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Features Comparison: BMW 5-Series vs. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
| Model Year | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 |
| Model | 5-Series | 5-Series | 5-Series | 5-Series | S-Class | S-Class | S-Class | S-Class | S-Class |
| Trim | 528i | 535i | 550i | M5 | S400 Hybrid | S550 | S63 AMG | S600 | S65 AMG |
| Engines | |||||||||
| Transmissions | |||||||||
| Drivetrains | |||||||||
| Tires | |||||||||
| Audio Systems | |||||||||
| Accessories | |||||||||
| Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier. | |||||||||
| Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value. | |||||||||
| Indicates best and actual steering angle while parking car. | |||||||||
| Pulls door tight after latch is engaged. Door can be shut with very little effort. | |||||||||
| Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | |||||||||
| Pulls decklid / liftgate tight after latch is engaged. Door can be shut with very little effort. | |||||||||
| Decklid can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | |||||||||
| Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade. | |||||||||
| Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors. | |||||||||
| Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors. Includes value of manual shades. | |||||||||
| Homelink. | |||||||||
| Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | |||||||||
| Rear disc brakes. | |||||||||
| If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | |||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | |||||||||
| Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | |||||||||
| If collision detection system senses imminent collision, applies moderate braking. | |||||||||
| Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot. | |||||||||
| When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | |||||||||
| Prepares seat belts for use when heavy braking or the yaw sensor suggests an imminent collision. Might also prep the brakes or roll up the windows. | |||||||||
| Warns when driver is drowsy and needs to pull over. | |||||||||
| Alerts driver when approaching the preceding car too quickly. | |||||||||
| Mandatory, in all cars. | |||||||||
| Applies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle. | |||||||||
| Alerts driver when the vehicle seems to be wandering out of the lane. | |||||||||
| Creates infrared-based image of the road ahead. | |||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid. | |||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | |||||||||
| Night vision system detects pedestrians ahead of the car, then highlights them on the display. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Prepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser. Since automatic braking became common it has been unclear which models have this feat | |||||||||
| Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | |||||||||
| Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | |||||||||
| Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others. | |||||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | |||||||||
| Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | |||||||||
| Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | |||||||||
| Can be driven deflated for about 50 miles. Usually harm ride quality. Cars with these often have no spare tire. | |||||||||
| Uses the brakes to channel torque to the outside wheels and counteract understeer. Similar to stability control, but proactive, and acting to improve cornering performance rather than prevent loss of control. | |||||||||
| When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | |||||||||
| Cargo Management | |||||||||
| Usually part of an overhead console. | |||||||||
| Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | |||||||||
| Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior. | |||||||||
| Climate Control | |||||||||
| Automatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air. | |||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | |||||||||
| Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | |||||||||
| Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | |||||||||
| Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | |||||||||
| Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | |||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in rear passenger area by providing heated or cooled air through vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Replaces and includes value of rear air vents with manual controls. | |||||||||
| Fan speed and/or temperature can be manually set for vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Includes value of rear vents. | |||||||||
| Requires and does not include the value of rear air vents. | |||||||||
| Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | |||||||||
| Provides heat for an extended period of time after the engine has been cut off. | |||||||||
| Heating elements defrost area where front wipers rest. | |||||||||
| Drivetrain | |||||||||
| When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | |||||||||
| Engine / Motor | |||||||||
| Permits a higher top speed before fuel cutoff kicks in. | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | |||||||||
| Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | |||||||||
| Mirrored glass relects sun and thus heat away from the interior. | |||||||||
| Reduces interior noise, prevents side windows from shattering. | |||||||||
| Front glass panel retracts over a fixed glass roof panel. Entire unit covers nearly the entire roof. | |||||||||
| Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |||||||||
| Infotainment | |||||||||
| Jacks for a video camera, game console, or other device with A/V output. | |||||||||
| Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | |||||||||
| Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | |||||||||
| Includes CD player. | |||||||||
| CD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player. | |||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing DVD-Audio discs. | |||||||||
| A DVD player and two front headrest-mounted screens. | |||||||||
| High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | |||||||||
| Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | |||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | |||||||||
| Screen-based navigation system. | |||||||||
| XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | |||||||||
