E350 Estate vs BMW 530d SETouring

[Geordieboy]

Good Morning all
Newbie here looking at a car change! I currently own an E61 530D SE and it has for me, been the very best car I have ever owned. She is at 54k Miles now but I have been looking at a change to an E-Class Estate 2010-2012 model. Reason to look past my current charge, is that the E-Class has the best boot out there (I have 2 rather large Labradors as Gundogs).

My 5 series handles like a dream, and is very economical returning 40mpg and better on a run. Only reason to think about a change is for more boot space!

I have seen a number of E-class's and they all fit the bill, although I haven't driven one yet. I have read of hesitation from the Auto Box on the Merc and I must admit, that this puts me off. My BMW is instantaneous and the power delivery through the Auto Box equally impressive.

Has anybody suffered a similar comparison, and how does the E-Class V6 Drive?

Many Thanks for your observations!

 

[meeeb]

I recently commented in another thread on the disappointing 7g plus gearbox on my E350 CDI. The lower gear changes are lumpy and at crawling traffic speeds coupled with an equally lumpy accelerator and vague steering, it's not a pleasant experience if, like me, you are sensitive to such imperfections. I could live with the stupid foot operated parking brake if the gearbox accelerator were not so irritating, but I'm looking to change soon simply because of those annoyances. If you've driven a BMW and gear changes are important to you, then you won't be pleased with the E Class.

It has to be said that otherwise the E Class is a powerful, smooth and very economical car, especially on long distance motorway cruises, but me, I'm off to Audi or BMW A.S.A.P.

 

[Geordieboy]

I recently commented in another thread on the disappointing 7g plus gearbox on my E350 CDI. The lower gear changes are lumpy and at crawling traffic speeds coupled with an equally lumpy accelerator and vague steering, it's not a pleasant experience if, like me, you are sensitive to such imperfections. I could live with the stupid foot operated parking brake if the gearbox accelerator were not so irritating, but I'm looking to change soon simply because of those annoyances. If you've driven a BMW and gear changes are important to you, then you won't be pleased with the E Class.

It has to be said that otherwise the E Class is a powerful, smooth and very economical car, especially on long distance motorway cruises, but me, I'm off to Audi or BMW A.S.A.P.

Hmmmmm as has been mentioned elsewhere to be honest. A real shame that is. My BMW is an 08 plate and the ride and drive are exemplary. I would most sincerely suffer if I was to change to anything less to be honest. Shame, as the boot on the E-Class is unparalleled. I drive on a number of B roads, Fishing and clay Pigeon Shooting and handling and power delivery are important to me....especially in snow!!

Any other comments would be greatly appreciated of course.

Thanks

 

[bozmandb9]

Obvious comment is get out there and try one! I've had many BMW's, and I'd say whilst the 7g gearbox is possibly less smooth than what I've experienced in the E65 7 Series, it's by no means an issue. Certainly not something which puts me off.

This is my first Mercedes, and I've been pleasantly surprised, dynamically I've found it much better than I anticipated, probably better than the 7 series (though that was diesel, so prob not fair to compare to my current petrol model).

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Hmmmmm as has been mentioned elsewhere to be honest. A real shame that is. My BMW is an 08 plate and the ride and drive are exemplary. I would most sincerely suffer if I was to change to anything less to be honest. Shame, as the boot on the E-Class is unparalleled. I drive on a number of B roads, Fishing and clay Pigeon Shooting and handling and power delivery are important to me....especially in snow!!

Any other comments would be greatly appreciated of course.

Thanks

It sound like an ML might suit you better.

 

[gIzzE]

I have had a few 5 Series Tourings, E39 530i, then 530d and then back into another 530i, followed by the E61 535d and finally the 520d F11.

Between the 535d and the F11 I had nearly 2 years and 50,000 miles in a 2007 E320cdi Avantgarde Estate and I loved it, really, really loved it.

I had the F11 off my old man as he didn't like it as much as the 730d sport it replaced, so he swapped for a 5GT (which is a 7 series hatch rather than 5 series) and it made sense to have his F11 off him, but I found that a bit too soft, a bit too comfy, for a BMW anyway, and decided if I wanted comfy and soft I might as well have another E Class that I loved so much before. So swapped after a few weeks for a year old S212 E350 Avantgarde Estate.

