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BMW Z4 vs Mercedes SL Class comparison

Compare performance (340 HP vs 816 HP), boot space and price (43,500 £ vs 112,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW Z4 or Mercedes SL Class?

BMW Z4 vs Mercedes SL Class: Key differences

BMW Z4

4.4 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • visibly more efficient
  • moderately lighter
details

Mercedes SL Class

  • substantially more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

Z4

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 is clearly cheaper – starting at 43,500 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 69,247 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW Z4 uses 6.9 L/100km and is visibly more efficient than the Mercedes SL Class with 9 L/100km. The difference is about 2.1 L/100km.

SL Class

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes SL Class offers substantially more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 340 HP. That’s roughly 476 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the BMW Z4 takes 4.5 s. That’s about 1.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers considerably more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 920 Nm more.

Z4

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: Mercedes SL Class offers more seats – 4 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, BMW Z4 is moderately lighter – 1,510 kg compared to 1,810 kg. The difference is around 300 kg.

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

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes SL Class stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £112,700
SL Class

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/100km
  • Electric Range : 12 km
details

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BMW Z4
Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 is a taut, road-hugging roadster that pairs elegant, low-slung styling with a roof you can drop on a sunny whim, delivering that pure, wind-in-your-hair driving thrill few cars manage to match. It’s an ideal weekend companion for drivers who prefer engagement over practicality — bring good shoes rather than a lot of luggage, and you’ll get a grin every time you turn the wheel.

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P90479448_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022
P90479454_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022
P90479457_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022
P90479470_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022
P90479471_highRes_bmw-z4-m40i-09-2022

Reviews BMW Z4

4.4 (1 Reviews)
rate
Maingard
26 Apr 2026, 13:19:10

Responsive car, very high-performing, very agile in corners.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Mercedes SL Class

The Mercedes SL blends timeless elegance with a cheeky sense of occasion, its retractable roof turning any commute into a small celebratory parade. Behind the wheel it behaves like a grown-up sports car that prefers comfort and presence over headline-grabbing bravado, making it a tempting choice for buyers who want to arrive in style.

details
15C1119_012
15C1119_029
15C1119_120
15C1119_004

Reviews Mercedes SL Class

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption
Price
43,500 - 65,300 £
Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Consumption L/100km
6.9 - 8.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
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
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
2
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,510 - 1,640 kg
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Trunk capacity
281 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,864 mm
Width
1,915 mm
Height
-
Height
-
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
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
320 - 500 Nm
Torque
480 - 1,420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
145 - 250 kW
Power kW
280 - 600 kW
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Is the BMW Z4 offered with different drivetrains?

The BMW Z4 is available as Rear-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.