2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs BMW 5 Series LWB Comparison Review - The Long Game

The E vs 5 – an old chestnut that has fuelled endless debates among luxury car enthusiasts for decades. Traditionally, choosing between these two was a fairly straightforward affair. If you preferred spending more time behind the wheel, the BMW was your go-to pick. But if you happen to be someone who loved the plush comfort of lounging behind the driver, the Merc was your default choice. Making decisions was easy.

Our current world, however, is anything but simple – a complicated and fiercely competitive playground where everyone wants a slice from the other’s plate. So, it’s no surprise that BMW, with its latest eighth generation of the 5 Series, has decided to go all guns blazing in the neighbourhood where the Merc E-Class dominates – the long-wheelbase limo segment, that is.

For the first time in the 5er’s history, it’s available in a stretched layout for the Indian market, making the new version’s priorities evidently clear – it now aims to pamper you in the back seat above everything else. This also means that it has the E-Class in its crosshairs more clearly than ever before.

Now, the E-Class isn’t going to be bullied around by its Bavarian counterpart. After all, it has been ruling the long-wheelbase segment since long before the arrival of the new 5. The first E-Class LWB landed on our shores back in 2017, and it has since become the default choice of high-ranking executives.

So, dethroning the E isn’t going to be an easy task – it’s a challenge that requires a lot more than a sincere effort. And to make it an even more herculean task, Mercedes has brought along the all-new sixth-generation of the E-Class – in its LWB format, obviously — hot on the heels of the 5 Series LWB’s launch. The stakes are higher than ever.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB vs BMW 5 Series LWB: Rear-Seat Space & Comfort

Since LWB is the most talked about aspect of these two luxury saloons, it’s only fitting to begin this comparison from the back seat. So, let’s start with the E-Class, for it’s the segment benchmark and the one to beat.

The new E-Class measures 4,949mm in length, 2,065mm in width, and 1,468mm in height. The wheelbase stands at 2,962mm, which is quite long, hence the LWB tag. As you step inside – or are about to – the first thing you notice is the unusually small doors. It’s a bit disconcerting at first, but you soon realise that it’s so because the quarter-glass is fixed and doesn’t move with the door. They call it the Maybach-style doors – quite a flex but if you’re XL sized yourself or were born before the 70s, then it’s not as flattering since getting in takes extra effort. Plus, the lower set rear bench further adds to the problem.

However, once you’re perched in your seat and the soft close doors have shut and isolated you from the noise of the world outside, you won’t mind making all that effort, for the back seat of the E-Class is one of the most indulgent places you can find yourself in. That feeling of sinking into the bed of a 5-star suite after a long day – that’s exactly how it feels here. The cabin is extremely sumptuous. From space and touchpoints to overall feel and cushioning, everything here has been meticulously designed to envelop you in luxurious comfort. Every glance and touch reaffirms the unmistakable presence of luxury.

Then there’s the creature comforts. The reclining seats, window shades, rear window blind, extendable under-thigh support, and dual-pane sunroof are all at your fingertips – literally, as everything is electrically controlled from the back. What’s more, you also get the ‘Boss’ button, which allows you to slide or fold the front passenger seat to free up even more leg space for yourself – all with a press of a button. Oh, and those marshmallow-soft neck pillows can put even the busiest of minds to sleep like a baby. The E-Class truly pampers and spoils you with its extravagances.

Step into the BMW, and the first thing that grabs your attention is the sheer size of the door – it’s large enough to make getting in and out as effortless as gliding into a ballroom. Compared to the Merc, the seat is mounted higher, so you don’t have to sink down to sit – a blessing for elderly or lazy millennial bosses. The BMW’s cabin feels airier and more spacious, given that it’s the larger vehicle of the two – 5,165mm (L), 2,156mm (W) and 1,518mm (H), along with a wheelbase of 3,105mm. Not to mention, the seat cushioning feels plusher, and the single-pane panoramic moonroof enhances the sense of space. That said, when you’re done appreciating the space and seat cushioning and start looking for feel-good creature comforts, you’ll find the BMW’s cabin is somewhat bare basic in comparison to the Merc’s. It doesn’t get a seat recline option, there’s no ‘Boss’ button, and, most annoyingly, you don’t even get sun blinds or sun shades, let alone them being electric. The absence of such a basic feature in a luxury sedan costing nearly a crore is simply inexcusable.

That said, there are things that both sedans miss out on. For instance, there’s no ventilation for the rear seats – a bit surprising, considering most buyers would be chauffeured around in the back. While both get a wireless phone charger, USB ports, and 4-zone air-conditioning, neither gets rear-seat entertainment screens. The BMW, however, does provide a clever provision to mount your personal device / iPad at the back of the front seats in case you want to Netflix or chill in between your business commutes.

