Compare the2023 BMW 4 Series ConvertibleVS 2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet

The BMW 4 Series Convertible 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 E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 4 Series Convertible 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 E-Class Cabriolet 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.

The 4 Series Convertible’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet.

Both the 4 Series Convertible and the AMG E-Class Cabriolet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The 4 Series Convertible’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Convertible 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 E-Class Cabriolet.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Convertible third among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet:

The 4 Series Convertible’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer launch control.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 4 Series Convertible 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 AMG E-Class Cabriolet.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 700 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet.

The 4 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet with its top down (10.6 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The 4 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top up than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet with its top up (13.6 vs. 9.5 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

The 4 Series Convertible is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Mercedes E-Class/CLS by almost two to one during 2022.