Vs Revised Jaguar XF vs german rivals (A6, 5-series, E-class)
- Thread starter Zafiro
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Sunny
Premium
And you seem to forget that E350 costs as much as the 535 (49.5k vs 50k), while 528 is much cheaper (45k). And funny part is, despite that 528i is not much slower than E350 while being way more efficient. So compare E350 to 528i, and it looks even worse, you pay 5 grand more, it is not much faster and it way less efficient. So spin it all you want, but below the V8s, you get an inferior driveline with the E compared to 5er or Audi A6. There is no two ways about it. And till Mercedes seriously addresses it, that is the way it will stay.
But most of us in America still buy the E. 
Says a lot about the rest of the car, eh?
Lol. Yeah, it isn't super competitive on the driveline front (the MPG to HP ratio is the most upsetting), but to be honest, I'll take my reliable 268 HP and 7G over BMW troublesome driveline (and yes, the F10 owners have reported issues, this time the HPFP isn't grabbing the headlines though, it's mostly in a very jerky and delayed throttle-response in traffic). I feel that M-B kept these motors to gain in the quality aspect over its competitors, and now are bringing out the competitive motors. I'm not really the right person to talk to about this though, as performance is (obviously) very low on the chain for what I want out of a Luxury Sedan.
I eagerly await to drive the new V6's though, and I'm hoping that I don't really find them all that much more impressive for my driving style (don't want to have any reason to think to switch again, preferably, but we'll see).
Says a lot about the rest of the car, eh?
Lol. Yeah, it isn't super competitive on the driveline front (the MPG to HP ratio is the most upsetting), but to be honest, I'll take my reliable 268 HP and 7G over BMW troublesome driveline (and yes, the F10 owners have reported issues, this time the HPFP isn't grabbing the headlines though, it's mostly in a very jerky and delayed throttle-response in traffic). I feel that M-B kept these motors to gain in the quality aspect over its competitors, and now are bringing out the competitive motors. I'm not really the right person to talk to about this though, as performance is (obviously) very low on the chain for what I want out of a Luxury Sedan.
I eagerly await to drive the new V6's though, and I'm hoping that I don't really find them all that much more impressive for my driving style (don't want to have any reason to think to switch again, preferably, but we'll see).
DexterMorgan
Tarmac Traveler
It's funny but I think the person responsible for press cars at Mercedes-Benz always seems to choose either the worst color or options combinations. I must admit, even as a MB fan, the E certainly does look dated next to these vehicles; especially in the interior.
deity
Highway Hunter
Here's a comparison of their interiors:
To me, the 5er has the most sophisticated interior of them all. It flows beautifully and really just exudes luxury and sportiness at the same time. The 'worst' interior of these has to be the XF. It looks and feels a little cheap, almost like its trying a little too hard.
The A6 and the E have very respectable interiors. It seems like the A6 has gone a little towards the avant-garde direction while the E-Class has gone to more of a stately look. Both are great, but will generate more opinion than the 5er, which is really quite easy to like.
As far as the general vehicle is concerned, I really think BMW, Audi and MB are at the top of their games. You really can't go wrong with any of the choices here- it really comes down to personal opinion. I don't think there's a clear choice here. All are great cars, and all are worthy contenders in this highly competitive segment.
To me, the 5er has the most sophisticated interior of them all. It flows beautifully and really just exudes luxury and sportiness at the same time. The 'worst' interior of these has to be the XF. It looks and feels a little cheap, almost like its trying a little too hard.
The A6 and the E have very respectable interiors. It seems like the A6 has gone a little towards the avant-garde direction while the E-Class has gone to more of a stately look. Both are great, but will generate more opinion than the 5er, which is really quite easy to like.
As far as the general vehicle is concerned, I really think BMW, Audi and MB are at the top of their games. You really can't go wrong with any of the choices here- it really comes down to personal opinion. I don't think there's a clear choice here. All are great cars, and all are worthy contenders in this highly competitive segment.
wookieecrisp
Tarmac Traveler
Thank you!
It really is just a matter of taste that you decide which one to get. In my opinion, the warmth of the E-Class interior is getting me, however I could easily see why someone would pick the A6 for quality of materials or the 5-series for modern elegance.
Top Secret
Autobahn Adventurer
I still think the XF is by far and away the best looking car in this segment, both inside and out. Ze Germans are plain as vanilla.
