Who says a BMW 5 Series Handles better?

[E55BOF]

Anyone have personal experience of the w210 55 vs 211?

My first Mercedes was a W210 E55 estate, my second a W211 ditto. The W210 felt very spacious and retro inside, the W211 much more modern. The 211 was much faster than the 210, of course, and the 210 felt more floaty and stately, very definitely like a cruiser; the 211 was rather sharper, though it would still waft when I felt like it.

 

[Stevo5]

I've had a few M cars, Audi RS's and 2 AMG's. I would say that handling the M cars have it-traditionally by a clear margin but a lot closer now and very debatable. The Audi RS are more planted and some look better. Operating systems I'd go BMW, Audi then Merc last. I always have found the systems in Merc difficult to use but thats my opinion.
The current M5 was in the running for next performance car but all it took was one test drive in the current and it was a done deal. The M5 may handle slightly better but for excitement, rawness and sound (that all-important part in a performance ICE) then the E63s is the clear Big Dog for me. I absolutely love mine but now in a painful corner of 'what could possibly replace this?' luckily thats a way off right now.

 

[Numair Aidroos]

TBH , not many parts on that road that you could 'push it' with any confidence.

You could see the van ahead doing the same. Lots of construction going on, and strange signal points, plus imagine drivers overtaking in these bends?

 

[Numair Aidroos]

I have neither owned a 5 series, nor any E class till date. However I've driven them and by far I felt the M5's chassis was easier to control than the E class. I can't comment on the dash software, as I didn't fiddle with it. Both cars were up for sale at a used car dealership. Driven on the same stretch of roads.

2017 M5.
2020 E53.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

All the talk about car handling and which car is better. I expect most folk have never had their cars (or driven) on a race track which would be the place to really find out how the car handles. IMO it comes down to how the car feels for each individual and it may not necessarily handle better than a different car.

Very much like arguments about which are the best tyres. 99% of drivers will never push their tyres to their limits and don’t know what they are.

 

[JHS]

Twisty road?

• Caterham Super 7 (or 1 of the hundreds of models and derivatives), Ariel Atom.
• Want some creature comforts and a roof that works? Lotus Elise.
• Want more comfort and space? Lotus Evora or Porsche Cayman/Boxster GTS
• Not worried about speed or power, but want attention? Morgan 3 (3 wheeler)
• Want power and olde world looks? Morgan Plus 6/8

I would fit the S2000 in there somewhere.

For completeness:

• Want to cross continents (or the USA)? Mercedes CLS400D
• Want to ferry the family around in a non-SUV? Mercedes E400D