Do I go with BMW or Mercedes-Benz?â. The answer to this isnât so black and white on the surface. Over the years, both Mercedes vs BMW have appealed to different fanbases and built up an ardent following. Depending on who you talk to, youâll receive different answers.
Folks always mention that if you want a luxury automobile, always buy German. Itâs an overly succinct answer that leaves people with more questions. However, itâs fair to say that contemporary German cars deserve plaudits for maintaining such a high standard of automotive luxury.
Follow this article to help you decide which car manufacturer best suits you:
BMW VS Mercedes-Benz
When you fork out the premium for a modern German luxury car, youâd have a reasonably high expectation. That said, when you go German, youâre certainly not starved for choices. Given that some of the worldâs biggest car manufacturers are mostly German, thereâs an eclectic range of German cars to peruse from. Visit Driven Wheels to know more about tires, rims, and everything related to tire maintenance.
Nevertheless, when it comes to the topic of German luxury, two marques in particular pop into mind â BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Both of them are archetypal of German quality and are bywords for German luxury and engineering in their own rights.
Regardless, this leaves you pondering to yourself whether to go for the former or the latter. Here is an overview of one of the most enduring automotive rivalries that have helped advance automotive engineering in the past century.
BMW Vs Mercedes Models
BMW vs Mercedes being some of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world both produce a broad range of cars that are developed to appease a diverse range of consumers. In fact, it might be fair to say that thereâs no market that both automakers havenât encroached upon.
In fact, to this date, both BMW vs Mercedes have delved into some properly niche market segments. Most notably of late are their respective ventures into the world of electrification. Both marques have introduced hybrid and full EVs aplenty, as BMW and Mercedes-Benz have already pushed out hybrid variants of their bestsellers ages ago. This proves that both brands willingly progress for the inevitable EV age.
Some of BMWâs strangest, quirkiest creations come from their electric lineup, the i-series of cars. Touting the ethos of sustained mobility, BMWâs all-electric lineup is forward-thinking. When you consider that the original BMW i3 came out all the way back in 2013. This is back when full-EV cars were still in their infancy as the technology and infrastructure, in general, were largely conceptual.
Itâs not all bleak, monotonous electric and hybrids it makes though. BMW also produces the i8, one of the first commercially available small-engine hybrid sportscars. Recently, it has also brought back the 8 Series moniker, in the form of the stupendous new âG14/G15/G16â 8 Series.
Of course, BMW is also an artisan in the classic longitudinal, rear-wheel-drive layout of cars. It has stuck with the concept ever since its inception. Until recently, itâs one of the last manufacturers to produce a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive hatchback â the F20/F21 1 Series. Some argue that the inline-6 1-series is the last great driverâs hatch to be produced in modern times.
Undoubtedly, BMW owns one of the most venerable letters in the world â âMâ. Being BMWâs revered performance division, when the M letter is emblazoned on a BMW you know itâs got to be something spectacular.
Itâs not all about tire-smoking prowess though, as BMW also produces normal front-engine front-wheel-drive cars for the masses. Initially met with vexation from BMW enthusiasts, itâs apparent that the popular 2 Series, X1, and X2s are a necessary step for BMW.
Then thereâs the usual lineup of BMW cars, from the compact executive 3 Series to the full-fat 7 Series luxobarge. Multiple engines are also available for each model, depending on where you live. For the extra-affluent, BMW also has Rolls-Royce for their ultra-luxurious lineup.
On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz is slower to the curve when it comes to full-EVs, but it has recently brought out major developments in the form of EQ mobility. In fact, itâs working towards electrifying all of its cars and propagating mild-hybrid technology throughout its range. It has also recently introduced full-EVs such as the EQC and EQV, with many more Mercedes EQ models in the pipeline.
Over the years, Mercedes has really diversified its range of cars. And letâs not downplay their contribution to the commercial world, as BMW, in contrast, has no commercial vehicle presence at all.
