Vs AMS: BMW 530d GT vs Mercedes E350 CDI T-Modell

[cawimmer430]

1st Place: Mercedes E350 CDI T-Modell: Well-balanced, spacious and comfortable. All the traits one would expect in this car. The engine is refined and powerful but not as refined as the 5er GT. The car feels distinctively like a wagon / family car and unsporty.

+ Features
+ High quality interior
+ Spacious cabin and trunk
+ High utility and practicality
+ Superb comfort in all situations / roads
+ Fuel efficient
+ High payload capacity
- Engine not as refined as that of the 530d
- Sporty feeling is absent
- 7Gtronic shifts can be felt at times

2nd Place: BMW 530d GT: Great engine and great handling are its greatest strengths. The small trunk and lesser practicality mean it is not a threat to the E-Class T-Modell. In a way it's a car looking for a purpose.

+ Features
+ High quality interior
+ Sporty driving dynamics
+ Comfortable
+ Refined and powerful engine
+ Fuel efficient
+ Rear leg space
+ High payload capacity
- Relatively small and cramped trunk space
- Little head space for rear passengers
- Difficult high-speed handling on Autobahns (due to 4WS)
- Suspension comfort suffers on rough roads


The Scans

 

[Giannis]

Wow, they pretty much trashed the GT. It's of no surprise though. The MB T-Model is easier to digest, for most people it looks better, is more spacious and more practical. The GT is more lifestyle than practical. It's not the ideal competitor as the 5er Touring would be, but this comparison is interesting.

What really bugs me the most, is what they say about 4WS, difficult high speed handling. Isn't 4WS made to help high speed handling or what?

 

[cawimmer430]

Wow, they pretty much trashed the GT. It's of no surprise though. The MB T-Model is easier to digest, for most people it looks better, is more spacious and more practical. The GT is more lifestyle than practical. It's not the ideal competitor as the 5er Touring would be, but this comparison is interesting.

They also said the playing field will be more level once the 5er Touring comes out. The 5er GT isn't really compatible with an E-Class T-Modell anyway.

What really bugs me the most, is what they say about 4WS, difficult high speed handling. Isn't 4WS made to help high speed handling or what?

AMS said it was difficult to control the 5er GT on the Autobahn at higher speeds because the 4WS reacted so quickly to the input. They said it you need "a lot of concentration" when driving this car on the Autobahn.

I'm sure that once you're used to the way the car drives etc. that this won't be an issue. Reviewers IMO never drive any car long enough to make some seriously valid claims. In a way those 100,000 km endurance tests are the best reviews one can get for a car.

 

[EnI]

They say the rear head room in 5er GT is limited while the pic shows there is at least half of palm room above the guy's head.

And they still have issues with the gear shifter. All over again they complain about it - every time they test a BMW: for not being practical specially due the lack of feed back. I don't know what's the issue here since with every move / gear selected the mode / gear is display in the gauge display.

OK, whatever.

Regarding IAS ... In which mode did they drive on Autobahn? Sport+? Since the DDC modes also affect steering input.

This is the first time the reviewer complained about to sensitive IAS input. All the others usually complain how numb, indirect, and artificial IAS feels especially in Normal & Comfort modes. So, what now: is IAS to direct & sensitive or to numb & indirect?

 

[klier]

What's next? 1-series coupé vs A class??

Different cars. 5er GT vs R class. 5er Touring vs E class T modell.
Funny how the 5er GT is still sportier than the Merc, btw.

 

[Mr Robert]

Really bad case of apples and oranges but, what the heck, I would not mind either of them as daily means of transportation

 

[Wolfgang]

Autobild

 

[klier]

Interesting! Merc has MUCH more space in the boot. But then again, a comparable MB always has more space than the BMW, and the 5er GT is meant to tranport people in luxury, not cargo.

Just looking at the exterior proportions and shape makes it perfectly clear that the E is more suitable for tranportation of cargo. The boot area is much bigger.

 

[ZicZachZo]

Autobild

This photo right here represents for me anyway how stupid the idea of the 5er GT is. I will never understand how any of these CUVs or whatever you want to call them, deformed wagons, maybe, can be looked at as being more pleasing or popular than a traditional wagon. I blame American's horrid taste, or rather, a total lack there-of, for all of these terrible new frankenstein wagons...

Rant over.

 

[ree]

This photo right here represents for me anyway how stupid the idea of the 5er GT is. I will never understand how any of these CUVs or whatever you want to call them, deformed wagons, maybe, can be looked at as being more pleasing or popular than a traditional wagon. I blame American's horrid taste, or rather, a total lack there-of, for all of these terrible new frankenstein wagons...

Rant over.

In my opinion the 5 GT is for people who doesn't want a 7-series but its comfort. It isn't a car for families but for people who travelling with just two people or for the job of a chauffeur…

 

[Zafiro]

Mercedes for me. Thank you.

 

[Centurion]

In my opinion the 5 GT is for people who doesn't want a 7-series but its comfort. It isn't a car for families but for people who travelling with just two people or for the job of a chauffeur…

Those two people are better off buying an X5. This comparison highlights what a joke the 5er GT is.

 

[ree]

Those two people are better off buying an X5. This comparison highlights what a joke the 5er GT is.

Yep…AWD drive, great seat position and fantastic 286hp diesel = the X5 is the better 5 GT!

 

[EnI]

Autobild

As said many times: GT is not an utilitarian vehicle. It's a lifestyle vehicle. A niche vehicle. A progressive activity SEDAN.

It's boot is ok for average transports of suitcases, grocery, golf bags, sports bags, a stroller etc.

Sure, if you want transporting a dog, 6 suitcases, a fridge, more then one stroller, sports bags for the whole sports team - they, yes, buy an SUV or wagon or a van.

And again: why the article is saying there is not enough head room at the rear, while the pic is showing the guy has at least half of palm space above his head.

 

[EnI]

Those two people are better off buying an X5. This comparison highlights what a joke the 5er GT is.

A joke? And here we are again at the argument about "pointlessness" ... As you know niche crossover lifestyle vehicles are not made to be ultimate utility vehicles. Therefore they are offer several advantages from several worlds. Sure they are not masters of all. since that's not a point of a crossover at all.

The problem is GT doesn't have a direct premium rival yet. We'll have to wait till Mk2 R-class arrives.

Want a great boot space? Buy a wagon or an SUV. Definitely not a hatch. Hatch is only a more practical sedan. Definitely not an alternative to wagon, van or SUV - practicality & boot space wise.

Regarding GT vs X5 ... GT is much more luxurious inside, more comfortable, more dynamic, the design is more exclusive & exotic. And xDrive will be available this Fall.

 

[klier]

This photo right here represents for me anyway how stupid the idea of the 5er GT is. I will never understand how any of these CUVs or whatever you want to call them, deformed wagons, maybe, can be looked at as being more pleasing or popular than a traditional wagon. I blame American's horrid taste, or rather, a total lack there-of, for all of these terrible new frankenstein wagons...

Rant over.

I definitely see that

Those two people are better off buying an X5. This comparison highlights what a joke the 5er GT is.

I just know you don't even mean it, so I am not going to bother
It just gives a good feeling saying something stupid every now and then, I know all about that

 

[justanthony]

I'm really digging the E class estate. More then the saloon. 5GT's not bad tho i wouldn't buy it

 

[Centurion]

Have BMW published any sales figure for the car yet?

 

[ree]

Have BMW published any sales figure for the car yet?

December report:

3.052 BMW 5er GT

January report:

933

 

[Mr Robert]

December report:

3.052 BMW 5er GT

January report:

933

Strange, or does the December sales include those cars sold to dealers?