Analyzing the data reveals that, when it comes to maintenance expenditures over the first 10 years of a car’s life, both BMWs and Audis are among the most expensive vehicles to keep on the road. The questionable honor of being at the very top of the list belongs to BMWs, nevertheless. This is unexpected considering that every new BMW includes free planned maintenance, including free oil and filter changes, for the first three years or 36,000 miles. The cost of an Audi vehicle does not include free maintenance. Nevertheless, the average BMW costs its owner $17,800 in maintenance in the first 10 years of ownership, more than any other brand. This is especially important for customers who are looking at used and certified pre-owned cars. Although better, Audi’s numbers are still quite dismal. The average Audi owner spends $12,400 on maintenance during the first ten years of ownership. Only Volvo, Cadillac, Mercedes, and BMW vehicles have higher maintenance costs. Not only do these costs cover the cost of the parts, but also the labor involved in providing the service. A substantial but constrained warranty is likewise standard equipment on every new BMW and Audi. A car warranty is provided for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, on every BMW and Audi. Some of the world’s best and most captivating automobiles and SUVs are produced by Audi and BMW. Cross-brand shopping between the two companies is advised. But avoid only online shopping. Take a test drive at the showroom. Take control of these incredible vehicles. Experience the engine’s pull. Play with the infotainment system, the leather, and other features. In the end, you’re buying a luxury car because you want one rather than because you have to. Forget the animosity between BMW and Audi. Purchase the vehicle that captures your attention and thrills your spirit. The greatest one for you and your family will be this one.
Share this narrative:
In This Article...
Audi or BMW, which is more dependable?
Which Luxury Car Brand Has a Better Reputation? Although both BMW and Audi are very dependable companies, Audi ultimately wins due to its extended warranty coverage and added safety measures.
Does Audi require less upkeep than BMW?
“Since the automobiles are still pretty new and don’t require much maintenance, it’s not unexpected that there are fewer quotes within the first five years.
“The price difference between Audi and the other two brands is noteworthy to note, especially between the fifth and eighth years.
Perhaps customers entering dealerships across the UK will now pause before selecting a brand to invest in.
Drivers paid an average of 182.94 for Audi repairs in 2017, 11% less than the 207.11 quoted in 2016.
The C-Class and A4 have the most discrepancy in repair prices between the manufacturers’ corresponding vehicles.
Repair costs for the A4 are 39% greater than those for the C-Class and 28% higher than those for the BMW 3-Series.
In contrast to Mercedes, which is the most expensive of the three manufacturers for this kind of maintenance, Audi is the least expensive for steering and suspension, electrical, and battery repairs.
The average cost of a cambelt change on an Audi is likewise the lowest at $369.92, compared to charges on Mercedes and BMW of $475.54 and $826.22, respectively.
“The reason for this price disparity is because BMW and Mercedes frequently employ timing chains rather than cambelts, which are more costly to fix.
“Preston noted that while Audi cambelt repairs receive 20 times and 100 times more requests than BMW and Mercedes timing chain repairs, respectively.
Mercedes clutch replacements were quoted on average at $670.58, while BMW and Audi were quoted at $544.85 and $578.39, respectively.
The average cost of an Audi gearbox repair is the highest of the three brands; a manual gearbox repair costs $567.73, an auto gearbox repair costs $428.68, and a reconditioned gearbox costs $744.60.
Around the five-year mark, Audi repair prices start to grow; at this time, they are around 75 more expensive than Mercedes and 25 more expensive than BMW.
Which requires less upkeep: an Audi or a BMW?
This is crucial since the less frequently you need to spend for maintenance, the more reliable the car is. This does not totally eliminate the possibility of repair or the requirement for routine maintenance. Consumer Reports claims that Audi is a more dependable brand than BMW.
Which German automaker is the most dependable?
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.”
Volkswagen is known for a wide range of vehicles, from beloved family and young driver favorites like the Golf and Polo to legendary movie 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.
Do Audis cost a lot to maintain?
Additionally, CARCHEX contracts have affordable prices. The terms for bumper-to-bumper protection on a 2017 Honda CR-V with 45,000 kilometers are as follows:
FAQ: Audi Maintenance Cost
Audis are expensive to maintain as vehicles. The average annual cost of an Audi repair, according to RepairPal, is $987. This is significantly more than the $652 average across all brands. Because Audis are luxury automobiles and employ pricey speciality parts, their routine maintenance expenses are also probably a little more than those of most other types.
If maintained properly, almost any car, even an Audi, may last for many years. Audi owners claim to have kept their cars for up to 150,000 miles.
