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I own a 2020 BMW X5 M50i and I thought I would throw out some snap judgement comparisons.
I haven't driven the Mercedes much, but enough to provide some decent comparisons. I enjoy both cars (so far) very much and I'll try to be as unbiased as I can, but again, keep in mind that certain items I go over are still very subjective.
Looks: Mercedes GLE Coupe wins hands down. I've always been awed by these hatchback type cars. I was starstruck when I first saw the Audi A7 drive by me and I had to have it. Just something about the shape that strikes a chord with me. However, some people cannot stand it and that's fine, it's not for everyone; you'll either love it or hate it.
Power: This one is easy: X5 M50i. Granted, I haven't gone through the break-in period so I have been unable to floor it, but there is no comparison. You can tell the difference at low RPMs: the BMW feels like a sledgehammer while the Mercedes feels more like a scalpel.
Handling: Mercedes easy. Even though this is an AMG-lite, it is tuned like an AMG. Comfort feels way stiffer than my X5 M-lite in Sports Plus mode. Even in Sports Mode, the suspension in the BMW feels floaty and you can feel the weight while cornering. The AMG corners like it's on rails, serious. There's hardly any body roll. I'm not sure how they achieve that since they both weigh the same and both have air suspension. The Mercedes feels smaller than it is, while the BMW feels larger. However, these differences may appeal to different people. The M50i, in my opinion, is like a bread and butter X5 with a monster engine. The AMG feels like a legit AMG sans monster engine lol.
Interior: BMW wins in my opinion. The overall aesthetics and looks of the Mercedes is better in my opinion, but the BMW has better material and feels more luxurious. BMW's leather dash is way better than the Mercedes. Same goes for the door pockets and other surfaces you typically come into contact. However, Mercedes top-of-line seats wins hands down over the BMW, but this is an unfair comparison as I didn't have the top BMW leather trim. The ambient lighting is way more customizable in the Mercedes; you can do an infinite amount of colors and you can have it cycle and/or set different colors for different sections. The metal window switches feel better in the Mercedes as they're not plastic. If you value looks, go with the Mercedes because it looks stunning, but my BMW feels a bit more luxurious inside.
Interior Space: Ok, this ignores cargo space since I'm comparing a coupe versus a standard SUV. Mercedes wins simply because it has more rear-seat legroom than my X5. A lot more. However, front seat space feels the same and cargo room doesn't even compare, the traditional X5 wins in spades.
Technology: Mercedes with a slight edge. Mercedes would have won in a landslide if it had wireless CarPlay, but it doesn't and, to top that off, CarPlay doesn't even fill the entire screen. However, other than that, MBUX is is simply amazing. The functionality and customization is way better than iDrive in my opinion. The screen resolution and imaging is stunning versus BMW as well. There's no comparison. Mercedes Nav is better, too. It's traffic reroute feature is very good.
Drive Assist: This is comparing the top-of-the-line driving assist features from both models. Mercedes wins. They are almost identical in how they work and perform, but Mercedes does offer lane change assist. Just select the blinker and it will change lanes. Another feature that Mercedes has is speed limit assist. It will slow down to the speed limit or speed limit change as it can read road signs. This caught me off guard as it tried to slow me down to 40 MPH in a construction zone on the freeway even though traffic was moving at 70 lol. I ended up turning this off, but if you want to just cruise at the speed limit, Mercedes can do just that. Another big plus is that it can automatically slow down for curves based on navigation routing. I forget if BMW had this, as I can't remember it ever slowing down, but the Mercedes will legit slow you down on a offramp to safe speeds. Stop and go in traffic works the same.
That's it. I might update and/or add to this as I drive it more.
I own a 2020 BMW X5 M50i and I thought I would throw out some snap judgement comparisons.
I haven't driven the Mercedes much, but enough to provide some decent comparisons. I enjoy both cars (so far) very much and I'll try to be as unbiased as I can, but again, keep in mind that certain items I go over are still very subjective.
Looks: Mercedes GLE Coupe wins hands down. I've always been awed by these hatchback type cars. I was starstruck when I first saw the Audi A7 drive by me and I had to have it. Just something about the shape that strikes a chord with me. However, some people cannot stand it and that's fine, it's not for everyone; you'll either love it or hate it.
Power: This one is easy: X5 M50i. Granted, I haven't gone through the break-in period so I have been unable to floor it, but there is no comparison. You can tell the difference at low RPMs: the BMW feels like a sledgehammer while the Mercedes feels more like a scalpel.
