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

Agreed. The spelling errors are an indicator; it doesn't even seem like they drove the cars.

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 :-)

No Kidding b-whore. We want more news about the death count from unintended acceration in toyota/lexus cars and suvs and also how many more million cars and suvs they have to recall. We also want to know more about the synergy of causes: floor mats, hardware components, and faulty electronics.

(PS camry for sale, cheap)

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

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

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

Wow is hard to tell I personally love both if I am a rich person I buy both cars lol lol........but is true that you about Mercedes and BMW.

darzav: Agree...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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

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.

Nice try at trolling. With "BMW" in your username it's quite clear where your loyalties lie. The W211 was a major improvement over the W210 and the W212 likewise is a major improvement over the W211. I've driven all these cars. Heck, I've owned a W210 E430 and if you can't see any improvements from W210 to W211 to W212 then you must be seriously be blind or incredibly biased, which you most likely are (the latter).

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.

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.

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.