Mercedes-Benz also has its own skunkworks in the form of AMG. Over the years, much like the M-division, AMG has graced the world with some properly manic concoctions, such as the CLK DTM AMG, R129 SL73 AMG, SLS AMG, and the list spans endlessly. Most recently AMGâs efforts have culminated in their magnum opus, the Mercedes-AMG One, an F1-road car hybrid from the madmanâs fantasy.
Mercedesâs normal lineup of cars is encompassing. From the A-Class family hatch all the way to the S-Class luxury saloon. Although recently streamlined, you can still buy multiple variations of a certain model, with availability subject to regional differences. For ultra-luxury, youâd be looking at Mercedes-Maybach models.
Therefore, both companies are rather even when it comes to cars the produce. While Mercedes-Benz makes the X-Class pickup, the news is that itâll be discontinued soon. That said, Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront when it comes to commercial vehicle production, and thatâs really a segment BMW hasnât explored at all.
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Reliability
This is the hot topic whenever thereâs a discussion between BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even other German brands like Audi and Volkswagen â vehicle reliability, or lack thereof.
Whenever you mention German luxury, people will disclose their own tales of woe from owning a German car. Certainly, there are examples of German cars breaking down the moment it leaves the showroom. However, the same story can be told about Japanese or even American luxury cars.
The truth is that when youâre investing in the notion of utmost luxury, you are demanding complications and experimental engineering thatâs not industrially applied yet. Manufacturers dedicate unfathomable time and resources to development to implement the hottest technology available into their cars.
To be competitive in the field of luxury cars, you have to offer novelties and features lacking anywhere else. This has brought luxury manufacturers to widely incorporate vehicle networking which increases the number of sensitive electronics found in a modern car.
More links in the chain mean there are more to fail. It gives the impression that the luxobarges break down more often and sooner. The benefit is that these breakthrough technologies eventually trickle down into the basic models, then become widespread among manufacturers.
This is immediately apparent when you take a look at reliability ratings, where BMW and Mercedes-Benz hover just around the industry average. With that said, in JD Powerâs 2022 Vehicle Dependability Survey, BMW is clearly ahead of Mercedes-Benz .
If you take a look at another survey done by WhatCar, Mercedes-Benz is also behind BMW. Both makes are more or less on par with each other. Itâs inconclusive but fair to say that both manufacturers perform comparably when it comes to reliability.
The honest truth is that if youâre getting into a Mercedes-Benz or BMW, youâre expected to be able to keep up with the hefty maintenance and occasional demand for workshop attention. There will be work that can only be conducted by specialists, and they charge more for their work.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW were the benchmarks for reliability half a century ago. Over time though, consumer demands for higher standards of technology and luxury have rendered this reputation impertinent.
A reasonable conjecture can be understood here then, if youâre after reliability, look elsewhere. Both manufacturers struggle to score favorably in most brand reliability surveys.
Playing devilâs advocate, itâs worth noting that in JD Powerâs 2022 Customer Service Index (CSI) study, BMW beats out Mercedes once again. This is in the Premium Brand segment, with Lexus taking the lead.
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Design And Quality
In terms of design philosophy, both marques adhere to their own ethos. Undoubtedly the overall aesthetics have evolved over the years, but even today we can see the application in modern form. Of course, design ideals change and innovate over the years.
When it comes to BMW, weâve seen the design alter from the original and timeless âSharknoseâ to the modern-day âkidney grilleâ. It represents BMWâs idea of dynamism and constant motion. The positioning is subtly modified for varying models.
However, there are elements that you mightâve not noticed, yet BMW has stuck with for decades. Things like the âHofmeister Kinkâ, a distinctive counter-curve at the C-pillar. All BMWs also have a crease line that courses through the entire side profile and a muscular aft end.
When it comes to Mercedes-Benz though, svelte yet imposing design is the motto. Mercedes-Benz dubs their design language âSensual Purityâ, and it denotes their take on modern luxury. What it essentially means is fewer creases, sharp edges, and abrupt lines, all in the pursuit of veritable elegance.
