Insideline: BMW 550i vs. Mercedes-Benz E550 vs. Jaguar XF 5.0

Insideline: BMW 550i vs. Mercedes-Benz E550 vs. Jaguar XF 5.0
The guys over at Insideline got their hands on the V8 sport sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar.

The newly launched Mercedes-Benz E550 took first place in the comparison because it is more than the sum of its parts. The car's ability to combine excellent acceleration with respectable handling, fuel economy, and interior quality at a competitive price sealed the win for the Benz.

Jaguar's XF 5.0 came in second place. Jaguar certainly designed a stylish car in the XF, but perhaps they forgot that cars are created to be driven and sat in rather than just looked at. There is no denying that in the looks department the Jaguar certainly has an appeal, but the interior quality and driving dynamics were not up to standards set by the E550 and 550i respectively.

Lastly, BMW's 550i came in third place. What once was the benchmark of sport-sedans has now become an aging car that has been surpassed by rivals who offer a more complete car for a more competitive price. BMW's 550i certainly is the choice for canyon carvers and those looking for a dance partner. Unfortunately, BMW forgot that the track is rarely, if ever visited by 550i customers. Sure, having a canyon carver is nice, but to win in this segment the car must be able to combine its excellent handling with everyday comfort at a decent price, which is precisely what the 550i failed to do.
Read Article

JRobUSCJRobUSC - 7/10/2009 2:31:23 PM
+4 Boost
E-Sedan seems to be an excellent vehicle. It's too bad the reviews of the C-class/CLK/"E"-coupe have been so negative. Motor Trend just absolutely destroyed it.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0907_2010_mercedes_benz_e550_coupe_test/index.html


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 7/10/2009 2:49:39 PM
+5 Boost
I don't get it, why does the E550 and the XF 5.0 not get ripped on for having the same price as the 550i? It sounds to me as if they put it in last place because they made a sports sedan handle "sporty"


henbmwhenbmw - 7/10/2009 7:04:04 PM
+2 Boost
Agreed, Edmunds seems to have it out for BMW. A 6% price difference on a $60,000 car somehow equates to it being 'overpriced.' Look at the damn options...maybe it costs 72k as tested because IT'S LOADED.

They even say "Since the cars are identically equipped in many ways, thereby canceling any advantage or disadvantage." I don't disagree with the outcome, but seriously Edmunds, provide some real reasons. They did the same thing with the 335i vs the G37...


AnthonyAnthony - 7/10/2009 3:23:31 PM
+3 Boost
Yes it did. This one.


Agent00RAgent00R - 7/10/2009 3:58:29 PM
+2 Boost
Having just been behind the wheel of the new XFR, I can say the interior is sort of, eh.


Bmw8terBmw8ter - 7/10/2009 5:24:38 PM
+2 Boost
I stopped at "with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip." They might as well rename their magazine to that as much as they use it.


AnthonyAnthony - 7/10/2009 3:35:05 PM
+3 Boost
What is up with those quad fog lights though? I would much rather prefer the LED fog lights than those.


sdcarguysdcarguy - 7/10/2009 6:42:40 PM
+1 Boost
The LEDs come with Option Package 2.


GermanNutGermanNut - 7/10/2009 4:42:32 PM
-1 Boost
Yes, the Jaguar XF 5.0 did place in 2nd whereas the BMW 550i placed in 3rd, but the reason for the XF's higher finish was not because of better handling. The BMW 550i is clearly the better handler and dance partner versus the Jaguar XF. The Jaguar XF 5.0 placed higher than BMW's 550i because of its striking exterior design and because it is a more complete car at a more competitive price than the one-dimensional BMW 550i.


I can't wait for the new Audi A6 to do battle with these V8-powered sport sedans. While the A6 already outsells the Mercedes-Benz E-class, BMW 5-series and Jaguar XF globally, I think Audi will really create a sharp vehicle for the next A6.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 7/10/2009 4:52:03 PM
+5 Boost
"more competitive price" they are the same price... if you shop between dealers it's a 50/50 draw which one will come up cheaper at the end of the day...


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 7/10/2009 5:31:31 PM
+5 Boost
The Second Opinion of the article is why one chooses a BMW over the Jaguar or Mercedes

"Why, then, wouldn't I just buy a 2010 E550 and save a few grand? Ah, because I can't accept that a midsize luxury sedan is just a luxury sedan. I want the one that plays like it's all sporty on a back road, even if I never drive it on one. So I'll take the Bimmer. You take the Benz."

