Compare the2023 BMW M4VS 2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet

The BMW M4 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 M4 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 M4’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 M4 and the AMG E-Class Cabriolet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 and available around view monitors.

The M4’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 M4 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.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the M4 has a standard 900-amp battery. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s 850-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 M4’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (473 vs. 429) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 384) than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M4 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 74 more horsepower (503 vs. 429) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 384) than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M4 CSL’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 114 more horsepower (543 vs. 429) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 384) than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The M4 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The M4 Competition’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.

For better stopping power the M4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet:

The M4 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 AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The BMW M4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 950 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet.

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The M4 Coupe has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet (91 vs. 87).

The M4 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 M4 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 M4 offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a power trunk.

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 M4 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.