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.
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When considering repairs on particular models, the situation is largely the same.
Repairs for the Audi A3, A4, and A6 are all more expensive than those for comparable Mercedes and BMW vehicles.
The difference between the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4 is the largest, with the Audi A4 costing 39% more. When compared to the BMW 3-Series, which costs 28% less, the news isn’t much better for the Audi A4.
FAQ: BMW Repair Prices
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’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was 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 risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.
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.
Which requires less maintenance: Audi, BMW, or Mercedes?
Mercedes, BMW, and Audi dominate the pre-owned luxury car market, which is still developing, according to IndianBlueBook, the first pricing and analytics platform for the Indian automotive industry. Any premium brand’s value depreciates by 50% in three years, according to the report “Residual Value Analysis of Luxury Car Segment,” making them particularly sought-after in the used car market. The total cost of ownership, which is anticipated to be 60% more than the vehicle’s on-road pricing over three years, is another factor that prospective buyers should take into account.
In the used car market, BMW vehicles are more expensive than Mercedes and Audi. But when compared to its other German rivals, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are 24 to 29 percent less expensive in terms of service costs. According to the data, only 1% of pre-owned luxury car searches conducted online really result in actual sales, even though these searches account for 7% of all searches made overall. This indicates that premium vehicles have a high aspirational value in the used car market.
Sales of new and used luxury cars are anticipated to suffer as a result of the Indian government’s recent decision to demonetize high-value notes, even if this effect is only expected to last a short while. According to the research, certification of luxury vehicles with warranties has also emerged as a key driver for this market.
The BMW 3 Series 320i Prestige, Audi A4 30 TFSI Premium Plus, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 versions’ on-road prices were also compared by IndianBlueBook. Over the total on-road cost, the analyses also included extras like leather upholstery, cruise control, GPS navigation, parking assistance, a sunroof, and iPod compatibility. After this, the C-on-road Class’s pricing (or price after the installation of these items) turned out to be less than the prices of the other two German automakers. This suggests that investing in a used Mercedes-Benz will offer a better deal than either of the other two.
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BMW repairs cost less than Mercedes repairs.
“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.
“It’s intriguing to note, though, exactly how much more expensive Audi is compared to the other two models, particularly between the five and eight-year points.
Perhaps customers entering showrooms across the UK will now pause before selecting a brand to invest in.”
Drivers paid PS182.94 on average for Audi repairs in 2017, 11% less than the PS207.11 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 it is 28% taller than 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.
With an average cost of PS369.92, Audi is also the least expensive for a cambelt replacement, as opposed to Mercedes, which costs PS475.54 and BMW, which costs PS826.22.
“The reason for this price disparity is because BMW and Mercedes frequently employ timing chains rather than cambelts, which are more costly to fix.
However, Preston noted that requests for BMW and Mercedes timing chain repairs were 20 and 100 times, respectively, less frequent than those for Audi cambelt repairs.
Mercedes clutch replacements were estimated on average at PS670.58, while BMW and Audi were PS544.85 and PS578.39, respectively.
The average cost of an Audi gearbox repair is the highest of the three brands; a manual gearbox repair costs PS567.73, an auto gearbox repair costs PS428.68, and a reconditioned gearbox costs PS744.60.
Around the five-year mark, Audi repair prices start to rise; at this point, Audi is around PS75 more expensive than Mercedes and PS25 more expensive than BMW.
Jeremy has worked as a journalist for 30 years, 20 of them in the automotive B2B sector. Before launching the AM website, he spent three years as a writer and news editor for AM’s sister publication, Fleet News. He has served as Bauer B2B’s head of digital for the past five years, assisting in the management of AM’s digital assets as well as those of Fleet News, Commercial Fleet, Rail, and Smart Transport.
Is a Mercedes or a BMW 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 requires more maintenance, Mercedes or BMW?
When searching for a new car, the majority of individuals try to choose a dependable vehicle. Fans of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles should regret that these models have the highest average annual costs over time. Make certain that you have a reliable repair facility on hand before purchasing one of these old cars. You may require it.
Are repairs on BMWs expensive?
This German automaker has grown to become one of the most well-known automobile brands globally since 1916. Due to their extensive appeal, BMW’s range of high-end luxury vehicles is appreciated by everyone from regular drivers to celebrities and even the most well-known spy in the world. In fact, just between January 1 and October 1, 2021, the U.S. experienced 243,613 BMW sales!
BMW offers up to 16 different vehicle designs in total, ranging from the sporty BMW M series to the compact X1 series. BMWs will cost more to maintain and repair than other makes and models because they are luxury cars. BMW owners should budget upwards of $1,000 to $1,700 annually for maintenance and repairs.
Is a pre-owned BMW worth it?
BMW is renowned for producing some of the best driving machines the world has ever seen, yet the majority of mechanics will advise you to steer clear of pre-owned models.
Once upon a time, BMW was a renowned automaker, a premium German brand with a lengthy history and an amazing collection of vehicles crisscrossing the globe. Sadly, though, circumstances are now different for the employees at the Bavarian Motor Works. The brand has been permanently damaged with prior owners and do-it-yourselfers due to an emphasis on producing mass-market automobiles that don’t age well.
August 2021 revision: You’ll be delighted to know that we’ve updated this post and go into more detail about the many issues a Bavarian automobile owner may run into if they decide to purchase a used BMW. This should assist you in making the greatest choice for your upcoming automobile purchase.
The majority of knowledgeable owners and mechanics will advise you to avoid used BMWs, especially those manufactured within the previous 20 years or so. Simply put, they are not worth the money you will undoubtedly have to invest in them. They are expensive to repair, have expensive replacement parts, and require a lot of labor.
They certainly have a cool appearance and a certain charm. But when you force personal checks to pour in at the neighborhood Euro repair shop, that beautiful siren tune will finally hit a string of unfavorable notes. Here are 15 compelling arguments against buying a used BMW.
Long-term reliability of BMW
BMW’s overall reliability outperformed that of high-end rivals including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lincoln, and Acura. the J.D. Power A 2019 study assessed how frequently 3-year-old vehicle owners encountered mechanical issues over the course of a year. In this study, BMW reliability also performed better than average.
Audi or BMW, which is more comfortable?
BMW’s vehicles, which are made to provide the “ultimate driving experience,” frequently outperform Audi in terms of handling. Because of their overall stronger suspension systems that promote a smooth, pleasant ride, Audi vehicles are significantly less agile than BMW vehicles. BMW typically ranks higher for dependability
Do Mercedes need a lot of upkeep?
- Mercedes repairs and maintenance should be budgeted between $600 and $1,200 annually by drivers.
- For Mercedes drivers, an extended warranty can assist reduce ownership costs and out-of-pocket expenses.
Before making the investment in a new E-Class, you might be unsure of what to anticipate in terms of Mercedes maintenance costs. Although the cost of maintenance and repairs for Mercedes vehicles is higher than the industry standard, some Mercedes models have lower ownership expenses.