Vs W212 E-class vs. F10 5 series (vs. Audi A6)

[EnI]

That's how I like the E-Class, elegant and simple.

Yes, but the problem is IRL E doesn't look neither more elegant nor simpler compared to new 5er.

5er lines - although having many of them - are much clearer & more coherent. And the car looks sleeker - therefore consequently more elegant. E looks chunkier & compacter.

E is more robust & solid looking, heaving more state-like presence. A classic executive sedan. While 5er is sleeker, sporty - elegant with dynamic presence. A sporty alternative to classic executive sedan.

It's E34 vs W124 match all over again.

 

[klier]

^ Or E39 vs W210

 

[Centurion]

5er lines - although having many of them - are much clearer & more coherent. And the car looks sleeker - therefore consequently more elegant. E looks chunkier & compacter.

But you're the who's been saying "Journalists jizzed in their pants when they saw that the F01 is muscular and have more buldges than Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime".......and now you're saying that the E-Class looks chunkier. What is it going to be So seem to apply every possible adjective to the F10 whenever you want to defend it.

The E-Class features the most classic and regal body shape of a sedan -- the wedge shape. BMW on the other hand adopted the slighly more dynamic and new ages approach of a slight coupe-ish siloutte like the jaguar XF, but to a less degree.

Here is the gradient of body shape for the segment.

Coupe/New age
CLS
XF
F10
A&
E-Class
Sedan/Classic

 

[EnI]

^ Or E39 vs W210

To lesser extent - since W210 was presented with quad round headlights, and a bit rounded rear lights - while W124 was more angular.

But you're the who's been saying "Journalists jizzed in their pants when they saw that the F01 is muscular and have more buldges than Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime".......and now you're saying that the E-Class looks chunkier. What is it going to be So seem to apply every possible adjective to the F10 whenever you want to defend it.

I don't think chunky & muscular is the same. Eg. F10 features lean shape with round bulges - like muscles. E class isn't as lean, and except for rear wheel arch there are no bulges present - and even this one is quite angular & edgy. The whole E shape is more compact & chunky. The right word to describe F10 is ATHLETIC - lean body with defined muscles. While E looks more like a body-bouncer. More mass (fat) than muscles.



What I like more on E are the E60-like sharp thin creases - giving more dramatic effect in some lighting conditions. While F10 5er looks more sculptured yet in some cases less dramatic in details.

What's so great on F10 are the proportions. They are just SUPERB. The car really looks impressive IRL. It's VERY attractive. A real looker. But not in an XF way - with extravagance & dramatic catchy detailing. F10 is a classic sporty-elegant executive sedan in E34 or E39 manner.

It's a perfect mix of E34 sleek sportiness, E39 elegant graciousness & E60 strong stance. IMO BMW stuff did a great homework this time. The car is just right. It's all BMW has to be.

As AVH said: "It's really a 100% BMW."

 

[Centurion]

classic sporty-elegant

Good God! You can't refrain from stringing opposing adjectives together, can you? Bad compulsive disorder there

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Good God! You can't refrain from stringing opposing adjectives together, can you? Bad compulsive disorder there

lol. Luw. I'm having a little debate with Eni about the definition of elegance in another thread. I'm finding it very amusing that this BMW is being called 'Elegant'. Elegant it is NOT. Elegance is a Mercedes. In fact, if you look up a thesaurus, Mercedes is listed as a synonym for elegance.

 

[EnI]

Good God! You can't refrain from stringing opposing adjectives together, can you? Bad compulsive disorder there

Haven't you also described some MBs (like CL) or Bentleys like sporty elegant?

 

[Mr Robert]

E60 vs F10, or W212 vs F10?

I'm sure the F10 with all the active systems will be more refined to drive - more matured. Eg. like E85 Z4 vs E89 Z4.

But ... the true comparison will be between cars without optional active equipment.

Yet I guess the difference will be the same - F10 being more mature & stable on the road. More dynamic, handling better - but more refined (easier to drive) - meaning a bit "numb" compared to the outgoing model.

Nothing surprising here - it's happening with every new Mk of every BMW series. Cars moving upscale, becoming more mature & refined.

But overall the F10 drives MUCH better than E60 - that will be even more evident in M5 case.

I actually think I now know what to expect from the F10 in terms of driver involvement, if the simile E85 vs E89 is anything to go by.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

E: meaner look, perhaps. Having more aggressive appearance in general: Not at all!

The 5 series looks very soft and sleek. It has become more of a beauty queen. I like the overall shape of it more so then the E-class.

On the other hand the E-class is far more aggressive and judging from the photos way more road presence then the 5 series. Maybe the M5 will be more aggressive, but the regular 5 isn't nearly as aggressive as the E.

Then again looks are very subjective so everyone will have a different opinion. But if I wanted to be more noticed on the streets, the E-class would be my choice.

