Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2023 BMW Z4

The AMG SL has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Z4 doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The AMG SL has a standard Maneuvering Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Z4 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The AMG SL has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Z4 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The AMG SL has a standard Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Z4 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 SL 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the Z4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG SL has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Brake automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the Z4 and the Z4’s Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

Both the AMG SL and the Z4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

The Mercedes AMG SL weighs 762 to 991 pounds more than the BMW Z4. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 SL’s warranty.

The AMG SL 55’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 214 more horsepower (469 vs. 255) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 295) than the Z4 sDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The AMG SL 55’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 87 more horsepower (469 vs. 382) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the Z4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The AMG SL 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 195 more horsepower (577 vs. 382) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 369) than the Z4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG SL 63 is faster than the Z4 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder:

The AMG SL has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z4 (18.5 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG SL, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Z4.

The AMG SL offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Z4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

All wheel drive, available in the AMG SL, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The BMW Z4 is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the AMG SL’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z4:

The AMG SL 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 Z4 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG SL has larger standard tires than the Z4 (F:265/40R20 & R:295/35R20 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:255/40R18). The AMG SL’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z4 (F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

The AMG SL’s standard 265/40R20 front and 295/35R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z4’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The AMG SL’s optional 305/30R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Z4’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG SL has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Z4. The AMG SL’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Z4.

The AMG SL offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Z4.

The AMG SL’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 Z4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG SL’s wheelbase is 9.1 inches longer than on the Z4 (106.3 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG SL is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the Z4.

The AMG SL 63 handles at 1.04 G’s, while the Z4 sDrive30i pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The front grille of the AMG SL uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Z4 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The AMG SL has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z4 can only carry 2.

The AMG SL has 24 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z4 (76 vs. 52).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG SL’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Z4 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The AMG SL’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Z4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The AMG SL’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Z4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG SL to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Z4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the AMG SL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Z4 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The AMG SL 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 Z4.

The AMG SL has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Z4.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG SL has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. Wireless charging costs extra on the Z4.

The AMG SL’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Z4’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Mercedes SL outsold the BMW Z4 by 29% during 2022.