sharne
12-20-2008, 09:12 AM
NEW E 220 CDI MERCEDES & 520 D BMW CAR, We brought you a comparison be¬tween the E-class and the 5-series, albeit in top-of-the-line petrol guises earlier this year (issue 01). The E emerged as a better car against the 5-series, while the Audi A6 took top honours. The Mercedes beat the 5 for good reason - it had a bigger and more flexible boot, bet¬ter safety equipment and the overall quality of interiors and the fit and finish was a touch better as well.
Moreover, the Mercedes scored higher for its NVH levels and ride quality. Now though, the playing field has changed a bit. As con¬sumers move towards saving wherever possible especially in running costs, there's a de¬mand for smaller and more fuel efficient variants. And in the upper class executive segment currently you have the BMW 520d and the Mercedes E 220 CD!. So is the Mercedes still the better car? E is the more comfortable car Of course, the attributes listed above where the E out-scored the BMW stand in this test as well.
76
77
So, the Mercedes offers a larger, more usable boot, easier ingress and egress, and bet¬ter visibility, particularly over the hood and for the sides. It's also better put together on the outside with even and ac¬ceptable shut lines all across. The 5 has a decent sized boot too, and getting in and out of the car only needs a bit more squatting activity, but it's the lack of consistency in the shut lines that surprised us; more so, because the various panels on the insides 'gel together pretty well, and the materials used reek of quality. However, BMWhas notched up a few extra points in both the ride and NVH categories in this test.
The 520d compared to the 530i is smoother, and road noise, especially that from the tyres is better subdued inside the cabin. It has, as a result, helped the Beemer match up with its German rival well in the noise test, but in terms of ride the E-class is still more comfortable and manages to isolate its occupants well against road irregularities. The E also has cushier seats and apart from the odd bol¬stering on the seat back on the front seats, these are decently comfortable. More importantly, Mercedes has finally added completely powered seats on the E, including adjustment
Moreover, the Mercedes scored higher for its NVH levels and ride quality. Now though, the playing field has changed a bit. As con¬sumers move towards saving wherever possible especially in running costs, there's a de¬mand for smaller and more fuel efficient variants. And in the upper class executive segment currently you have the BMW 520d and the Mercedes E 220 CD!. So is the Mercedes still the better car? E is the more comfortable car Of course, the attributes listed above where the E out-scored the BMW stand in this test as well.
76
77
So, the Mercedes offers a larger, more usable boot, easier ingress and egress, and bet¬ter visibility, particularly over the hood and for the sides. It's also better put together on the outside with even and ac¬ceptable shut lines all across. The 5 has a decent sized boot too, and getting in and out of the car only needs a bit more squatting activity, but it's the lack of consistency in the shut lines that surprised us; more so, because the various panels on the insides 'gel together pretty well, and the materials used reek of quality. However, BMWhas notched up a few extra points in both the ride and NVH categories in this test.
The 520d compared to the 530i is smoother, and road noise, especially that from the tyres is better subdued inside the cabin. It has, as a result, helped the Beemer match up with its German rival well in the noise test, but in terms of ride the E-class is still more comfortable and manages to isolate its occupants well against road irregularities. The E also has cushier seats and apart from the odd bol¬stering on the seat back on the front seats, these are decently comfortable. More importantly, Mercedes has finally added completely powered seats on the E, including adjustment