Compare the2024 BMW X3 MVS 2023 Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe

The BMW X3 M 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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3 M’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X3 M’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLC Coupe.

Both the X3 M and the AMG GLC Coupe 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, 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.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X3 M its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLC Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The X3 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLC Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 20 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The X3 M’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 88 more horsepower (473 vs. 385) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC Coupe’s 3.0 turbo V6. The X3 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 118 more horsepower (503 vs. 385) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC Coupe’s 3.0 turbo V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the X3 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 M’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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X3 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLC Coupe:

The X3 M stops shorter than the AMG GLC Coupe:

The X3 M Competition handles at .95 G’s, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the AMG GLC 43 Coupe (24.2 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

The X3 M has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .2 inches more rear headroom than the AMG GLC Coupe.

The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 36.1 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 X3 M’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The AMG GLC Coupe’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X3 M has a standard rear wiper. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Insurance will cost less for the X3 M owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 M will cost $745 less than the AMG GLC Coupe over a five-year period.

The X3 M will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X3 M will retain 54.06% of its original price after five years, while the AMG GLC Coupe only retains 52.4%.

The BMW X3 outsold the Mercedes GLC by 268 units during 2022.