Which to Rent: Mercedes E350 or BMW 528i
Mar 19, 2015, 7:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Which to Rent: Mercedes E350 or BMW 528i
Anyone have any insight into which is a better option to rent to drive around NAPA for a nice weekend. The rates are pretty much the same and looking for something that has a nice interior and fun to drive on the windy roads.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Mar 20, 2015, 5:19 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
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"Napa" lets me assume this is in the US, where both cars come with an automatic (the BMW has a manual in most of Europe which would make this an easy decision).
I'd say that depends on how you define "fun to drive on the winding roads".
In case you're alone and want to do some really spirited driving that will explore the handling limits of those rather ponderous vehicles, choose the BMW as it will allow you to easily switch off the DSC and DTC electronic nannies.
Personally, I'd choose the Mercedes, especially when you will not be alone on this trip and drive at a clip that passengers will tolerate. The cabin feels roomier, visibility is better, and the 6-cylinder engine in the 350 just feels more refined than the 4 in the BMW.
I'd say that depends on how you define "fun to drive on the winding roads".
In case you're alone and want to do some really spirited driving that will explore the handling limits of those rather ponderous vehicles, choose the BMW as it will allow you to easily switch off the DSC and DTC electronic nannies.
Personally, I'd choose the Mercedes, especially when you will not be alone on this trip and drive at a clip that passengers will tolerate. The cabin feels roomier, visibility is better, and the 6-cylinder engine in the 350 just feels more refined than the 4 in the BMW.
Mar 20, 2015, 1:14 pm
#4
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
Mercedes, hands down. I think it handles better and the versions of the 5 I've had recently (the last 3 or 4 weeks, I've had 3 of them) have been disappointing (no rear camera/heated seats/remote start/etc).
Mar 23, 2015, 2:00 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
"BMW has a manual in most of Europe which would make this an easy decision"
Offering manual on large engined BMWs is driven by sales to N American customers (which is contrary to what most of us expect). In the UK, the 528 is only sold as automatic.
Offering manual on large engined BMWs is driven by sales to N American customers (which is contrary to what most of us expect). In the UK, the 528 is only sold as automatic.
Mar 23, 2015, 8:12 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,524
My rental was in Germany, and it definitely had the six-speed manual that is the standard transmission for this engine there. Germans have to pay extra for an automatic for 520, 528 and 535 petrol engines and 518, 520 and 525 diesel engines.
It's only the M5 where US customers get to row their own but the rest of the world doesn't, unfortunately.
It's only the M5 where US customers get to row their own but the rest of the world doesn't, unfortunately.
Mar 30, 2015, 3:31 pm
#12
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033