E60 530i vs W211 E280?

[Juan Powerblow]

After all the hype, only a 2-liner review??!!!!

 

[danc]

Hi everyone,

I have to admit I am a roundel fan, but have driven the W211 E280, dont under estimate this car. The way it picks up speed is so deceptive. Ride wise, WOW E60 no where even close. This is one smooth and powerful 3.0 V6 engine.

Check out the glass roof with roller blinds, cooool. Interior wise thumbs up to the Merc. The only thing that the E60 530 trumps it imho is the steering feel and the way it goes around the bends. In a drag race between these 2 cars (which I strongly doubt people who buy these car buy them for traffic lights take off prowess) I dare say that it's about even.

On a seperate note the 530d pulls like a train in full charge, very intoxicating.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Dude

You will have to give us a more comprehensive review than that 2 liner!

Didn't have much time to type a review yesterday

 

[E28driver]

Didn't have much time to type a review yesterday

What about today then?

 

[funfer_fahrer]

What are your thoughts? Which to buy? Was withc-square at the showroom yesterday chcking out the cars.

Let's keep it technical-jargon free. These are simply my thoughts:

If you are the type who enjoy driving, get the BMW. If you think that a dignified look and presence are important, get the Mercedes. Both are equally good cars, German engineering.

These are what the car says about the driver:

3 series - I am a yuppie (a glorified kuli).
5 series - I am a matured professional (a slightly older glorified kuli).
7 series - I am a director (almost retired kuli)
Mercedes Benz - I am "there".

The name "Mercedes Benz" also appears in certain classics such as "Hotel California". So, there is something about the name..

What are your thoughts?

 

[adliz]

Let's keep it technical-jargon free. These are simply my thoughts:

If you are the type who enjoy driving, get the BMW. If you think that a dignified look and presence are important, get the Mercedes. Both are equally good cars, German engineering.

These are what the car says about the driver:

3 series - I am a yuppie (a glorified kuli).
5 series - I am a matured professional (a slightly older glorified kuli).
7 series - I am a director (almost retired kuli)
Mercedes Benz - I am "there".

The name "Mercedes Benz" also appears in certain classics such as "Hotel California". So, there is something about the name..

What are your thoughts?

wah.. so easy aa?

 

[wirelessjunkie]

What about today then?

Ok Ok. Was planning to save up the review until I get my hands on the 525i for a test drive next week. The stiffer and lower avantgarde suspension is quite a gem. I enjoyed myself thoroughly throwing the car on the entire Penchala link sweepers plus the Kerinchi link sweepers too Very flickable and the torque offers plenty of help. I did try a quick flick around the last bend before hitting the toll on the Penchala link enroute to Midvalley and the car just went zip zip..vroommmmmm. My only complain as usual with moderm German cars is the extremely flat torque curve to mask the acceleration. I was comparing it to my daily slave W211 E200K which has a nice gradually increasing torque curve for the butt feel and as kinna of upset that the E280 is so smooth. Speed builts up quickly but you don't feel it (again the flat torque curve at work). I guess, if you are meant to be driven in these cars, the flat torque curve will make you less nausous hence the smoother ride.

The only comparison I can make with the E60 is the old E60 530i and 545i I tested extensively sometime back. With flat curves across most makes, the general feel of power is much disguised nowadays hence the exge comes from the handling and "good feel" driving the car. I like the meatier feel of the W211 steering compared to the E60's especially that the E60's active steering takes a bit used to on low speeds. Having said that, I also tested the facelift E200k at the same time and didn't like the lighter steering feel. I think it has a quicker rack too. The 20+ BHP and 10NM didn't feel much different from the prefacelift car.

Between the E200k and the 520i? You can't hold a candle to the E200k. It's a much better car. The 520i struggles to go up gradients and kick downs seems to bring the car no where. The E200k will compare better with the 523i.

On seating comfort, the rear seats in the W211 is much better compared to the E60 as rear occupants in the E60 will feel the outer side bolster pushing against their shoulder and back therefore making you sit slightly sideways. Dash on the W211 has a sense of elegance and airyness whilst the E60's much more compact and "modern". I did a quick comparo again today on the interior with SPS's car as we were at the same car wash. One mroe thing, the E60's doors seems heavier

More to come when I test drive the 525i sports package next week.

 

[Zoggee]

I still think you shud get the 3 pointed star.

 

[kelvinp]

Let's keep it technical-jargon free. These are simply my thoughts:


These are what the car says about the driver:

3 series - I am a yuppie (a glorified kuli).
5 series - I am a matured professional (a slightly older glorified kuli).
7 series - I am a director (almost retired kuli)
Mercedes Benz - I am "there".

