Compare the2025 BMW M8VS 2024 Mercedes AMG S-Class

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 S-Class doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the M8 and the AMG S-Class 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, 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 S-Class’ (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 S-Class.

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.

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

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 S-Class doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the M8 has larger front tires than the AMG S-Class (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

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 S-Class’ standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

The BMW M8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1150 to 1450 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG S-Class.

The M8 Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 4.4 inches shorter than the AMG S-Class, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The M8 Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG S-Class (15.5 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

The M8’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The AMG S-Class doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

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 S-Class’ LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

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