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

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG E-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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 8 Series doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The AMG E-Class Cabriolet has a standard 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 E-Class Cabriolet has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the 8 Series’ blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG E-Class Cabriolet has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 8 Series and the 8 Series’ Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

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

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 E-Class Cabriolet’s warranty.

The AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (429 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 E 53 Cabriolet gets better fuel mileage than the M850i Convertible (20 city/27 hwy vs. 17 city/24 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series (3). This means the AMG E-Class Cabriolet produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 8 Series every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG E-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 E-Class Cabriolet’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 8 Series:

The front and rear suspension of the AMG E-Class Cabriolet uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the 8 Series, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The AMG E-Class Cabriolet has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The 8 Series doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The AMG E-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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the 8 Series (113.1 inches vs. 111.1 inches).

The AMG E-Class Cabriolet has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 8 Series (87 vs. 81).

The AMG E-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 E-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 E-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.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The 8 Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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

The AMG E-Class Cabriolet offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 8 Series.

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

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The 8 Series has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the BMW 8 Series by almost three to one during 2022.