Mercedes vs. BMW | Two German Beauties

There are hundreds of luxury car brands in the world, but two are the most prominent—yes, you guessed it right—BMW and Mercedes. Both are Dutch luxury brands that offer some of the top-class luxury cars money can buy. 

However, these two have been in the rivalry for decades. Both have a cult following and offer a whole different experience. Let’s see which one is better for who:

Performance

If you love to enjoy the road and want to feel the road of an ICE engine, BMWs are the way to go. 

BMW’s performance cars, like the M series and the Coupes, might not be the most luxurious to drive, but they are definitely among the most enjoyable cars that money can buy.

Indeed, BMW also produces some of the class-leading luxuries like the i7 and 7 Series, but they are mostly known for their top-performance M package cars, which no other German luxury sedan can outperform.

Examples are the M5 package and M4, which are some of the world’s fastest stock 4-door sedans that output up to 700 HP on a stock without aftermarket tuning. This is Beamer.

Sure, Mercedes also has some AMGs to compete with the M series, but still, AMGs are tuned towards luxury and comfort. For example, BMWs use carbon fibers in their high-performance M series and plastic door panels, all these things to reduce weight; AMGs will use leather and metals to keep the luxury up-to-the-line. 

Luxury and Comfort

Mercedes is the clear winner in terms of luxury if compared with BMW, keeping in mind that budget is not your issue.

The i7 and 7 Series are certainly some of the true luxury rides, but compared with what Mercedes offers in its top-end models, the Merc takes the lead. Mercedes’s top-end luxury subdivision, Maybach, includes the S580 and S680 and is leaps ahead of the 7 Series and i7, considering you don’t have any budget constraints. 

Merc is just so luxurious to sit in, and the ride is unmatched. If you’re willing to invest the money and take the plunge, Mercedes offers a higher level of performance and luxury compared to BMW. With the Maybach line, Mercedes is the only mainstream luxury brand offering a nearly ultra-luxurious vehicle. For those seeking even more luxury, you’d need to look towards Rolls-Royce or Bentley.

Maintenance and Ease of Use

Take the M series, for example; they are turbo V8s that output up to 700 HPs. On the other hand, Mercedes V8 usually output 300-400 HPs. Now you know why Beamers leak oil and have a good friendship with check engine lights. 

BMWs are often known for issues like water pump failures, gasket leaks, and timing chain problems, and that’s probably not an exhaustive list. Don’t get us wrong, they offer fantastic driving dynamics, but when it comes to reliability and overall quality, BMW doesn’t always deliver the consistency you might expect from the brand.

Mercedes is cheaper to maintain, especially if you find an excellent-condition Mercedes-certified vehicle. Beamers, due to their design, are fragile and can break down. It’s not about the built quality but about the way the Beamers are designed. 

In conclusion, BMW pushes its engines to their limits, while Mercedes stays on the safe side and doesn’t push them to their limits. That’s why Mercedes is more reliable and cheaper to own than BMW.

Trims Comparison

Here’s the table comparison of both car brands.