BMW M5 vs. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
In comparing the BMW M5's and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class's specifications and ratings, the BMW M5 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and base engine power. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the advantage in the areas of reliability and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW M5's and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class's specifications and ratings, the BMW M5 is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW M5's price is between $125,425 and $141,515, with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class priced between $131,855 and $221,949.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW M5 loses 60 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses 61.8 percent of its value. This means the BMW M5 retains 1.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW M5 is 7.2 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the BMW M5 being ranked 12 out of 27 Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class being ranked 9 out of 27. Out of 37 Best Luxury Hybrid Cars, the BMW M5 is ranked 18 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is ranked 15.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW M5 is 7.3 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz S-Class the reliability rating is 7.7 out of 10. This gives the Mercedes-Benz S-Class a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW M5’s base engine makes 717 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class base engine makes 503 horsepower.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
125425 - 141515
Starting MSRP:
121900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Midsize Cars)
130275
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Midsize Cars)
74800 - 200500
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
131855 - 221949
Starting MSRP:
130400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Large Cars)
120200
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Large Cars)
110000 - 130400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
127446
Price Range:
117777 - 137845
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Midsize Cars)
127446
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Midsize Cars)
127446 - 127446
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
BMW M5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW M5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 9Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
12 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 27Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
18 out of / 37Ranking
18 out of / 37Ranking
18 out of / 26Ranking
22 out of / 27Ranking
32 out of / 37Mercedes-Benz S-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 19Ranking
21 out of / 26Ranking
23 out of / 27Ranking
33 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Sedan, Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
BMW M5 Trim Levels
Base, Touring
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Trim Levels
AMG S 63 E Performance, S 580e 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
717 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
738 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.133 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
503 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
553 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.091 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Cargo Space:
16.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Cargo Space:
8.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
112.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
5390 lbs
Width:
84.9 inches
Height:
59.4 inches
Length:
200.6 inches
Wheelbase:
118.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
5501 lbs
Width:
83 inches
Height:
59.2 inches
Length:
209.5 inches
Wheelbase:
126.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 10.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
285/40R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Marina Bay Blue Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Frozen Deep Grey Metallic / Storm Bay Metallic
Green
Isle of Man Green Metallic
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Silverstone/Black / Taupe Grey/Deep Lagoon
Orange
Kyalami Orange/Black
Purple
Dark Violet/Black
Red
Red/Black
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
Purple
Not available
Red
Not available
