Mercedes vs. BMW: Who is Better and Which One You Should Buy?

When it comes to luxury brands, the top brands that come into mind are Mercedes and BMW. These brands have a long history of embodying luxury and abundance.

However, if you do have the privilege to buy any of these; you might ask yourself who is better and which one should you buy? If this is your case, then you have come to the right page. In this article, you will learn about the distinctive features of Mercedes and BMW to help you decide which one is better and which one you should buy.

However, if you rather want to watch the content, click on the video down below:

The History of Mercedes

Mercedes is also known as Mercedes-Benz. It is a German car brand that is based in Stuttgart, Germany. It is world renowned for its commercial and luxury vehicles.

The history of Mercedes-Benz can be traced back to the creation of the first internal combustion engine in a car by Karl Benz. The project was called the Benz Patent Motorwagen and the money used to finance it was from the dowry of Benz’s wife Bertha. Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler also participated in it.

By 1901, Mercedes automobiles were first marketed by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, also known as DMG. In 1902, it was trademarked by Emil Jellinek and named it after his daughter Mercedes, hence its modern day name.

During the 30s, Mercedes-Benz launched over 770 models which were widely popular during the Nazi period. In fact, Adolf Hitler himself was known to have driven some of these cars during that time. His Mercedes-Benz vehicles, in particular, were equipped with bulletproof windows.

From 1937 onwards, the company started focusing on increasing their military products such as the DB601 and DB600 aero engines and the LG3000 Lorry. By the peak of world war 2, the company stopped producing commercial cars and was focused on making military products. Unfortunately, this period was considered as the grim history of Mercedes-Benz because as they focused on making military products, they took part in force labors, and employed those who were detainees from concentration camps and prisoners of wars.

Fast forward to 1958, the company entered the US market with Studebaker. Over time, they also gradually introduced safety and technological innovations that were widely adopted by other car manufacturers world-wide.

The History of BMW

BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. Just like Mercedes, it is also a German automobile brand. However, aside from producing luxury cars, they also produce motorcycles. Their headquarters is based in Munich, Germany.

BMW started in 1922 but before that, it was named as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG and it was founded in 1916. Their very first product was the BMW Illa which was a straight-six aircraft engine that was designed by Max I.

By the end of World War I, they then started producing farm equipment, motorcycle engines, railway brakes, and household items which were in demand during that period. But, they officially ventured into automobile manufacturing in 1928 when they purchased Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach. The first car sold under the BMW brand was named BMW 3/15.

By 1962, BMW introduced the New Class compact sedans which earned them a reputation as a sport-oriented car manufacturer. During this decade, they also expanded their range by adding luxury sedans and coupes to their fleet.

In 1994, the company was bought by the Rover Group. However, the takeover was far from being a success. As a result, BMW suffered a huge financial loss. By the early 200s, they started selling off most of the Rover brand but they retained the Mini brand.

Notable Features of Mercedes

Now for the fun far, what are the notable features of Mercedes that makes it worth buying? Here are some of it:

Excellent Performance

The Mercedes-Benz fleet is known to have advanced engines which are designed to be efficient and noise reducing. These also have 7 or 9 speed auto transmissions that makes driving much smoother and convenient.

In addition, each vehicle that they have has a wide range of standard and optional features to allow the power and handling to be adapted to the owner’s driving style. There are also variants equipped with technology such as dynamic select, all-wheel drive, and many more.

Innovative Technology

As mentioned in its brief history above, Mercedes-Benz has always been in the forefront of automobile innovation. Throughout the years, they have shown that they are never content with their previous successes which is why they have continually evolved their fleet by incorporating new technologies that can make driving safer and more convenient.

Some of the latest technologies innovated by Mercedes-Benz include anti-locking braking system, car-to-x communication, and car safety. Their new innovation is also evident in their E-Class wherein they have included self-driving and predictive safety features.

Distinctive Styling

Another reason to love Mercedes is because of its distinctive style. Even those who are not car enthusiasts know about the three-pointed star emblem sported by these vehicles. On top of that, the taut contouring, blazing headlights, dramatic air intake, elegant side mirror and other aspects makes it even more eye-catching.

If you want a vehicle that’s a head turner anywhere you go, then a Mercedes is an excellent choice.

Prioritized Safety

Mercedes-Benz is among the safest cars out there. It is built using high-quality materials, making it strong and reliable. As a result, they have consistently received five-star ratings from car safety accrediting bodies such as the IIHS and NHTSA.

Moreover, Mercedes-Benz also incorporates a lot of safety features on their vehicle. This includes the Pre Safe technology. This warns the driver if there is an incoming collision and tightens the seatbelt automatically to secure the passengers.

Other notable safety features that Mercedes cars have are the active blind spot assist and active lane keeping assist. This helps drivers mitigate the potential risks encountered on the road by giving them the necessary information to make the best decision possible at crucial moments.

Extensive Selection

When you think about Mercedes-Benz, you might assume that their selection is only limited to luxury sedans but they are more than that. They have an extensive line of cars that can match the needs and preferences of different drivers.

In addition, Mercedes offers a lot of customization options for their clientele to satisfy their individuality. Whether you want a unique interior or have specific features in mind, it’s more than possible with a Mercedes-Benz.

After Sale Service

Another distinct feature of Mercedes Benz that separates them from other luxury car brands is their exemplary after sale services. The moment that you enter a Mercedes-Benz dealership, you will immediately feel that you are a valued client. They also have after sale specialists who are more than happy to assist you with your inquiries and requests.

If you need repairs or part replacements, you will also notice how convenient and easy it is to work with Mercedes-Benz. Instead of you pressuring them to do a good job, you will easily feel at ease that they will do so because they are always eager to please.

