2018 BMW M5 vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S | Super Saloons tested | Autocar
The new BMW M5 is a terrific sports saloon. Or super saloon. Or sports sedan. Call it what you will: it's a big four-door executive car with a stonky twin-turbocharged V8 making shed loads of power, which it puts it through all four wheels - unless you stick it in rear-drive mode, in which case it only puts it through the rear wheels, obvs. Subscribe now: smarturl.it/autocar
And if that sounds familiar, that's because it's exactly what the Mercedes-AMG E63 saloon does too: what with its four-door body, luxurious executive car interior, twin-turbocharged V8 engine and four-wheel drive with the option of rear ... well, you get the idea.
But which of these big saloons is best? Both as an everyday executive car, but also as an enjoyable car to drive. Step forward Autocar's two video-ready testers, as we find out which you should have: BMW M5 or Mercedes-AMG E63 S.
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Watch next:
- Autocar Car of the Year 2017: • Autocar Car of the Yea...
- BMW M5 tested: • BMW M5 2018 review | N...
- E63 drifted: • Hot new Mercedes-AMG E...
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These two are the masters at making car reviews boring
damien hostey spot on haaaaaahaaaaaa
damien hostey 😂😂
Speaking out of my heart
these two seem very low on testosterone
100% fuck I watched maybe 30 seconds in total
Guys you are reviewing super saloons, have some passion. This isnt accounting software.
Arven Tahtyan u made my day lmfao😂
Underated
LMAO SO RIGHT!!!!!
i don't know why benz and bmw fanboys keep on fighting like kids, both are great cars and i wouldn't mind putting my money on either one of them ( if i had any ), it is a great time to be a car guy, cheers
supercharged petrolhead both are great cars. Lexus IS also coming out with w V8 Bi-Turbo to replace their 5.0 V8’s for the RC-F/GS-F/LC-500 cars.
Matthew Dawood Khaghani they don't need to be invited. They just show up and drop a lot of jaws and break a lot of necks.
Matthew Dawood Khaghani well Lexus/Toyota have had a lot of previous experience in the turbo game and they say the new engine will produce around 630hp and 600tq sooooo I say they can do whatever they want lol.
b00st3d92 The only problem Lexsus and Benz when they try to go really sporty they make the car uncomfortable and stuff but BMW knows the game better how to put the spots car on the track and on every day road better than anybody that’s the difference
AzeriBeast /// Lexus LC-500 is the perfection of Grand tourer. Also let’s not forget about the LFA which was just a superb Supercar. Mercedes has become a bit more hardcore than BMW the past couple of years. The one car that BMW made that takes it back to its roots is the M2. Mercedes has usually always dominated the V8 segment of the the German grands.
Man this seats in m5 may be the best seats in car industry
Not if you have the climate comfort seats.
That awkward moment when E-class is more harsh than a BMW 5-series
That reversal of roles is exactly what I've been thinking about for the last few years when it comes to AMG vs M. Exactly because AMG has nailed it they're a step ahead for me. They've really come a very long way.
Stop with the enthusiasm guys!
IKR?? Lmao 2 minutes in and I’m wondering how the hell imma make it to the end 😂😂😂
I think it's a nice alternative to motor trend's loud mountain dew commercial like horseshit. Sometimes it's cool to have a chill out "adult" car review.
David Yeah i agree, lots of people bash these calmer reviews but sometimes i don't feel like having someone shouting at my face laughing like a hyena drifting like a mad man and just want to chill watching beautiful cars.
LMAO!!!! This comment KILLED IT!!!
Some car reviewers on youtube actually make reviews that appeal to the people buying these cars instead of teenagers who want to see burn outs and drag races.
I would rather have the AMG over the M5 the sound and the aggressiveness of the car I like the M5 too but nah I would choose the Mercedes Benz
Holy Jesus, that was boring
D Roche for real I fell asleep
yeah
They were competing to talk the other guy asleep first, don't know who won ! ! It was a close call if you ask me. Papa Boring & Son
lol
Yeah that was horribly boring! I couldn't sit through the whole 13mins.
