Head-to-head: Mercedes-Benz E300 v BMW 530i
Value
Mercedes: These two are direct competitors and it shows in the way they are so closely aligned on price and specification. The E300 has a price advantage, starting from $107,900 (plus on-road costs), making it $1000 cheaper than the BMW.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch AMG alloy wheels, air suspension, adaptive LED lights, surround parking camera, leather upholstery, heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone air-conditioning, ambient interior lighting, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and navigation.
BMW: Priced from $108,900 (plus on-road costs) our 530i was specified in the Luxury Line, instead of the M Sport package, both of which are available as a no cost option.
Equipment with the Luxury Line 530i consists of 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights with selective beam, surround view parking cameras, head-up display, keyless entry and ignition, navigation, a Harman/Kardon surround sound system, leather steering wheel, Nappa leather trim, ventilated front seats and the ambient air package.
But, and this is critical in splitting the pair, the BMW has some optional equipment that should be standard on a car of this price - and is in the Benz - such as charging $623 for Apple CarPlay. So a narrow win for Benz.
Winner: Mercedes
Inside
Mercedes: The E300, like all modern Mercedes, is a combination of the latest in technology and classic automotive styling.
There are retro-looking round air-conditioning vents finished in chrome effect and premium looking wood veneer for the traditional touch.
But the E-Class is Mercedes' most advanced car today so there is also plenty of gadgets, including the long 'plank' of screens that act as both the instrument panel and infotainment screen.
The fit and finish is top notch but the juxtaposition of old and new won't be to everyone's taste.
Size is similar in both cars, with good room up front and adequate space in the back seats.
BMW: The 530i is also loaded with modern technology, including a pair of digital screens for the dash and infotainment as per the Benz, but has a more traditional presentation.
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The virtual dashboard features a pair of life-like dials and the infotainment screen is separate which actually makes for a cleaner and more integrated design with the rest of the centre fascia.
Like the Benz the fit, finish and overall presentation is suitably high quality with a mixture of leather, soft touch plastics and wood veneer used to good effect.
While the two cars will suit different tastes the 5-Series looks more holistic in its presentation and that gives it a slight edge.
Winner: BMW
Engine
Mercedes: These two large sedans are both using 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines as motivation.
In the E300, the engine is tuned to produce 180kW and 370Nm which is more than adequate to pull the big E-Class along. The nine-speed automatic transmission is well calibrated so it helps extract the best from the engine.
It feels sprightly off the mark and has enough mid-range punch to make overtaking easy. But if you're expecting AMG-type performance to match the wheels you'll be disappointed.
For what it is, a mid-range model in the E-Class line-up, it is a good engine-transmission combination.
BMW: The 530i has slightly more power than the E300, 185kW, but less torque, 350Nm. But on the road it doesn't lack behind the Benz, offering similar performance with good initial pulling power and some in reserve in the mid-range for overtaking.
The eight-speed automatic may have one less ratio but feels every bit the equal to the Mercedes' nine-speed. The BMW shifts smoothly and effortlessly across the ratios and extracts the best performance from the small engine.
Where it has a big advantage over the E300, on paper at least, is fuel economy. The 530i uses a claimed 5.8-litres per 100km, compared to 7.1 for the Mercedes. In the real world both will use more than claimed but driven equally the BMW should best the Mercedes. That's a significant difference and enough to hand the Beemer a small edge in this round.
Winner: BMW
How it drives
Mercedes: The E300 comes standard with air suspension for a suitably luxurious ride.
There are various modes that adjust the stiffness of the suspension, depending on if your preference is for sporty driving or comfort. Even in its most dynamic setting though the E300 remains quite softly sprung as it is primarily a luxury cruiser, not a sports sedan.
In its softest setting it can be a little too wallowy and feel slow to react to inputs and get unsettled by repeated smaller bumps.
BMW: The 530i misses out on air suspension and instead uses BMW's Dynamic Damper Control as standard.
It is a deliberate move to give the 5-Series a sportier driving experience compared to its 7-Series bigger brother, with which it shares a lot of its design and technology.
It definitely feels a more dynamic car than the E300, with better responsiveness and sharper steering for a slightly more engaging drive.
But it hasn't had a negative effect on ride quality, which is still supple and compliant. It's not quite as plush as the E300 but it offers better body control.
Winner: BMW
Safety
Mercedes: The E-Class has reset the bar in terms of safety with a full suite of active features and a number of breakthrough technologies included on every model.
Not only does the E300 come with nine airbags as standard, it also gets forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert included.
In addition the E300 also comes with Mercedes' mild autonomous technology that can drive the car for short periods with little or no driver input.
But the real stand out items are saved for the worst case scenario when you can't avoid an impact. In the event of a crash the seat's side bolsters are designed to push you into the centre of the car to protect you better. Also, the car emits a blast of white noise on impact to protect your ear drums.
BMW: Not surprisingly BMW has loaded plenty of safety gear into its E-Class rival. Obviously there is full airbag protection and the 530i also gets similar active safety features to the E300 - active cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, active lane keeping assistance and limited autonomous driving functionality.
One particularly handy feature for Australian drivers is the Speed Limit Assist system. It is able to recognise the speed limit of the road you are on (with excellent accuracy) and then put an artificial stop on the throttle to restrict your ability to break the limit. The digital speedo also blanks out the speed above the legal limit, which is a nice visual aid.
But as helpful as it is at protecting your licence, the Mercedes wins this contest narrowly thanks to its cutting-edge occupant protection.
Winner: Mercedes
Verdict
Mercedes: This is a tough one to call because while they are direct rivals in the marketplace the two brands have gone about achieving the same result - crafting a modern, safe, relaxed and refined luxury car - in very different ways.
The E300 is an excellent machine if you prefer its restrained and conservative style but appreciate the latest in safety and technology.
BMW: The 530i on the other hand feels more contemporary, with a more modern interior and more dynamic handling. Its superior fuel economy is also an advantage. Picking between these two will ultimately come down to personal taste and brand preference, and neither is a bad choice, but for its sharper driving experience, while still being luxurious, the BMW wins this contest. Just!
Winner: BMW
2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 pricing and specifications
Price: $107,900 plus-on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 180kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 370Nm at 1300-4000rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.1L/100km
2017 BMW 530i pricing and specifications
Price: From $108,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 185kW at 5200-6500rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1450-4800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel use: 5.8L/100km