VS
At a Glance
Power
535 kW
375 kW
Torque
1000 Nm
750 Nm
Fuel
1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 w
2.1 when hybrid battery charged / 8.0-9.
Towing
2000 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
3.5 s
4.9 s
Engine
4395 cc
2999 cc
Choosing between the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW M5 delivers 535 kW while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class produces 375 kW. On fuel, the M5 returns 1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 when discharged / 3.0 combined l/100km while the S-Class uses 2.1 when hybrid battery charged / 8.0-9.0 when discharged l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R2 782 000 for the M5 and R3 224 101 for the S-Class. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
535 kW
375 kW
Torque
1000 Nm
750 Nm
0-100 kph
3.5 s
4.9 s
Top Speed
305 Km/h
250 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
4395 cc
2999 cc
Engine Layout
V
inline
Cylinders
8
6
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
9
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 w
2.1 when hybrid battery charged / 8.0-9.
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 litre + 18.6 kWh l
67 l
CO2 Emissions
39 when hybrid battery charged / 68 comb
16-23 when hybrid battery charged / 181-
Dimensions
Length
5096 mm
5289 mm
Width
1970-2156 mm
1954-2109 mm
Height
1510 mm
1503 mm
Wheelbase
3006 mm
3216 mm
Ground Clearance
115 mm
—
Kerb Weight
2435 DIN / 2510 EU Kg
2375 DIN / 2450 EU Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5 (opt 4)
Load Volume
466 l
350 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
—
Load Capacity
505 l
620 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7 (opt 9 / opt 11)
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
2
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 hybrid batter
unlimited Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
service interval indicator (max 20000)
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW M5
3 / 4 categories
Performance
M5
Fuel Economy
M5
Value
M5
Practicality
S-Class
Pros & Cons
BMW M5
More powerful engine (535 kW)
Better fuel economy (1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 when discharged / 3.0 combined l/100km)
Lower starting price (R2 782 000)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.5 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (2.1 when hybrid battery charged / 8.0-9.0 when discharged l/100km)
Less power than rival (375 kW vs 535 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the M5 or S-Class?
The M5 uses 1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 when discharged / 3.0 combined l/100km and the S-Class uses 2.1 when hybrid battery charged / 8.0-9.0 when discharged l/100km on the combined cycle. The M5 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the M5 or S-Class?
The M5 produces 535 kW and 1000 Nm of torque while the S-Class delivers 375 kW and 750 Nm of torque. The M5 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the M5 and S-Class?
The M5 starts from R2 782 000 and the S-Class from R3 224 101. The M5 is cheaper by R442 101 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the M5 or S-Class?
The M5 has a braked towing capacity of 2000 Kg and the S-Class can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the M5 or the S-Class?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.