2018 BMW M5 vs. 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S: Unpacking the Super Sedan Showdown
In the exhilarating world of high-performance luxury, few rivalries captivate enthusiasts quite like the enduring battle between BMW and Mercedes-AMG. As showcased in the video above, the 2018 BMW M5 and the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S stand as titans in the super sedan segment. These vehicles expertly blend the raw power and agility of a sports car with the sophisticated comfort and practicality expected from a premium four-door sedan. They are designed to deliver a thrilling driving experience, yet remain perfectly capable of daily commutes and family duties, offering a unique proposition in the automotive landscape.
Both manufacturers, deeply rooted in German engineering excellence, approached the creation of these super sedans with a shared philosophy: maximum performance without compromising on luxury. This specific comparison highlights two of the most potent offerings from their respective M and AMG divisions. Buyers in this elite category demand not just outright speed, but also a harmonious balance of technology, comfort, and driving dynamics. Understanding the subtle nuances between these two magnificent machines can significantly influence a purchasing decision for discerning buyers.
Under the Hood: Twin-Turbo V8 Powerhouses
At the heart of both the 2018 BMW M5 and the Mercedes-AMG E63 S lies a formidable twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing around 600 horsepower. This substantial power output places them firmly in the realm of dedicated sports cars, offering blistering acceleration and impressive top speeds. The Mercedes-AMG E63 S, for instance, boasts a marginal three additional horsepower and one extra gear in its automatic transmission compared to the M5, though these differences often prove negligible in real-world driving scenarios. Both sedans channel this immense power through advanced all-wheel-drive systems, designed to maximize traction and deploy horsepower effectively to the tarmac.
However, beyond the headline numbers, the character of each engine can feel distinct. The M5’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, with its slightly lower torque figure than the E63 S, often encourages drivers to rev it out a bit more to access its full potential. Conversely, the E63 S features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that delivers robust torque across a broader RPM range, providing a relentless surge of power with minimal effort. This difference in power delivery subtly influences the driving feel, offering two slightly varied approaches to immense performance.
Mastering the Launch: A Battle of Temperament and Technology
Achieving optimal acceleration from a standstill in these high-performance machines often involves using their sophisticated launch control systems. As the video humorously illustrates, activating launch control can sometimes be a test of patience and precise execution. The Mercedes-AMG E63 S requires a series of specific steps, including engaging Race mode, pressing the brake and gas pedals simultaneously, and ensuring the door and seatbelt are correctly engaged. This process, while effective, can feel somewhat convoluted, reminiscent of deciphering a poorly translated German instruction manual.
In contrast, the BMW M5’s launch control system, while sometimes temperamental as noted in the video, often offers a more streamlined activation process once it cooperates. Both systems are engineered to manage wheelspin and optimize torque delivery, ensuring the quickest possible sprint from 0 to 60 mph. These technologies are crucial for competitive drag racing, yet they also highlight the increasing complexity and reliance on digital interfaces in modern performance vehicles. Owners typically dedicate time to master these procedures, unlocking the full potential of their super sedans.
Drift Mode: Unleashing the Inner Teenager
Beyond straight-line speed, these super sedans offer a surprisingly playful side, particularly with the inclusion of specialized driving modes. The Mercedes-AMG E63 S features a renowned “Drift Mode,” which, once activated through a specific paddle sequence, effectively transforms the all-wheel-drive system into a rear-wheel-drive setup. This allows drivers to engage in controlled power slides, a feature that feels almost incongruous in a dignified luxury sedan. This capability offers an intoxicating blend of hooliganism and precision, appealing to the driver’s desire for unadulterated fun, as described in the video.
Similarly, the BMW M5, equipped with its advanced M xDrive system, also offers a configurable all-wheel-drive system that can send 100% of power to the rear wheels. While not explicitly named “Drift Mode,” its configurable drive settings achieve a very similar outcome, enabling enthusiastic tail-out antics. This feature, although likely utilized by only a small fraction of owners, adds significant value by demonstrating the car’s extreme performance capabilities and the engineering prowess behind them. It showcases a car’s versatility to transition from a composed cruiser to an exhilarating track weapon at the push of a button.