I love the urgency of the first 60% of the M5's exhaust note, it doesn't wail of course it doesn't it's forced induction, but it has a sonorous edge to it that envelopes you and becomes all that is happening, it seems more special, I prefer the stitching in the M5 and the choice of materials. I LOVE how they evolved the center column gear shift, rotary dial great use of gloss black.. just a home run and the best M5 since the E39 which was a fine example of mastery of the current formula at that time, every M5 after that was a step towards this level of refinement and build excellence.
I'm an M car guy through and through had loads of M3's over the years but i just cant stop looking at the E63s and it is the one i would buy!
Closest these two beasts have ever been. I love both but I shall take the M5.
I've never seen such a close call myself either. I did drive the new M5 not so long ago, was blown away, have only seen the Merc from a distance (and heard it, too - quite a huge factor of that car). For me, the BMW M cars of late are just a bit of a disappointment. It is an amazing car on its' own, the new M5, but I just don't like the way M cars are nowadays compared to what an M car was like back in the day. I remember driving the M3 E36, my first "M experience" ever. It was sharp, screaming, analogue, light, low and just pure fun. Then I drove the E46 M3, it was the same with more modern feautures and that extra bit of refinement. And then there is the end of the 2000s, which means the end of an era for BMW M cars for me. The S85 V10 in the M6 and M5, that loud V8 in the E92 M3 - they had huge, screaming engines packed into cars that were actually quite harsh and nasty compared to what we have today. Now with the M4, the previous and current gen M5, we have luxury cruisers with powerful, but not very nice-sounding engines. Seriously, I am not lying when I say my own E36 328i Cabriolet sounds better with that M52 engine than the new M5. It is louder, and has more character - and that's not even an M car, it's just my weekend convertible. About AMG, I have other feelings. The only AMG I ever drove was a E55 from the early 2000s which is not very relevant today, but what I see is that even though they also create refined luxury vehicles, they have a kind of craziness that M cars never had. AMG cars were always a little bit out there, a little bit insane. You see the new E63S in a more conservative color, then hear it start up, I bet you would be surprised if you didnt know what it is in the first place. They manage to sound great even with turbos, new Mercs in general have absolutely astonishing interiors. I think the Mercedes is just a bit ahead of the BMW as a sports saloon, and I can say the same about AMG and BMW M altogether (maybe except the M2). Never thought I'd say this as an all-time BMW lover, but I'd probably take the Merc out of these two. Fortunately I don't really have to choose one to buy, I'll stick to my 22yr old Bimmer. :)
ModHunter which exterior looked better after seeing both in person?
This is just BMW doing its thing, the M5 being the M5. It's the original super saloon after all... Looking forward to the Competition Pack, should be revealed this month actually
Kaisuke971 E63S is doing its thing too,way better than the M5.
Rashid Gulabi way better at losing in head to heads
Braden McHenry yeah sure😂AMG💪🏼👌🏼💥👍🏼
Kaisuke971 shut up BMW fanboy
Toyota4Life shut up you Toyota fanboy. Fucking hater.
Best two car reviewers/journalists. Both very well spoken and easy to understand. The sort of people you could have a proper chat with about cars down the pub. Top review 👌
Oh God that AMG sounds so good.
That M5 is my newest dream car. Absolutely perfect in every way.
"If I had another car in the garage I would take the M5, If it was my only car, I would have the extra edge with the AMG" 30 seconds later "the M5 is the more complete car" what?😂
Clearly these guys dont like Mercedes.
The e63s by most motor journalists reviews is the best all round car even chris harris was super impresssed
Thats true
The excitement oozing from this guys is infectious
For me, boils down, in the end, to one thing. The AMG sounds great at idle, low revs, under full bore acceleration and chasing the top end. The Beemer doesn't. So I'd have the Merc in a heartbeat.