| XM or Sirius with one-year subscription. | |||||||||
| SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader. | |||||||||
| The driver and front passenger are able to view different images on the same screen. The passenger can view a movie while the car is moving while the driver uses the same screen for other functions, including nav. | |||||||||
| In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | |||||||||
| Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | |||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | |||||||||
| Includes frequencies for weather channels. Only listed when pricing a single model because incomplete data for all model. | |||||||||
| Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | |||||||||
| Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | |||||||||
| High beams automatically turned on and off. | |||||||||
| Passenger-side rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | |||||||||
| Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | |||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | |||||||||
| Stopwatch, lap timer. Usually includes an analog clock. | |||||||||
| We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | |||||||||
| Lights illuminate area just ahead and to the side of the vehicle when the turn signals are used or the steering wheel is turned. | |||||||||
| Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog. | |||||||||
| Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | |||||||||
| Projects various instrument readouts onto the windshield. Image actually appears to be floating over the nose of the car. Enables driver to keep eyes on the road. | |||||||||
| Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | |||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | |||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | |||||||||
| LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | |||||||||
| Front row reading lights. | |||||||||
| One or both exterior mirrors tilt down when the transmission is in reverse, to provide view of the curb. | |||||||||
| Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | |||||||||
| Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | |||||||||
| Mirrors fold and unfold with the touch of a button inside the vehicle. Good for narrow roads and parking lots. | |||||||||
| Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | |||||||||
| Reports engine speed. | |||||||||
| Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | |||||||||
| Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | |||||||||
| Seats and Interior Trim | |||||||||
| Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | |||||||||
| The outside seatback bolster automatically firms up in hard turns. | |||||||||
| The outside seatback bolster automatically firms up in hard turns. | |||||||||
| Won't be listed in conjunction with wood or aluminum trim even if they are available together. | |||||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | |||||||||
| Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | |||||||||
| Power lumbar or vibration used to massage lower back. | |||||||||
| Power lumbar or vibration used to massage lower back. | |||||||||
| Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | |||||||||
| Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | |||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | |||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | |||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | |||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | |||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | |||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | |||||||||
| Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | |||||||||
| Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | |||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | |||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | |||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | |||||||||
| The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part. | |||||||||
| The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part; especially useful when the seat is heavily reclined, to better support the upper back. | |||||||||
| Fold at press of a button on the instrument panel, to improve rearward visibility. | |||||||||
| A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe. | |||||||||
| Usually also includes synthetic suede on the pillars. | |||||||||
| No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | |||||||||
| Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | |||||||||
| Real wood comprises part of the steering wheel rim. | |||||||||
| Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | |||||||||
| Motors joining the left and right halves of the stabilizer bars twist them to further reduce roll in turns and disengages them to improve ride quality when not turning. | |||||||||
| The steering ratio is automatically varied based on vehicle speed and other factors. | |||||||||
| Shocks that electrically adjust their firmness based on sensor readings of the road surface. The driver might also be able to select a \"sport\" setting. | |||||||||
| Hydraulic semi-active struts severely reduce body roll in turns and can be used to adjust the ride height. | |||||||||
| Air springs automatically level the vehicle and enable manual adjustment of ride height. | |||||||||
| Same value as regular alloy wheels because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Adjusts the suspension to counteract the effect of crosswinds. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Steering ratio gets quicker the farther the wheel is turned. | |||||||||
| Transmission | |||||||||
| Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. | |||||||||
Option Package Contents
Cold Weather Package
Premium Tier
Multicontour seats
Executive Tier
Cold Weather Package
Premium Tier
Multicontour seats
Executive Tier
Individual Composition
Cold Weather Package
Multicontour seats
M Multi-Function Sport Seats
Sport Package
AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package
Premium Package
Premium Package
Rear Seat Package
Drive Dynamic Seats
Sport Package
AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package
Premium Package
Rear Seat Package
Drive Dynamic Seats
AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package
Rear Seat Package
AMG Performance Package
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