 

[Cashmere]

just curious, does anyone have a sales comparison of total 5 series sold vs total E class sold (from one gerneration to the next)

 

[K-A]

Check out this Video. Any doubts about this car have been completely SQUASHED to me. It looks downright gorgeous, and the fact that the reviewer keeps stressing the words "timeless", "elegant", "will look great in 20 years", repping how cohesive it is, etc. is just proof that this car speaks my language.

YouTube - Exclusive First Detailed Review Of The 2011 BMW 5-Series From Portugal Launch

How much better this looks than the fussy and mechanical looking E-Class is just beyond words to me. As well, imagine seeing the trendy-for-now squared off W212 in 20 years next to this F10, it'll be ridiculous how much better the F10 will look IMO, in terms of how appropriate and well aged it will be in comparison. I feel as well, in 20 years, put a W211 next to a E60, and ohh boy, it won't look pretty at all for the E60 IMO, it will look like one of those 80's cars that ooze "THE 80's" right now, just for the 2000's.

Put a 210 next to an E39, and the 210 looks more oozing of its time, and not as easy on the eyes (although I like the 210's a lot), i.e less timeless. And the 124 takes the cake for its gen VS its competitor 5-Series.... Funny, they just keep going back and forth each generation!!

Enjoy the Vid! Interior looks stunning as well, first time a 5-Series' looks warmer, more luxurious, and probably better in the materials than its competing E-Class as well, IMO.

 

[K-A]

I dunno, I see lots of soul in the F10, watching that video I posted almost brought a tear to my eye, finally a current car that isn't trying to be the next futuristic thing, finally a new car that is going back to true, timeless beauty, and perfect proportions.

To me, the 212 lacks the soul of my favorite German cars, I feel it's trying way way too hard to do too many things, and comes off cold, especially interior-wise, the F10 to me feels very warm, and pure, like our savior has come.

The 212 IS more interesting to look at, due to all the craziness going on with the design, and how head-scratchingly conventional and conservative it looks at the same time (good trick by the designers, make it boxy and squared off, which usually = "old-world", and put lots of styling elements all around it).

However, this is why the 212 will be tiring to look at in 3+ years IMO, and the F10 will look just as fresh as when it first dropped.

Like the E60, they look HORRIBLY dated when I see them on the roads now, that awful trunk shutline is just sticking out like a sore thumb nowadays, that car won't age gracefully at all once it becomes the "old model". Again, I compare it with the 211, which is always going to look far more timeless and graceful. It's like they switched places again (the E and 5) with this current generation.

I think the W212 will get a lot of crossovers from the E60, and the F10 from the W211, which ironically will be similar people who were on the side of the E39 (who would have possibly moved to the W211), and W210 (who would have possibly moved to the E60).

 

[klier]

Can someone photoshop a Mercedes Benz star onto the hood of the 5 Series for me?

Seriously...

Vivaki....Centurion....CoolRaoul...Merc fanboys 'not really liking' the F10. So strange, I would have never thought! Weak front, big 3-series, E-class looks better.....



I don't think there will be a single test where the F10 is going to loose from the E-class. Not a single test. 5er simply is on another level compared to the E class. Just like it was in the W210/E39 days. The gap is huge again (and very small in the W211/E60 generation).

And this whole interior talk needs some defending too. It does NOT matter that the F01, F07 and F10 are extremely similar to eachother. It was like this in the past too, and the interiors of the new 7er/5er have never been as pretty as they are now. It's sheer perfection, and therefore I'm happy to see the design come back. Having the stunning 7er interior inside the 5er too is just a big plus imo.

 

[K-A]

I don't care how much in common the interior has with the F01, in fact, that's a GREAT thing for 5 owners (not great for 7 owners), it's like an E-Class having a true S-Class interior.

As long as it's better than the hardened, and plastic obsessed new E-Class interior, and goes for a nice, elegant-refined vibe (which it seems it does, mixed with the very new-age, modern look expected from BMW), I'm all for it.

 

[coolraoul]

Seriously...

Vivaki....Centurion....CoolRaoul...Merc fanboys 'not really liking' the F10. So strange, I would have never thought! Weak front, big 3-series, E-class looks better.....



I don't think there will be a single test where the F10 is going to loose from the E-class. Not a single test. 5er simply is on another level compared to the E class. Just like it was in the W210/E39 days. The gap is huge again (and very small in the W211/E60 generation).

And this whole interior talk needs some defending too. It does NOT matter that the F01, F07 and F10 are extremely similar to eachother. It was like this in the past too, and the interiors of the new 7er/5er have never been as pretty as they are now. It's sheer perfection, and therefore I'm happy to see the design come back. Having the stunning 7er interior inside the 5er too is just a big plus imo.

Well, I said I liked the F01, which happens to be a BMW. So, don't say I'm a fanboy unable to be objective about cars.

I say what I think, and what I think is that the F01 looks hugely better than the F10.

Secondly, I don't see how you can say it's a better car than the 212 only judging by a few photoshopped pictures. Now that sounds a bit subjective doesn't it?

