Compare the2025 BMW 4 Series ConvertibleVS 2025 Mercedes CLE

The 4 Series Convertible’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 CLE.

Both the 4 Series Convertible and the CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The 4 Series Convertible’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Convertible for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 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.

The M440i Convertible’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 11 more horsepower (386 vs. 375) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 369) than the CLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the CLE Cabriolet:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 4 Series Convertible uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CLE requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 4 Series Convertible’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CLE doesn’t offer launch control.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 4 Series Convertible can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the CLE.

The 4 Series Convertible’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the CLE’s (55% to 45%). This gives the 4 Series Convertible more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 4 Series Convertible’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the CLE’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The 4 Series Convertible is 3.1 inches shorter than the CLE, making the 4 Series Convertible easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 4 Series Convertible has a larger trunk with its top down than the CLE Cabriolet (10.6 vs. 9.6 cubic feet).

With its convertible body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 4 Series offers cargo security. The CLE’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 4 Series Convertible’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CLE’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes CLE isn’t available as a four door.

The 4 Series Convertible is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The CLE doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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