Compare the2022 BMW M8VS 2021 Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan

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 E-Class Sedan 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 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 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 E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan.

Both the M8 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, 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 E-Class Sedan’s (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 E-Class Sedan.

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 E 53’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 14 more horsepower (617 vs. 603) than the AMG E 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M8 is faster than the AMG E 63 S 4.0 turbo V8:

Both the M8 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 M8s 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 M8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG E-Class Sedan:

The M8 stops shorter than the AMG E-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the M8 has larger tires than the AMG E-Class Sedan (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19). The M8’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG E-Class Sedan (275/35R20 vs. 265/35R20).

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 E 53’s 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 E 53.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the M8 is 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the AMG E-Class Sedan.

The M8 Gran Coupe handles at 1.02 G’s, while the AMG E 63 S pulls only 1.01 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the M8 Competition Coupe’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the AMG E-Class Sedan’s (39 feet vs. 41 feet).

The BMW M8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan.

The M8 Gran Coupe is 3.4 inches shorter than the AMG E 53, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M8 Competition Gran Coupe is quieter than the AMG E 63 S:

The M8 Gran Coupe has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG E-Class Sedan (100 vs. 97).

The M8 Gran Coupe has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the AMG E-Class Sedan.

The M8 Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG E-Class Sedan (15.5 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

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

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 E-Class Sedan.