Compare the2022 BMW M8 VS 2020 Mercedes AMG S-Class

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 S-Class 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 S-Class 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 S-Class doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the M8. But it costs extra on the AMG S-Class.

Both the M8 and the AMG S-Class 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, 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 S-Class’ (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 S-Class.

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 14 more horsepower (617 vs. 603) than the AMG S 63 Sedan’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

Regenerative brakes improve the M8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG S-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the M8 and the AMG S-Class 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 standard brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG S-Class:

	M8	AMG S-Class
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	15.4 inches
Rear Rotors	15 inches	14.2 inches

For better traction, the M8 has larger front tires than the AMG S-Class (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

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 S-Class’ standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The M8’s tires are lower profile than the AMG S 65 Sedan’s 40 series front tires.

The BMW M8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG S-Class.

The M8 Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 4.7 inches shorter than the AMG S-Class, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The M8 Gran Coupe has .7 inches more front legroom and 2.5 inches more rear legroom than the AMG S-Class Sedan.

The M8’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The AMG S-Class doesn’t offer folding rear 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 S-Class.