I would a bit disappointed, it was firmer than the BMW yet didn't handle as well, and the driving position was not great at all, I tried to like it and did 8000 miles in the first few weeks over Europe but couldn't get on with.
Seat too high, cluster too low, armrest a stretch, stupid parameter steering, cheap cabin materials, noisy cabin, crashy ride, poor mpg (28 round town, 38 on a run, average of 33) all got too much and I got out before loosing too much money on it.

Now that sounds like it was terrible, it wasn't at all, and I would actually try another one again as it has been a couple of years, but coming from the earlier model and the sublime 5 series I had before it showed up some serious flaws in the design, most of which were discussed at great length on the US forums but seemed to be shunned when mentioned on the UK forums as being over picky. So definitely take one out if you can and see what you think.
If you can get into a facelift car, from 2012, then do, the steering was made better, the dampers were changed and the cluster is a bit lower so you can actually see your speedo when you get the steering wheel in the correct position, so definitely worth the extra.

I found the 7G transmission fine, but many don't, and it always seems to be those that live more in the sticks, so maybe it is when it changes in lower gears or something, I found the accelerator to be a bit on/off when pulling away.....nothing.....nothing.....nothing.....off!!
But then I also drive an ML350 daily and that is 10x worse in that regard.

I don't want to put you off, because I am comparing two of the best estate cars ever made, so take the comments above with that in mind. All I am saying is you are comparing with one of the best BMWs ever made, so be careful when judging.

 

[JasM]

Went through a similar choice last year , although a saloon rather than an estate. I ended up going with a 2014 520d m sport, and don't regret my choice one bit. I preferred the 8 speed auto, drive & handling and the interior.

The W212 is not a bad car, just wasn't the right car for me. Best thing to do, is try out both.

 

[Ash]

Need four wheel drive estate: Audi a6 all road
Four wheel drive and big boot: used R class
Big boot but cr+&p in snow: e class estate

Not sure 530 meets any of your criteria, good car though it is.
My guess: you'll end up with a RR sport
Ash

 

[JasM]

Need four wheel drive estate: Audi a6 all road
Four wheel drive and big boot: used R class
Big boot but cr+&p in snow: e class estate

Not sure 530 meets any of your criteria, good car though it is.
My guess: you'll end up with a RR sport
Ash

I have a RR Sport as well. However I don't think think it would suit the OP's requirements as the boot space is not that big and it is quite thirsty. Apart from that, it's a great car.

 

[Geordieboy]

RR Sport?

Morning all and thanks for your comprehensive comments thus far. I do believe that I need to drive one to be honest, but I shall bear in mind your comments above. They allow me areas to focus on during the drive.

RR Sport? Only if it was the latest car. But then it would have to be a Range Rover as the Sport has no boot to speak of. The latest versions of the cars are simply stunning to drive and I would have one at the drop of a hat. However, at £70k for a used one........well.........

I should know as I am a Senior Engineer for Range Rover and I really do like the new car I am engineering. However, I can afford £20k for my daily driver and that doesn't get me into a Range Rover I am afraid. And No!.....I don't want one of the old models! Wibbly wobbly on a ladder frame chassis!

Not sure why I haven't looked at an A6 Avant though. I do remember that their Auto Boxes were very unreliable and expensive to fix though.

Thanks again to everyone here. Much appreciated!

 

[gIzzE]

I loved the A6 Avant, however, only in Quattro Guise and a 3.0tdi Quattro was coming in at £15,000 more than the E350cdi both new and used.
That may have changed now they have been our for a few years, at the time they were still very much the new kid with a premium because of it.

 

[Benplym]

The a6 also comes now with a new 3.0 v6 "bi turbo" engine that is supposed to be pretty special, BMW have obviously had one for a while but with Audi's Quattro drive and a 3.0 v6 bi turbo, I think it's a pretty simple choice for me. They also put the new(ish) S4 3.0 v6 Supercharged Petrol in them that somehow returns Ford Fiesta economy figures..... Probably not in real life.

 

[gIzzE]

Problem is the price.

If I spec one of those up with the things I have got used to, like decent lights, pano roof, nav, bluetooth, heated seats, etc. etc. it is over £60k, and when yo then add a couple of things you 'like' it gets to nearer £70k. Limited Slip Diff, sport seats, nice inlays that don't look cheap (silly that they cost £1500!!!) etc. etc.

