A little blue (and white) controversy

[developer]

Well, not really unless you're a diehard MB disciple.

I've seen a couple of new shape 5 series recently and I must say that they are very good looking, and are now bigger (I believe) than the W212 E Class.

I suspect BMW have a winner on their hands (again).

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Are you including the 5 series GT in that equation?

 

[developer]

Are you including the 5 series GT in that equation?

I wasn't - it didn't enter my head, but I think they're horrid. Saloon and estate will give W212 the headache.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Although I'm terribly biased, there isn't a BMW on the Market that I would buy on looks over the comparative Mercedes.
This is a personal thing but I just don't like the design of BMW. Interior or exterior.
And yes I know, they are the ultimate driving machine and so on.

Maybe the reason why the new generation look so good is because the old was that hideous....

 

[trapperjohn]

Every BMW I have been in feels claustrophoic. Gimme that big window every time.
My daughter and her hub have a 525 Estate and it is small compared to my 124.

Good Luck to BM but I think Mercedes have it right and better.

 

[markjay]

True story from 20 years ago....

A friend of mine travelled to Germany on business to meet with the Mayor of (town where BMW has a factory - town name withheld). The mayor had a 7-Series. My friend mentioned the BMW factory. Mayor said that traditionally previous Mayors always had Mercedes-Benz, but he was approached by representative of BMW who offered him the free use of the 7-Series, which he thought was wrong to refuse as it saved taxpayers money. My friend asked him how he found the 7-Series, to which the Mayor answered after a long pause: 'It is not Mercedes-Benz'.....

'naff sad

 

[James1976]

I have to say coming from the dark side that I love beemers but my Merc's better built. Downstairs in my basement there are a few new 5 series; notably an estate aswell which I have to say is huge...

As always though you have to be very careful with colour - the estate's dark metallic blue and to be frank looks cr@p! The saloon noramlly there's silver which looks much better....

Think I'd rather have the new E which is parked there though

 

[Palfrem]

i-drive?

No thanks

 

[Adam230K]

I have to agree with you. It seems that BMW's new generation styling (very evident on the new 5-series more than other BMW line-up) is becoming a little bit less 'in your face', aggressive as they once were. Mercedes is taking up that role with their new line up (CLS and C-class facelift come to mind here).

In my opinion the new 5er is BMW trying to return to their former glory, the E39 was a legendary car and the E60 just isn't, and its ugly.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

i-drive?

No thanks

It's alright.

Only used really to set up your preferences then you could leave well alone.

 

[st13phil]

Latest issue of What Car? has a group test of 3-litre diesel exec's and they placed them #1 BMW 530dSE, #2 Jag XF3.0d, #3 Audi A6, #4 Mercedes E350CDI Avantgarde.

When you read the article it's clear that there's much hair-splitting going on and that it really comes down to personal preference. Mine's the E-Class, thank you very much