AutoBild: BMW F10 5-series vs. Audi A6 vs. Mercedes W212 E-Class (photo comparison)


Your personal favorite?


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IMO, this segment has never been better than now, IMO BMW:s all fivers have been goodlooking, MB has been interesting since the W211 and Audi since the C5 fl. Now, I'd have a hard time choosing between these Germans. I'd choose a 5er though, second maybe the new A6 and then the MB due to the horrible interior.
 
IMO, this segment has never been better than now, IMO BMW:s all fivers have been goodlooking, MB has been interesting since the W211 and Audi since the C5 fl. Now, I'd have a hard time choosing between these Germans. I'd choose a 5er though, second maybe the new A6 and then the MB due to the horrible interior.

Did you mean.."then the MB due to the horrible Business styled interior"?
 
I dont need to share my reasons why I pick this

586938fb35ba8e11fc4f04c50dee4b27._.webp

23f24186ef636a20b6534867af6972d6._.webp
 
these cars are miles apart in look department sad to say the e class places in third with its design which already looks dated.the 5er even though a major step up from the catastrophe that was the last generation comes in a distant second to the revised a6 which looks the most modern out the bunch.im much more interested in the test results though and yet no one has commented on the final verdict.
 
.im much more interested in the test results though and yet no one has commented on the final verdict.

Because it was no test. A6 isnt available for testdrive until the end of January.
Autobild comments were that A6 didnt have the WOW factor like the other two. A6 was the one with best interior space. Thats about it.
 
Did you mean.."then the MB due to the horrible Business styled interior"?

Yeah, I think we'll just put that down to a slight typo on his part. :D

Finally we get to see a side-by-side comparison of these 3 cars. Unfortunately the BMW, nor the Benz are presented in a more appealing trim, while the Audi is shown with bigger and sportier rims (which let's be honest, make a big difference to the visual appeal of any car, let alone this trio of stylistic saloons).

As many have mentioned, the Benz becomes appealing after the AMG kit, and for me that implies a weakness in the standard design. A bit too rigid and edgy/boxy in design, and the rear is quite dull in comparison to the emotive front-end and sculptured side-profile.

The A6...as all Audi's nowadays is nothing fancy, but nothing new. It's design doesn't engage my interest, nor does design language of sleek & simplified excite my mind. Take out the fanciful headlights (which by the way actually work well on this car) and everything else is same ol', same ol'. That comparison in the A6 Thread where the rear lights and wheels are whited-out absolutely said it all about how slight the changes have been, almost to the point of it being a face lift for the exterior. If the E's rear was dull, then the A6's is a shocker! Blatant copy-paste for one thing, and in complete contrast to the aggressive front light appeal. It would be interesting to see the A6 with standard (smaller and less exciting) rims to really see how well the car looks. Overall, head and shoulders above the previous A6 which had a terrible nose-heavy look, but it doesn't really set itself apart from its siblings.

The BMW 5er...well, it's the E39 reborn with a bit of flare for good measure. The proportions are simply amazing to witness when the car is in motion, definitely more resolved than the E60 5er. The front end is the weak point, with the soft shape of the headlights and the exaggerated smile. IMO, should have been sharper and more aggressive, but then again, it's the rebirth of the conservative yet classic E39. Even though the E39 was conservative, the F10 still has some flare and excitement to it. The surface work on the side, the bonnet/hood, and the excellent looking rear-end really communicate a sense of athleticism all the while maintaining a sense of premium appeal. Not sure which looks better, the sedan or the touring..but then again it doesn't really matter, both look excellent.
Overall, the new 5er's athletic proportions are completely captivating, and it really does make you realize what a sports sedan should look like in its most basic form. No need for overly aggressive front bumper designs (or a full kit like the E), no need for attention seeking headlights or a sporty looking rear bumper (like the A6),...just a clear focus on getting the basic proportions right, and then adding design elements that communicate either sportiness or luxury.

The new 5er wins this comparison for me, with the new A6 just edging out the E-class, though give the Benz and the Audi their respective sports package and they're dead-even, while giving the 5er it's sport package only further adds to its appeal, and therefore leaves the Benz and Audi even further behind.

:t-cheers:
 
I dont need to share my reasons why I pick this

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God knows I'm not a fan of BMW, but the new 5 series is a beautiful piece of metal.

I've seen a few on the road and it has to be the most elegant BMW ever made. I hope I get a chance to drive it. I loved the way the previous model drove....just hated it's looks. This one has the looks...I just want to experience the drive.
 
