CLASH OF THE EXECUTIVE SALOONS: BMW 5201 VS MERCEDES-BENZ E200

The BMW 5 series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are motoring institutions.

- KENNY YEO

For decades, they have been the cars of choice for those who want a fairly large (but not too large) saloon to ferry their families in comfort and to show the world that they have money in their pockets. That hasn’t changed with the latest versions of the 5 Series and the E-Class.

BMW 520i vs Mercedes-Benz E200

If anything, they are even greater status symbols now. the combination of inflation, a new ARF tax scheme, and sky-high COE prices, means the price tags of these cars have ballooned tremendously over the past few years. 400 grand won’t get you much change if you buy one of these cars.

If it’s any consolation, you do get a lot of car for your money. The 5 Series and E-Class have always been large cars, but they are bigger than ever. The newest 5 Series is particularly huge. It’s the first 5 Series to breach five metres in length. It’s also 11cm longer than the E-Class. 

Inside, it’s hard to see where the 11cm went because the E-Class feels as big as the 5 Series. These are cavernous cars that four adults can seat in comfort. There’s lots of elbow room for the driver and front passenger, and rear legroom and headroom are ample. As for boot space, the E-Class has a slight advantage thanks to less intrusive wheel arches. But both have boots that will happily swallow multiple pieces of luggage for road trips up north.