Mercedes-Benz has always been the one who always proudly displays its badge for all to see. However, one model truly epitomizes their notion â the S-Class. Over the years, the S-Class has always been understated, yet somehow exudes incredible road presence.
Itâs also enticing to see Mercedes-Benz finally experimenting with their âPanamericanaâ grille nowadays. This harkens back to the legendary W194 300 SL, Mercedesâs incredibly successful road racer.
Move onto the interior, and both manufacturers wonât disappoint you with the quality. Fit and finish is the name of the game if one wants to remain on top, and lackluster quality isnât acceptable at this level.
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz present remarkable interior design and material choices. The W222 S-Class, in particular, presented the world with a new take on interior design. Introduced all the way back in 2013, it was one of the first car interiors that really made clever use of its construction and ambient lighting to present a theatre whenever you opened the doors.
And today, weâve seen the design slowly adapted into the new W177 A-Class, and in its segment, in terms of design, there really is nothing quite like it. However, when it comes to quality in this âbudgetâ premium sector, the BMW 1-Series outperforms with a better material application.
Come to the E-Class or S-Class though, Mercedes-Benz is exemplary. Everywhere you touch it feels properly built, and the execution deserves plaudits. Of course, BMWâs interiors are worthy of mention too, but Mercedes is truly outstanding when it comes to vehicle interiors.
Driving
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz proudly don their slogan â âThe Ultimate Driving Machineâ and âThe Best or Nothingâ respectively. Driving pleasure is clearly reigning amongst the top in terms of priority, and their models show.
When it comes to their basic models, I reckon BMW is superior when it comes to the driving experience. BMW has always been the driverâs car, and it has long been said that the ultimate driverâs sports car is the BMW M3. But then the normal 3 and 5-series got so good that some hesitate to recommend the extra cost of an M car.
Recently, Mercedes-Benz has had a bit of an identity crisis. They were the luxurious choice, but the C-Class feels a bit too sporty to be an entry-level S-Class, and itâs intentional. However, come to the normal S-Class or even the E-Class, and itâs still an absolute joy to drive on normal roads. Composed yet suitably potent, if a bit disconnected.
Both manufacturers have it close with their performance-imbued models. Courtesy of their performance subdivision, both of them has presented the world with some truly intriguing creations.
The new AMGs are true rocketships, such as the latest Mercedes-AMG A45 S which is actually faster than the BMW M4 around the NĂŒrburgring. Of course, it boasts a mighty turbocharged inline-4 that puts out over 400 horsepower and nigh 500 Nm of torque.
They also produce some properly rapid cars with their signature 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine thatâs used across the 63 range and GT models. Itâs always giggle-inducing to see the C63 S estate, a 4,000 lbs car that accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds.
With all that said, people will rebuke BMW M-divisionâs excellent rĂ©sumĂ©. Make no mistake, the folks over at M have churned out plenty of excellent cars over the years, and Iâd say that BMW still remains a connoisseur at manufacturing inline-6 engines.
However, BMW still doesnât have a real answer to the Mercedes-AMG GT lineup of cars, with the M8 being more comparable to the S-Class Coupe. But Mercedes-Benz has long forsaken the manual in the AMG models, and the BMW M2 and M4 can still be found with a manual nowadays.
Insurance And Safety
When it comes to the topic of insurance, thereâs no way around it. Both BMW vs Mercedes-Benz performs rather exorbitantly. Car parts for them are expensive, and labor charges are high, insurance companies donât want you to drive one at all, really.
Indeed, across numerous insurance rate comparisons, cars manufactured by BMW vs Mercedes-Benz tend to make the list. Thatâs with all the other supercars and luxury cars. Thereâs really no way around it, if you own a German luxury car, expect to spend a lot to insure it.