Driving Dynamics and Comfort: Performance Meets Practicality
Despite their monstrous power outputs, both the M5 and E63 S are engineered to be remarkably comfortable and refined for everyday driving. The video highlights how effortlessly these vehicles can switch from exhilarating performance to perfectly civilized luxury. The BMW M5 is often praised for its superior ride quality and comfortable seats, making it a particularly strong contender for long-distance journeys. Its suspension tuning seems to strike a slightly better balance between sporting stiffness and absorbing road imperfections, providing a smoother experience over varied terrain.
Conversely, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S delivers a slightly firmer, more connected feel, which some drivers might prefer for a more visceral driving experience. However, both cars offer adaptive suspension systems that can be adjusted to suit different driving conditions and preferences. This dual nature is a hallmark of the super sedan class; they must excel in spirited driving while simultaneously pampering their occupants. Features like seat ventilation and massage functions, as mentioned by Carlos Lago, are not mere luxuries but essential elements that contribute to the overall premium experience, ensuring driver and passenger comfort even during intense driving sessions.
Programmable Personalization: Tailoring the Experience
The ability to personalize the driving experience is another key differentiator between these two performance giants. BMW’s M5 utilizes two dedicated M buttons (M1 and M2) on the steering wheel, which act like customizable presets. Drivers can program these buttons with their preferred settings for engine response, steering weight, suspension stiffness, transmission shift points, and all-wheel-drive bias. This intuitive system allows for instant access to a “four-wheel-drive comfort mode” or a “horny teenager drift mode,” as playfully described by Mark Takahashi, enhancing the driving engagement.
While the E63 S also offers extensive configurability through its drive mode selector, the process of saving and recalling specific combinations is often less immediate than BMW’s M buttons. Mercedes’ approach tends to involve more navigation through infotainment menus or using the dynamic selector on the center console. Both systems allow for deep customization, ensuring that drivers can tailor the car’s character to their mood or the driving environment, whether it is a serene highway cruise or an aggressive track day session.
Weight, Speed, and the Munich-Stuttgart Race
Examining the finer specifications reveals subtle differences that contribute to each car’s unique character. The BMW M5, weighing in at approximately 4,300 pounds, holds a slight weight advantage over the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, which tips the scales at around 4,500 pounds. This lighter curb weight often translates to marginally sharper handling and quicker acceleration, especially during dynamic maneuvers. However, the E63 S compensates with a robust torque curve and potentially a more aggressive initial bite from its powertrain.
In terms of outright speed, the E63 S has a top speed of 189 miles per hour, narrowly edging out the M5’s 186 mph. While these differences appear minimal, the hosts amusingly calculated the real-world impact over a substantial distance. During a hypothetical 144-mile race from the BMW factory in Munich to the Mercedes factory in Stuttgart, the M5, despite its lower top speed, would arrive approximately 44 seconds earlier due to its slight acceleration advantage and lighter weight. This highlights how small differences in engineering and weight distribution can have tangible effects on performance over a sustained period, even when the headline numbers seem almost identical.
M5 vs. E63 S: Your Performance Sedan Questions Answered
What kind of cars are the 2018 BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S?
They are known as “super sedans” because they combine the raw power and agility of a sports car with the sophisticated comfort and practicality of a premium four-door sedan.
What type of engine do these super sedans use?
Both the 2018 BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S are powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing around 600 horsepower.
What is ‘Drift Mode’ in these cars?
Drift Mode, or similar configurable settings, allows the car’s all-wheel-drive system to send all power to the rear wheels, enabling drivers to perform controlled power slides for an exhilarating experience.
Are these powerful cars comfortable for daily driving?
Yes, despite their high performance, both the M5 and E63 S are engineered to be remarkably comfortable and refined, making them suitable for everyday commutes and long-distance journeys.
Can drivers customize how the car performs?
Yes, both vehicles offer extensive personalization through programmable buttons or drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor settings like engine response, steering, and suspension stiffness to their preferences.