For me, the problem with the F10 is that from certain angles it looks like an elephant has sat on the bonnet. It's the whole concave bonnet look complete with butt cheek imprints thing... Admittedly it's only on rare occasions, and I need to have had a bit to drink. Otherwise an impeccably turned out automobile, albeit on the safe side.

I quite like the Merc's rear on the road. - very distinctive. The thing I love most about the E Class is how well it disguises its size in real life.

A6 - same bar of soap, different pattern inlay.
 
For me, the problem with the F10 is that from certain angles it looks like an elephant has sat on the bonnet. It's the whole concave bonnet look complete with butt cheek imprints thing.

So, is this a negative design feature in terms of how the aggressive bonnet lines were implemented on the 5er? ...or is it simple a drawback because of the unnerving mental image your mind conjures up when you're under the influence? ... or...is it just a little nitpicking to find some fault in the 5er's appearance?

:t-cheers:



Admittedly it's only on rare occasions, and I need to have had a bit to drink. Otherwise an impeccably turned out automobile, albeit on the safe side.

Hmm.. well maybe the F10 5er's the safest car for you. When you're intoxicated, the hideous mental image of an elephant's ass-print on the hood would destroy any thought of getting behind the wheel. :D


The thing I love most about the E Class is how well it disguises its size in real life.

Does that not somehow work against the desired image of the new E-class of being solid, muscular, imposing and old-school Mercedes-Benz ?
 
Wonderful photograph of the blue F10 5 series posted above.

It displays the extent of which BMW exterior design is defined by its' architecture as opposed to its' secondary detailing. The length of the hood, rake of the A and C pillars, distance between the front wheel arch opening and the front doors' forward shutlines, the short front overhangs. All of these elements being very much what defines the exterior design of a RWD automobile. Its' really BMWs' forte. And in this aspect, M-B and especially Audi find themselves relegated to the roles of 2nd and 3rd fiddle. With Audis' MLP matrix, they have somewhat successfully addressed the issue of proportional balance and perceived dynamics. M-B also very much projects the aesthetic character of a RWD automobile with its' short front overhang and somewhat longish rear overhang. But the emphasis of the wedge, the boxy greenhouse and the busy secondary detailing do not necessarily convey the uncluttered and authentic "in motion even when stationary" athleticism of the BMW.

Just my $0.02.
 
God knows I'm not a fan of BMW, but the new 5 series is a beautiful piece of metal.

I've seen a few on the road and it has to be the most elegant BMW ever made. I hope I get a chance to drive it. I loved the way the previous model drove....just hated it's looks. This one has the looks...I just want to experience the drive.


You ain't kidding. This is the hottest BMW sedan in years. I see the M kit models have arrived in the U.S. and I've seen one....my oh my....best looking 4-door BMW in years. It is gorgeous.


M
 
Today i've seen one of the best sights on the street..a black AMG E300 and a white M 528i..damn what gorgeous looking cars.:icondrool:icondrool

For me i'd definitely pick the AMG E-Class...gorgeous looking and different from anything on the road.:usa7uh:
 
For me i'd definitely pick the AMG E-Class...gorgeous looking and different from anything on the road.:usa7uh:

LOL

what about 458, Gallardo, 911, M3, SL63 etc etc ;) sorry but E-class isnt that special :)
 
You ain't kidding. This is the hottest BMW sedan in years. I see the M kit models have arrived in the U.S. and I've seen one....my oh my....best looking 4-door BMW in years. It is gorgeous.


M

Amen :bowdown:


:D
 
^^ And besides, it's all relative. A Gallardo isn't special compared to, lets say, a KTM Crossbow.



Look! This car is from the brother of MikeJ!!

:D

You ain't kidding. This is the hottest BMW sedan in years. I see the M kit models have arrived in the U.S. and I've seen one....my oh my....best looking 4-door BMW in years. It is gorgeous.


M

Hmmm.....I still don't know. 7er is imo just as pretty, and I have such a hard time choosing between those two designs. 7er looks more special, 5er more sporty. Both are stunning.
 
You ain't kidding. This is the hottest BMW sedan in years. I see the M kit models have arrived in the U.S. and I've seen one....my oh my....best looking 4-door BMW in years. It is gorgeous.


M

I have to agree, the F10 is BMW at their best which hasn't happened in saloon/estate form for quite a while. As for the M/sport bodykit I don't actually like the nose treatment this time round, much preferring the SE.
 
The problem with E-class, the car really need AMG-package to look good. Without it the design is average. The car looks strange in certain angles.
The beauty with the new 5er , the car looks good both with and without M-package. To be honest, a M-package isnt even necessary if you want a 5-series.

Another fine example.
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Zafiro,
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