BMW 435i vs Mercedes-Benz E400 vs Audi S5 by CAR Magazine

CAR Magazine compares the 2014 BMW 435i against the Mercedes-Benz E400 and Audi S5. Here is an excerpt from the comprehensive review:

“All three engines employ six cylinders, the displacement is an identical 3000cc, and all are forced induction. While S5 and E400 muster 328bhp at 5500rpm, the 435i develops 302bhp at 5800rpm. In contrast, every unit plots its own individual torque curve. Audi opted for the sportiest graph which plateaus from 2900 to 5300rpm where 324lb ft are on tap. BMW seems to favour the middle ground, as reflected by a maximum twist action of 295lb ft which is available from 1200rpm all the way to 5000rpm. The V6 fitted to the E400 is at its punchiest between 1400 and 4000rpm, where 354lb ft make stability control work overtime. But numbers tell us only so much…

How does the BMW fare in this tricky terrain? It briefly struggles for grip, shaking off the ruffling revs by summoning second, then third gear. Moments later, it enters the zone. The 435i is the lightest car in this group by a 125-150kg margin, but on the N92 the silver coupe feels about 300kg less heavy than the competition. This could be due to the slightly quicker steering, the more eager gearing, the sharper chassis or the beefier low-end punch of the straight-six engine.

Whatever the reasons, the result is more involving and more entertaining handling. But the advantage over E400 and S5 remains surprisingly small, and it virtually pales into insignificance whenever the road opens up and the car moves into triple-digit mph territory. As soon as you touch the brakes again though, this subtle tactility returns, and it connects with your palms as the BMW turns in, aims for the apex and begs for the steering to open up again. For a while, the relatively stiff ride is not a concern anymore. On the approach to the next village, however, where trucks have corrugated the blacktop, stability suffers momentarily and the stopping distance extends by a heartbeat or two. Power is nothing without control?

Read full review at CAR Magazine