The name "Mercedes Benz" also appears in certain classics such as "Hotel California". So, there is something about the name..

What are your thoughts?

I second that!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Let's keep it technical-jargon free. These are simply my thoughts:

If you are the type who enjoy driving, get the BMW. If you think that a dignified look and presence are important, get the Mercedes. Both are equally good cars, German engineering.

These are what the car says about the driver:

3 series - I am a yuppie (a glorified kuli).
5 series - I am a matured professional (a slightly older glorified kuli).
7 series - I am a director (almost retired kuli)
Mercedes Benz - I am "there".

The name "Mercedes Benz" also appears in certain classics such as "Hotel California". So, there is something about the name..

What are your thoughts?

FF, I gotta agree to disagree with you. At my level (and age), I'm being urged to get a new W211 or E60 but my thoughts are on the E90 simply cos I'm a solo pilot who hates parking bigger cars and when I drive, I like the feel and speed of smaller ranges too. The added refinement, space and gaya of the middle ranges don't appeal to me so much then being able to keep up with a WRX at traffic light dashes. Maybe, it's just my mid-life crisis since I'm still trying to fit into tighter clothing and chatting up younger gals kinda like that other forummer who sold his E39 to get a Cooper JCW. Hahahaha...

BTW, my latest crave is the 130i. With 6.3 secs on the clock on century sprint, it sounds good 'nuff for midnite drags. Sorry, don't mean to hijack thread.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

FF, I gotta agree to disagree with you. At my level (and age), I'm being urged to get a new W211 or E60 but my thoughts are on the E90 simply cos I'm a solo pilot who hates parking bigger cars and when I drive, I like the feel and speed of smaller ranges too. The added refinement, space and gaya of the middle ranges don't appeal to me so much then being able to keep up with a WRX at traffic light dashes. Maybe, it's just my mid-life crisis since I'm still trying to fit into tighter clothing and chatting up younger gals kinda like that other forummer who sold his E39 to get a Cooper JCW. Hahahaha...

BTW, my latest crave is the 130i. With 6.3 secs on the clock on century sprint, it sounds good 'nuff for midnite drags. Sorry, don't mean to hijack thread.

John, get a Brabus 4/2 Cabrio . Chicks love that car!!!

 

[OSFlanker]

Yes JPB, the Smart is a chick puller, sure turns head and put the attention onto you. Give the chicks a wink everytime you jockey park at one of the night spots and you are halfway to getting loads of phone numbers

Cute car, tight shirts, how can a girl resist??? hahaha

It's also considerably cheaper to run : WJ is getting over 400km on the tiny 30 litres tank and 15/16" tyres are much cheaper too. WJ will gladly set an appointment for you with a friendly C & C sales person ;-)


WJ, when are you testing the E60?

 

[RedZ4]

Hey Wireless dude, where can you test drive a 525 M sport extensively?
AB or Cartrade? Let me know, i'd like to test drive one of those things.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Errr... not that small la. Some nights, I don't mind group activities and multiple trips to my harem could be a problem in a Smart but Not-So-Smut... heheheh! BB's just dying to censor me, hahahaha!

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Yes JPB, the Smart is a chick puller, sure turns head and put the attention onto you. Give the chicks a wink everytime you jockey park at one of the night spots and you are halfway to getting loads of phone numbers

Cute car, tight shirts, how can a girl resist??? hahaha

It's also considerably cheaper to run : WJ is getting over 400km on the tiny 30 litres tank and 15/16" tyres are much cheaper too. WJ will gladly set an appointment for you with a friendly C & C sales person ;-)


WJ, when are you testing the E60?

25 litres of petrol to be correct.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Hey Wireless dude, where can you test drive a 525 M sport extensively?
AB or Cartrade? Let me know, i'd like to test drive one of those things.

My buddy at Tenaga Wan Bersaudara but only for me he said. Sorry bro.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Errr... not that small la. Some nights, I don't mind group activities and multiple trips to my harem could be a problem in a Smart but Not-So-Smut... heheheh! BB's just dying to censor me, hahahaha!

John, check out this video The m3 camera car was driven by a pro MMS driver . Video cam hand held by the passenger and you will get an idea on how hard the M3 was driven by the amount of handshake. Taken last Sunday.

Top Speed : 155Km/h vs 255 Km/H
BHP : 74 vs 350+

Video Link : www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv0AI3hjc7k

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Forgot the link earlier :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv0AI3hjc7k

http://www.youtube.com/v/Rv0AI3hjc7k">