Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 BMW 6 SERIES VS 2014 Mercedes CL-Class Near Scottsdale, AZ

The 6 Series offers an optional Side and Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CL-Class only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 6 Series and the CL-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all wheel drive.

The 6 Series’ corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the CL-Class’ (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 6 Series for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CL-Class.

There are over 12 percent more BMW dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 6 Series’ warranty.

As tested in Car and Driver the M6 is faster than the CL550 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 6 Series Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the CL-Class:

Regenerative brakes improve the 6 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CL-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better stopping power the 6 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CL-Class:

The 6 Series stops shorter than the CL-Class:

For better traction, the M6’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CL-Class (F:265/40R19 & R:295/35R19 vs. F:255/40R19 & R:275/40R19).

The 6 Series’ optional 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CL-Class’ optional 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 6 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CL-Class doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 6 Series is .3 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CL-Class.

The 6 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.8% to 49.2%) than the CL-Class’ (56% to 44%). This gives the 6 Series more stable handling and braking.

The 650i Coupe handles at .94 G’s, while the CL550 4MATIC pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The 650i Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom faster than the CL550 4MATIC (66.8 vs. 66.6 MPH).

The BMW 6 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 650 pounds less than the Mercedes CL-Class.

The 6 Series is 7.8 inches shorter than the CL-Class 550/600, making the 6 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 6 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the CL-Class (16.2 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The 6 Series offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts onto the windshield, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The CL-Class doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Standard BMW Apps for the 6 Series allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations, tagging songs to buy them later, following twitter accounts and other connected activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The CL-Class doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

The 6 Series’ optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CL-Class doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the 6 Series owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 6 Series will cost $2800 to $10915 less than the CL-Class over a five-year period.

The 6 Series will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the 6 Series will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the CL-Class.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 6 Series will be $41591 to $109399 less than for the Mercedes CL-Class.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 6 Series third among midsize premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The CL-Class isn’t in the top three.

The 6 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2005. The CL-Class has never been an “All Star.”

The BMW 6 Series outsold the Mercedes CL-Class by almost 18 to one during the 2013 model year.