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Mercedes SL Class vs BMW 4 Series Convertible comparison

Compare performance (816 HP vs 530 HP), boot space and price (112,700 £ vs 52,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes SL Class or BMW 4 Series Convertible?

Mercedes SL Class vs BMW 4 Series Convertible: Key differences

Mercedes SL Class

  • visibly more power
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
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BMW 4 Series Convertible

  • clearly cheaper
  • significantly more efficient
  • marginally lighter
  • markedly more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

SL Class

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

BMW 4 Series Convertible is clearly cheaper – starting at 52,600 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 60,076 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 4 Series Convertible uses 5.2 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mercedes SL Class with 9 L/100km. The difference is about 3.8 L/100km.

4 Series Convertible

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 offers visibly more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 530 HP. That’s roughly 286 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the BMW 4 Series Convertible takes 3.7 s. That’s about 0.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers substantially more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 700 Nm. That’s about 720 Nm more.

SL Class

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Both vehicles offer seating for 4 people.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 4 Series Convertible is marginally lighter – 1,765 kg compared to 1,810 kg. The difference is around 45 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 4 Series Convertible offers markedly more boot space – 385 L compared to 240 L. That’s a difference of about 145 L.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 4 Series Convertible carries moderately more – 420 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 45 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 4 Series Convertible is clearly superior overall 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 £52,600
4 Series Convertible

BMW 4 Series Convertible

  • Engine Type Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 184 - 530 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 5.2 - 10.2 L/100km
Mercedes SL Class
BMW 4 Series Convertible

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

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.

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BMW 4 Series Convertible

The BMW 4 Series Convertible blends coupe-like elegance with open-top drama, its sleek profile and distinctive grille demanding attention whether the roof’s up or down. Behind the wheel it serves up taut handling and a refined ride, making it a rewarding choice for drivers who want sporty character without sacrificing everyday comfort — and yes, it looks spectacular when you drop the top.

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Mercedes SL Class
BMW 4 Series Convertible

Costs and Consumption

Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Price
52,600 - 97,800 £
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.2 - 10.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
12 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
206 - 309 g/km
co2
136 - 231 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Convertible
Seats
4
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Curb weight
1,765 - 2,055 kg
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Trunk capacity
385 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,915 mm
Width
1,852 - 1,887 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
145 - 375 kg
Payload
345 - 420 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
435 - 816 HP
Power HP
184 - 530 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.7 - 8.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
500 - 1,420 Nm
Torque
300 - 700 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
320 - 600 kW
Power kW
135 - 390 kW
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
BMW
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.