Poll BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes E Class


Which has the best overall design ?


  • Total voters
    93
Ok, let me take the hit for throwing out claims about the Es drag-coefficiency. It was the end of my day shift and I kind of threw it out there. It appears that both these cars are about equal and it is like splitting hairs. If I came across as rude allow me to apologize man.
It is just a rough patch for BMW fans, its just a time for that cold drink. Believe it or not, I actually like the front from head on, it looks good IMO, the headlight design looks good to. It just falls apart when you get to the side and back IMO. The designer I believe could have done a much better job. The G30, some BMW fans here call it boring but I absolutely love that car!



Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe I read somewhere here that Mercedes was taking inspiration from older Jaguar models in the design room. This was some years ago. The dropping shoulder line on the previous E and the bow in the C-Pillar might have been Jaguar-inspired.
I am just guessing here.

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The surfboard shape of the dashboard on the new E might have been Jaguar-inspired.
The first gen CLS had a standing wood panel as well but the shape is a bit different than that of the new E-Class interior.
Some other member also posted this as well.

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Mercedes consciously taking design inspiration from older Jags is new to me and I don’t really see it in the design. That doesn’t mean it can’t be true though. If Mercedes took design cues from let’s say the classic XJ series, it could be a potentially very goodlooking design-mix: a British-Teutonic combination of elegance and sleekness.

Interesting to see how the CLS interior still looks good where the S-type’s looks rather outdated.
 
It appears that both these cars are about equal and it is like splitting hairs. If I came across as rude allow me to apologize man.

Absolutely no need. Safe to say we all like your input my friend.
The Jag..... I am not seeing it either. And I doubt Mercedes even remembers the S type, let alone take design cues.

5er vs E class...... I have it settled in my mind: BMW wins hands down on actual design, but E class wins hands down on actual proportions.
Quite frankly the design of the E class is hideous to me, but saved by its stunning proportions. For BMW it's vice versa.
But at least BMW has the EV part going, E class is stuck in the past and has no future left.
 
Mercedes consciously taking design inspiration from older Jags is new to me and I don’t really see it in the design. That doesn’t mean it can’t be true though. If Mercedes took design cues from let’s say the classic XJ series, it could be a potentially very goodlooking design-mix: a British-Teutonic combination of elegance and sleekness.

Interesting to see how the CLS interior still looks good where the S-type’s looks rather outdated.

I can`t seem to find that article. A member posted it here in the fourm but as I said it was many years ago.
It was saying some inspiration, not whole design themes, were considered. If you are a car designer you can use themes from other brands, especially these days. Car companies are allowed to collaborate on design themes like thinner B-pillars or distinct shoulder lines for example.
You are allowed to use themes and change them to the specified design language your car company uses.

You are never going to see a direct copy-paste design from one car company to the next with the naked eye. it never works that way.
Design Ideas are artistically translated into the design language your car company uses, or has been using for a long time.

5er vs E class...... I have it settled in my mind: BMW wins hands down on actual design, but E class wins hands down on actual proportions.
Quite frankly the design of the E class is hideous to me, but saved by its stunning proportions. For BMW it's vice versa.
But at least BMW has the EV part going, E class is stuck in the past and has no future left.

lOl, thanks for the input my friend. This was all I was taking for in my reply and you spelled out in a classic klier way.
 
A member posted it here in the fourm but as I said it was many years ago.
It was saying some inspiration, not whole design themes, were considered. If you are a car designer you can use themes from other brands, especially these days. Car companies are allowed to collaborate on design themes like thinner B-pillars or distinct shoulder lines for example.
With all due respect, to post that Mercedes was inspired by Jaguar in a millimeter of bodywork throughout its history is to not know anything about cars.
Nor did Jaguar ever do it vice versa until the last generation where they decided to go for the German formula.
You are allowed to use themes and change them to the specified design language your car company uses.
Copying is not allowed, but in general those who innovate and are successful cannot avoid being copied and I am not talking about details, I am talking about the key generalities that define complete eras in the difference in how automobiles are designed and manufactured, with R&D and a lot mind, you will be able to design differently and innovate because you will find a way to "manufacture" and capture that conceptual idea.
 
The pot-belly cab section from certain 3/4 photos with the thin C-pillars makes it looks like a pregnant dog IMO
I suppose if you get this, some wider wheel would compensate. I can`t wait to see this up close in the metal.

