[bimmerlife208]

I just got a chance to drive a friend's 2017 Mercedez Benz E class. I must say it was amazing. It was so comfortable to drive! I loved how it absorbed pot holes! Even though this version I think did not have the optional air suspension. Cabin was really quite! My favorite feature was the auto start stop. When I stopped at a red light, the engine starting back on made close to no sound. I remember this feature on older BMWs that made that rattle while starting back on. Found it so annoying. The press brake release feature while at stop, to relax your feet was amazing! I disliked how you need to change gears by that hinge in the back of the steering wheel. It's a personal preference I guess. It seems as Mercedez focuses on comfort.

Drive and handle wise the G30 wins no competition. Tech and design wise I also feel the G30 wins! No one comes close to Idrive. It would have been perfect if google maps was integrated into the car like Audi. The G30's sports mode is way better than the e class. Were any of you lucky enough to drive both cars? What are your thoughts?

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Depends on what flavor you like best, there is no right or wrong.

[alfiemoon13]

I always say to people who say Mercedes is better than BMW. When I go to Germany all the taxis are Mercedes, Mercedes make trucks. BMW don't make trucks, only luxury cars & luxury motor bikes, and would you like to be riding around in your luxury car & the same car pulls along side you with a taxi sign on the roof :-)

[babaikram]

The current Auto start/stop in G30 does not produce rattling when restarting the engine. It is quiet and refine. Try it in Eco Pro mode, it starts the engine automatically, immediately the vehicle in front start moving without having to press the accelerator pedal first. Thus there must be a sensor even in a car that do not have Adaptive Cruise control (mine does not have) to detect the movement of the car in front.

[Germanauto]

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. Both are by far the best vehicles in their segment, and which one you buy really depends on how much you value having a more "traditional" feeling cockpit and smooth ride vs. a more "modern" cockpit and livelier handling.

I've seen some of the new E-classes around and they look identical to the C-class. The new 5er is handsome albeit not super eye-catching, but it'll never be mistaken for a 3er. I think the E-class has a more flashy and special-feeling interior whereas the 5er's is more simple and modern which has its appeal. Have yet to drive either...

[ZigmundUK]

Clearly in a BMW forum you're going to get some natural bias. For my part experiencing the s class and umpteen e classes and an a class to boot, I feel Mercedes have never really made intuitive systems in their cars. The indicator stalks etc are slanted towards the more relaxed sedate driver. A weird but consistent issue is how the rear view mirror is always uncomfortably close to your face.

All of these are personal things and Bmw has struck a chord with me ever since our first one (1 series) by just being so well thought out and ergonomic and intuitive. Clearly there are exceptions and quirks always. I was a Bmw hater until my wife convinced me to try the 1 series. I even gave Audi a try after that and was so disappointed.

[bimmerlife208]

Originally Posted by alfiemoon13

I always say to people who say Mercedes is better than BMW. When I go to Germany all the taxis are Mercedes, Mercedes make trucks. BMW don't make trucks, only luxury cars & luxury motor bikes, and would you like to be riding around in your luxury car & the same car pulls along side you with a taxi sign on the roof :-)

I could not stop laughing when I read " would you like to be riding around in your luxury car & the same car pulls along side you with a taxi sign on the roof :-)" That feeling must be horrible! :happy anim: But yes BMW is the ultimate driving machine and I'm happy to know BMW has improved the auto start stop. Can't wait to get my hands on my order.

[ArchJR]

The two cars are so similar in mission, yet so divergent in execution.

I see the E-class as world of contradictions. The latest generation stepped up in price, yet it is indistinguishable from the C-class at a glance. Mercedes delivered the best driver's E-class, but turned the interior into a gaudy lounge. (Though I wish BMW had not followed Mercedes' obsession with shiny black plastic in the G30.) It is among the most technically advanced cars on the market when optioned up. Yet there is no option for a mainstream ~$65k 6-cylinder variant to replace the popular E350, while the E300 is pricier and well off the performance of the 530i.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by ArchJR

The two cars are so similar in mission, yet so divergent in execution.

I see the E-class as world of contradictions. The latest generation stepped up in price, yet it is indistinguishable from the C-class at a glance. Mercedes delivered the best driver's E-class, but turned the interior into a gaudy lounge. (Though I wish BMW had not followed Mercedes' obsession with shiny black plastic in the G30.) It is among the most technically advanced cars on the market when optioned up. Yet there is no option for a mainstream ~$65k 6-cylinder variant to replace the popular E350, while the E300 is pricier and well off the performance of the 530i.

I agree, MB crossed the line of having familiar brand styling cues and distinguishing between models.

The E Class now resembles the C too much in exterior styling. I actually liked the previous model's appearance quite a bit.

I don't like the new GLC either - felt the GLK distinguished itself appearance wise vs all the other little cross overs running around these days.

I do think the E interior is gorgeous.

[Badger]

Originally Posted by bimmerlife208

(...) The press brake release feature while at stop, to relax your feet was amazing!

Isn't it the same function as auto-hold in BMW (e.g. F10)?

