5 Series, E Class or Jag XF

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Soldato
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Last gen the 5 series was pretty much the better car compared to the E Class and S-Type.

However, taking into account all the new models what is the "better" car these days? Has the playing field become a lot more level or the BMW still the winner?
 
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The whole market for this type of car has leveled an awful lot with the current generations of the 5, Audi A6, E Class and XF. I looked at them all and choose the Jag XF so I'm probably biased but for me it was the better overall package.
 
PMKeates said:
The 5 remains the segment leader, though it doesn't quite sit the head and shoulders above the rest that it used to.
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The recent reviews instigated by the new A6 have placed both the E and the XF above the 5 in different magazines. So not sure I'd class it as the segment leader anymore, it is an extremely competent car but so are all the cars in the segment.
 
Something you have to bear in mind is that it's somewhat 'the fashion' to proclaim every new E-Class, A6, S-Type/XF etc. the new class leader.

I suspect once the dust has settled it will be apparent, again, that the 5 Series deliver a more optimal blend of performance, styling, refinement, equipment and cost than its rivals.
 
The XF they compared is the not the facelift so is at least 18 months old and the review is only a few weeks old, the same with the E so its not exactly either of them being the new car. The 5 is a newer model than either of those which beat it, but its very fine line.
 
PMKeates said:
Something you have to bear in mind is that it's somewhat 'the fashion' to proclaim every new E-Class, A6, S-Type/XF etc. the new class leader.

I suspect once the dust has settled it will be apparent, again, that the 5 Series deliver a more optimal blend of performance, styling, refinement, equipment and cost than its rivals.
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Gotta love Bimmer fanboys! Even when the reviews are saying their cars aren't top of the pile, they explain that this is just a fashion thing, that it is in fact an anomoly of the competition being at the introduction phase! :p The only dust PMKeates, is that which is misting your vision!
 
Please excuse me if I am somewhat weathered to 'XYZ is 5 Series beater!' headlined magazine reviews. The 5 has been class leader for over 15 years and it will take more than the fanfare around a Model Year 2012 A6 to convince me otherwise.

I'm also not a brand fanboy - I'm a fan of the best car. I have had an E46 330i, E39 530i and now an E60 535d for the very reason that they sit above the competition in their respective classes and segments. I have no other interest in them whatsoever. I certainly didn't buy a diesel because of passion!

I would be more than happy, if not elated, for Mercedes or Audi or anyone else to release a better all round car. I'm just not quite convinced that's happened yet, certainly for the more performance-oriented driver, but I have an open mind to it.
 
PMKeates said:
I suspect once the dust has settled it will be apparent, again, that the 5 Series deliver a more optimal blend of performance, styling, refinement, equipment and cost than its rivals.
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No need to wait for the dust to settle, my F10 already delivers that lot. Drives off back to BMW's OcUK HQ. :D
 
Where did I say the A6 beat it? What I said was the new A6 instigated the barrage of class reviews. The E and the XF both beat the 5, not the A6 which didn't get, comparatively, as good a write up.

Why do you keep excluding the XF its the car which matches or beats the 5 the most frequently and rides and looks better than the E60 or F10?
 
Buck the trend, get the Jag, there are no bad cars in this class, so you might as well be a bit original :)
 
J1nxy said:
Where did I say the A6 beat it? What I said was the new A6 instigated the barrage of class reviews. The E and the XF both beat the 5, not the A6 which didn't get, comparatively, as good a write up.

Why do you keep excluding the XF its the car which matches or beats the 5 the most frequently and rides and looks better than the E60 or F10?
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Where did I say you said the A6 beat it? I mentioned the fanfare surrounding the launch of the A6.

Why do you think I am excluding the XF? To also say the XF "looks better" than the E60 or F10 is entirely subjective. It's not as if we are comparing a Pontiac Aztec to a Ferrari F430 and as such one's an obviously more attractive vehicle. Sure the XF rides nicely, but then as a consequence it doesn't handle and grip as well as the competition that rides more firmly.

I agree that the playing field is very much more level than it was when Jaguar were peddling executive segment models outclassed by vehicles half a generation their senior.

DM is right in that there are really no particularly bad models anymore.
 
I'd dispute the not driving as dynamically or handling as well, I come into the XF from a 335D M-Sport and the Jag handles and rides better than that did.

But as I said right at the start the whole segment is pretty much level now and its down to personal preference...
 
I edited out 'dynamically' because they are probably close enough it'll come down to taste. It's also no surpise the XF handles/rides better than the 335d, but then E60 535d rides and, in the terms you have implied it, arguably handles better than the 335d, also, and it's almost an entire generation behind (the XF).
 
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Its all about taste isnt it, most people never explore the outer limits of a cars handling so its all down to what you like, a waft or a more Germanic feel.

You got to be driving like a **** to run out of grip in any of these cars, so what is outright "the best" becomes less important once you are in this class of car if you ask me.
 
In this sector, there is no point in arguing which car is best. All of the offerings from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar are excellent cars and it will more often than not come down to brand loyalty or personal preference.
 
Your right, their is no best, its all down to personal preference, as this sector really does show just how good all major brands of car have got over the last few years...
 
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