Compare the2022 BMW M5VS 2021 Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan

The BMW M5 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 E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The M5 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 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M5 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M5’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 E-Class Sedan.

Both the M5 and the AMG 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, all wheel drive, 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 M5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG E-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M5 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 E-Class Sedan.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M5 has a standard 249-amp alternator. The AMG E-Class Sedan’s 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 M5 has more powerful engines than the AMG E-Class Sedan:

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M5 (base engine) is faster than the AMG E 63 S 4.0 turbo V8:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the M5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mercedes only offers a regenerative brake system on the AMG E-Class Sedan E 53.

Both the M5 and the AMG 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 M5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

For better stopping power the M5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG E-Class Sedan:

The M5 stops much shorter than the AMG E-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the M5 has larger tires than the AMG E-Class Sedan (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19). The M5’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG E-Class Sedan (275/40R19 vs. 265/35R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the AMG E-Class Sedan (117.4 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

The BMW M5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 400 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M5 is quieter than the AMG E 63 S:

The M5 has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG E-Class Sedan (103 vs. 97).

The M5 has 3.2 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear legroom than the AMG E-Class Sedan.

The M5 has a larger trunk than the AMG E-Class Sedan (14 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

The M5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG E-Class Sedan.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its April 2018 issue and the BMW M5 won out over the Mercedes AMG E 63 S.