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With all due respect, to post that Mercedes was inspired by Jaguar in a millimeter of bodywork throughout its history is to not know anything about cars.
Nor did Jaguar ever do it vice versa until the last generation where they decided to go for the German formula.

Are you sure about this? I am just using the original AMG GT as an example because I always thought the first-generation Mercedes AMG GT looked like the Jaguar E-Type from the 1970s. I did a little digging and found an owner of the first Gen AMG GT who thought the same thing.
He did an overlay of the Jag E-Type and Mercedes GT and was quite surprised. If you are skilled enough as Mercedes designers are, you can spin a much older design, using your current language and trends, into a new one.

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I bought an AMG GT recently. Everyone tells me it looks like a Porsche. Yes, I can see certain lines reminisce of the 928
.....but.....
To me, the GT looks like (and feels like) the E Type.
So I overlayed the GT's silhouette onto an E type FHC.
The results STUNNED me...... 😱

I used a 2+2 FHC, and left the GT full size, as the wheelbases are almost identical.
The guidelines show each wheelbase length

The similarities are just too close to be a co-incidence.
The bonnet length. The shape of the cabin. The trailing line of the hatch. The wheelbase length. Even the exhaust tip exit heights align.

So, did AMG copy the E type when they designed the AMG GT ???

-->> https://mbworld.org/forums/coupe-ro...copy-e-type-jaguar-when-they-designed-gt.html
 
The pot-belly cab section from certain 3/4 photos with the thin C-pillars makes it looks like a pregnant dog IMO
I suppose if you get this, some wider wheel would compensate. I can`t wait to see this up close in the metal.

8Zeuxlo.jpg

It desperately needs a chrome bar between the lights.

Heck, even a humble Corolla has a chrome bar between the taillights.

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And it looks good.
 
Are you sure about this? I am just using the original AMG GT as an example because I always thought the first-generation Mercedes AMG GT looked like the Jaguar E-Type from the 1970s. I did a little digging and found an owner of the first Gen AMG GT who thought the same thing.
He did an overlay of the Jag E-Type and Mercedes GT and was quite surprised. If you are skilled enough as Mercedes designers are, you can spin a much older design, using your current language and trends, into a new one.

Zot3HBG.webp




-->> https://mbworld.org/forums/coupe-ro...copy-e-type-jaguar-when-they-designed-gt.html
Jaguar 1966
300 SL 1954

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I had a recent visit to this year's local Auto show.

Thankfully the new E-Class was there, as well as the S-Class and C-Class models. I sat in all three models to compare the interior qualities.

The 214 E-Class felt the best out of the 3. The interior quality is pretty darn good. If you push hard enough or give it a decent tug there will still be a little flex for those nick-pickers. The door cards are nice. The lower parts such as the storage compartments is good quality but the center console plastic felt a little cheap. The interior space of the new E-Class is good. I'm not sold on the Jaguar type serf board architecture with its dual-screen layout. The User interface is straightforward and has a pleasant haptic feedback on all three models and is a joy to use. This new E-Class has a sleek, elegant compact shape in the metal, it looks great for this class
and to me, it is the best-looking car in this class.

Sadly, BMW was not on the main floor plan with the ICE vehicles. They have been missing for the last 5 years. I happen to look far far in the distance to hear squealing tires over there in the electric drive experience. Lo and behold the new 5-Series was there buzzing around the track. I quickly ran over to sign up for a passenger test run. (this is an indoor track with a passenger ride experience only for all EVs)

The new 5-Series does not look as bad in the metal as it does in photos.

The interior quality is robust and felt better than the E-Class I can report.

The rumors about the new 5er being smaller in the rear compared to the C-Class did not seem to be true at all. I had plenty of head and legroom in the rear compared to the C-Class that was there. The seat comfort and position is also great. The materials are grade-A in the 5er but like the new E-Class, I don`t like the dash design. As I said before, it looks like it was designed by a robot that printed it off a 3d print press.

In the new 5-Series, the Minimalist theme is taken too far IMO. While the materials are top-notch, there is a lack of substance or soul so to speak. The E-Class is more “old-world” elegant in my view because there is a sense of designer elegance like the speakers grills and the metallic HVAC vents, switch gear, and grab handles. The window switches in the 5er felt cheap and the inner plastic in the window switches is a little scratchy. Other than that it is really hard to find fault with on the premium level. The UI, like the E-Class, is snappy with a vivid display but the menu diving seemed a bit more than the E-Class.

