceleration are very smooth Cabin is quieter - Less road, wind and engine noise Standard seats are more comfortable - Leather covered, and bottom cushion is better supporting Navigation system is smarter - Point of interest are integrated with search engine allow to find mostly any location in easy Center display is wider - Bigger and wider screen can potentially hold more information Adaptive cruise control smarter in term of void sharp breaking - It keeps smooth acceleration and breaking, so less stressful Most of settings are personalized by a driver key - If a car has more than one driver then not only set position, but A/C, radio and other settings get associated with a key opened the car Powered folding mirrors - Mirrors can fold using button and do that automatically when car is locked Speedometer and other dials are easy to read - Very readable speed and other controls in any lighting conditions Head up display - It mostly eliminates needs of other displaying areas. However E350 may have the same nice head up display Exterior look and lamps are nice than E350 Sport - Car looks nice from any angle, DRL looks very unique as well ECO stop engine feature is more useful and predictable - Engine will stop at all stops, however if slow down gentle and stop, then engine can remind on, it can be nicer in start/stop traffic with short stops |
Nice detailed comparison of some features. I did a quick test drive of the 535i. The one feature I wanted to steal for my E550 was the heads up display. Didn't realize how much I needed one until then.
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Originally Posted by thefisch
(Post 6271986)
Nice detailed comparison of some features. I did a quick test drive of the 535i. The one feature I wanted to steal for my E550 was the heads up display. Didn't realize how much I needed one until then.
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Not interested in Heads Up Displays
Originally Posted by thefisch
(Post 6271986)
Nice detailed comparison of some features. I did a quick test drive of the 535i. The one feature I wanted to steal for my E550 was the heads up display. Didn't realize how much I needed one until then.
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The 535i seats are nappa and can be more comfortable overall, especially with the extra upper back and headrest adjustments. It is 4k more though. Maybe a better comparison would be against a designo build.
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Few more observations:
E350 has Ambient lighting and LED reading lamps 535i retains power even after opening doors, so if you fill up car, you can continue using BT or listen to music. 535i gives also different speed feel, so I am always going 10-15 miles faster (thanks head up display to confirming that) I also started liking more blind spot detection at 535I, since it just vibrates steering wheel making me less nervous to complete maneuver. E350 uses beeping sound in addition, making passengers alerted that you're about to crash the car. |
You have to drive them back to back. I'm a BMW fan and owned 3 before my Benz. The 5 just bored the hell out of me. The steering was too light and to this day when I see one I can't tell whether it's a 320i or a 535i. To each his own though. The 5 does win in the transmission department however. That ZF 8-speed is a gem.
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Originally Posted by jmatero
(Post 6273201)
You have to drive them back to back. I'm a BMW fan and owned 3 before my Benz. The 5 just bored the hell out of me. The steering was too light and to this day when I see one I can't tell whether it's a 320i or a 535i. To each his own though. The 5 does win in the transmission department however. That ZF 8-speed is a gem.
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Originally Posted by jmatero
(Post 6273201)
You have to drive them back to back. I'm a BMW fan and owned 3 before my Benz. The 5 just bored the hell out of me. The steering was too light and to this day when I see one I can't tell whether it's a 320i or a 535i. To each his own though. The 5 does win in the transmission department however. That ZF 8-speed is a gem.
My E Class is better in every way than my 550 and I was never happier when I traded it in after spending 9K in service and maintenance for 30 months of driving. BMW ate the transmission and offered to check my car for leaks anytime I wanted to stop by :nix: :crazy: I will never by another BMW or a car with a ZF transmission again. |
Originally Posted by beshannon
(Post 6279636)
My ZF transmission in my 2009 BMW 550 failed at 22K miles.
My E Class is better in every way than my 550 and I was never happier when I traded it in after spending 9K in service and maintenance for 30 months of driving. BMW ate the transmission and offered to check my car for leaks anytime I wanted to stop by :nix: :crazy: I will never by another BMW or a car with a ZF transmission again. |
Originally Posted by noka
(Post 6279669)
Do you know who makes the transmission in the E350?
The 7G-Tronic transmission is built at the Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart-Untertuerkheim plant in Germany, the site of Daimler-Benz's original production facility. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercede...c_transmission And Siemens appears to make many control parts as well |
Originally Posted by beshannon
(Post 6279743)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercede...c_transmission
And Siemens appears to make many control parts as well |
All I can say is that new gen BMWs are sad examples of what BMW stood for. Had BMWs for 15-years... After my e90 M3 the party ended. Couldn't give me a BMW for free. Toyota of Germany.
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Nice, very comprehensive breakdown. I had both, and don't have either anymore. I much prefer the 535i.
However, the 535i is unfortunately too soft and disconnected from what the 5 lineage previously stood for. It's a fantastic luxury car with some sporty characteristics, but I'd like them to dial the sportiness back up. The steering feel, suspension float, overall emotionless softness just doesn't feel riveting in how I wanted it to, after the car settled in. I say "settled in" because coming from an E Class, the 5 felt like a downright dynamic sports car to me, so comparatively, it's a lot more dynamic I think. But on its own, after driving nearly everything else since I got it, it started to just feel soul-sucked and I started longing for sharper and sportier dynamics (again). |
Originally Posted by K-A
(Post 6281556)
However, the 535i is unfortunately too soft and disconnected from what the 5 lineage previously stood for. It's a fantastic luxury car with some sporty characteristics, but I'd like them to dial the sportiness back up. The steering feel, suspension float, overall emotionless softness just doesn't feel riveting in how I wanted it to, after the car settled in.
I havent checked the gear ratios on the BMW tranny, but i hardly find anything useful about 7 or 8 gears. 6 Is plenty for me and I dont believe that adding more will make anything better, but in the sake of arguement... The 1st and 2nd gear ratios on the E are 4.3 and 2.8 ish i believe... Then 1.92,1.38,1.00. 6+7 overdrive. Wonder how much different the BMWs is, or maybe just the software controlling its actions is more predictably smart I also get reports of BMW brakes not being as crisp as MBZ.. My old BMW had sweet brakes, but that could be something your talking about with BMW now being a shadow of its former sportiness. Many sport racers say they can feel more confident in CLAs and newer sporty mbzs than the BMW brakes, despite any slalom or 0-60 times. And i personally prefer MBZ interior to BMW despite a few rattles and what not to conquer =D
Originally Posted by K-A
(Post 6281556)
I say "settled in" because coming from an E Class, the 5 felt like a downright dynamic sports car to me, so comparatively, it's a lot more dynamic I think. But on its own, after driving nearly everything else since I got it, it started to just feel soul-sucked and I started longing for sharper and sportier dynamics (again).
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Thanks, Trancebolt. Not on here yet since I'm not sure how this forum will take to it. But I can send you a link to a comprehensive updated review thread if interested.
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