A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
BMW 4 Series Coupé vs Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL: the short answer
4 Series Coupé and Mercedes-Maybach SL are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
4 Series Coupé starts ZAR 4,095,500 cheaper4 Series Coupé from ZAR 996,500 · Mercedes-Maybach SL from ZAR 5,092,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Maximum Power
4 Series Coupé285 kW
Mercedes-Maybach SL430 kW
Maximum Torque
4 Series Coupé500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Mercedes-Maybach SL800 Nm
Engine Size
4 Series Coupé2998 cc
Mercedes-Maybach SL3982 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
4 Series Coupé12.5 km/l
Mercedes-Maybach SL7.7 km/l
Ground Clearance
4 Series Coupé140 mm
Mercedes-Maybach SL115 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BMW 4 Series Coupé
M440i xDrive Coupé
Hagalu editorial rating
3.9/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
4 Series Coupé
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
4 Series Coupé
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Model Introduced Year
2020
2026
Generation
G22 two-door BMW 4 Series Coupé with rear-driven regular derivatives and an xDrive M Performance flagship.
Current South African Mercedes-Maybach SL generation represented by derivative SL 680 Maybach
Facelift History
Current updated G22-generation 4 Series Coupé in South African specification; factory equipment varies by derivative.
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Current South African model cycle
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Coupe
Convertible
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Current South African retail range
Segment
Premium Coupé
Luxury convertible
Vehicle Type
Car
Convertible
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Length
4770 mm
4705 mm
Width
1852 mm
1915 mm
Height
1393 mm
1359 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
2900 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
115 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
70 l
Boot/Cargo Space
440 l
213 l
Kerb Weight
1810 kg
2050 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2220 kg
2000 kg
Payload Capacity
485 kg
400 kg
Towing Capacity
1800 kg
2000 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
6.25 m
Front Headroom
992 mm
960 mm
Rear Headroom
944 mm
960 mm
Front Legroom
1037 mm
900 mm
Rear Legroom
897 mm
900 mm
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Engine
BMW turbocharged engine
3982/V8
Engine Code
B48
M177
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
48V Mild Hybrid
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
3982 cc
Cylinders
6
8
Cylinder Layout
Inline
V
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Twin Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
8.6:1
Bore
82.0 mm
83.0 mm
Stroke
94.6 mm
92.0 mm
Maximum Power
285 kW
430 kW
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
800 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
430 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
800 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
48 V integrated starter-generator
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
9-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
260 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.5 sec
4.1 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
15.0 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
0
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
No
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
9G-TRONIC automatic
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
AWD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Permanent AWD transfer system
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Number of Gears
8
9
Transmission Type
Automatic
9G-TRONIC automatic
Clutch Type
Yes
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic with manual shift mode
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
No
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
0
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
0
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
No
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Gearbox Type
Automatic
9G-TRONIC automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
0
Low Range
Not Applicable
0
Axle Layout
Yes
Driven axle configuration: AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Transmission Speeds
8
9
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
7.7 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
7.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
7.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
66 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
0 l
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Yes
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
7.7 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
59
66
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
0
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
0
Range Real World Highway
360 km
0 km
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
0 km
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Airbags
6
7
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
No
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Ventilated disc brakes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and rear
AEB
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Yes
Auto Wipers
Yes
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and rear
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Parking Assist Plus
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Nappa leather
Heated Seats
Yes
Front heated seats
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Standard
64-colour ambient lighting
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Electric adjustment with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electric adjustment with memory
Seat Trim
M Sport Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Climate Control
Standard
Multi-zone automatic climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Yes
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
KEYLESS-GO
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Yes
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Electric Tailgate
Standard
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
AC Type
Standard
Multi-zone automatic climate control
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
MBUX multimedia system
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Yes
Wireless Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
13
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
12.3-inch digital instrument display
USB Ports
2
USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
14.9
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen
14.9
MBUX multimedia system
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
LED Headlamps
Yes
DIGITAL LIGHT / LED headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED daytime running lights
Fog Lamps
Yes
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Roof Rails
Yes
No
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Headlights
Yes
DIGITAL LIGHT / LED headlamps
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
No
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
No
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
275/45 R21
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
21-inch alloy wheels
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792 M Bicolour Jet Black / MT and runflat tyres
21
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Ventilated disc brakes
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
CO2 Emissions
182 g/km
309 g/km
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 Years / 100000 km
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ownership Role
Private and enthusiast
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Price Zar
1497500 ZAR
5092000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
1497500
5500000
Starting Price Zar
1497500
5500000
Spec
4 Series Coupé
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Warranty
Yes
5 Years / 100000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This 4 Series Coupé and Mercedes-Maybach SL comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: 4 Series Coupé 97 vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 100.
Efficiency index: 4 Series Coupé 49 vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 38.
Safety-equipment index: 4 Series Coupé 92 vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 95.
Practicality index: 4 Series Coupé 57 vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 46.
Ownership-cover index: 4 Series Coupé not separately scored vs Mercedes-Maybach SL not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
4 Series Coupé and Mercedes-Maybach SL image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
4 Series Coupé leads by 4 points
4 Series Coupé and Mercedes-Maybach SL are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Mercedes-Maybach SL +3
Efficiency
4 Series Coupé +11
Safety
Mercedes-Maybach SL +3
Practicality
4 Series Coupé +11
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
4 Series Coupé
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
57/100
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
38/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
46/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW 4 Series Coupé
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 72 pts for Mercedes-Maybach SL
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 4 Series Coupé leads. However, Mercedes-Maybach SL may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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