Clash of the titans

BMW 535i

Inside story

Dashboard: Two super clear dials; huge screen for the intuitive iDrive system, controlled by a rotary knob next to the gear lever to control everything — the audio system (with the on-board hard disk), the air-conditioning system, the on board diagnostic system and the Bluetooth connectivity.

Cabin: Simple, with a keyless go system.

Seats: Well-contoured and high on thigh support. You sit low and fronts seats are wide and encompassing.

Boot: Adequate but 20 litres less than the Merc.

Grouse factor: Small, fiddly buttons that control the air-con, the reduced visibility of the shallow rear windscreen; the high waistline and the front seats that seem to bend backward intrude on your perceived sense of space and this makes it feel a bit more claustrophobic. The BMW doesn’t have a spare tyre and the run-flat tyres aren’t really practical for India.

Under the hood

The BMW makes 306bhp with a smaller, turbo-charged 3.0 litre engine. It’s got power everywhere in its rev range and this is a motor that simply loves to be extended to the redline. Zero to 100kph comes up in 6.1 seconds and it hits a top speed of 250kph perfectly smoothly. The eight-speed gearbox is quick to respond to tugs on the paddleshifts and has the ability to jump down from eighth gear to second gear in one shot — so the throttle needs to be used with caution in traffic.

Driver’s deal

Ride quality: The 535i’s springs are very soft and this helps with the low speed ride. At higher speeds, over uneven surfaces, there’s quite a bit of gentle vertical movement, which can get uncomfortable.

Steering feel: Light, inconsistent.

Noise cancellation: Very refined and isolates you well.

Fuel economy: 6.5kpl in the city; 12.0kpl on the highway.

Price: It costs Rs 58 lakh and has a few things that the Merc doesn’t, like the Dynamic Driving Control system that alters throttle response and the stability program setting.

Merc E350

Inside story

Dashboard: The driver- interface COMAND system is a rather basic one.

Cabin: Feels better built than the BMW. The steering column-mounted gear lever frees up space for two bottle-holders in the centre console; feels wider and spacious, is easy to get into and outside visibility is better.

Seats: You sit higher than in the BMW. Front seats are not as wide or encompassing, but comfy enough and fully powered.

Boot: The Merc’s 540-litre boot gives you 20 litres over the BMW. It also has a wider opening and a slightly lower load lip.

Grouse factor: The dashboard

Under the hood

The Merc makes 272bhp out of its 3.5-litre engine. It can’t keep with BMW’s throttle response and doesn’t have its manic mid-range power. Zero to 100kph takes 8.1 seconds and it gets to 250kph in a respec-table time. But the seven speed automatic gearbox doesn’t respond like the BMW. Performance, though not in the BMW’s league, is adequate for a car like this.

Driver’s deal

Ride quality: Slightly stiff at low speeds but, at any other speed, this Merc gives you a beautifully planted, level ride. The suspension swallows anything you throw at it.

Steering feel: Weak on feedback, but direct and weighted.

Noise cancellation: Better than BMW. Engine noise is muted; road and wind noise minimum, traffic sounds are hushed.

Fuel economy: 6.3kpl in the city; 11.4kpl on the highway.

Price: It costs Rs 47.92 lakh and comes loaded with safety features and everything you would expect in a car like this.Common ground

Both have six-cylinder engines — V6 for the Merc and in-line six for BMW. Cabins are practical with big cup-holders up front, decent-sized door pockets, a big cubbyhole between the front seats and storage space inside the rear centre armrest. Both lack satellite navigation and are best used as four-seaters due to tall centre tunnels that make long journeys uncomfortable for the middle passenger.

Final verdict

At Rs 11 lakh over the range-topping E-class (the 535i is a fully imported CBU), this BMW is too expensive. The E350 looks like a bargain compared to the BMW and it is also the better all-rounder. The E-class may not have the outright power or the hair-trigger responses of the 535i, but it isn’t bad in its own right. There’s enough power contained in a refined package to clear all doubts. It rides better, feels more solidly put together and is priced well. The rear seats are genuinely comfortable and the car will be fun on weekends and comfortable on the office run. It’s what a luxury car owner is looking for.

Common ground

Both have six-cylinder engines — V6 for the Merc and in-line six for BMW. Cabins are practical with big cup-holders up front, decent-sized door pockets, a big cubbyhole between the front seats and storage space inside the rear centre armrest. Both lack satellite navigation and are best used as four-seaters due to tall centre tunnels that make long journeys uncomfortable for the middle passenger.


The Personal Telegraph