E-Class LWB vs 5 Series LWB Ride Quality: Which One Is More Comfortable?

After spending a considerable amount of time in the rear seats of both vehicles, it’s evident that the Merc’s cabin outshines the BMW’s in terms of sheer luxury and opulence. However, it’s not the same story when the wheels start turning. Interestingly, it’s the 5 Series that rides better, feels more absorbent, and offers a cushier ride than the E-Class. Over large speed humps, bad roads, and at high speeds, the BMW does a better job of isolating you from the imperfections of the outside world. That’s not to say that the E-Class’s ride quality is inferior – it’s superb and remains unperturbed. It’s just that it feels slightly clunky and firm at low speeds over big bumps, and the NVH levels are higher at high speeds.

Amazingly, the Merc’s body controls are tauter compared to the overly soft-sprung BMW. And, as a passenger in the back, you will quickly notice this when you’re driven around a series of bends at high speeds. While the BMW leans from one side to another, the Merc corners relatively flatter, which means you won’t be tossed around in the cabin as much. Again, surprisingly, neither sedan features air suspension or even adaptive dampers, so you can’t really alter the setup for comfort or handling. A bit of a miss again, especially considering their rather steep price tags.

Driving Experience: BMW 530Li vs Mercedes E200/E450

Now, you might argue that as a posh and wealthy owner of a long-wheelbase luxury sedan, you couldn’t care less about stuff such as driving dynamics or handling. But, then, one day on a certain Monday morning, your chauffeur is going to pull a sickie, leaving you to your own devices. So, for those rare occasions when you take the wheel, here’s how the experience will differ in these two sedans.

For decades, the 5 Series has made its name as a driver’s car. But at the moment, the brand’s focus, especially in India, has turned towards offering luxury, space, and comfort. Now this would lead one to believe that the 5 is no longer a driver’s car. While that’s true to an extent, the new 5 isn’t a complete snoozefest. Despite being long and soft, it’s still a hoot. Sure, it may have lost the scalpel-like sharpness of its predecessors, but the essence is not lost. Turn the traction control off, give it full beans around a corner, and it’ll promptly slide its tail out in a typical BMW fashion. The chassis balance is simply impeccable here, and the steering is light and direct. It’s a communicative car, and it does exactly what you want it to, plastering a wide grin on your face.The 5 may look dull and overly synthesised like a corporate conference hall, but there’s nothing monotonous or banal about it when you’re behind the wheel.

Part of what makes the BMW experience so enjoyable is its powertrain. The 5 Series LWB is offered in a single spec – the 530 Li, featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol. No diesel or six-cylinder petrol is on offer here. Still, this powertrain, combined with the 8-speed ZF auto – which sends power exclusively to the rear wheels – is an absolute peach. It’s got 255bhp and 400Nm, and when you use all of those numbers, the 5 will propel from zero to a hundred in just 6.5 seconds. Plenty quick for you to make it to your daily morning meetings way before time if you ask me. What’s more, this engine loves to be revved – it has a bit of a sporty demeanour. It sounds raspy, and the transmission never misses a beat.

The Merc doesn’t have this kind of split personality – it remains resolute in its pursuit to become a better and more civil luxury sedan. As a result, it offers a calm, serene, and effortless driving experience, prioritising refinement over sheer dynamism. It handles well for sure, but the steering isn’t as direct or communicative as the BMW’s. And while it’s also pushed from the rear wheels, it’s not as playful as the bimmer. Its relaxed driving dynamics also sit well with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine – which powers the E200 variant (the one we had on test) – since it’s also tuned to build speed in a leisurely fashion. It’s no slouch, of course, but it doesn’t quite have the get-go of the BMW. That’s mainly down to the numbers, though. Compared to the 530Li, the E200 develops a rather moderate 201bhp and 320Nm. Sure, it does get an additional e-boost of 23bhp and 205Nm (vs 11bhp and 25Nm in the BMW), but it still doesn’t quite match the 0 – 100km/h time of the 530 Li as it’s a full second slower.

The E200 also feels heavy and slow during part throttle inputs, especially in slow-moving traffic, or during a quick overtake. The biggest fly in the ointment here is its 9-speed automatic gearbox, which isn’t as decisive as the 8-speeder of the BMW. It fumbles at times, and the shifts aren’t as snappy. If you want outright grunt or performance, Mercedes is also offering the E with a diesel engine (E220d) and a more powerful six-cylinder petrol (E450 4Matic).

