Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class CabrioletVS 2023 BMW 8 Series

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

The 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 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the 8 Series’ blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 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 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and 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 E-Class Cabriolet’s warranty.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (362 vs. 335) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 368) than the 840i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Cabriolet gets better mileage than the 8 Series Convertible:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series (3). This means the 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 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 E-Class Cabriolet’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 8 Series:

The 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 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 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 E-Class Cabriolet’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the 8 Series (113.1 inches vs. 111.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the E-Class Cabriolet’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the 8 Series’ (37.3 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The E-Class Cabriolet 4MATIC’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the 8 Series xDrive’s (38.1 feet vs. 39 feet).

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

The 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 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 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 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 E-Class Cabriolet has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The 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 E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 8 Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the BMW 8 Series isn’t available as a station wagon.

Insurance will cost less for the E-Class Cabriolet owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the E-Class Cabriolet will cost $885 to $3085 less than the 8 Series over a five-year period.

The E-Class Cabriolet will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the E-Class Cabriolet will retain 43.93% 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 E-Class Cabriolet will be $9506 to $22453 less than for the BMW 8 Series.

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.