My A6 Bi Turbo Configuration

 

[Geordieboy]

A6 Avant

The a6 also comes now with a new 3.0 v6 "bi turbo" engine that is supposed to be pretty special, BMW have obviously had one for a while but with Audi's Quattro drive and a 3.0 v6 bi turbo, I think it's a pretty simple choice for me. They also put the new(ish) S4 3.0 v6 Supercharged Petrol in them that somehow returns Ford Fiesta economy figures..... Probably not in real life.

I shall have to do my homework on one of them then. Hopefully their gearboxes are robust enough now. I do like 4wd in a powerful car, however, the 5 series puts it down with such aplomb. There again, if I am only going to gain 65litres of boot space.......my Labradors won't probably see it! The e-class has nearly 200 more litres!!

Thanks again.

 

[Geordieboy]

Used cars

Problem is the price.

If I spec one of those up with the things I have got used to, like decent lights, pano roof, nav, bluetooth, heated seats, etc. etc. it is over £60k, and when yo then add a couple of things you 'like' it gets to nearer £70k. Limited Slip Diff, sport seats, nice inlays that don't look cheap (silly that they cost £1500!!!) etc. etc.

My A6 Bi Turbo Configuration

I shall be going for a used car I am afraid!

 

[gIzzE]

I was going used too.

I bought a year old E350 estate with 23k miles on it for £23500 from Mercedes Worcester, the cheapest used 3.0tdi Quattro avant at the time was poorly specced and still nearly £40k. but there were not many about to be fair.

Most were 2.0tdi, with a handful of 3.0tdi but FWD (nasty!) with less than 10 out there with Quattro, and I no BiTurbos, not even sure if that was released then.

 

[gIzzE]

The only issue I have with the F11 5 series is load space, it is crap.
My old man could not get his golf caddy in the boot without it coming over the rear seats, where as in my E350 we could get 3 in and get the load over over them as well.

I went completely the other way when looking again before xmas and bough a 20d xDrive X3, and I love it!!!

Around 25% better consumption than my E350, far more comfy, better toys, load space is smaller but you can get almost as much in due to shape, and no regrets whatsoever.
Mine has a CRD-T+ box on it and is testing at just over 7 seconds to 60mph, which is plenty quick enough, when you consider I am getting 40+ round town and 50+ on a quick run and 55 on a steady run I can't fault it.

Plus the residuals on them meant one that was nearly 2 years old was coming in around £150 a month, or 50% cheaper, than a used E Class or 5 series, they tend to loose nearly as much in year 1/2 but then hold onto their value far better over the next 3 or 4 years.
Same with X5s, Q5's, Evoques, etc. etc.

 

[Benplym]

I shall have to do my homework on one of them then. Hopefully their gearboxes are robust enough now. I do like 4wd in a powerful car, however, the 5 series puts it down with such aplomb. There again, if I am only going to gain 65litres of boot space.......my Labradors won't probably see it! The e-class has nearly 200 more litres!! Thanks again.

The boxes that were the worse where the multitronic, I had one and did 179,000 miles before it popped, then it cost £1000 to rebuild. There not that scary, also people moan about DSG transmission, the specialist that did mine advised me worst case ever its 1400 for a full rebuild but is 9 times out of 10 just a component and costs 300-400 in total.

The CVT was the best transmission I ever used in anything and proved a lot more reliable than my old x5 went at 160,000, but was "lumpy" from 130,000 and my 320i auto went at 80k.

Also regular maintenance and respecting any car will prevent failure of any component, people moan about turbo's blowing on 2.0 BM's every 50k all of which drive their cars like they stole them and get annual "services" for £100 from their "local mechanic"

 

[prprandall51]

If the key criterion is boot space then just get the E Class. I got an A6 Avant last week and I could hardly believe how small the load space was, I actually thought for a second that the dealership had ordered me an A4 when the salesman opened the rear door to show me around. The car did it's first tip run at the beginning of the week and I could get very little in it.

 

[Geordieboy]

Life and good oil.

I concur with the above statement on maintenance. Regular (Good) oil changes and good components in the service all count for a huge increase in the lifespan of the car. I know that where I work now, the Transmission Engineers state that an AutoBox can be made to last indefinitely if the oil is replaced every 50,000 miles. Thing is....a lot of the boxes are now 'Sealed for life'. My 'Local' mechanic knows cars inside and out. He is the best problem finder I know, and I trust him with all my cars. He knows that only the best oil will do and OEM components, (unless an alternative is proven to perform better).

I will have to drive an E-Class to determine its flaws. I do have a brilliant car to compare it with in the E61 BMW.