Should I Buy A Used BMW Or Mercedes?

The fact that used Mercedes Benz and BMW depreciate significantly more quickly than other vehicles on the market is one of the biggest reasons to purchase one. Although this…

Upkeep and Dependability

There are several things to compare when comparing reliability, including model years and engine types, yet Mercedes-Benz frequently wins out. The fact that more older Mercedes-Benz models may be observed on the road than BMW models indicates that consumers typically agree that Mercedes-Benz used automobiles have higher lifetime. BMWs can be easier to upgrade and maintain at home, but they have the highest maintenance expenditures of the two.

Costs Not Under Warranty

Owning an elite luxury car has the drawback that even if you buy a cheap used model, your actual ownership costs will be high. Purchasing a secondhand Mercedes, especially one that is still under warranty, is a dangerous move because not all potential problems with the vehicle will be covered.

Even riskier is purchasing a Mercedes with an expired warranty because the owner will be responsible for paying for any repairs.

Used Mercedes versus Used BMW

There’s a proverb that goes, “If you want to buy a luxury car, always go German.” Even though there is a lot to say about the saying itself, German automakers deserve some credit for upholding a better standard for their vehicles than rivals. Although there is no shortage of German luxury automobile manufacturers on the market, BMW and Mercedes stand out. Both are renowned for building some of the best cars on the market. But which is superior?

The choice between a used BMW and a used Mercedes is not clear-cut or a binary choice between one or the other. Both luxury brands have built devoted followings throughout the years by appealing to various fan bases. So, the responses you receive will vary based on which of the following you inquire about.

But in this instance, we’re not debating which car is superior. Of course, both of these luxury car manufacturers provide some of the best vehicles available today. Therefore, the issue is not better but rather your needs in terms of the vehicle. One of these cars can be more suitable for you than the other depending on your list of needs. Different people prefer varied things since they have different needs from their autos.

However, one thing these two automakers have in common is their high sticker prices. For anyone, buying a luxury vehicle like a BMW or Mercedes is pretty expensive. Because of this, only a select few people could previously afford these brands. However, it has been much simpler for a far larger number of individuals to buy these luxury automotive brands thanks to the development of the used car market and dealerships.

For many consumers, pre-owned luxury cars have filled the gap between luxury and affordability; the two top-selling automakers in this market sector are Mercedes and BMW. Therefore, before choosing between a used BMW and a used Mercedes, you must carefully consider the facts about each vehicle and be aware of your precise needs.

So, in order to make things as factual as possible, here we compare and contrast the features and benefits of both Mercedes and BMW in order to determine which one would be a better fit for you.

Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW: Safety

Both of the German heavyweights are technological and safety leaders in the automotive industry. In NHTSA safety ratings, BMW and Mercedes consistently earn four or five out of five.

You can count on frontal collision warning with city collision mitigation, rear cross traffic warnings, and Parking Assistant Plus with surround view cameras to be standard in BMWs, such the 3 Series. BMW cars also have hard body shells to protect the drivers and passengers, as well as side impact protection, so owners are not merely kept safe by technology.

In terms of Mercedes, the C-Class vehicles come equipped with technologies like active braking aid, blind spot assist with exit warning help, and a sophisticated tire pressure monitoring system.

With PRE SAFE technology included on every luxury Merc, these vehicles rank among the safest on the road. To make concealed threats more obvious, this also incorporates night view help.

Which is more dependable, a Mercedes or a BMW?

Both BMW and Mercedes are recognized for their high-end, high-performance automobiles; yet, because of the engineering intricacy, should something go wrong, this could result in pricey repair work.

According to the J.D. Power 2021 Vehicle Dependability Study, the most recognizable brands in the world’s 2018 models were evaluated for the number of issues per 100 vehicles. With a score of 108 problems, BMW placed 11th. Mercedes-Benz came in at number 15 with 122.

Are Mercedes and BMW less expensive to maintain?

BMWs are by far the most expensive car manufacturer to repair, claims Your Mechanic. The competition is not even close. With an average maintenance cost of $17,800 over ten years, BMW comes in #1. Mercedes-Benz came in second with an average maintenance cost of $12,900 during a 10-year period. In contrast, the typical Toyota only cost $5,500 to maintain during a 10-year period because they are recognized for requiring less maintenance.

