Compare the2023 BMW M5VS 2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan

The BMW M5 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 Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The M5 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 Sedan 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 M5’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 Sedan.

Both the M5 and the AMG E-Class Sedan 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, all wheel drive, 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 M5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG E-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M5 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 Sedan.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M5 has a standard 249-amp alternator. The AMG E-Class Sedan’s 180-amp alternator 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 M5’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 171 more horsepower (600 vs. 429) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 384) than the AMG E 53’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 14 more horsepower (617 vs. 603) than the AMG E 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M5 is faster than the AMG E 63 S 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the M5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mercedes only offers a regenerative brake system on the AMG E-Class Sedan E 53.

For better stopping power the M5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG E-Class Sedan:

The M5 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 Sedan doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M5 stops shorter than the AMG E-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the M5 has larger tires than the AMG E-Class Sedan (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. F:245/35R20 & R:275/30R20). The M5’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG E-Class Sedan (275/40R19 vs. 265/35R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the AMG E-Class Sedan (117.4 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

The M5 CS handles at 1.02 G’s, while the AMG E 63 S pulls only 1.01 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The BMW M5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M5 is quieter than the AMG E 63 S:

The M5 has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG E-Class Sedan (103 vs. 97).

The M5 has 3.2 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear legroom than the AMG E-Class Sedan.

The M5 has a larger trunk than the AMG E-Class Sedan (14 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

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 M5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the M5 will retain 45.21% to 46.37% of its original price after five years, while the AMG E-Class Sedan only retains 37.89%.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Mercedes E-Class/CLS by 11% during 2022.