Compare the2026 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2025 Mercedes AMG S-Class

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 8 Series Gran Coupe 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG S-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series Gran Coupe 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’ 2025 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 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the AMG S-Class running its gasoline engine:

For better stopping power the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG S-Class:

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear 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 8 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the AMG S-Class’ optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The AMG S-Class doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1550 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG S-Class.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe is 7.9 inches shorter than the AMG S-Class, making the 8 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 S-Class doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG S-Class (15.5 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 8 Series Gran Coupe, 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 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG S-Class isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

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