BMW's Luxury Features Mercedes and BMW are both known for their luxury features, but if you're looking for the car with the most to offer, BMW pulls ahead. Luxury is all in the details, and popular models from BMW, like the M8, include luxury features that elevate your driving experience.
Winner: BMW
As a brand, BMW averages 82.8 and the only vehicles without a score are the EVs and Z4. Mercedes-Benz has reliability scores for just seven out of its 17 models. Those models earn an average score of 78 with the E-Class earning an 81 and the GLA and GLE earning a score of 80.
Mercedes-Benz is the clear winner when it comes to resale values,” he explains. The total vehicle parc was used in this exercise. “We didn't limit our analysis to certain models or certain body types. We compared our entire Mercedes-Benz database to our entire BMW database and our entire Audi database,” he explains.
If pure luxury is what you're after, then Mercedes-Benz is probably your cup of tea, whilst a BMW could be a good fit if driver comfort is a priority. Or maybe you'd like something between those two extremes, in which case Audi can give you the best of both worlds with sleek styling and bags of advanced technology.
BMW secured first place in Consumer Reports' 2023 Auto Brand Report Card Rankings, surpassing Subaru, a brand that occupied the number one spot last year.
Branded as the Ultimate Driving Machine, BMW is often lauded as a favorite luxury brand on the American market for its posh styling and reputation as a status symbol.
Mercedes-Benz cars tend to have larger engines than their BMW counterparts. The average Mercedes-Benz C-class can reach up to 225 km/h and goes from 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. While you may get more power and top speed from a Mercedes, expect to pay slightly more for gas.
Fans of a classy interior will love the sleek, subtle luxury the BMW offers to drivers. However, it's not as modern as the Audi is inside. If you want to keep up with infotainment, Audi is the luxury brand for you.
BMW topped the charts. The world's three biggest luxury car brands – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – had similar results in 2022, recording small drops in deliveries but big growth from electric vehicles.
BMW VS Mercedes-Benz: Reliability
BMW came 11th with a score of 108 issues. Mercedes-Benz ranked 15th with 122. So it's very close, but BMW looks to fare best of the two for reliability.
Mercedes-Benz came in at $817 for the average annual cost of a 10-year-old car. Audi owners reported $840 as the average yearly cost. BMW came in at the highest amount at $911 in out-of-pocket expenses.
BMW 7 Series
BMW's flagship model, the BMW 7 Series, takes the top spot for the fastest depreciating cars with a five-year average of 72.6%.
They manufacture vehicles that are both reliable and stylish. It is one of the more recognized car brands in the world. Many people enjoy owning a brand that has been recognized by others as being strong and powerful. A BMW's style often helps people feel confident when they drive their vehicle.
Therefore, you might choose any of the three if you want a cosy, comfortable journey. 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.
The nickname “Beamer” comes from Great Britain – and originally served to distinguish it from a British manufacturer* whose motorcycles bore the nickname “Beezer”. But BMW motorcycles also achieved great success on the British racing scene, including the “Isle of Man TT Races”.
While other brands like Mercedes-Benz embraced a single-minded focus on comfort or ride quality, BMW established itself in the luxury market by creating vehicles that seamlessly combine the best of performance with practical, everyday drivability.
The most popular BMW builds cars include the X series SUV, the M series sports car, and the I series electric car. When it comes to performance, Porsche is typically considered the better brand. However, BMW offers a wide range of models to choose from, so you can find one that fits your needs.
Let's rip off the Band-Aid. On average, BMW owners can expect to pay between $150 to $400 per service every 10,000 miles. A major service can cost $1,000 to $3,000 or more. At the end of the day, owners pay about $1,000 to $1,700 per year for maintenance and repairs – this is higher than most brands.
That being said, some recent studies show that BMW models can last up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles, with an average lifespan of at least 15 years. On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz vehicles tend to last up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles with an average lifespan of over 10 years.
The design aspect of Mercedes Benz is among the leading factors that make it among the best high-end vehicles in the market. It has a long history of making cars that are highly functional and visually stunning. The elegant and timeless design sets Mercedes Benz cars apart from other luxury car manufacturers.
“BMW builds many high-performing, full-featured, and reliable models, so it's not surprising to see it at the top of our brand rankings,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports.
The average household income of a new BMW 7-Series buyer is $184,170. On the other hand, the popular BMW 2022 3-Series has a starting MSRP of $41,450 for the 330i. The average household income of a new BMW 3-Series owner is $116,550. Note that these are nationwide averages.