BMW 520d SE:€47,400 versus Mercedes-Benz E 220CDi Elegance A/T:€48,800
YOU JUST have to look at the executive segment in Ireland to see the tumbleweeds are blowing through most high-end dealerships. However, one of the highlights of 2009 has been the arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class to our shores. Mercedes-Benz have enjoyed big success with the E-Class with scores of customers out there – who now have to spend a lot less to get into the new one.
A combination of an aggressive pricing structure from the importers and the cars new lower emissions means the E-Class costs significantly less than it did before and would-be owners can now get into a tax band B, E200 CDi for as little as €41,200. This year has not been a year to be seen to buying large executive cars and the lack of available credit has just added to the problem.
However, 2010 could see a return to form for some of these brands. BMW’s current 5 Series hit Irish shores at the start of the Celtic Tiger and BMW enjoyed the fruits of that success. Every tiger cub worth their salt was remortgaging one of their foreign properties to get their hands on a 5 Series and they became as popular and plentiful here as decking, patios and Botox.
Next year sees a new 5 Series, which will be unveiled in November. But with sales of the run-out models likely to offer outstanding value, we put the two best executive cars head to head.
STYLING
5 Series***
E-Class****
The fact that the first of the current 5 Series models came to Ireland in late 2003 and yet they still turn heads is a credit to the its styling. This was a controversial car when it was launched, with many fans criticising the influence of designer Chris Bangle on the car, especially the rear end, but the design has aged superbly, especially when you compare it to previous generations of the E-Class. There was a refresh in 2007, but not too much changed visually and though the 5 Series is a familiar sight, it still looks the part.
The E-Class is a little bit of a conundrum, because it looks modern and upmarket, but it is a little subjective as to whether this is a good-looking car or not. There is more than a hint of Maybach about the new E-Class and while this doesn’t mean it is a beautiful car, it certainly is imposing.
Where you can start to see a huge difference in styling is in the interiors. The interior of the E-Class is much more modern than the 5 Series. The BMW still looks smart, but it no longer feels as well clean and considered as the E-Class. Similarly, the iDrive is familiar now, but the equivalent system in the E-Class looks and feels better.
RELIABILITY QUALITY
5 Series ****
E-Class ****
We have absolutely no reason to think that the new E-Class will give its owners headaches, but this is something that we weren’t able to say about the car it replaces. The previous W211 model was blighted with quality issues with problems relating to electrical and electronic issues as well as gearbox and engines faults, something that Mercedes-Benz were very open about wanting to put right with this new W212 version.
The new version feels superbly put together and the brand have been keen to stress the amount of testing these cars have been put through, including 36 million kilometres in a variety of climates and conditions.
The E60 5 Series has been very reliable. Aside from some early glitches with iDrive and some niggling faults with the puncture warning systems, the 5 Series has been hassle-free and the quality of the fit and finish of the car is first rate. The new E-Class feels of better quality overall, but we have to score them evenly here based on both models track record.
DRIVING
5 Series *****
E-Class ****
If this comparison had been between this 5-Series and the old E-Class it would have been no contest, but the new E-Class is a much better car to drive than before by some degree. The new has much sharper handling than before, there is better weight in the steering and the suspension is better too. The E-Class was always about comfort and this remains the primary goal in this model and at this task, the E-Class does a superb job. The 5 Series remains the better car to drive and has the edge when it comes to pushing hard through twisty roads, although this is something that the majority of owners don’t do. But the 5 Series does comfort well too, even with large wheels and sports suspension. If you are after comfort primarily however, E-Class is your car, if you enjoy your driving then it must be the 5 Series.
ERGONOMICS, PRACTICALITY
5 Series ****
E-Class *****
The E-Class is a longer car than the 5 Series, it is also wider too and almost identical in height. There is slightly more headroom in the front of the E-Class, as well as more headroom and legroom in the rear. The luggage capacity of the E-Class, at 540-litres, is 20-litres bigger than in the 5 Series.
ENGINES
5 Series ***
E-Class ****
What we have here is the E220 CDi, which is a 2.2-litre diesel with 170bhp and the 520d, which uses a 2.0-litre with 175bhp. Both have very similar power outputs, but the Mercedes has the edge in terms of torque, with 50Nm more than the 5 Series.
The performance figures for the two cars are virtually identical with a few kilometres difference between the top speeds and fractions of seconds between the 0-100km/h sprints. Choose either of these cars with manual transmissions and you can have lower emissions and lower road tax, but they can feel at their best with automatic transmissions.
The E-Class feels that bit smoother with this engine and with the automatic transmission and gets the nod this time around.
RUNNING COSTS (ECONOMY, ROAD TAX, DEPRECIATION)
5 Series ***
E-Class ****
Both of these cars as they stand are band C cars with automatic transmission, but users can half their annual road tax bill just by opting to shift gears themselves and use a clutch. However, anecdotal evidence has shown that buyers looking for used examples of large executive cars see automatic transmission as a pre-requisite, so it can be a little bit of a risk to choose manual. Both cars offer comparable fuel economy figures and servicing and parts costs are generally similar. However, BMW’s service inclusive package, where you pay for annual servicing costs up front can be a money saver. There is no doubt that if you buy the current 5 Series now that it will depreciate harder, since there is a new model just around the corner, so if it is your own money then it will have to be the E-Class.
EQUIPMENT SAFETY
5 Series ***
E-Class ****
There is, as you would expect, a certain level of equipment both in terms of comfort and safety that you would expect in both of these cars and you can expect things such as air conditioning, cruise control and alloy wheels as standard. Both cars have traction control and stability control as standard and in the E-Class there are nine airbags as standard and a pop-up bonnet to protect pedestrians in collisions. Lane change and blind spot warning systems are available on the E-Class, as is a night-vision camera.
THE VERDICT:
Mercedes E-Class
You feel that if both of these cars were brand new models then there would be a closer result. The 5 Series remains the better car when it comes to sheer driving dynamics, but in every other regard the E-Class has moved the game on. However the 5 Series is now a six-year old car and it is a credit to how right they got it that it competes so well with a brand new Mercedes-Benz.
The fact that the E-Class now comes in significantly cheaper than the cheapest 5 Series is remarkable and while we haven’t driven it here, the E200 CDi is likely to be a big seller in 2010.
However, we do know that BMW will be back with a new 5 Series next year and if some of their latest cars, like the 5 Series GT are anything to go by, then it should be very good.
For the moment, the E-Class is the winner, but we at Motors cannot wait for the rematch early next year.
Factfile BMW
BMW 520d SE Auto
Engine:1,995cc 4-cylinder turbo diesel
Power:175bhp, 350Nm torque
Transmission:6-speed manual
0-100km/h:8.3 seconds
Top Speed:231km/h
Economy:Urban 6.5 l/100km (43.4 mpg); Extra Urban 4.3 l/100km (65.6 mpg); Combined 5.1 l/100km (55.3 mpg)
Emissions:149g/km
Tax Band:C (302p.a.)
Boot capacity:520 litres
Price:€52,242 (available for less through Sterling collection)
Factfile Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz E 220CDi Elegance A/T
Engine:2,143cc 4-cylinder turbo diesel
Power:170bhp, 400Nm torque
Transmission:5-speed automatic
0-100km/h:8.0 seconds
Top speed:227km/h
Economy:urban 8.1 l/100km (35 mpg); extra urban 4.7 l/100km (60mpg); combined 6.0 l/100km (47 mpg)
Emissions:154g/km
Tax:Band C (€302 pa)
Boot capacity:540 litres
Price:€48,800
The Competition:
Audi A6 2.0 TDi 136bhp SE
- CC:1968
- BHP:136
- Speed:210 km/h
- 0-100km/h:10.4 secs
- L/100km:5.3
- CO2:139g/km
- Motor tax:156
- Price:€45,310
VW Passat CC 2.0 TDi Sport DSG 170
- CC:1,968
- BHP:170
- Speed:224 km/h
- 0-100km/h:8.6 secs
- L/100km:5.1
- CO2:159g/km
- Motor tax:447
- Price:€46,540
Jaguar XF 3.0D Luxury
- CC:2,993
- BHP:240
- Speed:240km/h
- 0-100km/h:6.7 secs
- L/100km:5.5
- CO2:179g/km
- Motor tax:630
- Price:€57,995
Citroën C6 2.2 HDi V6 4-dr
- CC:2,179
- BHP:173
- Speed:217 km/h
- 0-100km/h:9.6 secs
- L/100km:6.6
- CO2:175g/km
- Motor tax:630
- Price:€57,100