Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2009 Mercedes Benz S-Class VS 2009 BMW 7 Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes S Class have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 7 Series doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes S Class are height adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 7 Series doesn’t offer height adjustable seat belts.

The S Class S600 has standard Brake Assist Plus, which use forward mounted sensors to detect an immediately impending crash and automatically apply the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash. The 7 Series doesn't offer crash-mitigating automatic brakes.

The S550 offers all wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 7 Series doesn’t offer all wheel drive.

Both the S Class and the 7 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The S600’s standard 5.5 turbo V12 produces 110 more horsepower (510 vs. 400) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (612 vs. 450) than the 7 Series’ 4.4 turbo V8. The S63’s standard 6.2 DOHC V8 produces 118 more horsepower (518 vs. 400) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 450) than the 7 Series’ 4.4 turbo V8. The S65’s standard 6.0 turbo V12 produces 204 more horsepower (604 vs. 400) and 288 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 450) than the 7 Series’ 4.4 turbo V8.

The S Class has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the 7 Series (23.8 vs. 21.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the S63/65’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 7 Series:

For better traction, the S Class has larger standard tires than the 7 Series (255/45R18 vs. 245/50R18). The S Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 7 Series (F:255/40R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. 245/50R18).

The S550’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the 7 Series’ standard 50 series tires. The S63/65’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the 7 Series’ 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S63/65 has standard 20 inch wheels. The 7 Series’ largest wheels are only 19 inches.

The front and rear suspension of the S Class uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the 750i, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S Class’ wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the 750i (124.6 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

The S Class has .7 inches more front legroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the 7 Series SWB.

The S Class has a much larger trunk than the 7 Series SWB (16.3 vs. 14 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the S Class to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The 7 Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. It’s standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

A power rear sun shade is standard on the S Class to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. A sunshade costs extra on the 7 Series.

The S Class’ standard air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. An air conditioned front seats costs extra on the 7 Series.