[diinky]

ive just had a C class C200 sport for a loan car for a few days.
I really didnt like the interior and not a patch on my 520d to drive.
Cant wait til i get the ok from work to order my new G30. 😉

[bimmerlife208]

Originally Posted by Badger

Isn't it the same function as auto-hold in BMW (e.g. F10)?

I still haven't figured how that works. On the Mercedes you tap the break while on the red light.

[ZigmundUK]

Just keep the auto hold on and it won't creep forwards anymore.

[mjr24]

It depends on the model.......I believe the 5 series is BMW's best car and much better than the E-Class. However, the S-Class is Benz's best car and the 7 series has really been boring since the E38 (and I've owned ones since then).

[steve090619]

Originally Posted by Badger

Isn't it the same function as auto-hold in BMW (e.g. F10)?

yes, bmw has that. I use it all the time on my 535. it is the auto hold

[pharding]

With BMW you get a well equipped 540 with the world's finest engine, an inline 6, for the same price as the Mercedes 4 cylinder with electronic doo dads. In the German auto press the BMW G30 wins hands down every time. The BMW is a better car and value by a large margin right now.

[Atombyte]

Originally Posted by mjr24

It depends on the model.......I believe the 5 series is BMW's best car and much better than the E-Class. However, the S-Class is Benz's best car and the 7 series has really been boring since the E38 (and I've owned ones since then).

This. I always had 3 > C (not too sure about that in the current gen though but you can get a 3 with a manual so it wins), 5 > E, and S >>> 7.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by Atombyte

This. I always had 3 > C (not too sure about that in the current gen though but you can get a 3 with a manual so it wins), 5 > E, and S >>> 7.

Yeah, the 3 has been around forever.....I think that gives it an edge. The C-Class is a nice car for a lot of people, too. They both are quality choices if you are looking for a more entry-level type (obviously excluding the M3).

[BiGFather]

I tried the new E class in saloon. Well it is very nice car but I feel in it like "man you have couple of years for this style". Its modern yes but still I can feel its not for young people. (Only my own opinion).

My brother has the new C class and what I hate on current Merc classes is that it´s same as E.(but he like it). I love cars and I can see differences but I have problems with these two and sometimes I must look at the trunk or inside of it to recognize..
For me the main diff is just the big display in E class. Ofc its a bit bigger and more luxury.
Some people who are not interested in cars so much told my bro "wow u have new S class its nice".. and other thing, many taxi and especially hotel drivers in my city has Eclass but its only my personal bad feeling.

Try to compare 5 vs 3. There are more differences so you can feel more special after spending much more money. On the other hand there are not huge diff between 5 and 7 (for me yes cuz I love bmw but for people who dont care so much about cars).

I think the better feeling from E interior is because of "retro modern style" looks for somebody very special. In real if you touch it and look more properly its not that special. For example the big display seems to be like from startrek but in closer look looks so cheap mb as "removeable part".. and in C class... the display... no comment :-)

[ZigmundUK]

I can understand why people may like the s better than a 7 given it's more for people being driven than driving themselves. Personally I've driven the s and don't like it. Fails in the same places all Mercedes fail and that's on intuitive controls and ergonomics.

[leo_du_garde]

Originally Posted by bimmerlife208

I just got a chance to drive a friend's 2017 Mercedez Benz E class. I must say it was amazing. It was so comfortable to drive! I loved how it absorbed pot holes! Even though this version I think did not have the optional air suspension. Cabin was really quite! My favorite feature was the auto start stop. When I stopped at a red light, the engine starting back on made close to no sound. I remember this feature on older BMWs that made that rattle while starting back on. Found it so annoying. The press brake release feature while at stop, to relax your feet was amazing! I disliked how you need to change gears by that hinge in the back of the steering wheel. It's a personal preference I guess. It seems as Mercedez focuses on comfort.

Drive and handle wise the G30 wins no competition. Tech and design wise I also feel the G30 wins! No one comes close to Idrive. It would have been perfect if google maps was integrated into the car like Audi. The G30's sports mode is way better than the e class. Were any of you lucky enough to drive both cars? What are your thoughts?

Thanks for the great write up. I recently had a brand new E350d as a rental car in Austria. Beautiful machine, also felt very solid and safe, and as you say very comfortable. Too bad they don't sell those 6 cylinder diesels here in the US, they sure are great autobahn cruisers. Next, I'd like to compare the actual drive feel of the E43 vs the 540 or 550.

[bimmerlife208]

Originally Posted by leo_du_garde

Thanks for the great write up. I recently had a brand new E350d as a rental car in Austria. Beautiful machine, also felt very solid and safe, and as you say very comfortable. Too bad they don't sell those 6 cylinder diesels here in the US, they sure are great autobahn cruisers. Next, I'd like to compare the actual drive feel of the E43 vs the 540 or 550.

I'll have to admit, this wasn't a easy decision. Air suspension was very tempting on the e-class and I hate the NYC/NJ potholes! But I can say with confidence the G30 wins!