Compare the2025 BMW 4 Series CoupeVS 2025 Mercedes CLE

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Coupe 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 Coupe’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 Coupe gets better mileage than the CLE Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 4 Series Coupe 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 Coupe’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.

The 4 Series Coupe stops much shorter than the CLE:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 4 Series Coupe 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 M440i xDrive Coupe handles at .93 G’s, while the CLE 450 Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M440i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the CLE 450 Coupe (24.7 seconds @ .78 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

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

The BMW 4 Series Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the Mercedes CLE.

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

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 4 Series Coupe a Compact car, while the CLE Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The 4 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the CLE Coupe (15.5 vs. 11.2 cubic feet).

With its coupe 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 Coupe has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The CLE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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 Coupe 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.