Handling: Mercedes easy. Even though this is an AMG-lite, it is tuned like an AMG. Comfort feels way stiffer than my X5 M-lite in Sports Plus mode. Even in Sports Mode, the suspension in the BMW feels floaty and you can feel the weight while cornering. The AMG corners like it's on rails, serious. There's hardly any body roll. I'm not sure how they achieve that since they both weigh the same and both have air suspension. The Mercedes feels smaller than it is, while the BMW feels larger. However, these differences may appeal to different people. The M50i, in my opinion, is like a bread and butter X5 with a monster engine. The AMG feels like a legit AMG sans monster engine lol.
Interior: BMW wins in my opinion. The overall aesthetics and looks of the Mercedes is better in my opinion, but the BMW has better material and feels more luxurious. BMW's leather dash is way better than the Mercedes. Same goes for the door pockets and other surfaces you typically come into contact. However, Mercedes top-of-line seats wins hands down over the BMW, but this is an unfair comparison as I didn't have the top BMW leather trim. The ambient lighting is way more customizable in the Mercedes; you can do an infinite amount of colors and you can have it cycle and/or set different colors for different sections. The metal window switches feel better in the Mercedes as they're not plastic. If you value looks, go with the Mercedes because it looks stunning, but my BMW feels a bit more luxurious inside.
Interior Space: Ok, this ignores cargo space since I'm comparing a coupe versus a standard SUV. Mercedes wins simply because it has more rear-seat legroom than my X5. A lot more. However, front seat space feels the same and cargo room doesn't even compare, the traditional X5 wins in spades.
Technology: Mercedes with a slight edge. Mercedes would have won in a landslide if it had wireless CarPlay, but it doesn't and, to top that off, CarPlay doesn't even fill the entire screen. However, other than that, MBUX is is simply amazing. The functionality and customization is way better than iDrive in my opinion. The screen resolution and imaging is stunning versus BMW as well. There's no comparison. Mercedes Nav is better, too. It's traffic reroute feature is very good.
Drive Assist: This is comparing the top-of-the-line driving assist features from both models. Mercedes wins. They are almost identical in how they work and perform, but Mercedes does offer lane change assist. Just select the blinker and it will change lanes. Another feature that Mercedes has is speed limit assist. It will slow down to the speed limit or speed limit change as it can read road signs. This caught me off guard as it tried to slow me down to 40 MPH in a construction zone on the freeway even though traffic was moving at 70 lol. I ended up turning this off, but if you want to just cruise at the speed limit, Mercedes can do just that. Another big plus is that it can automatically slow down for curves based on navigation routing. I forget if BMW had this, as I can't remember it ever slowing down, but the Mercedes will legit slow you down on a offramp to safe speeds. Stop and go in traffic works the same.
That's it. I might update and/or add to this as I drive it more.
Nice comparison. How has new-car delivered quality and reliability been on the BMW? Same question for the GLE for new-car delivered quality? Any plastic thingies broken or mysterious drips under either cars?
I just might considering I have both of these in my driveway. Perhaps a comparable comparison…. In full disclosure, the X5 is my brother’s, I went the other way since he chose the Roundel. Lol
2022 X5M Competition
2022 AMG 63S
Last edited by Vyper340vb; Dec 1, 2022 at 06:10 PM.
Yeah, the biggest difference between the M-lite and AMG-lite is that BMW just takes a normal X5 and shoves a gigantic engine in it. That was the most pronounced difference to me in that the AMG comfort was way stiffer than the M50i hardcore mode.
Handling: Mercedes easy. Even though this is an AMG-lite, it is tuned like an AMG. Comfort feels way stiffer than my X5 M-lite in Sports Plus mode. Even in Sports Mode, the suspension in the BMW feels floaty and you can feel the weight while cornering. The AMG corners like it's on rails, serious. There's hardly any body roll. I'm not sure how they achieve that since they both weigh the same and both have air suspension. The Mercedes feels smaller than it is, while the BMW feels larger. However, these differences may appeal to different people. The M50i, in my opinion, is like a bread and butter X5 with a monster engine. The AMG feels like a legit AMG sans monster engine lol.
Good to know you're enjoying the handling on the GLE53. Do you have the Dynamic Plus Package?
Doesn’t appear that he has DPP which makes a huge difference, IMO. Even the Porsche guys are amazed at how much better the Cayenne handles with a similar system (likely sourced from the same vendor).
Mercedes power is deceptively smooth for several reasons: Mercedes has a linear throttle so you don’t get that Turbo surge; EQ Boost and Electric Boost smooth out the power band. Mercedes is after the Luxury smooth feel with a dash of performance. The BMW 50i is faster 0-60 but will not recover power as fast or as smoothly as the 53 in normal driving where the BMW exhaust gas turbo has spooled down a bit. If I was keeping my 53 I would probably add an inexpensive Chip Tune to get more of the “power rush” you get with BMW, Audi & Porsche.
