New BMW 5-Series Defeated By E-Class In First Head To Head Review-Surprised?

I think there were more than two comparison tests between outgoing 5 series and all new E class and 5 series was always ranked ahead. So i don't know what happened here, will have to read next month's AutoCar but to me the styling alone makes the E class a looser here.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 1:01:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Can't wait for knives and daggers to fly on this one :-) Having spent some time on this site, it'll be extra interesting to see the comments and insults knowing that those flames come from those that haven't driven both cars :-)

— nguyenvuminh (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 1:02:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Yawnnnn!!!!!

— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 1:22:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

Defeated by "a gnat's g-string" It seems too close for this author to call but as usual, most enthusiasts will go for the 5 series and a sport package at that which I predict is the usual game changer

— Jaybrn (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 1:23:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I like the new E class...especially the E coupe

— recca7 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 1:36:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Not surprised. Mercs have always been the beter ride. BMW on the other hand is the beter drive. Depends on what you want.

— darzav (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 3:37:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

darzav: Agree...

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 9:17:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

So they nod to Mercedes but then give a repliminary win to the 5-series for a long-term. I personally would rather have the E-class.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 10:24:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Forseen....but I'll go by numbers....BMW wins in performance.....MWB wins in comfort...so at the end is up to your preferences...However seems to me that the new 5 does not have the necessary to defeat the best taxi.....acornding with the taxi drivers in europe. Again I like the E but for the numbers I'll pick the 5..unless the car is and AMG...the 5 is the one that I prefer for now. I'll have to see both on the streets to do my final judgment.

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 11:04:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I'll take the 5er not the most exciting design but it beats the 40 mercury rear fenders and the warmed over 02 7er interior.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 1:03:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Funny. In all german magazines the new 5-series was a clear winner over the E-class. Better handling, more comfort (!), less fuel consumption, better engines (530d vs. CDI E350; 535i vs. E350). It seems to be a nearly perfect car...but I have to say that all these comparisons up to now are driving experiences by single authors. The firts tests will come in the following weeks...

— tom43 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 1:09:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I think the BMW is a clear winner just because of its looks alone. Many have complained that the new 5 series is to bland, but I disagree. I think it was a proper evolution that's spot on. Mercedes creates some timeless designs but the new E class is not one of them, in my opinion. I know I'm commenting on their designs only, but I'll voice my opinion on overall driving performance once I sample both.

— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 3:21:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

The new 5er is really bland. It's a nice car and certainly not ugly, but from a design point of view it is extremely bland (from what I have seen in the press photos so far). I'll need to see in real life before making my final judgment.

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 3:57:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Different strokes for different folks I say. The best thing to do is own a Mercedes and a BMW :)

— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2010 7:17:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Time and time again, Mercedes has recycled the values of quality, comfort, luxury, and mort importantly its hyped image. Having test driven the new E, I don't see where the aforementioned values are - how its ride and comfort is distinctly improved over its predecessors (namely W210 and W211). They employ the same old strategy every time - focusing on what ignorant customers can see and cover the rest of the garbage with fancy bells and whistles.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/5/2010 12:06:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

BMWRU: seems to me that you are hurt. MB is most of the time the yardstik when we talk about comfort, luxury and durability. In the other hand BMW is the yardstick when we are talking of dynamics driving, that does not hurt me. In fact I preffer MB over BMW but the numbers are clear for "me", the winner is the 5, even if the MB is more comfortable and have better ride, I preffer beter drive. The new 5 may be is not the most polular with the taxi drivers but I am not a taxi driver so I am willing to pick the 5. The only thing that still bothering me is the ugly hood which in winter will catch a lot of snow. I also would like to see the numbers for crash test cause the previous 5 was always behind the Benz, I hope those number show a lot of improvement on the Bimmer.

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/5/2010 9:32:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Like any ignorant three-star fanboys, they have defended Merc's craps with a self denial rationale. Ha ha ha. I've owned E430, leased E350, and test-driven the so-called new "E" extensively. The bottom line is that they are all craps - garbage that I parked next to the curb and wait for the waste management to pick it up on Thursday. At best, our company used them to run errands and deliver merchandise with a bling factor - not to mention they are affordable as far as E class goes. Sure, you buy into what they call new technologies, innovative media interface, and new design. They tell you how monocoque construction is better than the unitized body back then (and now the are using unitized construction); they tell you how V set up and three valves are better than inline and four valves and now they tell you four valves are better; better yet, the so-called "new" E design was an alternative design for the W211, because when I participated in Merc' design research back in 1998, most participants voted the exterior design of the W211 over the so-called new W212 (which I thought was beautifully crafted). So tell me what's new in the "new" W212 for it only a backup plan for the outgoing W211? How many people are still driving the W210s? From what I know, Taxi drivers hated the W210 and W211, because they are an unreliable piece of crap.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/5/2010 1:27:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

As far as performance and driving comfort goes, in my opinion, I still think 5 series handles better and insulates exterior sound and road noise better when I leased the E60. The new E, to me, drives no different than the outgoing W211 with a repackaged interior and exterior design. E is just a German Camry with a crappy reliability record.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/5/2010 1:34:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1