BMW 8 Series vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BMW 8 Series
From $294,900
Gran Coupe
Petrol
Petrol
390kW
10.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
440L
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
From $386,500
Convertible
Petrol
Petrol
430kW
13.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
213L
Track the BMW 8 Series & Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The BMW 8 Series starts from $294,900 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class opens at $386,500. That makes the BMW 8 Series the more affordable entry point by $91,600.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $324,390 and $425,150 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW 8 Series by roughly $4,560 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The BMW 8 Series features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW 8 Series stands out with ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class counters with Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 8 Series gets vernasca leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class offers nappa leather.
Drivetrain
The BMW 8 Series uses a Petrol producing 390kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class responds with a Petrol making 430kW and 800Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the clear power advantage at 430kW vs 390kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 8 Series measures 5,082mm long on a 3,023mm wheelbase, 377mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at 4,705mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 8 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 440L in the BMW 8 Series and 213L in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, giving the BMW 8 Series a 227L advantage. The BMW 8 Series seats 4 vs 2.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m to 12.6m
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,050/year for the BMW 8 Series and $3,962/year for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. That is a $912 annual difference in favour of the BMW 8 Series.
Estimated annual total: $3,050 (BMW 8 Series) vs $3,962 (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class). The BMW 8 Series saves you roughly $912 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 8 Series) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 8 Series if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 8 Series takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BMW 8 Series will save you roughly $912 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 8 Series has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
The BMW 8 Series is the cheapest at $294,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class by $91,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 8 Series uses the least fuel at 10.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 8 Series has the largest boot at 440L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class makes the most power at 430kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