Merc1
Premium
Sunny, you're doing the same thing though, a spin. The 2012 528i should cost less and be more efficient than a 2012 E350 considering that the BMW is a 4-cylinder in a 45K car. Lets be honest here, most of them will be either bare bones 528s with little wheels and no equipment and that is a silly purchase IMO, or they'll be loaded up and you're paying 50K for a 4-cylinder car.
Secondly going just by EPA figures doesn't tell the story either. BMWs new turbo engines have tested much thirstier than what the official ratings state, especially the V8s. Until the 2012 E350 and E550 are tested against the 2012 535i and 550i here in the U.S. at the same time, we really don't know how these cars are going to test MPG wise. Don't care about no European tests with cars that don't represent what can actually be bought here in the U.S. A528i should get better gas mileage its 4-cylinder car! Wait till you have boot it to get the car moving and watch the MPG drop considerably.
M
First time I noticed this thread and the first time I've seen all of them side by side in the same colour, without any doubt the facelift XF is the best looking but the real surprise was that I found myself preferring both the A6 and E class ahead of the 5 series which I put down to the colour. Black seems to hide all those finer details present in lighter colours and make the 5er look boring.
Sunny
Premium
Marcus, I wasn't comparing 2012 cars, but the 2011 ones since that is what the US official websites still lists. And here is how they both compare as per official website - 528i - 240HP, 0-60 6.6 secs, 22mpg/32mpg, $45,100. E350 268HP, 0-60 6.5 secs, 17/24mpg, $49,400.
As for 2012 cars, besides HP I have no idea how they will compare or what they will cost, so I rather wait till official figures are out.
Which makes the E all that much more original from the rest to me, and more desirable, personally. When I saw the A6, I noticed how similarly the sheetmetal and the surfaces reminded me of the F10 (the subtle rounded bulges, etc. as opposed to the E's much harder creases).
As for the 2011 E350 VS 528i. Like Merc said, entry MSRP only tells a partial story. A base 528i is plain as stale vanilla. A base E350 is a spicier car from the get-go (free AMG Sport Package, 18" by 8.5" (or is it 9") wheels, LED daytime running lights, 268 HP, etc.). To get a 528i to an acceptible level of configuration to even a casual buyer, it would probably reach, or maybe even surpass a base E350. As well, the difference in power between a 2011 528i and E350 is the same as the power difference between an E350 and 535i. To my driving, I didn't notice a huge difference between a 535 and E350, because I don't really push it too hard, so the 240 HP 528i would probably suit my needs as well.
Where the issue with 528's that I've driven, however (E60 and E39's) are the torque curves. The E350 has a very nice torque curve that delivers peak torque at a very low RPM, compared to a 528i which not only has less torque, but delivers it at a higher RPM, and let's not forget that the 528i is a pig-heavy car, more-so than the more powerful and torquey E350.
So I don't agree that the 528i slaps the E350 with anything, BUT the great efficiency it provides, which indeed would be enough for many to give it a nod over the powertrain in the E350.
As for the manufacturers 0-60 times. Who knows how accurate they are, however, it's no secret that BMW gears their cars for peppier performance, while M-B does for softer take-off and more comfort. Also, the 528's 8-Speed would be more accurate to credit in terms of putting the 240 HP to the ground so well, even more-so than the silky smooth I6 that BMW has perfected (and how unfortunate is it that the motor will be gone in place of a buzzy and more unrefined 4-Cylinder). On the flip side of said 8-Speed, again, it comes at a cost, as many have complained about the tip-in throttle performance on the F10's, making regular driving quite a jarring experience as it isn't easy to get the car to take off smoothly (this could be a Turbo-only problem though, as I noticed it on a 535i and have noticed most who complain are 535i drivers).
Anyway, I'm not a performance-nut, especially when talking Luxury 4-Door barges, so naturally this stuff doesn't make or break either car to me, with 0-60 times, a few HP here or there, etc. meaning very little, but for the sake of conversation....
Merc1
Premium
Well yeah Sunny we know the 2011 E350 is behind won't argue there....but the 2012's are here now so....
M
Ultimate Car Guy
Porsche Perfektionist
In the August edition of BBC Top Gear Magazine the 520d SE takes top honors against the A6 + XF FL diesels.
Dito Car magazine.
I've took the time to read some of these UK reviews and it looks to me like the best driver out of all of them is the XF but it's let down by having not the most efficient of diesel engines. So if you value driving the most by their reckoning you should look not further than the Jag, if you value driving and economy it's the Beemer but if you want the best allrounder you pick the Audi.
Where's that leave the Merc?
Where's that leave the Merc?
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