BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Luxury sedans · head to head, 2010–2027
The BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the 5 Series's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; years to avoid: 2012; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the E-Class's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
BMW 5 Series
Sedan · 2010–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2012
- Be careful 2010–2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2024
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Car · 2010–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2012, 2017, 2024
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy 5 Series year says nothing about whether it beats a E-Class. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | BMW 5 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.3× usual, mostly brakes and stability control | CAREFULSerious complaints 3.8× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly collision avoidance and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly air bags and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and engine cooling and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and engine cooling and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly air bags and brakes | Side by side |
| 2013 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly air bags and brakes | Side by side |
| 2012 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly air bags and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2011 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly air bags and suspension | Side by side |
| 2010 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly air bags and suspension | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2027: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2027 BMW 5 Series | 2027 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $60,500 to $125,300 base price by trim, 6 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 255 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 375–483 hp 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 717 hp | — |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 13–31 mpg | — |
| Seats | 5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | — | — |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | — · — | — · — |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2027 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| 5 Series 530i lowest price, $60,500 | 5 Series M5 Touring Base highest price, $125,300 | E-Class E350 first listed | E-Class E450 4MATIC All-Terrain last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Optional | Optional | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Optional | Standard | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Sunroof or moonroof | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Remote start | — | — | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2027 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2027 page (5 Series, E-Class).
Known fixes and extended coverage
BMW 5 Series
42 manufacturer programs on file: 27 extended coverage, 15 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Note: Before performing a repair and submitting a claim, first confirm that the vehicle has the above Notice of Limited Warranty Extension in the DCSnet Warranty Inquiry Vehicle Comments section. If you have Extended Limited Warranty (ELW)… (SIB010121, 2017–2019, 2021–2022 models)
- Extended coverage FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension This component-specific limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials or workmanship. This… (B011219, 2017–2021 models)
- Extended coverage LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSIONTO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES: This Service Information Bulletin replaces SI B01 05 18 dated July 2019. (B010518, 2011–2012, 2014–2016 models)
- Extended coverage The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) lights up after performing the Vehicle Test diagnosis fault(s) relating to the rear monitoring oxygen sensor(s) may be recorded in the DME fault memory. (B010319, 2011–2015 models)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
15 manufacturer programs on file: 8 extended coverage, 7 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This warranty extension applies to the electrical wiring and plug connection on the accelerator pedal, as it may not meet current production specifications. Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has… (2018–2019 models)
- Extended coverage Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage Detection ("DMTL") on your vehicle from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years / 50,000 miles to 15… (2020 models)
- Extended coverage This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank… (2020 models)
- Extended coverage Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage detection (DMTL) in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4… (2021 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2014, 2016, 2019–2023, 2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: 5 Series 2012.
- Newest year rated a good buy: 5 Series 2025; E-Class 2025.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.