 

[klier]

K-A, I think interior wise, the gap between the E and 5 has never been bigger.

Secondly, I don't see how you can say it's a better car than the 212 only judging by a few photoshopped pictures. Now that sounds a bit subjective doesn't it?

1. There's a MILLION pics out of the 5er.
2. Only the official press pics are photoshopped.

But, even though I've only seen photos, I have the gift of being able to see in pictures what I will see irl. There's no need to see the 5er, I already know that in person I will absolutely love it from every angle inside out. The car is just perfection, simple as that

5er = perfection
E-class = flawed

 

[ree]

But, even though I've only seen photos, I have the gift of being able to see in pictures what I will see irl. There's no need to see the 5er, I already know that in person I will absolutely love it from every angle inside out. The car is just perfection, simple as that

5er = perfection
E-class = flawed

Don't want to start a W212 vs. 5-series discussion here (we have other threads, where we can do this)! But did you ever sat in the new W212 klier?!

It is fantastic with stunning build quality. Everything fits perfect and that is for cloth seats, leather seats and the Nappa leather seats with Exclusive Package. Quality is near S-Class…

…and I think the gap between F10 and W212 isn't that big, as you would like it to be!

Well, it is subjective if you like an interior or you don't, but you should be objective while comparing both interiors!

 

[Vivaki]

Seriously...

Vivaki....Centurion....CoolRaoul...Merc fanboys 'not really liking' the F10. So strange, I would have never thought! Weak front, big 3-series, E-class looks better.....



I don't think there will be a single test where the F10 is going to loose from the E-class. Not a single test. 5er simply is on another level compared to the E class. Just like it was in the W210/E39 days. The gap is huge again (and very small in the W211/E60 generation).

Perfect example of what I meant when I said that BMW fanboys are going to hate me for saying this. Your ranked in the top three BMW fanboys on this site and it is clearly evident how blinded you are by the BMW brand. You just cant and wont accept other peoples opinions if they are against BMW models which is quite pathetic if you ask me.
So what if I dont like the 5 series? Why do you have to get soo emotional and defensive over it to the extent that you start telling me in advance that the 5 series will win every car mag test? lmao!
Fanboys like you need to realise we all have our own opinions and if we were to go out to a showroom to buy a car, we wont be making our decisions based on peoples comments on an internet forum or a car magazines review!

Also, You brought up the term 'merc fanboy' but I guess you didnt read my post in this thread: http://www.germancarforum.com/internal-combustion/31597-opinions-about-competition-2.html#post428067 Yes, I have chosen 5 BMW's over the rest which is the same number of Merc's I chose over the rest and at the time of that post I have actually chose the E class and 5 series as equal!

And just to let you know, right now in my front drive their are more BMW's than Mercs, so next time before accusing someone of being a fanboy, get your facts right. Were not all fanboys like you!

 

[klier]

Stop trying to be a Saint. You're as much a Mercedes fan as I am a BMW fan. I am a fan, not a fanboy. I don't troll.
And I don't hate you by a long shot. I just have a different opinion. I am not emotional or defensive either. Very far from that. You give your opinion, and I give mine. That's it. And I am allowed to say the 5er is going to destroy the E class in the reviews. What would be wrong with that? Or can't you handle that?


Dunkel, a week ago the MB boys weren't posting in this thread. Now they are because of the Portugal launch and all the new media.
They see the activity in the 5er forum, decide to take a look, see all the stunning pics, become afraid, and then everything starts rolling.

Don't want to start a W212 vs. 5-series discussion here (we have other threads, where we can do this)! But did you ever sat in the new W212 klier?!

Well, it is subjective if you like an interior or you don't, but you should be objective while comparing both interiors!

I sit in it every week almost, because the taxi company I use has nothing but W212 cars, and I take the cab home every weekend when I'm too drunk to drive Plus I've sat in numerous models at the dealership.
The difference in interior craftmanship, design, materials and attention to detail has never been as big, in favor of the 5er.
The E-class interior is like the E60 5er; not overly pretty, a lot of plastic and just not as well resolved as either the W211 or F10

Interior wise, from E39 to E60 was a step back, and the same has happened to the W212 compared with the W211.

 

[Human]

AND IN THE END, BEAUTY LIES IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER...

Neither BMW nor Mercedes-Benz rested on their laurels in designing, building and finishing the F10 or E-Class AND neither will Audi when the time comes for the A6 replacement.

Each of these cars represent the 'core' financial investments in that they are 'bread and butter' models for all 3 German company's with high profit margins.
They have researched and listened to what their core customer demanded of the specific product - NON of these are new models just the evolution of a model series that has come a long time in the history of all 3 brands.
Thus these are not X1's nor A1's but cars that is part of a model history with a 'holy' following - In this case the F10 is IMO and in my eyes a MASTERPIECE and more! As with the W212, Merc fans of the model series will mostly be proud of the product M-B has invested millions in developing - same goes for BMW and the case will likely be the same with the A6.