That was one intense test drive video. I almost fell asleep. Jeeeeez. So the best supersaloon car is the most comfortable?!?!? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
I went for a 2019 E63 (non S). An absolute beast and importantly much more comfortable and compliant for U.K. roads. It has 571hp and enough torque to satisfy speed and maintain exec comfort.
i feel like the bmw looks better on the outside but the merc has the better interior
Zac no Merc is better in everything
I found it strange, on the computer screen I think bimmer looks better but in the real world it's just the other way around
Strangely, I think it's the other way around. Having a hard time deciding between which one I'd rather have too though.
Zac front: merc rear: bmw Interior: merc Seats: bmw
My mate, who is a Merc fanboy agrees. He daydreams of the M5 with an E63S interior. Personally I prefer BMW's luxury race car interior rather than Merc's sporty luxury approach. The M5 interior looks like a more serious driving cabin to me and I like that. I'd happily park either car on my drive and drool over it daily :) You cannot lose buying either car.
I’d have the AMG
I have an F11 LCI 535xd - and the last sentence sums the 5 series up. I feel like I never had a more complete car. Sure not on M or AMG levels, but it just does everything so well balanced. Great video btw.
First impression is from a guy in glasses “the ride is pretty firm isn’t not harsh” you can tell he is a BMW guy
People will be either happy or very triggered by the end of this, also the M5 is so nice
BMW ///M I am happy because they admitted that the better car comes down to personal preference.
M5 was always the benchmark in this class
emphasis on was
Good review and editing.
I really like how you guys reference price in 'monthly instalments', e.g. a 2k option is only really an extra 20 quid a month. As 90% of cars are now financed or leased, this is by far the best way to actually talk about price, because as you say, no one is actually going to put down 100k cash for one of these
if you cant pay it in cash then you should not get it
/// M all day, any day.
Bobby 17597 and for me amg any day any second.
TheBimmerMan M= Mercedes✔
nope m is M sports Division from BMW, Merc is Mercedes or Benz is Mercedes
Bobby 17597 aaaight
So close! both amazing cars, ive always been BMW guy but I would take the Merc here, the look and sound does it for me
Agree about the sound of the AMG but for me looks wise it has to be the M5, I would just get an uprated exhaust from Akropovich or similar and then it would sound like the beast that it is.
Just a comment to share my excitements.... Was long waiting for this... Yet to watch.. 🙂
Looking at the M5's M1 setting and M2 setting, do they correlate to the seat settings. so If M1 is my comfort mode will it recline the seat like I would have it if I'm just cruising?
The M5 looks better outside and inside....but the sunroof in the AMG makes the cabin look very airy....I don't know which I like more
You can spec a sunroof in the M5 but then you loose the iconic carbon fibre roof. I love sunroofs and have specced in it my current BMW but if I were to buy and M3 M4 or M5 I would have to miss it and stick with the carbon fibre roof.
Abhijit Shetty no E63 has better looking Front M5 better looking rear end Merc has better looking interior by far But bmw has way better looking seats. So it all depends on your preferences.
E63 has the better interior. And a sunroof is a must.
Fantastic review/comparison guys, you hit the nail on the head.
The white interior on the M5 and how the seats look are amazing
10-15 years ago everyone criticized AMG‘s for not being as sporty, direct and hard as the M competitor. Now, when AMG reached the salon sportscar expectation, they praise the smoother ride in the M... There‘s something crazy going on with the people...
antol2005 yes exactly
This was a bad review it almost felt lazy, Bmw and Mercedes design this car with power and carefully tune the suspension and this 2 lazy man weren’t even curious to find out. What a wasted of time saying the m5 it’s better by being comfortable,and don’t think I’m an angry Mercedes fanboy, I owned 3 m5’s and currently have an competition package m5. You get this 2 cars together and you find a track and a driver and you gather all results. You do a drag race as well. You test braking, and after you come up with a winner.at least you could have done a drag race since it was 2 of you.
carfreakkk thing is though is that these cars aren't going to spend their lives on a circuit, they're going to be on the road and I think that the conclusion is valid because of that. I'd still rather the Mercedes though, it's a little more special and it comes as a wagon option.