If thereâs any consolation, they are also amongst the safest car you can buy. In the latest Euro NCAP rating, Mercedes-Benz models all score admirably in their tests, with some BMW models also taking the top spots. Regardless, theyâre all 5-star Euro NCAP safety ratings.
Both the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and BMW 3 Series are the best in their respective class. The latest 3 Series scores 97% for adult occupancy protection and 87% for child protection and road user protection.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is laudable in how well it performs as a small family car â 96% for adult occupancy safety and 91% for both pedestrian safety and child occupancy protection.
In addition to the deftly thought out design and engineering to make their cars as safe as possible in the event of a collision, both manufacturers also sport copious collision aversion systems.
Mercedes-Benz, in particular, is an early adopter of collision avoidance technology. Their signature PRE-SAFE system was introduced all the way back in 2002 and has evolved over the years. Prevention is the safest option.
Halo Cars
Hereâs a short break from all the serious talk, which company makes the best halo car? Of course, the highest-end BMW and Mercedes-Benz are inaccessible to the majority of the population, but it impacts brand perception to a degree.
Right now though thereâs really nothing terrific from BMW just yet. A few years prior, itâs arguably the i8, a hundred grand worth of brilliantly engineered hybrid mid-engine grand tourer. But nowadays itâs probably the M8, the best sports grand tourer BMW can imagine.
For Mercedes, itâs eminently the AMG GTR, a firebreathing record-setting track monster most famously seen in green, navigating The Green Hell. On the front of the grin factor, the i8 would have trouble topping the AMG GTR.
What if, instead, we take a page out of their history? Both sides have come out with some incredible homologation specials that Iâd imagine anyone would struggle to pick between.
BMW has the 3.0 CSL, the E46 M3, M1, Z8, E30 M3 Evolution II, etc. Right now, they also have the M4 GTS thatâs worthy of note. Mercedes touts the SLR McLaren, CLK DTM AMG, CLK GTR, SLS AMG, 300 SEL 6.3, 190E 2.5-16 Cosworth, SL âPagodaâ, the SL âGullwingâ, and the upcoming Mercedes-AMG Project One.
All very attractive propositions. Itâs very subjective, but Mercedes has indeed introduced more prominent poster children in the past. For me though, I still reckon the 3.0 CSL takes the cake, simply because it boasts an impressive history with a cool look, and itâs not entirely out of the picture that one could own a BMW E9 which still looks like the 3.0 CSL.
Verdict
Finally, hereâs why the comparison makes little sense â BMW vs Mercedes-Benz actually make different types of luxury vehicles. BMW puts more priority on sportiness, while Mercedes stress more on smoothness and refinement.
Both manufacturers have built up their own ardent fanbase over time, with a cult following on both sides. Chances are that itâs the brand and make that actually draws the buyers in, rather than the vehicleâs actual value.
That said if you have the money to spend on either a BMW or Mercedes, itâs very hard to go wrong with any model in their range nowadays. But itâs a general rule of thumb that if you want something sportier, stick to BMW; but if you want something premium and classy, Mercedes-Benz may suit you better.
FAQs
If you still have some lingering questions about BMW vs Mercedes, perhaps our FAQs here might have the answersâŠ
BMW Vs Mercedes Which Is Better
If youâre still asking yourself this after reading through the article, then the best option is for you to test drive both and see what works. The truth is I may prefer either BMW or Mercedes-Benz depending on the model of the car. One thing is for sure though, you wonât be disappointed by whichever car you end up with. As of late, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have really set the bar high for what a basic luxury car should offer and feel.
BMW Vs Mercedes Reliability
Back in the olden days, both Mercedes-Benz and BMW were known as the paragons for well-built, reliable luxury cars. In fact, there are proven cases for both marques. Mobil Oil owns a BMW 325i test mule that constantly runs on a dynamometer without breaking down. Taxi drivers regularly bring old diesel Mercs to over a million miles also. Nowadays though, due to complex electronics and increasing demand from consumers, these are bygone days. However, itâs safe to say that the mechanical bit of the cars, with regular maintenance, ought to be decently reliable.
