BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes E-Class: LWB dimensions comparison

BMW is set to launch the long-wheelbase 5 Series in India for the first time on July 24, making our market the only right-hand-drive one to feature the LWB version of the luxury sedan. Mercedes, on the other hand, has had the long-wheelbase E-Class on sale for quite a while now and is scheduled to bring in the next-gen model around this festive. To see which one of these limousines have the edge in terms of size, we’ve line-up the eight-gen 5 Series LWB with its main rival, the upcoming sixth-gen E-Class, on paper. For added perspective, we also have the current E-Class, and the recently launched BMW i5 featured.

Do note that the dimensions for the new E-Class are for the model on sale in China and may change slightly on the India-spec car.

Internationally, The BMW 5 Series and i5 are essentially the same model – naturally with different powertrains. However, in India, the sedans will have varying wheelbase lengths. The all-electric i5 has been brought in as a CBU and comes with the standard 2,995mm-long wheelbase, while the 5 Series LWB features 3,105mm between the wheels. Despite a similar width, the LWB model is 115mm longer, 15mm taller, and has a wheelbase that is 110mm extended.

When compared to the current Mercedes E-Class, the i5 falls slightly short in length (by 15mm) and wheelbase (by 84mm), but it is 40mm wider and 10mm taller. Even when compared to the next-gen E-Class, BMW models are wider and taller. However, it's the new 5 Series LWB that has the largest dimensions overall, with the sixth-gen E-Class trailing by 83mm in length, 20mm in width, 27mm in height, and 11mm in wheelbase.

While this suggests that the new 5 Series LWB offers more interior space, it's important to note that despite being 83mm shorter overall, the new E-Class has a wheelbase only 11mm shorter than the long-wheelbase BMW. This indicates that the Mercedes likely has shorter front and rear overhangs compared to the BMW.

We’ll have to bring to the two together when they arrive to know with certainty, but on paper, it seems like the Merc’s E-Class has a rival that matches it on size. The 5 Series LWB price announcement is scheduled for July 24, and we expect it to cost around Rs 80 lakh, ex-showroom.

Also see:

BMW 5 Series LWB walkaround video

BMW 1 Series gets major styling overhaul

Feature: Testing Vredestein's new tyres on a BMW X5