We have driven the latter, and can confirm that it offers scintillating performance. The silky-smooth six-cylinder motor has got the oomph of an AMG and it can clock 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Now, while the performance leaves you thrilled, this engine feels too extreme for this application, especially given the fact that it doesn't have adaptive dampers. As a result, it feels too comfort oriented around corners and you can't fully exploit the performance of the E450. 

Features, Tech & Design: 5 Series LWB vs E-Class LWB Compared

The features and aesthetics of these cars may not be a deal breaker for buyers in this segment, but they do matter. So, let’s quickly delve into what both sedans offer in this regard. Both the BMW and Merc are loaded to the gills with cutting-edge tech, although as mentioned previously, you can only access most of them from the front seats, and not the rear. Both sedans feature their brand’s respective tech and, of course, a giant set of screens.

In the BMW, there’s the familiar curved HD screen consisting of a 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. It works brilliantly – the menus are easy to navigate through, and I personally love its layout and interface better than the Merc’s. That said, when it comes to the sense of occasion, the E-Class with its ‘Superscreen’ setup trumps the BMW. It features not two but three screens – a 12.3-inch driver display, a 14.4-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen. It’s nothing less than a screen fest. Some may find it excessive, but it’s undeniably an impressive visual statement, one that adds to the car’s overall X-Factor. The only downside, in terms of functionality, is that all basic controls, including air-conditioning, are integrated into the screen, which makes accessing them a tedious affair. Plus, it feels cluttered with the whole dashboard covered in screens. And, while the passenger screen is a great addition, it’s not tinted – like the one in Porsches – to prevent the driver from peeking at it while driving.

The Merc also has more tricks up its sleeve to make the occupants feel special – 64 colour ambient lighting (vs 15 in the BMW), which extend all the way to the back, a 4D surround sound system with ‘exciters’ sound massage in the front seats, and a selfie camera on the dashboard, which can also be used for video conferences. The BMW, too, has a selfie camera, but it can only click still images.

In terms of quality and fit and finish, it’s a coin toss between the two. They are both immaculate in their own ways. While the Merc feels opulent and rich in a palatial sense, the BMW has a minimalistic and art gallery-like theme, which feels equally sophisticated and timeless.

Moving on, let’s address the elephant in the room – their exterior aesthetics. The 5 Series, first. To say that the new 5 Series caused an uproar with its new design language would be an understatement. It left most BMW fans livid, and rightly so. While the previous generation of the 5 Series was elegant, classy, and sporty in equal measure – I’d go on to say it’s my favourite BMW design of the last decade or so – the new 5 is a bit too loud and in-your-face. That ‘Sharknose’ bonnet, illuminated grille, and the Skoda-inspired rear section…well, let’s just say that it’s no work of art. Plus, the long-wheelbase derivative, with its extra-large rear quarter panel, looks somewhat out of place. And don’t get me started on those basic-looking 18-inch wheels with fat sidewalls. In short, the 5 looks plain and ordinary. That said, I’d play the devil’s advocate here and say that this design does grow on you, albeit not in the 530Li spec. It works in the i5. And that’s because the electric version gets bigger wheels and is based on a regular wheelbase. Plus, its grille design is also subtler.

The E-Class, on the other hand, doesn’t want to make a bold statement with its outer appearance. Even though it’s a new-generation model, the design is more evolutionary, and over time, you may not even be able to differentiate it from the outgoing E-Class. Sure, there is a lot of chrome and loud bits and bobs – look at that huge star-studded grille, for instance – but it’s much easier on the eyes and seems more proportionate. Interestingly, despite having the same wheel and tyre size as the BMW, the E-Class doesn’t look under-tyred, thanks to its dual-tone treatment and overall cohesive design.

Final Verdict: Which LWB Luxury Sedan Should You Buy in 2025?

Has the 5 Series, in its first crack at the long-wheelbase formula, dethroned the E-Class LWB? The answer is – not quite. However, there’s also no denying that it came dangerously close! The BMW has the measure of the Merc in most departments – it’s more spacious, offers a better ride experience, and is on par with the E in terms of tech offerings. And while it may not matter to the LWB clientele much, it’s also the more engaging car to drive.

However, the E-Class delivers the knockout punch where it hurts the bimmer the most – the rear seat experience. You see, the whole premise of a LWB sedan is to prioritise comfort and luxury in the rear compartment above all, and here, the E excels. Not only does it have more creature comforts but it also feels a whole lot special when you’re chauffeured in it. Of course, it’s a little more expensive, but when you’re spending nearly a crore, a few lakh here and there won’t matter.

All told, the upshot is that the 5 LWB is a more rounded product if you want everything from your luxury car. However, in terms of what long-wheelbase luxury sedans are meant to do, the E-Class LWB still remains the king of the hill.