In my opinion they are two very different cars.

The BMW 5 is a Sports sedan. Great for two adults; reasonable for 2 children in the back. It's sporty, nimble and VERY safe (I know, I rode one 800', 3 side to side rolls and 3 nose to tail rolls down a 70 degree mountain side and walked away from it with little more than a bruised ego and $250k damage done to a $50k car).

The E class is more of a Touring sedan. Taller, heavier, roomier, also VERY safe and a little more sedate. That is not to say that it does not handle well because it does, but it is usually driven in different style than the Beamer. Four adults and their luggage can travel in it in comfort.

My 99 BMW 528i was replaced by a 2001 E320 and then a 99 E300 TurboDiesel. I wouldnt trade the E300 for anything other than a CDI or Bluetech.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)