Compare the2026 BMW M4VS 2025 Mercedes AMG CLE

The M4’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The M4’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 M4 and the AMG CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The M4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M4 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’ 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.

The M4’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (473 vs. 443) than the AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M4 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 60 more horsepower (503 vs. 443) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 413) than the AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M4 Competition xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (523 vs. 443) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 413) than the AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the M4 Competition xDrive is faster than the Mercedes AMG CLE (automatics tested):

The M4 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

For better stopping power the M4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLE:

The M4 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.

The M4 stops shorter than the AMG CLE:

For better traction, the M4 has larger front tires than the AMG CLE (275/40R18 vs. 265/40R19).

The BMW M4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 600 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLE.

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M4 Coupe a Compact car, while the AMG CLE Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The M4 Coupe has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG CLE (91 vs. 88).

The M4 Convertible has .3 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the AMG CLE Cabriolet.

The M4 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLE Coupe (15.5 vs. 11.2 cubic feet).

The M4 Convertible has a larger trunk with its top down than the AMG CLE Cabriolet (10.6 vs. 9.6 cubic feet).

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M4 offers cargo security. The AMG CLE’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

The M4 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 M4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG CLE doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Mercedes AMG CLE by 39% during 2024.