Notable Features of BMW

Now that you are aware about the top features of Mercedes, how about the BMW? Well, here are the top reasons why BMW cars are worth considering:

Leading Innovation

Similar to Mercedes-Benz, BMW has also been a very innovative company since the beginning. This is why they are still able to stay on top despite the rapid changes that’s happening around the world.

The company’s main goal is to produce the best quality vehicle and this dedication is evident when you look at their product line. A good example of how innovative the company is is their use of turbocharged engines. Using these, they are able to give their clients more power and at the same time, maintain fuel efficiency.

BMW’s innovation is also obvious in their BMWi sub brand. This sub brand is more focused on integrating advanced technologies that make cars more efficient and eco-friendly.

Genuine Care for Clients

It’s no secret that manufacturers and dealerships will do everything in their power to sell. However, this is not always a good thing because the sales talk might overshadow what the clients really need.

As a result, BMW introduced the BMW geniuses. These are people who are assigned to dealerships with the main goal of educating potential clients without being salesy. This way, they can fully understand the benefits of the vehicle and assess whether it is indeed a right fit for them.

When BMW introduced the BMW geniuses, a large number of potential clients emerged due to many reasons. However, it was mostly because the brand was showing a desire to make the drivers well-informed so that they won’t regret their decisions later on. Clients also like them because they are the embodiment of BMW’s commitment to providing high-quality customer service.

Efficiency

BMW cars have the EfficientDynamic design feature that makes it more than just a car with a hefty price tag. This system was incorporated in the entire vehicle to make it more fuel efficient. Yes, this includes the aerodynamics, weight of the vehicle, battery, and engine. So, when you are buying a BMW, you are helping the environment somehow.

Investment

Most of the time, cars are not considered as an investment because they lose significant value the moment you take them out from the dealership. However, it isn’t the case for BMW cars.

This is because they are highly sought after in the market thus, their value is maintained for a longer period. Although you will not earn a profit by purchasing it, it does have higher trade-in and resale value compared to other brands.

Easy Maintenance

One of the biggest problems many luxury car owners face is the fact that these cars are difficult to maintain. More often than not, the availability of services and parts are scarce. You might need to ship your car or wait for a long time for parts to arrive when you need servicing or parts replacement.

This is something that you don’t have to worry about BMW because they have designed their after sale services to be more convenient and accessible for their clients. However, it doesn’t mean that because they are making services and parts to be more accessible then they are also more affordable as well. Remember that BMW is made with premium-grade parts so it requires expert service to install them properly.

Who is Better?

In terms of the following categories

Reliability

When it comes to reliability, there is no question that both BMW and Mercedes are reliable brands of German cars and they have proven this over the past century.

In this category, you have to remember that regardless of whatever the brand of the car is, it will eventually show signs of wear and tear after 5 to 8 years. But, since both brands use top-quality materials in their construction, the wear and tear on the vehicles over time can be significantly lower compared to others. But then again, it all depends on how the owner uses and maintains their car.

Safety

It’s no secret that Mercedes and BMW have significantly invested in improving their car safety features. This is why they are being emulated by other manufacturers worldwide. So, when it comes to safety, it can be easily said that both brands can stand side by side with each other.

Performance

When it comes to buying a luxury car, aside from ensuring that it looks good on the outside, it is important to make performance a top priority when choosing. In this aspect, it can be considered as a tie between Mercedes and BMW because both are dedicated in making high-performance vehicles for different types of consumers.

Price

The average cost of Mercedes and BMW cars are between $40,000 to $150,000. However, it is said that Mercedes are generally more expensive than BMWs mostly because they are packed with new technologies.

However, although Mercedes are more expensive upfront than BMW, the latter is more expensive in terms of maintenance and parts. According to a survey among mechanics, a BMW owner can spend around $17,000 for maintenance over the span of 10 years. Mercedes only comes second to BMW in this case with an average cost of $12,000 for 10 years.

This is why, when deciding which car brand to buy, you shouldn’t only consider the acquisition price of the vehicle but also its maintenance over time. This will prevent you from getting shocked from the actual expenses later on

Aside from the maintenance, you should also consider the insurance premium cost. Since both brands are luxury cars, it’s only natural for them to have higher premiums. Again, since BMW parts are a bit more expensive than Mercedes, insuring them is also more expensive because finding parts in case of replacement requires more money on the end of the insurer.

Customer Care

Since both brands sell luxury cars, you can expect luxury treatment when you visit an official dealership. Many say that the experience is highly similar to going to a bespoke tailor or when you are looking for a wedding dress.

Moreover, both brands also offer high-quality after sales services. They do their best to accommodate clients’ requests as long as they are reasonable.

However, BMW’s launching of the BMW geniuses allows them to take a step forward than Mercedes. The move has shown that they are dedicated to educating clients so that they will not commit regrettable mistakes with big purchases such as a car.

Which One You Should Buy?

When asked which one should you buy between a Mercedes and a BMW, there is no one definite answer because it’s a subjective question. It all boils down to your personal preference and needs.

If you prefer a more sporty looking vehicle with more power then a BMW is a good choice for you. However, if you want a classic looking car built to last and stay in trend for a long time, then the Mercedes might be the better choice.

Another thing is that if you don’t mind paying a large sum of money upfront, then go for Mercedes-Benz. This is because BMWs have considerably higher cost for parts and labor because of their exclusivity, making them the more expensive ones in the long run.

Final Words

There is no one-for-all answer when asking the question which one is better and which one should you buy between a Mercedes and BMW. Although both brands embody luxury, they have different vibes. Mercedes has a more classy and sophisticated feel while BMW is more masculine and sporty. But, regardless of whether you are buying a Mercedes or BMW, you are sure to get an attractive car.