W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 vs G60 BMW 520i spec comparison- which is better?
Although the average automotive consumer has grown a preference for SUVs, nothing quite beats a proper three-box sedan. The two new “entry-level variant” executive luxury sedans in Malaysia are the W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde and the G60 BMW 520i.
And while the BMW 520i M Sport has been launched in Malaysia, the fairer comparison between these two sedans would be between the 520i (without the M Sport trim) and the E 200 Avantgarde. Just in case you were wondering, the BMW 520i M Sport costs RM376,700 (with the Extended Warranty & Service Package), RM17,000 more expensive than the regular 520i.
| W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde | G60 BMW 520i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM355,888 |
RM359,700 (with Extended Warranty & Service package) |
Right off the bat, the 520i is the more expensive option here, but that’s not a determining factor yet as we have to look into the actual things that each car provides. It is also worth noting that both the W214 E 200 and the G60 520i are locally assembled (CKD) in Malaysia. The former in Pekan and the latter in Kulim.
And before we carry on, it is also important to note that the Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde comes with a standard 4-year warranty from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
Warranty pricing details, and matching the pricing comparison
The Essential Extended warranty program from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will cost RM3,988 in the fifth year and RM4,188 in the 6th year. Alternatively customers can also purchase both 5th-and 6th-year extended warranties at a bundled price of RM6,888.
The Comprehensive Coverage Extended warranty program from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will cost RM6,088 in the fifth year and RM7,488 in the 6th year. Alternatively customers can also purchase both 5th-and 6th-year extended warranties at a bundled price of RM12,588.
As for the BM 520i, its RRP is RM332,800 but it only comes with BMW Malaysia’s standard warranty which is a 2-year/unlimited mileage warranty. With the Extended Warranty & Service Package included, it costs RM359,700, and it turns the 520i’s warranty package to a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, together with a 5-year/100,000 km service package.
The price comparison between the 520i (with the 5-year Extended Warranty & Service package) and the E 200 ( with the Standard 4-year warranty) isn’t exactly apple-to apple, but it is the closest we can get. A 2-year warranty just doesn’t sound entirely convincing.
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Exterior
| W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde | G60 BMW 520i | |
|---|---|---|
| Headlights | LED High Performance Headlights (Reflectors, NOT Mercedes-Benz DIGITAL LIGHT found on E 350 e) | BMW Adaptive LED Headlights (range-topping light class for BMW also found on i5 M60) |
| Illuminated grille | Without | With BMW Kidney 'Iconic Glow' |
| Adaptive High Beam | Mercedes-Benz Adaptive Highbeam Assist | BMW High-beam assistant |
| Wheels | 19-inch multi-spoke light alloy | 19-inch Style 934 M bicolour |
| Tyres |
245/45R19 Pirelli P Zero |
245/45R19 Continental Eco Contact 6Q |
| Brakes | Ventilated Discs front & rear | Ventilated discs front & rear |
| Suspension |
Mercedes-Benz AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping and lowering (15 mm lower than models without) -4-link front suspension - 5-link independent rear suspension |
BMW Standard Suspension -Front double wishbone -Rear 5-link (NO air suspension) (i5 eDrive40 gets BMW Adaptive Suspension with rear air suspension) |
| Length/ Width/Height (mm) | 4949/1880/1468 | 5060/1900/1515 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2961 | 2995 |
| Weight | 1,825 kg | 1,800 kg |
As the entry-level variants of their respective models, both the W214 E 200 and the G60 520i come with a rather underwhelming look. Both cars get standard-lookin wheels, but if we were to choose a better wheel design, it would be for the Mercedes-Benz. It also comes with a set of Pirelli P Zero tyres as opposed to the 520i’s set of Continental Eco Contact 6Q – both tyres come with the same speed rating.
In terms of light technology, the BMW 520i is the more attractive option as it gets the brand’s flagship BMW Adaptive Light system which is also found on the BMW i5 M60. Unfortunately for the E 200 Avantgarde, it doesn’t get its brand’s flagship DIGITAL LIGHT technology that is found ont the E 350e PHEV. We’re just saying that you’re not getting the best Mercedes-Benz light technology with the E 200, but the “LED High Performance Headlights” are satisfactory.
And if comfort is a main priority to you, both cars here don’t get an air suspension system (No Mercedes-Benz AIRMATIC, and no rear air suspension for the 520i). Thus both are almost equal here alebit with slightly different configurations. The E 200 gets a 4-link setup at the front and 5-link setup at the back while the 520i gets a double-wishbone setup in front, and a 5-link setup at the back.
Ans in terms of size and weight, the BMW 520i is slightly longer, wider, and taller. It also has a longer wheelbase. But in terms of weight, the E 200 is the heavier car here by 25 kg.
