BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes E-Class 2018 review - which is best? | Head2Head

The new BMW 5 Series has arrived. But is it better than the Mercedes E-Class? To find out I put the two premium saloons head-to-head in a series of tests. I'll compare their design, interior, technology, space and practicality as well as seeing how they both drive. The Mercedes smashed the previous BMW 5 Series in 2016. But will it be able to defend its crown against this all-new 5 Series which actually shares a lot of its parts and technology with the larger, more expensive 7 Series? Watch to find out.

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[turkishstig]

Heart says BMW,
Brain says Merc,

Pocket says Dacia

[johannesmaximilian]

Lets be honest, these two are the best you can get in the world in the segment. No matter what other brand you look at. At the end, they are both the best. Which one you personally chose is just up to personal preference.

[bluehome]

I drove both when choosing my company car and ended up picking the BMW.
I do no think that one is better than the other, it is just matter of which one is better for you.

Objective things first:
- To me the cabin of the BMW was quieter than the Merc while driving.
- The ride was a bit rougher in the BMW, but the BMW was on 20 inch run-flats, while the Merc was on 18 inch standard tiers.
- The navigation system in the BMW is more responsive than the Merc's system (zooming, entering addresses, switching menus, etc.)
- Trunk in Merc is bigger
- I think Mercedes still has not figured out where to place the rotary dial to actually be used comfortably. You cannot rest your arm while using it, you have to bend your elbow backwards...putting that touch-pad on top of the rotary dial makes the dial hard to use. None of those issues with the BMW.
- The Merc's windscreen wipers made a lot of noise, those in the BMW were 100% silent. This may or not be fixable.
- The Merc was cheaper than the BMW, but the monthly lease price for the BMW was lower - so less devaluation for the BMW.


Subjective:
- The Merc feels bigger than the BMW while you drive it. Some people probably like the feeling of driving a big car, I don't.
- I think the dash of the Merc is very flashy when you first see it, but after 3 hours of driving I started to dislike it - those 2 vertical screens just don't work for me. I also don't like the look of the extended sun-cap that covers both screens. It gives the feeling of sitting behind a wall. I imagine those two screens together are also quite bright at night (did not test it). I like to drive with a very dark cabin at night.
- The BMW is certainly not so flashy inside, but the quality felt better to me and I still liked it after 3 hours :-) I actually like the screen sticking out of the dash. It puts the screen high where you can look it at while still looking at the road, while not blocking more of the view as necessary.
- Exterior of the Merc C or E is exactly the same, and I do not like it very much, but that would not stop me; I buy a car to drive it, not to look at it all day.
- I do not like the graphics of the Merc's dials, media system or navigation system a lot.
- Riding the BMW makes me feel my age (40), the Merc makes me feel older :-)
- The Merc has more of "have you seen my fancy car" feel to it, while the BMW is more subtle (which I prefer).

So all in all, the BMW is my choice for the reasons above, you may have other reasons to pick the Merc - being able to ride either one is already a very big luxury.

[brendongashi]

im Bmw fan but i respect Mercedes
both are good car

[BFDi]

So I own a G31 for almost two years now and right now, I'm in the market for it's replacement. I drove the E-Class and the A6 and I have to say: all three of them are pretty good cars and in the end it will be a matter of personal taste. Here's my opinion:

It's correct, the Merc kinda hugs you. You close the door and leave the world on the outside. It has a special feel to it, and it is nice. BUT you really don't have much fun while driving it (I'm not talking about AMGs, though). I never felt like I wanted to go on a twisty road with the E-Class. However, it was comfortable like no other.
The Audi struggles with it's FWD and being a bit topheavy. The 50TDI had a noticeable 'starting weaknes' when getting off from a stillstand, the 40 TDI didn't have that.. In both cases I didn't like the steering wheel. It was too thin and hard (the M steering wheel in the 5 series is padded).
The 5 series has a bit more 'sharpness' to it that just makes you feel good and gives you a grin on your face. It really combines the best of both worlds (luxury comfort and sportiness). When on a twisty, you just want to go fast. When on the motorway / highway / Autobahn, you are perfectly fine to just cruise along and relax.


For the interior: the Audi looks great at first sight, but for me, the whole infotainment-system doesn't really work as good as the one in the BMW. I can't use voice control (Audi's is better than the one on the 5 series) that much since I'm on the phone a lot. And focussing on the touchscreens is quite a big distraction when you're driving in heavy traffic. I'm missing just a few (maybe programmable) buttons for the most used functions. This would help a lot.
For the Mercedes: I just don't understand that system. It is not logical or intuitive, at all. Plus the control-wheel is placed very bad. There was no relaxed way to use it. Voice control as good as in the BMW, satnav a bit slower.


So in the end, I guess I will get another 5 series. Maybe just with a bigger engine this time (right now on a 520d).

[fliphendrix]

I have to agree with James R. Astor: The 5 and the E are both great cars. I've test driven them both while shopping for a new company car and although I loved the E class, I did go for the 5 series in the end. Just because I felt that it's style and 'personality' fitted me better. Does that mean that the E wasn't good? Not at all, it's a brilliant car, just different.
Regarding some of the comments here: it's a bit sad to see some people who are slaggin' off a car they don't like. It's ok if you don't like it.. it's called 'personal preference'. But don't say the car is bad because then you look /sound like a fool. Non of these cars are bad, on the contrary. The best part is that I'm sure half of those moaners can't even afford a car in this class... My advice: please grow up.

[FrankAutomotive]

You dont even have a equipped 5 series like the Mercedes. The headlights are the standard one in the 5. Take the full headlights on the 5 and it changes the look !!

[NM-jjhl]

When the M5 comes out can you do a Head2Head between it and the E63s?

[nicoweyers]

Let's face it - these are two exceptional cars, made by two of the world's best manufacturers. You're hardly going to feel like you got the raw end if you picked one of these over the other

[jesusgirones]

I haven't even watched the video yet and I already know he's going to say the BMW's infotainment is better

[kaangul]

Who also can't afford any of them but still watches the video?

[mesaquecaiu]

I LOVE your reviews! The trunk part is very thoughtful and helped me decide which car to rent for my trip :)

[LaudaMaestro]

This is the second review that I watch of these two rivals and it seems that the BMW is surprisingly quieter on the inside both times.

[khurshidmarwat]

There’s something about the English car channels that you don’t find in the American shows, blooming lovely!

[EmilRzayev-dgvj]

BMW just puts the smile on your face it’s a different driving experience :)

[vcvrjno]

BMW has the best infotainment system it is even used in Rolls-Royce

[harrixond]

i test drove both of them on highway and in city and after a month's researching and watching such videos i went for the BMW 5 series, G30 520i executive plus here in Dubai. The price for which (including registration and insurance) is 201, 000 Emirates Dirham or 42, 400 GBP.
- 23rd April 2019
Main reason is the service pakcage of BMW is awesome. its for 60, 000 KM or 3 years including brakeshoes and all areas (only battery and tyres not covered)
Merc was offering 45000km service warranty with minimal coverage.

[almazfisher]

lovey review and comparing! first time checking your chanel and YES IVE SUBSCRIBED !

[joshuakim]

I have 2015 520d and love almost everything about this car. But when I see this new e-class with it's refinement, style and more luxurious feel, I also crave to change to a new e-class.

[sayyedazharhassan]

Very hard to compare these two really nice cars....would essentially come down to a matter of preference. And for me, it has to be the E-class!