2018 BMW M5 vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S | Super Saloons tested | 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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Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.

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[MordFustang]

Guys you are reviewing super saloons, have some passion. This isnt accounting software.

[damienhostey]

These two are the masters at making car reviews boring

[superchargedpetrolhead]

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

[momo_su]

Man this seats in m5 may be the best seats in car industry

[jeromep]

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

[v_alexiadis]

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.

[zippycentral]

I’m impressed. That level of enthusiasm is normally reserved for Toyota Prius reviews.

[chillipompom]

That awkward moment when E-class is more harsh than a BMW 5-series

[okeyezeilo]

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.

[chriswflee]

It's like watching two blokes on rocking chairs talking about Les Miserables....

[Kaisuke]

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

[alf]

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. :)

[danmurphy]

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.

[jasonmesser]

"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?😂

[steventilley]

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!

[sanilaca]

Down to personal preference they are both simply amazing. Amazing to see how technology has evolved over the years. E63S for me though!

[mrkruger]

Closest these two beasts have ever been. I love both but I shall take the M5.

[Zactroller]

i feel like the bmw looks better on the outside but the merc has the better interior

[carfreakkk]

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.

[Christian-fgwe]

That M5 is my newest dream car. Absolutely perfect in every way.