Compare the2022 BMW M4VS 2021 Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet

The BMW M4 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 Cabriolet doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The M4 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 Cabriolet 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 M4 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 Cabriolet doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M4’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 Cabriolet.

Both the M4 and the AMG E-Class Cabriolet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The M4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M4 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 Cabriolet.

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 M4’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 E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M4 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 E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

Both the M4 and the AMG E-Class Cabriolet have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All M4s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The M4 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The M4 Competition’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 E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the M4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet:

The M4 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 E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The BMW M4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 750 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet.

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The M4 Coupe has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet (91 vs. 87).

The M4 Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet (10.6 vs. 9.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M4’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the M4 offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The M4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The M3/M4 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 13 of the last 25 years. The E-Class has never been an “All Star.”