2021 BMW 5 Series vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Malaysia, which is best?

Within months of each other, the G30 2021 BMW 5 Series facelift and the W213 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift were launched in Malaysia. Now, let’s put them in a head-to-head comparison to see how they stack up against each other.

Since we’ve yet to drive either of them, this will be predominantly a specs comparison.

Price

There are 2 variants of the G30 BMW 5 Series facelift available - 530e M Sport and 530i M Sport, priced at RM 334,353 and RM 384,941 (OTR without insurance and SST, with extended warranty and service package) respectively.

Presently, the BMW 520i is not available as there are still no announcements.

As for the W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift, there are 2 variants as well - E200 Avantgarde and E300 AMG Line, priced at RM 326,943 and RM 375,432 respectively. Prices are OTR without insurance and SST, valid until 31-December.

Both cars are locally-assembled, the BMW at the Kulim plant while the Mercedes-Benz at the Pekan facility.

Also read: Here’s why Malaysia launched the new Mercedes E-Class so late, after Thailand and Vietnam

Powertrain

The BMW 530e M Sport features an electrified 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, producing a maximum output of 292 PS and 420 Nm of torque. This is courtesy of the XtraBoost function that allows a temporary boost of 40 PS. 0-100 km/h is rated at 5.9 seconds.

The all-electric driving range, enabled from the 12.0-kWh high-voltage battery under the rear seat bench, is up to 67 km in the NEDC test cycle.

Meanwhile, the petrol-only BMW 530i M Sport pushes out 252 PS and 350 Nm of torque, enabling the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. Both variants feature an 8-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels.

No hybrid variant for the Mercedes-Benz however. The Mercedes-Benz E200 is powered by 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that outputs 197 PS/320 Nm, completing the century sprint in 7.4 seconds.

Also read: Thailand gets the new Mercedes E300e PHEV but not Malaysia, Mercedes explains why

The same engine in the E300 makes 258 PS/370 Nm, which translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.2 seconds. Both variants get a 9-speed automatic transmission, powering the rear wheels exclusively.

Exterior

The BMW 530e M Sport comes with Adaptive LED Matrix headlights, while the BMW 530i M Sport gets BMW Laserlight. Both include the anti-glare BMW Selective Beam high-beam assistant with turning lights, and adaptive cornering function.

Also read: G30 2021 BMW 530i M Sport - What's so special about Laserlight?

As standard, the BMW 530e M Sport gets the Shadow Line treatment with gloss black exterior finishes, while the BMW 530i M Sport is framed by the BMW Individual Exterior Line Aluminium Satinated. Both variants are equipped with Adaptive Suspension and both run on 19-inch wheels.

Moving over to Stuttgart, the Mercedes-Benz E200 gets the less-aggressive-looking Avantgarde exterior pack, LED headlights, and 18-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels.

The E300 on the other hand, wears the AMG Line exterior pack and adds Multibeam LED headlights, and larger 19-inch AMG alloy wheels.

Interior

Inside the G30 BMW 5 Series facelift, both variants are furnished with aluminium trims, black headliner, and Dakota Leather upholstery. Illumination within the car is provided by ambient lighting, while the BMW 530i M Sport features a sunroof.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional runs on BMW Operating System 7, displayed on a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. Android Auto is not supported while Apple CarPlay connectivity is available, with a lifetime fee of RM 1,299.

Unique to the BMW 530i M Sport are the BMW Gesture Control, Head-Up Display, BMW Display Key and a 464-watt 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system. The BMW 530e M Sport on the other hand, features a 205-watt HiFi system with 12 speakers.

For the W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, both variants get power-adjustable front seats and MBUX infotainment system displayed in the Widescreen Cockpit, which includes two 12.3-inch displays. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is supported.

While steering wheel designs are different, both get capacitive steering wheel that can operate the instrument cluster and media display via the Touch Control buttons.

The E200’s interior is upholstered by Artico man-made leather while the E300 gets genuine leather. Also, the E200 features the 2-zone Thermatic automatic climate control, the E300 gets the 3-zone Thermotronic automatic climate control.

Feature found exclusively in the E300 include panoramic sunroof, Burmester sound system, wireless charging pad, and 360-degree camera.

Safety

Both variants of the G30 BMW 5 Series facelift are equipped with Driving Assistant package that includes Lane Departure and Lane Change Warning, front collision alert with brake intervention (AEB), rear collision prevention and crossing-traffic warning.

There’s also the Parking Assistant Plus feature for automatic parallel and perpendicular parking. The 530i adds on Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function.

As for the W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift, both variants get Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist (AEB), Active Parking Assist with Parktronic. The E300 adds Active Distance Assist (ACC) and Active Lane Keeping Assist (LKA).

Conclusion

So there we have it, a quick specs comparison of the recently-launched executive sedans. Both are priced fairly close to each other with comparable levels of equipment (the BMW 530e aside).

Now that you’ve been brought up to speed with these two, the best way to decide which is the perfect car for you (if you haven’t already) is to have a go at both. May the best German exec win.

But, if you're in the market to look for a second hand Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 instead, check out our used car guide here.

Also read: 

New vs Old: 2021 G30 BMW 530i LCI – Changes where it matters

New vs Old: 2021 G30 BMW 530e PHEV LCI – Now with CarPlay, but it ain't free

Closer Look: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift - E300 worth the RM 49k premium?