E240 vs 523i

[Vit4wd]

My friend wrote in to BMW Germany HQ to ask them for the full specs of the BMW 523i and asked in comparison to the E240.

 

The reply from BMW Germany was that E240 is no comparison to the 523i and a fairer comparison shd be between the 523i against the E350 in terms of specs!

 

Before this letter he sent to BMW HQ, my friend was telling me that the E200 specs was pretty inferior compared to the BMW 523i.

 

Any comments from Mercedes owners?

 

Personally I feel that BMW in general wins in terms of the Ultimate Drivng Experience, but Mercedes wins in terms of an established brand name with preferred snob appeal.

[Vblaster_w211]

Hardly. Wait for the full engine refresh of the Merc V6 series to M272, which offers better power and FC compared to the BMW's similar offerings.

 

E240 is and old 3 valves per cylinder V6. The replacement is the M272 2.5L.

 

For an idea of how the new M272 engine performs, look at the specs of the E280 and E350. They offer better power and lower FC than older generations of higher cc!

 

The 523 should be compared to the upcoming E240 replacement (yet to be named). It loses big time when compared to the E350's engine.

 

Of course, in terms of pricing, the 523 is close to the E200K. Engine wise, the newer 6 cylinder 523 producing 177bhp is better than the Supercharged 4 pot 163 bhp. But the pulling torque of the M271 Kompressor is impressive at 240Nm, and has very very good FC. Add to our "unique" tax system, and the 1.8L becomes rather attractive also. Side by side, the 523 will not outrun the E200K as what some people might think.

 

Obviously, BMW Germany is biased if they even think their 523 is comparable to an E350!

 

BMW 523:

177 bhp (5800 rpm)

230 Nm (3500 rpm)

 

E350:

272 bhp (6000 rpm)

350 Nm (2400 - 5000 rpm - good torque from low rev)

0-100km/h: 6.9 sec

 

E200K:

163 bhp

240 Nm (2400 - 5000 rpm)

 

Your friend should really consider the new E280 (it is avail now), as the E240 replacement is yet to be announced.

 

E280:

231 bhp

300 Nm (2400 rpm)

0-100km/h: 7.9 sec

Edited December 26, 2005 by Vblaster_w211

[Vblaster_w211]

To add, the E250 (conjectured name) which is the E240 replacement will have a 2.5L M272 V6 16 valve engine producing 214 bhp.

 

So really, the 523 (5 refresh from the old 520) is somewhere in the region of the E200K, and not even in the E250 region, let alone the E280 or, as allegedly claimed by BMW Germany, the E350!

 

But, I must say the 523 is very good car. Probably drive a bit better than the E200K, but the E Class has that lasting classic look and finish that will not diminish over the years. I love the dash design of the E Class, very elegent and timeless.

[Tazster_t]

Coming from an ex-Mercedes driver, that response is simply bull.. then BMW 530i is comparable to what.. E500?

 

I've driven the E200k, E240. 523i & 530i.

 

In terms of specs.. I dun agree with the BMW HQ's reply, most prob an act of arrogance.

 

But in terms of driving experience, I will agree that the BMW 523i is better than E240 but is it as good as E350? Sorry... haven't driven one before but I seriously doubt it.

 

However, you gotta bear in mind both cars are setup differently.

[Vit4wd]

Agree with you.

 

But in any case, it's a pity that thre are so many Mercedes E-Class taxis running around the road, which has had potential E-Class buyers switch to buy a BMW 5 series instead.

 

BMW is smart to turn down the S'opre taxi companies' offer of having BMW taxis in S'pore. Great long term marketing strategy.

[Vblaster_w211]

Merc as Taxis is already a common sight overseas. Well travelled professionals would hardly be bothered by such a small thing.

[Minilicious]

On the contrary, the sight of so many 5 series nowadays turns me away from that model. But to be fair, 5 series lives up to the "Ultimate Driving Experience".

Edited December 26, 2005 by Minilicious

[Darkness]

I find BMW as a brand younger than MB.

 

Perhaps its just the mindset la... since towkays of yester years and even now usually are seen in their MB

 

But these days frankly there are so many luxury cars on the road that the "uniqness" or "snob appeal" as u call it is not there liao

[Wt_know]

your whatsoever snob appeal and aka 'uniqueness' will return when you get yourself a BMW 6 series or Merc SLK ....

[Ncss]

My friend wrote in to BMW Germany HQ to ask them for the full specs of the BMW 523i and asked in comparison to the E240.

 

The reply from BMW Germany was that E240 is no comparison to the 523i and a fairer comparison shd be between the 523i against the E350 in terms of specs!

 

Before this letter he sent to BMW HQ, my friend was telling me that the E200 specs was pretty inferior compared to the BMW 523i.

 

Any comments from Mercedes owners?

 

Personally I feel that BMW in general wins in terms of the Ultimate Drivng Experience, but Mercedes wins in terms of an established brand name with preferred snob appeal.

 

Hah... Comparison shd be between the 523i against the E350 in terms of specs???

Are you sure?

 

523i (2.5L) only 177bhp & E350 (3.5L) is 272bhp. It's totally 2 different engine spec!

 

Maybe E200 (1.8L) 163bhp & E280 (2.8L) 231bhp is a better comparision.

 

E240 (2.6L) 177bhp is phasing out soon...

 

I feel that both BM & Merc cars are about same in term of performance & comfort...

Edited December 27, 2005 by Ncss

[Turbonetics]

how can 2.3litre compare to 3.5litre???

unless the 2.3litre is a rotary engine loh...

[Kanr]

thats the true,bro!!!!

[Ncss]

523i is 2.5L... but still far away from 3.5L

 

523i 2.5L 177bhp 230Nm 9.3sec

E350 3.5L 272bhp 350Nm 6.9sec ... totally different league .

Edited December 27, 2005 by Ncss