BMW 5 Series vs. Mercedes E-Class: which is better?
There’s no doubt that BMW and Mercedes produce some of the top premium saloons, but which comes out on top between the 5 Series and the E Class?
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The BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class are a pair of premium cars marketed toward businesspeople and large families, and are available in both saloon and estate formats.
Both cars are similarly well-equipped and cost around the same, so picking between the two can come down to the fine details.
Does the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class have more style?
Both cars are available in a range of trim levels, each with a range-topper inspired by their respective performance brand.
BMW takes inspiration from the M5 for the 5 Series M Sport, and Mercedes borrows cues from the E63 AMG for the E-Class AMG Line. Whichever you pick, it’s sure to turn heads with some eye-catching details.
That’s not to say that basic models look bad, though, because even in entry-level forms, both have their own distinctive looks – think LED daytime running lights, large and imposing grilles, and striking alloy wheel designs.
Is the Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series better to drive?
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Traditionalists will tell you that BMW cars are geared more toward being sporty and fun to drive, and that Mercedes cars focus more on comfort and refinement.
The reality is that both are just as engaging to drive thanks to the fact that they use a rear-wheel-drive setup, rather than the usual front-wheel-drive setup used in smaller cars, though they’re also both available with four-wheel drive for added grip.
Both four-wheel-drive models are slightly more rear-biased, which can make them more fun to drive, but BMW’s system puts a little more emphasis on the rear wheels.
The M Sport and AMG Line trims also add performance-related enhancements – like lowered suspension – to make the cars more enjoyable on a twisty backroad.
BMW 5 Series vs. Mercedes E-Class engine statistics
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Fortunately, when it comes to naming their cars, BMW and Mercedes took a similar approach by using numbers to indicate power output.
They also differentiate between fuel types: BMW uses ‘i’ for petrol, ‘d’ for diesel, and ‘e’ for petrol plug-in hybrids. Mercedes uses ‘d’ for diesel, ‘e’ for petrol plug-in hybrid, and ‘de’ for diesel plug-in hybrid, but petrol models do without a letter entirely.
There’s a variety of 2.0-litre engines to pick from when buying a 5 Series, including: the 184hp 520i; 252hp 530i; 252hp 530e; 150hp 518d; 190hp 520d; and 231hp 525d.
BMW 5 Series buyers also tend to favor the company’s smooth and powerful 3.0-litre engines, which are also reasonably economical. They include: the 340hp 540i; 394hp 545e; and 265hp 530d.
Mercedes buyers are also spoilt for choice when it comes to 2.0-litre engines, with models including: the 184hp E200; 245hp E300; 313hp E350; 320hp E300e; 299hp E350e; 150hp E200d; 194hp E220d; 245hp E300d; and 306hp E300de.
Drivers looking for some extra performance without the expense of a sports car can pick from larger 2.9-litre and 3.0-litre six-cylinder models, such as the E350d available with 258hp or 286hp, the 333hp E400, the 330-340hp E400d, or the 367hp E450.
It’s worth noting that both cars were made available with mild hybrid assistance more recently in an effort to cut harmful emissions. BMW’s power outputs for the 5 Series remained the same, but many Mercedes E-Class models got a power boost as part of this refresh.
If you’re after a plug-in hybrid, whether you choose BMW’s petrol-powered models or Mercedes’ petrol- or diesel-powered variants, you’ll be able to do around 30 miles of electric-only motoring between charges.
Then, of course, are the performance models. For the BMW, that means V8 power in the form of the M550i, M5, and M5 Competition. The Mercedes-AMG E43 and E53 both use a 3.0-litre V6, but the E63 and E63S get a BMW-rivalling V8.
E-Class vs. 5 Series: which is biggest when it comes to boot space?
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Both cars have deep boots in saloon format, though the boot opening does make getting bulky items inside the boot fairly tricky.
Neither stands out above the other: the BMW has 530 litres of space, and the Mercedes has 540 litres of space. Plug-in hybrid models suffer, though, with both losing more than 100 litres of space to accommodate the extra batteries.
If you’re after a big and usable boot, you’ll want to consider the estate versions. The BMW 5 Series Touring has 560 litres of space, which increases to 1,700 litres with the seats folded down.
The Mercedes E-Class beats this, though, with 640-1,820 litres. In fact, it’s among the most practical estates you can get.
Is the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class more reliable?
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Both cars come from premium brands, so expect things like repairs, replacement parts, and even insurance to be more expensive.
Fortunately, the running costs of both models are reasonable. Because they’re economical, you shouldn’t end up paying too much in car tax or fuel costs, especially if you pick one of the more powerful 2.0-litre engines, which balance efficiency with pacey acceleration.
BMW typically performs better in customer satisfaction surveys, with both the 5 Series and the brand as a whole outperforming its Mercedes counterpart.
Mercedes E-Class vs. BMW 5 Series: which should you buy?
Choosing between the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series is very much a question of personal preference.
Depending on the trim level, both can have all the best car tech. BMWs tend to be more understated, so if you like glossy screens then the Mercedes might be your best pick, though BMW’s ‘iDrive’ system that powers its infotainment display is pretty hard to beat.
Those who enjoy the process of driving may be better suited to the BMW 5 Series thanks to its more engaging mechanical setup, while the E-Class is better suited toward comfortably covering hundreds of miles.