I have a 2008 BMw 535i with the Sport Auto transmission and it is considerably quicker than the standard 6-speed auto in this test. Not that the outcome would have changed. BMW all the way. Not bad for a 6 year old sedan vs the newest baddest out there.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 7/10/2009 5:40:53 PM
+5 Boost
The beginning of the 2nd opinion is also note worthy:

"Senior Editor Erin Riches says:
You've seen the finishing order for this comparison test, but if I'm spending my own money, I'm taking the BMW 550i. It's not a rational choice. I like the way this sedan feels. The driving position, seats and (firm) suspension damping all feel right to me every time I get behind the wheel. I also enjoy the 550i's normally aspirated 4.8-liter V8, even if it has been made obsolete by BMW's twin-turbo inline-6. Low-end torque is in short supply, but like the company's inline-6, the 4.8-liter is free-revving and has a more interesting power band than the Mercedes-Benz E550's torque-rich 5.5-liter V8."




sdcarguysdcarguy - 7/10/2009 6:53:37 PM
+1 Boost
I just came back from seeing an E550 in person over lunch. I originally went to see the coupe, but the sedan is much more impressive. Mercedes hit a home run with the sedan. Its cheaper than last year and is better equipped. The sports package - that includes the drilled front rotors - is free.


M53RM53R - 7/10/2009 7:00:46 PM
+4 Boost
People might bash Bangle everytime, but he did an amazing job on the 5 series. It looks fresh even when compared to these brand new cars, and personally, I think it looks the sharpest.


BMWSLSMNBMWSLSMN - 7/11/2009 10:57:18 AM
+2 Boost
I figured that the BMW bashers would come out ten-fold with this article, but this time it's the writers that need to get their brain checked. They are taking a 550i in the last few months of its existence and comparing it to 2 brand new vehicles. Wait until March 2010 when the new 5 series is released and edmunds has to bite their tongues for such ignorance. At least the senior editor know's what he's talking about. Why spend money on something that offers you value when at the end of the day its going to give you a chance to yawn as you drive it. When looking at cars of these 3's specific nature, you need to buy what makes you feel good, not what is $6000 cheaper so you can say you saved money. I'd rather say I love driving my car, then use $6000 to justify why I bought a lower performing car.

But that's just me.


JaybrnJaybrn - 7/11/2009 12:17:55 PM
+1 Boost
Thats the way a car enthusiast would buy a car.


Yonder7Yonder7 - 7/11/2009 9:09:08 PM
+2 Boost
That´s stupid. Every time that they run a compare...None of the cars will have the same Age....next comparo..the XF and the Benz and even the Bimmer will be old cars trying to catch the New Audi A6...and so on...and even with the "old" Bimmer, the diference in numbers will be so small...that does not make sence the position...At the end I´ll pick the Benz cause in my roads the Benz is the King..others will take the Bimer or the XF, nothing wrong with that..honestly I do not see to much diference with the previous E and the current It was better than the curren 5 series in some sences as security but also inferior in driving dynamics...but paying attention to the numbers, again very tiny diference...most of the people won´t care about the reviews....Buy what make you feel happy and enjoy..I have some friends that love Bimmers and others that prefer Benzes, at the end what put us together is a common interest..cars.


sectorsector - 7/11/2009 9:30:46 PM
-2 Boost
Glad Inslideline saw through the hype of the "Ultimate Mantra Machine"
which is nothing more than calibration of cheap suspension components, stiff spring rates, and ride that crash, jar, and loose traction on anything but perfectly smooth roads which = "SPORTY" to the clueless badgewhores.

Benz clearly won because it has the best build quality, fastest acceleration, highest mpg, great sounding engine while offering great handling in an attractive package that is the most affordable.




JB007JB007 - 7/12/2009 3:14:23 PM
+1 Boost
Well Done Mercedes ! However, the 5 Series is 7 years old so in my opinion a waste of time comparisson. Wait for the new BMW 5 Series next year and then lets have the test again. Mercedes will get floored !!


GermanNutGermanNut - 7/12/2009 4:48:19 PM
+1 Boost
The BMW 550i deserved to finish in last place behind the Jaguar XF 5.0 and newly launched Mercedes-Benz E550.

A luxury car is not supposed to be only a driver's car. A luxury car is supposed to be a driver's car that combines excellent handling, feel and driving dynamics with a luxurious interior, striking exterior, good fuel economy and respectable acceleration at a decent price.

While the BMW 550i is the clear winner in the handling, feel and driving dynamics category, it is also the clear loser in the luxurious interior, decent price and exterior design category.

The Mercedes-Benz E550 is fully deserving of its first place finish because while not as sharp handling as the BMW 550i, it provides best-in-class acceleration, a well-built interior, good fuel economy, and an attractive price point.
Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC