In the face of increasingly fierce market competition, BMW has launched 24 BMW 5 Series models. So how competitive is the BMW 5 Series compared to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which is often compared to it, and who is more worth buying of the two cars?
In terms of appearance, the 24 BMW 5 Series continues the classic styling of the BMW series, including the instantly recognizable kidney grille, short front overhang and long wheelbase, Hoffmann-style porthole corners, etc.
The overall body profile of the 24 BMW 5 Series is simple and clear, showing an elegant arc from the front to the rear, the diffuser at the rear and the double-sided exhaust pipes all add to the car's sporty attributes, and the angular eagle-eye headlights and silver front/rear corners further add to the car's aggressive momentum. The length, width and height of 5175mmx1900mmx1520mm are slightly larger than the previous model, but the wheelbase of 3105mm remains the same.
In terms of body size, the length, width and height of the 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are 5092mmx1880mmx1493mm, and the wheelbase is 3094mm, which is slightly smaller than the 24 BMW 5 Series.
In terms of interior, the 24 BMW 5 Series is equipped with a 12.3-inch LCD instrument screen + 14.9-inch central control screen, which integrates BMW's latest iDrive8.5 in-vehicle system, which is smooth to operate and supports a variety of functions. The ambient light clusters that run through the entire side of the instrument panel and the front doors are the finishing touch to enliven the overall atmosphere of the interior.
The interior is enhanced by soft leather and wood trim on the dashboard and centre console, as well as the crystal knob and knob shape in the central armrest area, as well as heavy details in stitching and chrome accents.
The 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is equipped with a 12.3-inch LCD instrument screen + 14.4 central control screen + 12.3-inch passenger screen (optional for the low-end version and standard for the high-end version). Among them, the LCD instrument screen is independently located at the bottom of the steering wheel, which is placed separately from the central console/passenger screen, and the air conditioning outlet is located above the central console/passenger screen, which is very recognizable.
The instrument panel and door panels are covered with soft material for a pleasant touch. The centre console and seats are made of leather, which is not only high-quality, but also resistant to dirt. The addition of wood grain trim and metal accents adds a touch of luxury to the interior. The mood lighting is just right in the layout to provide a welcoming driving environment for the driver.
In terms of configuration, all 24 BMW 5 Series models come standard with active braking, parallel assist, lane centering, road traffic signs, adaptive cruise, automatic parking, electric rear tailgate, keyless start, wireless charging for mobile phones, six-way adjustment of the main and passenger seats, Internet of Vehicles/voice recognition, Harman Kardon brand audio, automatic reverse flip of exterior mirrors/automatic folding of car locking, anti-glare interior mirrors, etc. The configuration of the two models of the 530Li also adds 360° panoramic image, inductive rear tailgate, keyless entry, mobile remote control vehicle, AR real-world navigation and other configurations.
The 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class can be roughly divided into three categories: E260L, E300L, and E300L luxury, and the whole system is equipped with active braking, merging assist, lane centering, road traffic signs, full-speed adaptive cruise, automatic parking, keyless/remote start, wireless charging of mobile phones, six-way adjustment of the main and passenger seats, car networking/voice recognition, interior atmosphere lights, anti-glare interior mirrors, etc.; The exterior mirrors are equipped with automatic reversing and flipping down, and the E300L luxury further adds electric adjustment of the backrest angle of the second-row seats, and the sound of Berlin.
In terms of interior space, the 180cm tall passenger moved to the rear of the 24 BMW 5 Series after adjusting the front space to the most comfortable position, leaving one fist of headroom and more than two punches of legroom. However, there is a high bulge on the floor in the middle of the rear row, which affects the experience of passengers in the middle of the rear row. In terms of trunk size, the depth is about 1100mm, the width is 810~1410mm, and the height is about 530mm.
The same passenger moved to the rear of the 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class after adjusting the front space to the most comfortable position, with four fingers of headroom remaining and more than two fists of legroom, which can be said to be on par with the 24 BMW 5 Series. In terms of trunk size, the depth is about 900mm, the width is 1050mm, and the height is about 500mm. The rear experience of the two is not much different, but the trunk size of the 24 Mercedes E-Class is slightly smaller than that of the 24 BMW 5 Series.
In terms of power, all 24 BMW 5 Series models use a 48V mild hybrid system, which can be roughly divided into two configurations: 525Li and 530Li. The two models are equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 190/258Ps and a maximum torque of 310/400N·m respectively + an 8-speed automatic manual transmission, with an official acceleration time of 8.2/6.5s per 100 kilometers and a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 6.5/6.8L/100km respectively.
The 24 Mercedes-Benz E-class adopts the power configuration of 48V mild hybrid system + 9-speed manual automatic transmission, and the maximum power is 204/258Ps, the maximum torque is 320/400N·m 2.0T turbocharged engine, the official acceleration time of 100 kilometers is 7.7/6.6s, and the WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption is 6.15/6.65L/100km. Comparatively speaking, the low-spec version of the 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is more powerful.
In terms of driving experience, the 24 BMW 5 Series adopts the front double wishbone + rear multi-link double independent suspension, when driving in the city, the vehicle's suspension system can absorb road vibration at the same time, feel a clear road sense and precise steering wheel feedback stable control, and when driving at high speeds, the driver can get a more comfortable and stable driving experience and strong acceleration performance.
The 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a 48V mild hybrid system at low speeds, so the starting sound is quieter than that of the previous model, and the vibration is much smoother. The front and rear are equipped with multi-link independent variable suspension, and the stability of the vehicle is good, and there is no obvious shaking or roll even at high speeds or sharp corners. Even at high speeds, the engine's power output is still constant when the throttle is pressed.
In terms of configuration and price, the 24 BMW 5 Series has four configurations, and its official guide price is 439,990~485,900 yuan, while the 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has six configurations, and its official guide price is 449,000 ~ 529,800 yuan (the dealer's quotation has certain discounts on this basis). The starting prices of the two cars are similar, but the high-spec version of the 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is more expensive.
In fact, the 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was launched as early as December last year, and the 24 BMW 5 Series is actually a "latecomer" relatively speaking. In the face of fierce competition from domestic mid-to-high-end models, both cars have launched more competitive new products with larger screens and richer configurations. Overall, the entry-level version of the 24 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is more cost-effective, while the high-spec model 24 BMW 5 Series is more cost-effective.