Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 BMW 3 Series VS 2014 Mercedes E-Class Near Phoenix, AZ

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the E-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all-wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Mercedes E-Class Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Mercedes E-Class Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The 3 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the E-Class Sedan’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the E-Class Sedan.

There are over 12 percent more BMW dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 3 Series Sedan’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 13th.

As tested in Car and Driver the 328i 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the E350 Sedan 3.5 DOHC V6 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 328d gets better fuel mileage than the E-Class Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan gets better fuel mileage than the E-Class Sedan:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the 3 Series Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mercedes only offers a regenerative brake system on the E-Class Sedan Hybrid.

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the E-Class Sedan:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 3 Series Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 3 Series Sedan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The E-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 320i handles at .92 G’s, while the E250 BlueTEC Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 335i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the E250 BlueTEC Sedan 4MATIC (25.6 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The BMW 3 Series Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 700 pounds less than the Mercedes E-Class Sedan.

The 3 Series Sedan is 9.6 inches shorter than the E-Class Sedan, making the 3 Series Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 328i is quieter than the E350 Sedan:

The 3 Series Sedan has 2.4 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more front legroom than the E-Class Sedan.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 3 Series Sedan’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The E-Class Sedan’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The 3 Series Sedan (except 320i) offers an available heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts onto the windshield, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 3 Series Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 3 Series Sedan offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the E-Class Sedan offer optional heated front seats. The 3 Series Sedan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the E-Class Sedan.

Insurance will cost less for the 3 Series Sedan owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 3 Series Sedan will cost $3090 less than the E-Class Sedan over a five-year period.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 3 Series Sedan will be $8794 to $12065 less than for the Mercedes E-Class Sedan.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 20 of the last 20 years. The E Class has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 13 of the last 18 years. The E Class has never been an “All Star.”

The 3 Series was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2006 Car of the Year. The E Class has never been chosen.

The BMW 3 and 4 Series outsold the Mercedes E-Class by 78% during the 2014 model year.