BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series undercuts the RM355,888 Mercedes-Benz E-Class by RM15,088, yet it has the slightly stronger 1,998 cc petrol hybrid/REV output at 208 hp and 330 Nm. Both are rear-drive executive sedans and both do 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, so the drag race is a draw. The E-Class answers with the more useful numbers for ownership: 540 litres of boot space, nine airbags and a four-year warranty against the BMW’s 490 litres, six airbags and two years.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the lower price, a larger body and the slightly stronger 208 hp/330 Nm output without losing any 0-100 km/h pace.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if boot space, airbag count and the longer four-year warranty matter more than saving RM15,088.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM355,888
- Output: BMW 5 Series 208 hp/330 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp/320 Nm
- Performance: BMW 5 Series 0-100 km/h in 7.5 s and 230 km/h; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 s and 240 km/h
- Size: BMW 5 Series 5,060 mm long/1,900 mm wide/1,515 mm tall; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4,949 mm/1,880 mm/1,468 mm
- Wheelbase and boot: BMW 5 Series 2,900 mm/490 L; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2,961 mm/540 L
- Safety and warranty: BMW 5 Series 6 airbags/2 years; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 9 airbags/4 years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 340,800✓ | RM 355,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 208 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 330 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 7.5 s | 7.5 s |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 1.0 kWh |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 490 L | 540 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | — | 66 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 9✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 4✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 380 |
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.
5 Series
- RM15,088 cheaper to buy
- Slightly higher 208 hp and 330 Nm outputs
- Longer, wider and taller body
- Smaller 490-litre boot
- Only six airbags
- Shorter two-year warranty
E-Class
- Larger 540-litre boot
- Nine airbags
- Longer four-year warranty
- Costs RM15,088 more
- Slightly lower 201 hp and 320 Nm outputs
- Shorter and narrower body
5 Series vs E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the stronger all-rounder on paper because it has a bigger 540-litre boot, nine airbags and a four-year warranty. The BMW 5 Series is better if price and the slightly higher 208 hp/330 Nm output matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM355,888. That makes the E-Class RM15,088 more expensive.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
Neither is quicker. The BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class both do 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The Mercedes has the higher top speed at 240 km/h versus the BMW’s 230 km/h.