Compare the2022 BMW M3VS 2021 Mercedes AMG CLS

The BMW M3 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 AMG CLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The M3 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 AMG CLS 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 M3’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 AMG CLS.

Both the M3 and the AMG CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The M3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLS’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 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 AMG CLS.

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 M3’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (473 vs. 429) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M3 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 74 more horsepower (503 vs. 429) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the M3 Competition is faster than the Mercedes AMG CLS (automatics tested):

Both the M3 and the AMG CLS have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All M3s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The M3 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The M3’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 AMG CLS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the M3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLS:

The M3 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M3 stops much shorter than the AMG CLS:

For better traction, the M3 has larger tires than the AMG CLS (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The M3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The AMG CLS’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The M3 Competition handles at 1.03 G’s, while the AMG CLS 53 pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M3 Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the AMG CLS 53 (23.8 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

The BMW M3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 600 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLS.

The M3 is 10 inches shorter than the AMG CLS, making the M3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The M3 has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the AMG CLS.

The M3 has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLS (13 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The M3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.