Compare the2025 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2024 Mercedes AMG CLE

The BMW 8 Series 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 CLE doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 8 Series’ 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 CLE.

Both the 8 Series and the AMG CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series’ corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series 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 CLE.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

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 M850i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 80 more horsepower (523 vs. 443) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 413) than the AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

For better stopping power the 8 Series’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLE:

The 8 Series M850i 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 AMG CLE doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M850i 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 AMG CLE.

The BMW 8 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 500 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLE.

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

The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLE Coupe (14.8 vs. 11.2 cubic feet).

With its coupe body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 8 Series offers cargo security. The AMG CLE’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 8 Series 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 AMG CLE.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG CLE isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.

The 8 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.