@ BMW Group Press
@ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
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BMW Z4 vs Mercedes SL Class – Differences & prices compared

Everyday use, family trips or long-distance drives – here’s where the differences show.
Discover whether BMW Z4 or Mercedes SL Class fits your lifestyle better.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Z4 @ BMW Group Press

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

BMW Z4 has a significantly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 43500 £, while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112700 £. That’s a price difference of around 69247 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: BMW Z4 manages with 6.90 L and is therefore evident more efficient than the Mercedes SL Class with 9 L. The difference is about 2.10 L per 100 km.

SL Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes SL Class has a convincingly edge – offering 816 HP compared to 340 HP. That’s roughly 476 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is decisively quicker – completing the sprint in 2.90 s, while the BMW Z4 takes 4.50 s. That’s about 1.60 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Mercedes SL Class performs clearly perceptible better – reaching 317 km/h, while the BMW Z4 tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 67 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes SL Class pulls significantly stronger with 1420 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 920 Nm difference.

Z4 @ BMW Group Press

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Seats: Mercedes SL Class offers clearly more seating capacity – 4 vs 2.

In curb weight, BMW Z4 is slightly lighter – 1510 kg compared to 1810 kg. The difference is around 300 kg.

In terms of boot space, the BMW Z4 offers somewhat more room – 281 L compared to 240 L. That’s a difference of about 41 L.

When it comes to payload, Mercedes SL Class noticeable takes the win – 375 kg compared to 235 kg. That’s a difference of about 140 kg.

Who comes out on top?

Overall, the Mercedes SL Class shows itself to be outperforms in nearly all aspects and secures the title of DriveDuel Champion.
It convinces with the more balanced overall package and proves to be the more versatile choice for everyday use.

from about £112,700
SL Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

Mercedes SL Class

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 381 - 816 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 9 - 13.6 L
  • Electric Range : 12 km
details

BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 is an elegant roadster that combines dynamic performance with a sleek design. Its stylish exterior features bold lines and a retractable soft top, offering an exhilarating open-air driving experience. Inside, the Z4 is equipped with a luxurious cabin filled with premium materials and cutting-edge technology, ensuring both comfort and connectivity on every journey.

details
P90479448_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479454_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479457_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479470_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press
P90479471_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022 @ BMW Group Press

Mercedes SL Class

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class embodies a perfect fusion of performance and luxury, offering a driving experience that is both exhilarating and refined. Its sleek and aerodynamic design ensures a commanding presence on the road, while the sumptuous interior provides unparalleled comfort and cutting-edge technology. With a heritage of engineering excellence, this model stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz's commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.

details
15C1119_012 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
15C1119_029 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
15C1119_120 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
15C1119_004 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

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Costs and Consumption
Price
43500 - 65300 £
Price
112700 - 219300 £
Consumption L/100km
6.9 - 8.5 L
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
12 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
157 - 191 g/km
co2
206 - 309 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
52 L
Fuel tank capacity
70 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
2
Seats
4
Doors
2
Doors
2
Curb weight
1510 - 1640 kg
Curb weight
1810 - 2195 kg
Trunk capacity
281 L
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Length
4324 mm
Length
4697 - 4705 mm
Width
1864 mm
Width
1915 mm
Height
1303 - 1304 mm
Height
1354 - 1359 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
215 - 235 kg
Payload
145 - 375 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
197 - 340 HP
Power HP
381 - 816 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.5 - 6.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.9 s
Max Speed
240 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
260 - 317 km/h
Torque
320 - 500 Nm
Torque
480 - 1420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
145 - 250 kW
Power kW
280 - 600 kW
Engine capacity
1998 - 2998 cm3
Engine capacity
1991 - 3982 cm3

General
Model Year
2024
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz

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What drive types are available for the BMW Z4?

The BMW Z4 is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.