It’s difficult to choose between Mercedes-Benz and BMW in terms of dependability and safety. A
With 12 quality and dependability awards from J.D. Power between 2019 and 2021, BMW stands out for its vehicles’ overall dependability. In contrast, Mercedes-Benz only won two accolades for dependability and one for quality throughout the same period. A
In contrast, Mercedes-Benz barely beats BMW in terms of safety ratings. Mercedes-Benz had four vehicles chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as Top Safety Picks in 2021, including three Top Safety Pick+ winners, thanks to the abundance of driver aid equipment that comes standard on most models. Only three of BMW’s Top Safety Picks received the coveted a+a rating in the same year. A
In other words, if top-notch safety technology is important to you, a Mercedes-Benz is a better choice—especially the C-Class, E-Class, and GLE models, which received top IIHS ratings. However, BMW is your friend if you’re searching for a vehicle that will endure the test of time without necessitating numerous costly trips to the repair. A
In This Article...
Mercedes-Benz GLC vs. the BMW X4
Two small SUVs that frequently compete against one another. The X4 received an overall reliability rating of 89 from U.S. News, whereas the GLC received only a 78.
Both vehicles deliver excellent safety ratings and roughly identical levels of technology, albeit the X4 has a blind spot monitor as standard equipment while the GLC requires an additional purchase.
Although their MPG ratings are too close to call and their engines are quite similar, robust, and potent, the GLC-infotainment Class’s system may be more user-friendly.
Reliability
The subject of car reliability, or lack thereof, is always brought up in discussions between BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even other German companies like Audi and Volkswagen.
Every time you bring up German luxury, individuals will share their own horror stories from having a German vehicle. Undoubtedly, there are instances of German automobiles breaking down as soon as they are driven off the lot. The same narrative, however, applies to expensive Japanese or even American automobiles.
In actuality, when you invest in the idea of ultimate luxury, you are asking for difficulties and experimental engineering that hasn’t yet been used in industry. Manufacturers invest unfathomable amounts of time and money in research and development to incorporate the newest technologies into their vehicles.
Luxury automobile manufacturers need to offer innovations and amenities that aren’t available anywhere else in order to compete. Due of this, high-end automakers have begun to heavily use vehicle networking, which has led to a rise in the amount of delicate electronics seen in contemporary vehicles.
Chains with more links in them are more likely to break. It appears as though luxobarges breakdown more frequently and earlier. The advantage is that these ground-breaking innovations gradually filter down into the entry-level models and proliferate among manufacturers.
When you look at reliability ratings, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are right around the industry average, which makes this readily clear. Having said that, BMW has a significant lead over Mercedes-Benz in the 2022 Vehicle Dependability Survey conducted by JD Power.
If you look at a different survey conducted by WhatCar, Mercedes-Benz behind BMW as well. Both brands are roughly comparable to one another. Although the evidence is conflicting, it is reasonable to conclude that both manufacturers deliver comparable reliability.
The unvarnished truth is that if you buy a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW, you should be able to afford the pricey maintenance and sporadic need for repair care. There will be tasks that only experts can complete, and they bill extra for their services.
In the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz and BMW set the standard for dependability. However, as customer expectations for luxury and technology have increased over time, this reputation has become irrelevant.
This is a credible conjecture, but if reliability is what you’re looking, look elsewhere. In the majority of assessments on brand reliability, both manufacturers have trouble earning high marks.
To be the devil’s advocate, it’s important to note that BMW once again outperforms Mercedes in JD Power’s 2022 Customer Service Index (CSI) survey. In the Premium Brand category, Lexus is currently in the top.
We have investigated which German vehicle is the most dependable. Visit our article to learn more.
BMWs: Reliability
BMW can be regarded as one of the top brands that epitomizes automotive luxury, along with Mercedes. However, given BMW’s recent reliability issues, they might not be the best choice for those who enjoy a good laugh. BMW received a poor overall reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5.0 according to a recent RepairPal poll. Their rating falls short of Mercedes’ 3.0 out of 5.0. Even worse, RepairPal’s assessment of 32 other automakers places BMW 30th. In comparison, Mercedes is ranked 27th. Keep in mind that this study evaluated the average score of 345 different BMW models. According to Consumer Reports, the most trustworthy BMW models are the 7-Series, X3, 3-Series, 1-Series, and 5-Series.
Which vehicle is most dependable? BMW or Mercedes?
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.
BMW or Mercedes, which is better?
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.
which is powered better Mercedes or a BMW?
Both automakers create cars with excellent performance and robust components. Both brands are renowned for their dependability.
BMW, however, has an advantage thanks to its more lightweight, smaller engines. You may anticipate a strong yet compact motor in the 3-Series, 4-Series, M series, and X5.
Mercedes would be the best option if you desire great power from a large engine. Please allow us to suggest the CLS-Class sedan to meet your needs.
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.
Which German automaker has the best reputation?
One of the most dependable brands on the international market, Volkswagen is the marquee brand for the Volkswagen Group.
The German government founded Volkswagen in 1937 with the goal of giving the populace a dependable automobile that was inexpensive for the average driver, hence the appellation “people’s vehicle.”
There are a variety of automobiles that VW is recognized for family and young driver favourites like the Golf and Polo through to famous film stars like the Beetle.
The Beetle was so well-liked that it survived in production for decades before finally being stopped in 2018. It was partially created by famed automaker Ferdinand Porsche, who later went on to found his own firm.
Due to their low costs, dependable engineering, roomy interiors, and all the modern amenities that drivers require today, the Golf and Polo continue to be among of the most popular hatchbacks on the market and are steadfast family favorites.
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.
What Mercedes-Benz issue is most prevalent?
The parts that hold an engine to the chassis of a vehicle are known as engine mounts. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit a variety of needs. They always serve the same purpose, which is mounting the engine and reducing vibration. They are frequently constructed of rubber and metal. Rubber absorbs vibrations whereas metal is used to handle the stress and torque generated by the machine. An issue with the engine mounts is typically very obvious because engines vibrate a lot when they are operating normally.
The engine mounts in more recent Mercedes-Benz vehicles are loaded with oil. Unfortunately, around 100,000 miles, these parts are known to malfunction and leak oil. You could feel a lot of vibration in the seat, cabin, and even on the steering wheel when the engine mounts fail.