Verdict
Both sedans reach 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, so the BMW’s 208 hp and 330 Nm do not translate into a quicker benchmark sprint than the Mercedes’ 201 hp and 320 Nm. The E-Class counters with a 240-km/h top speed, 540-litre boot and 2,961-mm wheelbase, against 230 km/h, 490 litres and 2,900 mm. For Malaysian buyers, the BMW gets a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system, head-up display and dual-zone rear climate control; the Mercedes gets auto parking and a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if a head-up display, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio, dual-zone rear air-con and stronger 208 hp/330 Nm outputs matter most.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the 540-litre boot, longer 2,961-mm wheelbase, auto parking and four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Power: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm.
- Top speed: BMW 5 Series 230 km/h; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 240 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 litres.
- Wheelbase: BMW 5 Series 2,900 mm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2,961 mm.
- Audio and display: BMW 5 Series 14.9-inch display with 12 speakers; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 14.4-inch display with seven speakers.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW 5 Series two years plus a three-year extended warranty; Mercedes-Benz E-Class four years with no extended warranty.
5 Series
- 208 hp and 330 Nm from the 2.0-litre turbo mild-hybrid powertrain.
- Head-up display and 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
- Dual-zone rear climate control and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- 490-litre boot is 50 litres smaller.
- 230-km/h top speed is 10 km/h lower.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is half the Mercedes-Benz's four years.
E-Class
- 540-litre boot and 2,961-mm wheelbase.
- 240-km/h top speed and standard auto parking.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty, plus driver's-knee and rear-side airbags.
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the BMW by 7 hp and 10 Nm.
- Seven-speaker audio trails the BMW's 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.
- No head-up display or dual-zone rear climate control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM367,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 330 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used 5 Series & E-Class for sale
5 Series vs E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The BMW 5 Series is the better-equipped choice for audio, head-up display and rear climate control. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better for boot capacity, wheelbase, auto parking and manufacturer warranty. Their 0-100 km/h time is identical at 7.5 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM367,888. The Mercedes-Benz costs RM27,088 more.
Which has the better warranty?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the better manufacturer warranty at four years versus two years for the BMW 5 Series. The BMW adds a three-year extended warranty, while no extended warranty is listed for the E-Class.