The best part is near the end when they both agree the Mercedes is just a little bit more special but they decide to crown the BMW as a winner because it's more comfortable. Lol I think they forgot they're comparing performance sedans
I think the Merc is better because of the sound and interior plus BMW could have and should have done a lot more with the exterior
theaveragehousecat but exterior is nicer on Bmw
E63 outwits M5 interms of the interior,exhaust layout,fuel consumption and engine sound. AMG# for life.
Full review and you have done acceleration start/rolling tests... etc?
Was this supposed to be a proper comparison?? I can’t believe I’m subscribed to this channel.
Why? Because they dont say what you want to hear....wake up kid
I thought the M5 was the benchmark of this segment
It is
It was :D
It is. The E63S just kept it's throne warm for a few months LOL
Amg is always better than m and bmw
RealCapo88 lol true
excellent review guys and fair. great choice. i love both cars.
Great review guys, i also would picked the m5 for the winner as they are more for the sportines m5 just killed it with these f90 series.
M5 is the granny hauler and the AMG is the bad ass.
BMW is back baby!!!! Damn!! Cant wait to get one!
Chris Steele yeah it's gona be like less than half in couple of years
911 H20Cooled for you it will be
With that rate of depreciation I should be able to afford one in about twenty years.
Love my 540I E39 ^^. This engine needs 2 turbos now ;p, best performance engine ^^
I could maybe do it in fifteen years, but I'd have to cut down on the beer‼️😫😫😫
Solid review. I do think ///M cars have list there driving appeal and ‘way’ a little and AMG have almost caught BMW up - like you said it’s like they’ve swapped value propositions. I also think that in that demographic and sector it is about personal choice and which badge you prefer more, I’d like to think that the ///M would be more confidence inspiring and tangible on a track but the AMG and it’s noise is always gonna make you smile.
I watch u guys before I go to sleep 😴
The Benz is the bench mark!??? Kmt who invited the bench mark for super saloon?? B.M.W🚘
Tekel Jarrett-murray 😂😂😂😂no way
Rashid Gulabi, Check the history books BMW did invent the super saloon way back in 1981 with the E28 M5 the original super saloon (back then Merc were making cars for your grandad and was never associated with AMG on an official level nor did they have an AMG E Class or any other performance equivalent) and every iteration of M5 thereafter always takes the crown including this new 2018 model but I have to say finally Merc's AMG have caught up to BMW's M and they are very close and I would give them serious consideration but in the end I would still take the BMW.
joe bloggs just because bmw invented the supersaloon doesn't always make them the king... By your logic let me remind you that Mercedes created the modern automobile itself so by definition they are the king that deserves everyones respect. Amgs have not only caught up but gone to beat the m cars in many respects.... Like having way better looking interiors and far better exhaust notes. These guys even admitted that the merc felt more special and exciting whereas the bmw was slightly more comfortable....which actually makes the bmw sound more pole the grand daddy car according to your logic So if anything the tables have turned... These Ares are both equally great.. So much so that the better car really does come down to personal preference.
John Bobby agree that both cars are great but every iteration of M5 has been the king of its class, in the case of the last M5 it was only taken over when the AMG E63S came out by that time the M5 was approaching the end of its life cycle. Now once again this new M5 according to many reviewers has taken the crown back. This is the same for the standard 5 series 99% of reviews recommend it over the E Class. In terms of performance saloon it is really only this last generation of AMG cars that are anywhere near comparable to BMW M division. Do not also forget that they are comparing the top of the line E63S and not the E63 which is the actual direct competitor to this M5 and in most reviews this standard M5 is beating the E63S in drag and track, wait for the M5 competition pack and then see who exactly is king. I do have great respect for Mercedes they do build some fine cars we have had a few in our household as well as BMWs so I know how good they are, be it in a different way.
joe bloggs 1000% true my bro. Cant argue with that logic
The drag races between these two cars, never has a set winner. On some channels the m5 wins the drag race and on other, the e63 wins. Overall as a driving experience, the M5 has that edge.
A®K365 well said
I’m impressed. That level of enthusiasm is normally reserved for Toyota Prius reviews.
