Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG C-Class CabrioletVS 2023 BMW 8 Series

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG C-Class Cabriolet have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 8 Series doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG C-Class Cabriolet. But it costs extra on the 8 Series.

The AMG C-Class Cabriolet offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 8 Series only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The AMG C-Class Cabriolet has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 8 Series’ blind spot costs extra.

Both the AMG C-Class Cabriolet and the 8 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG C-Class Cabriolet’s warranty.

The AMG C-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 50 more horsepower (385 vs. 335) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 368) than the 840i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG C 43 Cabriolet gets better fuel mileage than the M850i Convertible (18 city/28 hwy vs. 17 city/24 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG C-Class Cabriolet higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series (3). This means the AMG C-Class Cabriolet produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 8 Series every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG C-Class Cabriolet, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 8 Series.

For better stopping power the AMG C-Class Cabriolet’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the 8 Series:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the AMG C-Class Cabriolet can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the 8 Series.

The AMG C-Class Cabriolet’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 8 Series doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The AMG C-Class Cabriolet is 6.4 inches shorter than the 8 Series, making the AMG C-Class Cabriolet easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The AMG C-Class Cabriolet’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the 8 Series’ standard power windows.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the AMG C-Class Cabriolet has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the AMG C-Class Cabriolet has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The 8 Series doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the AMG C-Class Cabriolet has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG C-Class offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 8 Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The AMG C-Class Cabriolet will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the AMG C-Class Cabriolet will retain 45.66% to 46.62% of its original price after five years, while the 8 Series only retains 42.36% to 43.82%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes AMG C-Class Cabriolet will be $8331 to $11981 less than for the BMW 8 Series.

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the BMW 8 Series by almost four to one during 2022.