Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series undercuts the RM367,888 Mercedes-Benz E-Class by RM27,088, yet both reach 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds with rear-wheel drive and four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol power. The BMW brings 208 hp and 330 Nm, plus a head-up display, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio and dual-zone rear climate control. The Mercedes counters with a longer 2,961 mm wheelbase, 540-litre boot, nine airbags and a four-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW is the better-equipped choice for less; the E-Class justifies consideration if rear-seat space, luggage room and warranty cover matter more.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want RM27,088 in your pocket, 208 hp and 330 Nm, plus a head-up display and 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you prioritise its 2,961 mm wheelbase, 540-litre boot, nine airbags and four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp and 320 Nm.
- Wheelbase and boot: BMW 5 Series 2,900 mm and 490 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2,961 mm and 540 litres.
- Airbags and warranty: BMW 5 Series six airbags and two years; Mercedes-Benz E-Class nine airbags and four years.
- Top speed and transmission: BMW 5 Series 230 km/h with eight speeds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 240 km/h with nine speeds.
- Rear tyres: BMW 5 Series 245/45R19; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 275/40R19.
5 Series
- RM27,088 lower purchase price
- 208 hp and 330 Nm
- Head-up display, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio and dual-zone rear air-con
- Six airbags versus nine
- 490-litre boot versus 540 litres
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
E-Class
- 2,961 mm wheelbase and 540-litre boot
- Nine airbags
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- RM27,088 more expensive
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the BMW
- No head-up display and seven speakers versus 12
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM367,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used 5 Series & E-Class for sale
5 Series vs E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The BMW 5 Series is the sharper value choice: it costs less, has 208 hp and 330 Nm, and adds a head-up display and 12-speaker audio. Choose the Mercedes-Benz E-Class for its longer wheelbase, larger boot, nine airbags and four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM27,088 more than the BMW 5 Series.
Which has the better rear-seat and luggage package?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the longer 2,961 mm wheelbase and a 540-litre boot, against the BMW 5 Series' 2,900 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot. The BMW counters with dual-zone rear climate control, while the Mercedes has rear air-con vents.