Performance
| W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde | G60 BMW 520i | |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid system | 48V Mild hybrid (MHEV) with Integrated Starter generator (Gen 2) | 48V Mild hybrid (MHEV) with electric motor |
| Engine | 2.0 L, in-line-4, turbocharged | 2.0 L, in-line-4, turbocharged |
| Engine rated power | 204 PS | 190 PS |
| Engine rated torque | 320 Nm | 310 Nm |
| Electric motor power | 23 PS | 18 PS |
| Electric motor torque | 205 Nm | 200 Nm |
| Total system power |
Not provided - listed at 204 PS by MBM |
208 PS |
| Total system torque |
Not provided - listed at 320 Nm by MBM |
330 Nm |
| Transmission |
9G TRONIC - 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox |
8-speed Steptronic - 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 s | 7.5 s |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 230 km/h |
Both the W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde and the G60 BMW 520i are mild hybrid (MHEV) sedans – both with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and electric assistance (in different formats). By engine alone, the Mercedes-Benz E 200 is the more powerful one with 204 PS and 320 Nm while the 520i’s engine makes 190 PS and 310 Nm.
With the engine and electric motor working together, Mercedes-Benz lists the E 200 with the same 204 PS and 320 Nm (the ISG only functioning as boost), while BMW lists the 520i with 208 PS and 330 Nm. In this sense, the 520i is the more powerful sedan.
However, in the century sprint, both sedans are said to do 0-100 km/h in an equal time of 7.5 seconds. The W214 E 200 achieves a higher top speed of 240 km/h, 10 km/h more than the G60 520i.
Both cars get torque converter automatic gearboxes with the E 200 offering one extra gear. Power is sent to the rear wheels only for both cars, naturally as entry-level variants of their respective models.
Interior
| W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde | G60 BMW 520i | |
|---|---|---|
| Front seats | Mercedes-Benz comfort suspension seats with Seat Comfort Package, memory function | BMW Sports Seats, memory function |
| Upholstery | "Veganza" perforated and quilted upholstery | ARTICO man-made leather upholstery |
| Cabin trims | Open-pore black ash wood trims | Dark silver accent with Fine-Wood Trim Grey Blue Ash |
| Headliner | Black fabric | M Headliner Anthracite |
| Air conditioning | Dual-zone THERMATIC automatic climate control with rear vents | 4-zone automatic climate control |
| Roller sunblinds for rear windows | With | With |
| Sunroof | Without | Without |
| Wireless phone charging | With | With |
| Ambient lighting | With | With |
| Head unit |
14.4-inch portrait touchscreen, MBUX NTG 8 - with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
14.9-inch landscape touchscreen, BMW Operating System 8.5 - with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Audio system |
Mercedes-Benz standard sound system - 7-speakers - 125 watts |
Harman Kardon HiFi Loudspeaker system - 12 speakers - 205 watts |
| Instrument cluster | 12.3-inch digital display | 12.3-inch digital display |
Although the W214 in Malaysia has gained the new “Superscreen” dashboard, it is only for the E 350e PHEV variant. The E 200 Avantgarde sports a portrait head unit which looks similar to the one found in the W206 C-Class. It does run on the latest MBUX NTG 8 and the screen is paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
There’s less of a feeling of a “discount” with the 520i as it gets the same screen setup as the i5 M60 and higher-trim 5 Series models. The 520 i gets a landscape 14.9-inch head unit that runs on the BMW Operating System 8.5 and it is paired with a 2.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Both multimedia systems in the 520i and the E 200 support wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto connectivity. They also provide interesting apps that you can install via their respective app stores.
As for the sound systems, the W214 E 200 gets a standard sound system from Mercedes-Benz which consists of 7 speakers and a 125-watt amplifier. The G60 520i, on the other hand, gets a Harman Kardon HiFi Loudspeaker system with 12 speakers and a 205-watt amplifier.
In terms of creature comforts, both the W214 E 200 and G60 520i some with rear roller sunblinds but without sunroofs. What gives the BMW the edge here is its 4-zone automatic climate control as opposed to the E 200’s 2-zone automatic system
Safety
| W214 Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde | G60 BMW 520i | |
|---|---|---|
| ADAS | with Mercedes-Benz Driving Assistance Package Plus | with BMW Driving Assistant Plus |
| Cruise Control |
Mercedes-Benz DISTRONIC - Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go |
BMW Driving Assistant Plus - Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go |
| Lane keep | Active Lane Keeping Assist | Steering and Lane Control Assistant |
| Parking Assistance |
equipped with: - Parking Package with 360° camera - Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC |
equipped with Parking Assistant Plus that includes: - Active Park Distance Control - Reversing Assistant - Lateral Parking Aid - Surround View System |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | With | With |
| Tyre repair kit | With TIREFIT | With Tyre repair kit |
In terms of safety, both cars are almost equally equipped with a decent package of advanced safety features. Both come with a decent level of autonomous driving too to provide a relaxed driving experience.
Verdict
With both the W214 E 200 and G60 520i being locally assembled (CKD) models, they are competitively priced below RM400,000. The performance of both cars are almost identical, and the main differentiator between them would be the amount of luxury each of them can provide. Objectively, the BMW 520i offers more with a 4-zone climate control and a more advanced set of headlights. Looks-wise, the E 200 manages to provide a better-looking set of wheels despite being a “base” variant. It is a close fight between the two sedans in their base variants, and it really becomes a matter of personal preference when choosing between the teo.
