Compare the2022 BMW 3 Series SedanVS 2021 Mercedes E-Class Sedan

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 3 Series Sedan has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 3 Series Sedan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 3 Series Sedan the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 121 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The E-Class Sedan has not been fully tested, yet.

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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 3 Series Sedan’s reliability 29 points higher than the E-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 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 18th in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The 330i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 273) than the E 350 Sedan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M340i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (382 vs. 362) than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the M340i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

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

Regenerative brakes improve the 3 Series Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the E-Class Sedan have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 3 Series Sedans have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

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 stops much shorter than the E-Class Sedan:

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.

The 330i handles at .99 G’s, while the E 450 4MATIC Sedan pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M340i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan (25 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

The BMW 3 Series Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 250 pounds less than the Mercedes E-Class Sedan.

The 3 Series Sedan is 8.8 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.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the 330i is quieter than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan (38 vs. 40 dB).

The 3 Series Sedan has 1.4 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more front legroom than the E-Class Sedan.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 3 Series Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Consumer Reports rated the 3 Series Sedan’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the E-Class Sedan’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

Insurance will cost less for the 3 Series Sedan owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 3 Series Sedan with a number “3” insurance rate while the E-Class Sedan is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 3 Series Sedan is less expensive to operate than the E-Class Sedan because it costs $73 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 3 Series Sedan than the E-Class Sedan, including $7 less for a water pump, $243 less for a muffler, $228 less for a starter, $22 less for fuel injection, $221 less for a fuel pump and $310 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 3 Series Sedan and the Mercedes E-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.