According to Your Mechanic, such high maintenance costs are usual in German premium vehicles. Audi comes in sixth with an average $12,400 maintenance expense over a 10-year period. This is primarily a result of the pricey, high-end parts that these luxury vehicles require. Naturally, it will cost a lot of money to fix those pieces when they break or need maintenance.

However, while being premium vehicles, they also have ongoing problems. For instance, according to Your Mechanic, a BMW is four times more likely to not start than a typical automobile. It was ranked seventh overall as a result. Additionally, the window regulator on the BMW required replacement 18 times more frequently than the window regulator on the ordinary car.

Mercedes or BMW, which is superior?

BMW remains the overall champion when it comes to luxury performance, even if the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is one of the best-performing large luxury sedans on the road right now. Customers should choose a BMW automobile if they want performance and style in one convenient package.

Why do used BMWs cost less than Mercedes-Benzes?

The oversupply of BMWs on the used market is one factor contributing to their low price. Similar to other products, when there is a surplus and a decrease in demand, the price of the commodity falls. If you’ve ever looked at a new BMW, you’ll note that practically every model has excellent lease offers. But what takes place when those vehicles are rented, returned, and then traded in?

BMW lease returns are normally either sold at auction or offered for sale as certified pre-owned vehicles on dealer lots. Additionally, when dealer lots are overflowing with CPO vehicles, it lowers the cost of the vehicles not just for dealerships but also for individual sellers. And whether you’re a dealer or an individual selling a car on the street, you must price the vehicle you’re selling in accordance with the going rates in the market in order to maintain a competitive edge.

What BMW retains its value the best?

The BMW M3 has the highest resale value among all luxury vehicles. IntelliChoice predicts that the renowned performance model of the BMW 3 Series will hold on to 56.5 percent of its original value after five years of ownership.

Despite its unattractive exterior (really, BMW, what were you thinking when you designed that grille? ), the new G80 generation M3 has excellent handling. It will reach 60 mph in Competition mode in 3.5 seconds. The M3 is, however, entirely focused on handling. Compared to previous M3s, the front end is astonishingly grounded, and the dynamic balance is more neutral. It may be the best M3 yet as long as you don’t need to see it; grip and overall performance are excellent.

Is BMW or Audi superior to Mercedes?

Audi frequently beats out rivals if you want to put appearances above everything else. BMW is the best option if you want a joyful, exciting driving experience. Mercedes remains the king of power, safety, and speed.

Which is more durable, Mercedes or BMW?

AM-Online has conducted research and created a number of infographics to show which German brands are the most dependable and affordable to repair. The study compares maintenance requirements for BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz under six years of ownership, after six years, and after twelve years. As a result, this generally illustrates how each automaker’s models are over their whole lives.

Under six years, the cost and dependability of every car is relatively the same. This is due to the fact that the vehicles are relatively new, often have less than 100,000 miles on them, and come with a factory-backed guarantee, meaning that there won’t be many significant problems.

Audi still has the most issues and requires the most money to fix, though. Mercedes is the most dependable and, therefore, the most affordable vehicle, placing BMW in the center. Things start to alter after six years. The cars do have a tendency to break down as they accumulate more kilometers and perhaps more owners.

The least dependable and priciest of the three manufacturers is still Audi, while Mercedes continues to be the market leader and BMW remains in the center. Twelve years later, though, things usually settle down again because the automobiles are so old and most customers choose to ignore minor issues.

But when you get down to the smaller particulars, things get a little messier. It wasn’t as simple to compare different car classes, such as the 1 Series/2 Series class, 3 Series class, and 5 Series class. The brands’ positioning didn’t change, but the expenses to repair various models did. For instance, the less priced models of both BMW and Audi were less expensive to fix, which seems relatively normal. However, Mercedes-more Benz’s expensive models were the cheapest to repair, probably due to their greater build quality and dependability.

Do BMWs lose value more quickly than Mercedes?

The BMW 7 Series is always brought up when discussing depreciating vehicles. That’s because after five years of ownership, it has the dubious distinction of being the first car to break the 70% depreciation threshold.

BMW Series 7 vehicles lose value even more quickly than Mercedes Benz rivals, which is bad news for those who purchased them brand-new and good news for those purchasing used vehicles. A 7-series may be purchased for as little as $28,000, which is a stunning 65 thousand (or 70%) less than the original purchase price.