2020 BMW 3 Series Sedan vs. 2019 Mercedes E-Class Sedan

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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 3 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the E-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the E-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 9 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

As tested in Car and Driver the 330i is faster than the E 300 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 53 AMG.

The 3 Series Sedan’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer launch control.

The 3 Series Sedan’s optional 225/35R20 front and 255/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the E-Class Sedan’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 3 Series Sedan offers optional 20-inch wheels. The E-Class Sedan’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the E-Class Sedan.

The 3 Series Sedan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.5% to 48.5%) than the E-Class Sedan’s (54.2% to 45.8%). This gives the 3 Series Sedan more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 3 Series Sedan’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the E-Class Sedan’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.2 feet).

The BMW 3 Series Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 200 pounds less than the Mercedes E-Class Sedan.

The 3 Series Sedan is 8.1 inches shorter than the E-Class Sedan, making the 3 Series Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the 3 Series Sedan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 3 Series Sedan has 1.3 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more front legroom than the E-Class Sedan.