I am planning to buy a car within a budget of 90 lakh and am choosing between the Mercedes E 200 and the BMW 530Li LWB. The E-Class has a feature-rich backseat, but it is not as comfortable as the 5 Series on bad roads. Sometimes I have a driver, and sometimes I drive the car myself. The car will run about 15,000 km per year, with 70% on local bad roads and 30% on the highway. The car is for my father, who prefers Mercedes for its brand value, but I personally like the BMW more, despite it having fewer features. I need a suggestion.

Autocar India

•2w

The two long-wheelbase luxury limousines are closely matched. Unlike previous iterations of the BMW 5 Series, which created a more emotional connection, this new G68 long-wheelbase model is actually the more rational choice, even compared to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

It's got (slightly) more space in the rear seat, better ground clearance and, as you've pointed out, more comfortable ride quality. Yet it also remains the better of the two to drive, thanks to a more powerful four-cylinder petrol engine and sharper dynamics. However, despite all this, the E-Class remains the superior choice, if only slightly. That's because where it lags behind the 5, it does so by the smallest of margins.

And where it excels, it goes far ahead. More than brand value, it's the sense of luxury in the E-Class that's far greater. Especially in the rear seat with power-reclining seat backs, softer seats and powered window blinds (a sore miss on the BMW).

As the car is for your father, and presuming he is primarily chauffeur-driven, this will prove far more appealing. And for the times when you have to drive, the E-Class is no slouch either.

Explore cars mentioned

BMW

5 Series LWB

from ₹84.88 Lakh

Mercedes-Benz

E-Class

from ₹90.84 Lakh

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Anushank

•17h

I am planning to sell my Mahindra XUV500 as it is nearing the end of its registration validity in Delhi NCR, and I want to buy a 5-seater SUV under ₹10 lakh. My preference is for a fuel-efficient car as my daily running is around 100 km, but it should also be spacious enough for five people. Since fuel efficiency is a priority, I am open to both CNG and diesel cars. My usage will be 70% city and 30% highway, mostly within Delhi NCR. I have narrowed my choices to the Maruti Brezza CNG, Tata Nexon CNG, Kia Sonet Diesel, and Maruti Fronx CNG. Please help me evaluate which would be the better option. I am also open to any other better option if available.

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Tarangkumar Patel

Hi, I currently own a Honda Amaze diesel 2014 model. Now, after using it for so long, I want to upgrade to a 7-seater. I shortlisted the Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Carens Clavis and have done test drives for both vehicles. My daily usage in the city is 25 km, and I occasionally do long family trips. Now I am super confused between both cars, as one has premiumness and the other has space. Please suggest the best vehicle for me. Is the turbo petrol good? Now I am super confused.

Autocar India

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Ajinkya Sonar

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I am looking for a 7-seater manual car which is easy to maintain. My budget is around ₹15 lakh. My annual running is 80% on the highway and 20% in the city. I am confused between two options: Carens or Clavis. Please advise which one I should pick and whether to go for a petrol manual or a diesel manual.

Autocar India

•3h

With your budget of Rs 15 lakh, you can move past the Kia Carens and up to the Carens Clavis, which is essentially a facelift of the Carens, with more features and an additional engine option. The trickier choice is which engine to choose, between the 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, both of which are available with a manual.The diesel is the more obvious choice, given that your usage is 80% on the highway, where the additional torque will be beneficial, not to mention the better mileage. However, in your budget, you'll only get it in the base HTE spec. If that's fine with you, then you should go ahead with that; otherwise, note that the Carens 1.5 petrol MT is available in the higher HTE (EX) trim, with more features.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which comes in petrol and CNG guises, has lower maintenance costs, and is far more affordable than the Kia.

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