stavros

All, this is how the E60 is viewed by some of our Australian Motoring Journalists when they rate it against the competiton.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...articleID=64681

"This 530i felt nervous, bouncy and unsettled any time it encountered a winding, bumpy road. There was little sense of being at one with the road; more that it was tip-toeing across the top of the bitumen. It was not aided by BMW's active steering system, which adjusts the steering ratio according to speed."

And here is how they describe the styling of our cars...
"Styling is subjective but none of the test crew liked the look of the BMW, even six years after it first appeared.

The long, narrow headlights don't seem to fit with the body and the slashes and creases are out of step with the kidney grille. The 17-inch wheels look small under the guards. The rump is big and the obvious panel gaps appear agricultural rather than luxurious."

And when compared with the Mercedes E350...

"The E-Class was the fourth and final contestant to be driven on our handling circuit with four testers on board and was the first to deal with it without issue. The ride was firm yet yielding, the grip level convincing and the steering crisp and compelling. Not only was this car a better drive than any previous E-Class, it also outshone the equivalent BMW, something we've perhaps never suggested before.

Has anyone driven the new E-Class?

The verdict also amuses me...

VERDICT

The Audi is good on price and equipment, has a responsive engine and offers a decent interior; but it just doesn't do a good enough job of shielding its occupants from the outside world. It is in need of regeneration.

Uncharacteristically, the BMW fails to involve the driver in the way good BMWs usually do. Better tyres may remedy that but there's not much you can do about the interior's limited storage and other foibles. The Lexus takes a leaf from traditional BMWs by looking after the driver more so than any other occupant. It's also a technological tour de force, albeit one whose merits are widely debated.

However, if you spend your time commuting and don't have to carry many passengers or luggage, this is a really appealing saloon. But the Mercedes-Benz E350 stands clearly ahead of its three rivals here. It pays respect to its heritage, yet manages to improve its value for money and be as good to drive as any mainstream Benz. Fuel use was on the high side but there was much here to like and little else to loath.

Benz hasn't always got its new products right during the past decade. But here is evidence that it is freeing its head of distractions. The result is there to be seen in the new E-Class, undoubtedly the best mid-sized luxury car in the world today. For more on these cars, go to drive.com.au/comparison

cleung

In bmw's defence, it is being compared to updated models of the other cars. I would like to see them do this same comparison once the f10 arrives.

stanatl

I test drove the 2010 E550 sport edition a few weeks ago. I had driven the E class before I pulled the trigger on my '07 550i and didn't like it at all. Very floaty in the twisties and the seats were horrible.

The 2010 model is nothing like the prior version. The suspension is much tighter, the steering much more responsive and the seats are much more comfortable. The seats in the car I drove had heating/cooling as well as a control for dynamic adjustment of the bolsters and even massage. The car was very quick - I would say quicker than my 550i. It doesn't have Active Steering or HUD available which are both options on my car that I love.

The car does not drive or handle like my 550i sport but it is not your grandfather' Mercedes.

mnmike

To each their own I guess.

This is the first review I've read of the new E-Class that hasn't said it was the worst one to date. Everyone else that has tested the new one has said it to be appalling.

Also I didn't actually read the article but if thats just a regular E60 with no sport package it probably is pretty soft.

vkhong

The E39 and E60 have aged rather gracefully Vehicle appearance and design is pretty subjective from person to person, market to market. I am sure road quality is different from climate to climate, country to country too. Responsive handling and road feel is not for everyone or for every road condition. An E60 cruising at highway speeds in the US and Germany may not do so well on the streets of Sydney.

skelevirus

yeah but what do these guys know about cars?

BluedMan

LOL!

advancedlogic

I would venture to say it was a not a sport model, judging by the chrome trim. However, they did make a dig at Active Steering. I'm curious...One last thing. do they not sell the 550 or 535 in Australia? Is comparing the E350 to the 530 a fair comparison?

UUronL

No Sport suspension on the 530i. Seriously... that alone should make their article useless to the enthusiast, so why get hung up on it?

Da_Meister_22

Exactly, finally someone said it, and the answer is NOTHING!!

Every other known car show (Car & Driver, Top Speed, Top Gear, etc) have rated BMW best aout of the three rivals (BMW, AUDI, M.

I say Australians just stay with Kangaroos and not get into cars...