I actually enjoied this a bit more down to earth, relateable comparison rather than your normal videos... And I can see the reason for the verdict although I might still go for the E63 just because I like the interior more than the M5's... Nice one lads
First off I own a bmw 2015 M3 I’m looking for a new car trade in and have had my eyes on the new Mercedes C63 S Amg and the Porsche 718 Cayman Gts or the new BMW M4 but dam my goodness this New M5 looks sounds amazing bmw finally went for it all with this one a bit pricer then other rivals but might just be worth it
Take the c63s man
Did you guys even turn on the exhaust button for the sound for the M5
probably didn't even change the radio channel
Where is the button probably one the speakers cuz it doesn’t have sound
Your tone of voice and your sincerity make you very credible to me. And I agree with your choice.
A drag race would have been a great idea!! Still can't tell how they do side by side.
The m5😍😍😍
Two reviewers you can actually watch without constantly being read out the spec sheets and cliches, great video guys!
Very well done. I don't know why I'd watch anything else
Excellent review gents, not biased but decisive.
Honestly, even AMG drivers appreciate that M cars are genuinely better sports cars. From an engineering perspective though, both organisations are doing A LOT RIGHT at the minute.
I'd have a E63S estate as that makes even more sense, but if saloons, M5
Agree about the estates I dont really need one apart from my dog would find it roomy but if I was in the market for an M5 and had the choice between saloon or estate I would take the estate, fast estates are just so cool.
Hey Autocar uk guys, i think you have made an error in the ratings of latest test between BMW, Merc and Cadillac. The articles gives impression that BMW M5 is winner while you have written Merc to be winner after final sum up. Can you pl. look into it?
Love it but would love to see the CT’s-v or ct6 sport in the mix too
How can you test drive these two and not have a drag race??? like WHY?
they are bmw fans so they know the E63s will win. ..
E63 and E63S were never the benchmark. It was always the M car and M cars. Period. And this is not subjective at all. Hard facts.
I was just in this exact spot but for a CPO eval between the everyday versions; 540i xDrive v E300. And for all the similar reasons mentioned here, ride quality, acceleration, cabin layout and fun to drive aspect, the BMW got my vote.
Great video guys in March 2018 I was in the market for a new car I drove both of these car, I just preferred the BMW M5 over the Mercedes AMG63 S. The BMW M5 it feels more refined in all modes when driving the Interior in the AMG I did not like the huge round air vents just tacky the analog clock has no purpose ( High School grads can not tell the time on it ). It felt dated. The Interior of the BMW M5 has purpose with well placed amenities. Sorry guys I do not worry about monthly payments as I paid cash. As a final note both cars are absolutely equal and both cars are amazing, extremely fast it’s just a matter of personal choice, you will be very happy with either car.
AMG has really changed their focus now. The M5 is actually more comfortable than the E63, who would have thought?
What are you smooking kid?
When im 78.. ill think mercedes. Till then BMW
I got the Merc wagon-fantastic!
I was in this review. You can't see me though, was asleep in the back with boredom. These guys can be up there with the white noise vidoes to cure insomnia.
BMW all day!!
Both cars are superb.
I just can't wait to see M5 competition package with more power,probably less weight and better 0-100 km and also better performance on the track.i think the true E63 S rivals from BMW is M5 competition package and I'm sure that it's crushing the E63S
I agree! 😎👍
M5
the m5 has better looks and much more beautiful seats
Keitumetse M more beautiful seats yes but merc has better looking interior by far. M5 looks better from the rear and e63 looks better from the front. And e63 sounds better.
e63 didn't have the racing recardos
Keitumetse M lol ure wrong
Keitumetse M you’re crazy
Great Review, yes the amg is a pinch faster, the interior is rounded, and a bit more conservative but The M5 is very avant-garde. Soon to be upgrading from my ‘07 E90 to the F90, beyond excited to drive it for myself at my own leisure🙌🏾👌🏾
Hey guys, just one tip about the video I've noticed in few other videos of yours, i think the camera you guys used for the chased car either has the lens or the sensor itself with dust or damaged. Just pointing it out, its really noticeable now.
smh steering wheels on the wrong side
I agree... M5 takes it and has way cooler seats!! But that E63 definitely has more personality. Awesome video guys. Head to head reviews for grown ups...
