Compare the2025 BMW M8VS 2024 Mercedes AMG CLE

The BMW M8 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 M8’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 CLE.

Both the M8 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The M8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 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 M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 174 more horsepower (617 vs. 443) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 413) than the AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The M8 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG CLE (20.1 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the M8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLE:

The M8 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 CLE doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the M8 has larger front tires than the AMG CLE (275/35R20 vs. 265/40R19).

The M8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG CLE’s standard 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the AMG CLE.

The M8 Gran Coupe has standard seating for 5 passengers; the AMG CLE can only carry 4.

The M8 Gran Coupe has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG CLE (100 vs. 88).

The M8 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLE Coupe (14.8 vs. 11.2 cubic feet).

With its coupe, convertible or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the M8 offers cargo security. The AMG CLE’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The M8’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Mercedes does not offer a locking feature on the AMG CLE’s standard power windows.

Laser headlights, standard on the M8, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the AMG CLE’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the M8 Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the M8 and the AMG CLE have standard heated front seats. The M8 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG CLE.

The M8 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 M8 Gran Coupe has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG CLE isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.