Doesn’t appear that he has DPP which makes a huge difference, IMO. Even the Porsche guys are amazed at how much better the Cayenne handles with a similar system (likely sourced from the same vendor)......
They are entirely different systems. The Porsche still uses electric belt over hydraulic pump, and only one planetary gear at each end. As I understand it from Daimler introductions and photos, Mercedes uses two planetary gear sets at each end, and direct motor driven hydraulic pumps for the shocks.
The Porsche system is more similar to the 2018 S-Class system which is now obsoleted by the DPP.
Even comparing Porsche's best active suspension with rear steer (not available on GLE's), the GLE is more responsive and grippy. And rides better, even in Sport Plus. I am continually amazed.
They are entirely different systems. The Porsche still uses electric belt over hydraulic pump, and only one planetary gear at each end. As I understand it from Daimler introductions and photos, Mercedes uses two planetary gear sets at each end, and direct motor driven hydraulic pumps for the shocks.
The Porsche system is more similar to the 2018 S-Class system which is now obsoleted by the DPP.
Even comparing Porsche's best active suspension with rear steer (not available on GLE's), the GLE is more responsive and grippy. And rides better, even in Sport Plus. I am continually amazed.
I could be wrong but I think you are describing an older system. I can’t find pics of the internals but they look almost exactly the same externally. Sway bar and length/diameter of the drive unit. Porsche added an extra 48 volt battery to run the system. I’ll soon know if there’s a difference.
They are entirely different systems. The Porsche still uses electric belt over hydraulic pump, and only one planetary gear at each end. As I understand it from Daimler introductions and photos, Mercedes uses two planetary gear sets at each end, and direct motor driven hydraulic pumps for the shocks.
The Porsche system is more similar to the 2018 S-Class system which is now obsoleted by the DPP.
Even comparing Porsche's best active suspension with rear steer (not available on GLE's), the GLE is more responsive and grippy. And rides better, even in Sport Plus. I am continually amazed.
‘Rather than hijack Frenetics thread I’ll start a new one with some info I’ve got now and try to add to it. No hydraulic pump.
Mercedes Benz EQS 580 SUV, Audi R8 Performance Quattro, Porsche Cayman S
Originally Posted by Frenetic
I own a 2020 BMW X5 M50i and I thought I would throw out some snap judgement comparisons. Handling: Mercedes easy. Even though this is an AMG-lite, it is tuned like an AMG. Comfort feels way stiffer than my X5 M-lite in Sports Plus mode. Even in Sports Mode, the suspension in the BMW feels floaty and you can feel the weight while cornering. The AMG corners like it's on rails, serious. There's hardly any body roll. I'm not sure how they achieve that since they both weigh the same and both have air suspension. The Mercedes feels smaller than it is, while the BMW feels larger. However, these differences may appeal to different people. The M50i, in my opinion, is like a bread and butter X5 with a monster engine. The AMG feels like a legit AMG sans monster engine lol.
This is exactly what I felt when test driving GLE 53 and X6 M50i. To be fair, GLE 53 had the dynamic handling package and X6 M50i didn't have the dynamic handling package. I am going to do a test drive X6 with a dynamic package to get a fair comparison. But every line you mentioned is true and that's exactly what I experience.
Ah, such short fond memories. This was when I actually liked the car (even though it rattled the second I left the dealership) before it quickly turned into Clark Griswold’s puke green 1979 Ford LTD County Squire.
I should point out—since there is a similar discussion in another thread—that I never drove a GLE 450, so I have no idea what that suspension feels like. But yes, the X5 M50i in comfort mode was really floaty to me. In fact the AMG comfort mode feels stiffer than the X5’s sports mode.
HOWEVER, I think overall, the X5’s suspension felt more refined. It insulates a lot more and will appeal to buyers that want that. I also think BMW purposely softened the X5’s suspension to the typical buyer versus the 5 series. However, I heard the X5Ms suspension is really stiff and comparable to the AMG 53, which I assume is comparable to the AMG 63. BMW didn’t tune the suspension of the X5 M50i much different versus the base X5 versus what MB did to the 53 vs 450.
I think the issue is the M50i is more akin to the AMG appearance package not the AMG models. BMW doesn't make any suspension changes (at least not in a significant way) with the M Sport package the same way Mercedes doesnt do that with their AMG appearance packages. So the AMG 53, 63 etc are on a level that they feel is above the M50i X5.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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