Both the Z4 and the AMG SL 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.
Compare the2025 BMW Z4VS 2025 Mercedes AMG SL
Safety
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Warranty
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The Z4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG SL’s (12 vs. 5 years).
BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the Z4 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 SL.
Reliability
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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.
Engine
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As tested in Car and Driver the Z4 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the AMG SL 43 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid:
|
|
Z4 |
AMG SL |
| Zero to 60 MPH |
3.8 sec |
4.5 sec |
| Zero to 100 MPH |
9.1 sec |
11.2 sec |
| 5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start |
4.5 sec |
5.3 sec |
| Quarter Mile |
12.3 sec |
13 sec |
| Speed in 1/4 Mile |
116 MPH |
107 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
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On the EPA test cycle the Z4 gets better mileage than the AMG SL running its gasoline engine:
|
|
|
|
MPG |
| Z4 |
|||
| RWD |
Auto |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
25 city/33 hwy |
|
|
|
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. |
23 city/29 hwy |
| AMG SL |
|||
| RWD |
Auto |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid |
19 city/27 hwy |
| AWD |
Auto |
63 4.0 turbo V8 |
13 city/21 hwy |
|
|
|
55 4.0 turbo V8 |
13 city/21 hwy |
Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Z4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mercedes only offers a regenerative brake system on the AMG SL 43/63 S E Performance.
Brakes and Stopping
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The Z4 stops shorter than the AMG SL:
|
|
Z4 |
AMG SL |
|
| 70 to 0 MPH |
146 feet |
150 feet |
Car and Driver |
| 60 to 0 MPH |
99 feet |
107 feet |
Motor Trend |
Suspension and Handling
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For better maneuverability, the Z4’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the AMG SL 55/63’s (36.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The Z4’s turning circle is 6.6 feet tighter than the AMG SL 43’s (36.1 feet vs. 42.7 feet).
Chassis
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The BMW Z4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1300 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG SL.
The Z4 is 1 foot, 2.5 inches shorter than the AMG SL, making the Z4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
Passenger Space
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The Z4 has 1.2 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more front legroom than the AMG SL.
Cargo Capacity
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The Z4 has a much larger trunk with its top down than the AMG SL with its top down (9.9 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The Z4 has a much larger trunk than the AMG SL with its top up (9.9 vs. 8.5 cubic feet).
Recommendations
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Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW Z4, based on reliability, safety and performance.
The BMW Z4 outsold the Mercedes SL by 36% during 2024.