I had 3 track runs in the new 5-Series (the i5 eDrive 40) as a passenger, that includes the rear. The last one was at hi-speed and it felt like a typical sporty BMW sedan with minimal weight transfer in the corners and little body roll. *The photos are a bit rushed as there were a lot of people moving out of my way for pictures.



1APpLFd.jpg


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gvdfEFb.jpg


---

8IK5oaR.jpg


uScn9Me.jpg


ztvY1uo.jpg


---

S580
Some of the best car seats in the world.

kTlktt3.jpg


yCEjfHe.jpg

--
C300 sport package

hFmHsrf.jpg
 
I had a recent visit to this year's local Auto show.

Thankfully the new E-Class was there, as well as the S-Class and C-Class models. I sat in all three models to compare the interior qualities.

The 214 E-Class felt the best out of the 3. The interior quality is pretty darn good. If you push hard enough or give it a decent tug there will still be a little flex for those nick-pickers. The door cards are nice. The lower parts such as the storage compartments is good quality but the center console plastic felt a little cheap. The interior space of the new E-Class is good. I'm not sold on the Jaguar type serf board architecture with its dual-screen layout. The User interface is straightforward and has a pleasant haptic feedback on all three models and is a joy to use. This new E-Class has a sleek, elegant compact shape in the metal, it looks great for this class
and to me, it is the best-looking car in this class.

Sadly, BMW was not on the main floor plan with the ICE vehicles. They have been missing for the last 5 years. I happen to look far far in the distance to hear squealing tires over there in the electric drive experience. Lo and behold the new 5-Series was there buzzing around the track. I quickly ran over to sign up for a passenger test run. (this is an indoor track with a passenger ride experience only for all EVs)

The new 5-Series does not look as bad in the metal as it does in photos.

The interior quality is robust and felt better than the E-Class I can report.

The rumors about the new 5er being smaller in the rear compared to the C-Class did not seem to be true at all. I had plenty of head and legroom in the rear compared to the C-Class that was there. The seat comfort and position is also great. The materials are grade-A in the 5er but like the new E-Class, I don`t like the dash design. As I said before, it looks like it was designed by a robot that printed it off a 3d print press.

In the new 5-Series, the Minimalist theme is taken too far IMO. While the materials are top-notch, there is a lack of substance or soul so to speak. The E-Class is more “old-world” elegant in my view because there is a sense of designer elegance like the speakers grills and the metallic HVAC vents, switch gear, and grab handles. The window switches in the 5er felt cheap and the inner plastic in the window switches is a little scratchy. Other than that it is really hard to find fault with on the premium level. The UI, like the E-Class, is snappy with a vivid display but the menu diving seemed a bit more than the E-Class.

I had 3 track runs in the new 5-Series (the i5 eDrive 40) as a passenger, that includes the rear. The last one was at hi-speed and it felt like a typical sporty BMW sedan with minimal weight transfer in the corners and little body roll. *The photos are a bit rushed as there were a lot of people moving out of my way for pictures.



1APpLFd.jpg


np2QfhG.jpg


gvdfEFb.jpg


---

8IK5oaR.jpg


uScn9Me.jpg


ztvY1uo.jpg


---

S580
Some of the best car seats in the world.

kTlktt3.jpg


yCEjfHe.jpg

--
C300 sport package

hFmHsrf.jpg
Thank you very much for sharing such a complete review, it sounds like you had some fun there.
 
^Thanks, it was pretty cool.
As a side note,

The 5er was not the only EV at the show.

The Mercedes EQS, EQE53 SUV AMG, Ford Lightning pickup, Nissan Leaf, and the electric Mustang were there.

I happen to catch rides run in the EQE 53AMG SUV and the Porsche Taycan.

The AMG felt heavy but is rapid! The Taycan on the other hand is insane! It almost felt like the laws of physics were taken advantage of going around the track. The weight transfer is so minimal, it felt like it was glued to the track going around turns. Whoever says the Taycan is not a sporty car is fooling just themselves.

The lines for the EQS and EQE53 AMG were very long to my surprise. The line for the Porsche Taycan was just enormous.
It took forever to catch a second ride in it.
The 5er was the second-best EV there but the line only had about 5-6 people at best and was the least popular EV at the show.
 
What an absolutely hideous interior. And always with the damn pink lights, which seems to be a MB fan’s wet dream.
 

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