Audi automobiles do not include maintenance for nothing. Customers can, however, purchase Audi prepaid maintenance contracts. Some Audi dealers might provide free vehicle maintenance protection.
Are BMW repairs expensive?
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 Audi requires the least maintenance?
The idea that more expensive cars will be less dependable because of their sophisticated features is a widespread one. However, certain models have considerably lower maintenance costs. One of the most well-liked high-end vehicles on the market, for instance, is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Mercedes-Benz has long been regarded as one of the most dependable automakers and designers.
Another popular option among car aficionados is the BMW 3-series. This vehicle offers the good handling, comfort, and utility that modern drivers need. A high level of reliability is provided by the most recent 3-series models. These include gasoline- or diesel-powered sedans and wagons as well as hybrid vehicles. If you are knowledgeable about buying a secondhand BMW, an older 3-series car can also be an excellent option.
With all-wheel drive and turbocharged engines, two features that are typically prone to technical problems, the Audi A4 is a small, dependable model. However, reliability ratings for the Audi indicate that it may be among the least expensive cars to repair. Audi components and service can be less expensive than those for other high-end German cars.
Why are oil changes for an Audi so expensive?
These varying prices for an Audi oil change can often be attributed to three things:
The price of the oil filter varies, much like the price of the oil itself, and it is typically advised to change it whenever you change your oil.
Most modern Audis require specialized synthetic oil, which typically costs more than standard motor oil.
Depending on the quality and level of performance of the oil, the actual pricing will change.
Visiting your local Audi service center for an oil change will provide you access to specialized knowledge and genuine parts, but you may expect to pay more than you would at a regular car repair shop.
You should also keep in mind that the price of an oil change for your Audi is divided into two parts: the cost of the actual parts and the cost of the labor. For instance, the average cost of the parts and labor for changing the oil in an Audi Q5 are $71 and $75, respectively.
However, you’ll discover that labor costs vary depending on your region, the service location, and the state of the market, but the cost of parts is typically more consistent.
Are oil changes more expensive for an Audi?
Since most mass-market vehicles only cost between $35 and $75 for an oil change, Audi will always have higher maintenance expenditures than the average vehicle on the road.
This is primarily due to the fact that Audi is a luxury vehicle, comparable to a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, and as a result, needs more expensive oil and specific filters. It costs more to maintain an Audi in top shape, but doing so will allow you keep driving it for many years to come.
Which vehicles have the highest maintenance costs?
The car brands that demand large sums of money for yearly maintenance are the most expensive to maintain. For instance, the following chart estimates how much a vehicle owner will spend on overall maintenance over the course of ten years.
These are the car brands whose long-term maintenance costs are the highest, according to data by YourMechanic:
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Cadillac
- Volvo
- Audi
- Saturn
- Mercury
- Pontiac
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Acura
- Infiniti
- Ford
- Kia
- Rover, Land
- Chevrolet
- Buick
- Jeep
- Subaru
- Hyundai
Volkswagen, Nissan, Mazda, and Mitsubishi are listed after these brands, and Toyota is listed at the bottom of the list in position 30.
Which high-end car retains its worth the best?
Best Luxury Car Brands for Resale Value in 2021
- Audi: Retained Value of 45.7%.
- Retained Value of 46.9% for Land Rover.
- Volvo has a retained value of 47.2%.
- Mercedes-Benz: Retained Value of 47.2%.
- 53.2 percent Retained Value for Lexus.
- Porsche has a retained value of 58.0 percent.
Why does BMW servicing cost so much?
These extra miles of coverage could save your life and provide you many years of enjoyment from your BMW. If you choose factory extended coverage, you must get a policy before the 4-year/50,000-mile time frame expires. However, you can nearly always add coverage with third-party carriers.
When you have a third-party plan, you are not compelled to visit the dealer, but many businesses will allow you to if you so choose. That means you can still have your car serviced by mechanics who are certified by BMW.
A variety of coverage choices, ranging from fundamental powertrain security to more comprehensive insurance, are offered by companies including Endurance, CARCHEX, and Protect My Car. The greatest benefit of using third-party providers is that you may obtain free quotations online without having to visit a dealership.
Below, you can compare the best BMW extended warranty plans to help you cut your car ownership expenses.
FAQ: BMW Maintenance Costs
Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It is not just a vehicle for getting people from point A to point B; it is designed for driving aficionados. A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery may degrade early since the automobile won’t “know how to charge the battery.”
Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.
Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.
A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.