Entry level test: BMW 5-Series Vs Mercedes E-Class - specifications
| BMW 520d SE | Mercedes E220 CDI SE | |
|---|---|---|
| On the road price/total as tested | £27,430/£30,955 | £27,375/£31,745 |
| Residual value (after 3yrs/30,000) | £12,289/44.8% | £12,428/45.4% |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £987/£1,975 | £985/£1,971 |
| Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,393/£2,321 | £1,808/£3,013 |
| Ins. grp./quote/road tax band/cost | 33/£539/E/£120 | 33/£562/E/£120 |
| Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £685 (5yrs/60k) | £249/£349/£249 |
| Length/wheelbase | 4,841/2,888mm | 4,868/2,874mm |
| Height/width | 1,468/1,846mm | 1,470/1,854mm |
| Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,995cc | 4cyl in-line/2,143cc |
| Peak power | 175/4,000 bhp/rpm | 168/4,000 bhp/rpm |
| Peak torque | 350/1,750 Nm/rpm | 400/1,400 Nm/rpm |
| Transmission | Six-spd man/rwd | Six-spd man/rwd |
| Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 70 litres/run-flats | 59 litres/sp. saver |
| Boot capacity | 520 litres | 540 litres |
| Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,585/465/1,800kg | 1,735/535/1,900kg |
| Turning circle/drag coefficient | N/A/0.28Cd | 11.3 metres/0.25Cd |
| Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (unltd)/3yrs | 3yrs (unltd)/4yrs |
| Service intervals/UK dealers | Variable miles/154 | 15,000 miles/136 |
| Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 8th (09)/12th (08) | 9th (09)/14th (08) |
| Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./points | 4/4/1/N/A | N/A |
| 0-60/30-70mph | 8.3/7.7 secs | 8.4/8.3 secs |
| 30-50 in 3rd/4th | 3.6/5.9 secs | 3.5 secs^ |
| 50-70 in 5th/6th | 6.8/9.9 secs | 4.8 secs^ |
| Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 144mph/2,000rpm | 143mph/2,000rpm |
| Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 47.7/34.6/8.8m | 50.1/36.4/9.3m |
| Noise levels outside/idle/30/70mph | 67/44/57/67dB | 61/42/57/67dB |
| Auto Express economy/range | 41.4mpg/637 miles | 31.9mpg/414 miles^ |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 43.5/65.7/55.4mpg | 40.9/64.2/53.3mpg |
| Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 183/136g/km/18% | 237/139g/km/18% |
| Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors | Six/yes/yes | Eight/yes/yes |
| Auto box/stability/cruise control | £1,465/yes/yes | £1,458/yes/yes |
| Climate ctrl/leather/heated seats | £580/£1,340/£295 | Yes/no/yes |
| Met paint/xenon lights/keyless go | £625/£785/no | £607/no/no |
| Sat-nav/MP3 connection/Bluetooth | £350*/£200/£525 | £1,150/yes/yes |
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