Compare the2022 BMW M8 VS 2021 Mercedes AMG CLS

The BMW M8 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 M8 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M8 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M8’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 M8 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The M8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLS’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 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 M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 188 more horsepower (617 vs. 429) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

Both the M8 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 M8s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The M8’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 M8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLS:

	M8	M8 CCB	AMG CLS
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	16 inches	14.6 inches
Rear Rotors	15 inches	15 inches	14.2 inches

The M8 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.

For better traction, the M8 has larger tires than the AMG CLS (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The M8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG CLS’ standard 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the AMG CLS.

The M8 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 M8 Gran Coupe is 7.3 inches shorter than the AMG CLS, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M8 Gran Coupe a Mid-size car, while the AMG CLS is rated a Compact.

The M8 Gran Coupe has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG CLS (100 vs. 93).

The M8 Gran Coupe has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the AMG CLS.

The M8 Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLS (15.5 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M8’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the M8 Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The M8 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 CLS.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG CLS isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.