Compare the2023 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Mercedes E-Class Sedan

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 E-Class Sedan.

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the E-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head 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, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the E-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 E-Class Sedan.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 21 points higher than the E-Class Sedan.

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.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has more powerful engines than the E-Class Sedan:

As tested in Motor Trend the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mercedes only offers a regenerative brake system on the E-Class Sedan 450.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the E-Class Sedan:

The 8 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the E-Class Sedan:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard rear tires than the E-Class Sedan (275/35R19 vs. 245/45R18). The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the E-Class Sedan (285/30R21 vs. 245/45R18).

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 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 E-Class Sedan’s standard 45 series tires. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the E 350 Sedan’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 840i Gran Coupe has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the E-Class Sedan. The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the E 350 Sedan.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the E-Class Sedan.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the E-Class Sedan (119 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series Gran Coupe is 1 inch wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the E-Class Sedan.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the E 450 4MATIC Sedan pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan (25.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the E-Class Sedan.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the E-Class Sedan (15.5 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the 8 Series Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 E-Class Sedan.