Which Is More Expensive BMW Or Mercedes-Benz
This is a difficult question to answer, as it heavily depends upon the variant and specs you chose for the car. On average though, Mercedes-Benz models typically come out to be more expensive if comparably specced.
Is Mercedes-Benz The Same As BMW
In some ways, it may be increasingly difficult to differentiate, but really BMW tends to be a bit more on the sporty side. Mercedes-Benz has always put more emphasis on offering luxurious comfort, and other than the âsportâ models, that still applies. In the end, choosing between the two brands will ultimately depend on your own preference. But regardless of what you pick, security is a priority when buying high-end automobiles. To protect these vehicles from theft, Infiniti Tracking provides the best car tracking solutions and car trackers for BMW vs Mercedes.
Mark Taylor BMW all day
Thomas Cheung lol đ
Bmw all day
Mercedes
Always have been and always will be a BMW fan. I think they make the best cars out there. Simple as that.
Mercedes Any day of the week!
Love Mercs
This blog about BMW vs Mercedes â Which Brand Is Better For 2020?
has helped me a lot, is very well written.
Thanks for the comment, Cathey Wingerter!
Weâll always try to keep this article updated to reflect how these brands evolve, and it seems that in some metrics, the tables have turned in 2022, with BMW taking a lead in some regards. Still, itâs a pretty close fight!
Is it an updated article? please tell me as soon as possible.
This article has been updated a few times yes. Why do you ask?
I prefer BMW and always
This is an interesting one. I owned a BMW 3 series and my dad still has his C-Class. My car was more sporty and agile, but his is more luxurious and comfortable. I get the impression that I will almost grow out of BMWs and into Mercs so to speak. And Iâm fine with that, as there are plenty of people who appreciate the choice.
Thanks for the comment, Kwesi Francois!
Aye, thereâs certainly a car for everyone, as they say. My own experiences have also been the same, with more agility and athleticism from the Bimmers, but a touch more comfort and elegance in the Mercs.
I bought a 2019 BMW x3 30i. Test drove a MercedesâŠ.itâs all about the ride and drive. Love my BMW!! Test drive both, youâll go with BMW. So sleek.
mercedes is and will be my favorite, just my opinion, I respect bmw and mercedes both a lot
BMW FOR LIFE
Can anyone tell me ( who is struggling) between the twoâŠhow are Mer. SUV and BMW X5 compared on the maintenance side. I hear that the Mer. SUV cost more to repair?.. Is this true?
Thanks for the comment, Brooke!
Generally speaking, BMWs tend to cost slightly more to repair, maintain, and service compared to Mercedes. However, the differences are marginal, and it depends a lot on what components need repairing, and which dealers or workshops youâre heading to, among others. Itâs safe to say that both would be rather costly to repair if anything goes wrong.
When I owned a Mercedes I had no repairs other than maintenance, I owned it for 10 years
I have the same experience for the same amount of time. I like some BMW products but some of my friends had issues that would linger on. I prefer Mercedes for the luxury but you can still get into sport in an S Class and that is all the power I need. I also have an AMG and have driven quite a few Mercedes and love the simple elegance of them as well!
Mercedes for Life!
I have the same experience for the same amount of time. I like some BMW products but some of my friends had issues that would linger on. I prefer Mercedes for the luxury but you can still get into sport in an S Class and that is all the power I need. I also have an AMG and have driven quite a few Mercedes and love the simple elegance of them as well!
Mercedes for Life!
Have 7 Mercs from 1979 to 2012 E class, S, ML, CLK etc, the best,never would change the brand.
Having been in business for decades, BMW and Mercedes have earned respect for greatness, masterful technical excellence, and consistent dedication to exceptional quality. As a result of their glorious background, both companies have gained a public image for providing a first-class riding pleasure. Their brands are becoming associated with a must-have for every prestige car enthusiast.