Compare the2022 BMW 4 Series CoupeVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Coupe

The 4 Series Coupe’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 4 Series Coupe 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 C-Class Coupe 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Coupe offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4 Series Coupe’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 C-Class Coupe.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Coupe has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the C-Class Coupe.

Both the 4 Series Coupe and the C-Class Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 4 Series Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the C-Class Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Coupe 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 C-Class Coupe.

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 430i Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 273) than the C-Class Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M440i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 127 more horsepower (382 vs. 255) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 273) than the C-Class Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Coupe gets better mileage than the C-Class Coupe:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the 4 Series Coupe and the C-Class Coupe have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 4 Series Coupes have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW 4 Series Coupe as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Mercedes C-Class Coupe is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The 4 Series Coupe’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 C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 4 Series Coupe M440i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Coupe:

The 4 Series Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Coupe is .6 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the C-Class Coupe.

The M440i xDrive Coupe handles at .93 G’s, while the C 300 4MATIC pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M440i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the C 300 4MATIC (24.7 seconds @ .78 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

The 4 Series Coupe has 6.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Coupe (86 vs. 79.3).

The 4 Series Coupe has .3 inches more front shoulder room and 2.5 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class Coupe.

The 4 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the C-Class Coupe (12 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 4 Series Coupe’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The 4 Series Coupe has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.