KizzleDawg if you look in the classifieds some of the E63S have the different bucket seats. They look amazing and much better than the seats in this car
I would go for the Benz everyday of the week. The M5 just doesn’t look exciting enough.
Lovely, contemplative review, while driving two mega saloons at pace. Is there a 1400kg-1500kg saloon with a similar power to weight ratio? I think that would be more interesting than two-tonnes of fun.
The M5 is the benchmark in this class and always has been. Every iteration of the M5 has been better than anything that the rival manufacturers come up with. The e63 is a monstrous car but it lacks the refinement of the BMW. It's more of a blunt instrument compared to the M5 being a scalpel
Omg....so many idiots here...another car fan
Fell asleep at this
Yep, totally agree, I drove the M5 a few weeks ago for a few hours and boy oh boy, BMW have nailed it with this one, def my pick too.
Go drive now the mercedes...and wake up
I was just thinking and wanted to share. As a European Auto technician for over 25 years, I like to look back at all the great cars I've had the pleasure of working on. I must say that as an auto manufacturer, Bmw has been the better company and automaker over all. When I seriously think about it, I'm shocked at all of mercedes-benz's mistakes. The the first M5 being the E28 chassis is so desirable to me, the Mercedes 124 E500 didn't even come in a manual transmission. The BMW E34 today as an M car or as a 540 manual is a fabulous driving machine that I absolutely love. The incredible BMW E39 chassis, arguably the best car in the world according to Top Gear is probably the best M5 you can get. During the same time Mercedes had the 210 chassis which only came with automatic transmission, their I6 turned into a v6, a stupid modular design that was a 90 degree angle v6, stupid cost cutting idea from Mercedes while almost every other well balanced v6 is 60 degrees. Also this was part of the rust years here on the East Coast in the United States, most of those cars are in the junk yards While E39s are mostly still around. I must say the BMW E60 as an M car was not as good, quite overkill and complicated, but as a 535i it was a better car than the w211 over chromed bling bling chassis which looked like a cheesy old man or a drug dealer's car (e320 or e350), so upsetting to me. The fiasco with Chrysler dropped the quality of Mercedes as a whole. Their sprinter vehicles are the top vans when it comes to rusting out, they lead all other vans in that department. I still like to work on Mercedes and I believe the S class has always been the better large luxury car but jeez did they screw things up so many times. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
George Mansour I personally like the fact that Mercedes created the CLS class, which is like a subclass within this one and I’d take a cls63 any day over m5 e63 or m6. Has better looks and sound, and build quality is superb.
The real and original super salon..... Obvisualy the M5!
In ur dreams Obvisualy
love m5
love both but would go with the AMG for the sound that never gets boring
The F90 M5 is awesome car but i still prefer the E60 M5 as my everyday Super Saloon V10>TTV8
You guys from Autocar did better videos already. The M5 vs the E65 is a video everyone waits for and you screwed it up. The video was too much of a cruise experience of two BORED grown men. The total lack of enthusiasm from the reviewers and leaving the SUPER (saloon) portion of the cars apart from the video killed it. This is a video comparing regular 5 series and E classes...
///M is king every time. And this is the standard M5 Vs the faster version of the e63, the e63 S. A M5 competition pack (when it's out) vs e63 S will be a fair comparison, and it will probably be significantly quicker, not just slightly as per the current comparisons being made.
AMG and BMW independently came up with the same formula Audi were using on the C7 RS6?
Very good stuff. My backside would be in a Giulia Q4 though
Carwow> autocar
Carwow is a Mercedes Paid channel
Kushi son why the hell are you so pissed off
Kushi son do you bmw fan boys always act so aggressive or something
IRONBOUND Patarei look honestly they have the same performance so people say the e63 is faster and some say the m5 it’s just preference maybe the other magazines had a bad version of the e63s who Knows
Why did you delete your comment????