BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
BMW 3 Series
BMW’s compact executive saloon.
VS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes' executive sedan on the MRA platform.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
BMW 3 Series
Pick the 3 Series for benchmark handling, efficient engines and a premium cabin in a compact executive sedan.
Best engine: The 320i (petrol) or 320d (diesel).
Read the full guide
Pick this one if…
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Pick the E-Class for space, comfort and efficient engines in a premium executive sedan.
Best engine: The E 220 d (diesel) or E 200 (petrol) — the sweet spot.
Read the full guide
Performance
B48 320i · Petrol vs M274 E 200 · Petrol
| BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
184 hp
|
184 hp
|
| Torque |
300 Nm
|
300 Nm
|
| 0–100 km/h |
7,1 s
Winner
|
7,7 s
|
| Top speed |
240 km/h
|
240 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
125,2 hp/t
Winner
|
114,6 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
134 g/km
Winner
|
138 g/km
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
5,9 L/100km
|
5,9 L/100km
|
Dimensions & space
| BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
480 L
|
540 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
—
|
—
|
| Wheelbase |
2,85 m
|
2,94 m
Winner
|
| Length |
4,71 m
|
4,92 m
|
| Width |
1,83 m
|
1,85 m
|
| Height |
1,44 m
|
1,47 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base) | MRA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the C-Class W205) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid | M274/M264 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (ZF) | 9G-TRONIC automatic |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
BMW 3 Series
- Early iDrive/infotainment quirks
- DPF on diesels doing mainly short trips
- Timing chain rare but known on B48
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
- 9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
- AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage
- Electronics/software: MBUX and driver-aid glitches (mostly fixed via updates)
Pros
BMW 3 Series
- Benchmark handling (rear-drive base)
- Efficient, strong B48/B47 engines
- Excellent iDrive 7 infotainment
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 540 L boot (Estate: 640–670 L) — roomy for an executive sedan
- Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (E 220 d: 194 hp / 400 Nm, ~4.6 L/100 km)
- MRA rear-wheel-drive platform with optional 4MATIC
- E 300 e PHEV: 320 hp system output and 700 Nm, company-car friendly
Cons
BMW 3 Series
- Firm ride on M Sport suspension
- Rear seat less roomy than some rivals
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
- PHEV (E 300 e) shrinks boot space
- Complex electronics and air suspension need dealer maintenance
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers
BMW 3 Series
0 for saleNo listings at the moment
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
32 for sale · from € 4.850
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Camera · CarPlay · Navigation
€ 13.495
DR Motors
DR Motors
Mercedes-Benz E 200 plug-in hybrid · AMG · 360° camera · CarPlay · Head-up …
€ 50.990
click2move by Declerc
click2move by Declerc
Mercedes-Benz E 220 CarPlay · LED · Sport seats
€ 22.180
Simplici Car Liège
Simplici Car Liège
Mercedes-Benz E 220 360° camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 22.980
Simplici Car Liège
Simplici Car Liège
