[spielnicht]

Curious from everyone's personal experience (BMW bias aside, please), do you see one being more reliable than the other? I only buy BMWs, my wife only MBs, and from my personal experience, my cars def. end up costing me more in maintenance and repairs during a 5-10 years of ownership.

I realize there are outliers with models within each manufacturer, but curious at general sentiments and experiences between the two.

[ASAP]

Mercedes is currently towards the bottom of the ratings... BMW is towards the top.. at least per consumer reports. I have never owned an MB but i do know their maintenance and repair costs are multiple if something fails.

[Davesrb]

As ASAP stated per the Consumer Reports rankings Mercedes is at the bottom end, while BMW is the best overall.

https://reprints.theygsgroup.com/cr/...WhatBrands.pdf

[///MPhatic]

There is no such thing as BMW reliability.
There is no such thing as Mercedes reliability.

Every model, and year are different, so the reliability of the product depends on the exact product you buy (and how you maintain and drive it).

Overall scores are a joke and will benefit you nothing, unless, of course, you are buying every single car that each manufacturer produces.

[heavyD^2]

Mercedes is struggling badly in reliability. Worse than VAG.

[M2siast]

OP, I hope someone chimes in with the answer to your question. I am curious too.

On that, when you say that your wife's Merc requires less money to keep running for 5-10 years, do you know specifically what you're spending more on with BMW? (maybe brakes and other consumables are more expensive)

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

There is no such thing as BMW reliability.
There is no such thing as Mercedes reliability.

Every model, and year are different, so the reliability of the product depends on the exact product you buy (and how you maintain and drive it).

Overall scores are a joke and will benefit you nothing, unless, of course, you are buying every single car that each manufacturer produces.

lol what

[allinon72]

My unscientific opinion is that BMW has made significant strides in the last 10 or so years in reliability, clearly that was an engineering focus for them. Mercedes seems to have continued down the path of innovation, which viewed through a German lens, necessitates lower reliability and at times over complication.

[chassis]

MB is rubbish, since the past 25 years. 3, possibly 4 failed launches in a row: 167, 223, 232 and 206. 48V system across models a flop. A very long laundry list of fatal engine failures across engine and vehicle models, across many years.

BMW is excellent, from the mid-2000teens until present.

[Housekeeping]

I have both, they are both garbage in terms of reliability but I love both.

[TheBingoBalls]

Not saying BMW is perfect, but their current generation of cars are pretty reliable and have been pretty good since the FXX chassis.

Mercedes on the other hand...

It starts and ends with Mercedes EQ. The constant battery and electrical issues...There might even be something up with the 4 banger in the new C 43.

[chassis]

MB four bangers are a dumpster fire.

Cylinder head failures, cracked pistons and failed wrist pins are just a start of the list of fatal engine problems that occur <100k miles.

Add the 48V system to these rubbish 4-cylinders, as is now being done, and MB has created the worst of all worlds. A failed 48V mild hybrid system on top of a dubious foundation combustion engine.

[xander_g]

My e92 M3 despite being modded, has been the most reliable car I've owned so far and I've owned a few. F10 535 had a few minor warranty items and the G30 m550 so far had only 1.

My friend's amg gt53 is in and out the dealership for various issues ranging from dashboard rattles, reverse camera not working, parking sensors, seat issues, etc.
Another friend with a cls amg53 has had similar issues with electronics, air suspension and other minor issues.

I think the germans made more reliable vehicles in the past but lately bmw has been on an upward trajectory while mb has been steadily in decline.

[Rafichicago]

I have 3 BMW’s and one MB. None are new. Or nearly new. M5 is 2018 and we had it for a year and a half. That thing had no issues. Currently close to 40k miles out of which we have done 8K. My 09 AMG wagon with 6.2 engine had head bolts done preventatively and one air strut replaced over 7 years I’ve owned it. None of those cars is our daily though. We currently daily 06 Z4 3.0SI with N52 And 08 550i with N62 engine. Usual BMW cooling issues other than that 550 needed mechatronics overhaul because of ridiculous Bmw maintenance schedule. We used to have old w124 and w126 Mercedes. Those were tanks. No breakdowns but lots of maintenance. You can always get bad car. New or old. I’ve been driving BMW’s for 20 years now. In my opinion they need maintenance and care to be somewhat reliable. None of them left me stranded on the road. Ever. But I consider myself quite mechanically proficient. Those are not cars for people that consider oil changes tires and brake replacement well maintained car. That if you’d like to keep car long term. Short term get a new one or good extended warranty for a used one than drive for few years and replace.

[Germanauto]

Everybody I know with a Merc has had multiple issues. Not to mention cheap interior materials and mediocre fit/finish. Save for E/S-class and G-wagon they are overrated vehicles in my opinion.

[johnray2547]

Originally Posted by Sy1616

I have both, they are both garbage in terms of reliability but I love both.

[mjr24]

I just sold my AMG GT53, I hated that car. I even took a $15k loss on it just to get rid of it.

I am a BMW person, simple as that. I doubt I’ll ever leave the brand at this point.

The Benz check engine light went on like fucking once a week. It always went off after a day….but they are just SO sensitive. I felt the build quality was crappy compared to BMW (even though it was like $120k new). Sure, the ambient lighting is cool….but overall the car wasn’t on par with BMW offering.

The service experience was bad, too. They basically don’t pay for any oil changes, maintenance, etc. For other stuff, they would basically charge you a diagnostic fee and then refund it if warranty ended up covering it. I just seemed to get generally bad service at Benz dealers and I’ve always gotten generally good service at BMW dealers.

Seems like anyone I know who has had higher end models lately are disappointed….the new S class forum is full of people who have complaints (and many are long time S class buyers).

I drive like 20k-25k miles per year and I don’t know that I’ve ever had 1 issue with any of my BMW’s. I just think Benz is overrated at this point.

[Rafichicago]

They don’t pay for oil changes 🤣🤣🤣
On my gosh!!!
Anyway those cars are getting ultra complicated people want more toys so theees more things to go bad. And while I get it, engine oil leaks in german cars are making me sick to my stomach. Same things leaking on those cars generation after generation. Bmw Mercedes Audis. Why can’t they design engine that’s leak free for longer than typical lease period is beyond me. If I was in a market for executive sedan I would still take an S class over current 7 series anytime of the day. I’d have to be blind to get current 7. Looks are one of the crucial aspects when I choose the vehicle. Although subjective it’s definitely not as polarizing Bmw went from elegant to ostentatious in that case. You can still get bad car from either of them however 48v mild hybrid system sucks in MB. That’s for sure.

[zx10guy]

The included BMW factory maintenance is not free. We end up paying for it in the price of the car. Nothing is free.

As to MB, I wanted to buy the AMG CLA45 but being blown off by the sales guy I was working with pushed me over to BMW.

[Rafichicago]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

The included BMW factory maintenance is not free. We end up paying for it in the price of the car. Nothing is free.

As to MB, I wanted to buy the AMG CLA45 but being blown off by the sales guy I was working with pushed me over to BMW.

I 100% agree that unprofessional cocky sales rep can become deal breaker. Just like the car you can get the bad one from time to time 🤣

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Curious from everyone's personal experience (BMW bias aside, please), do you see one being more reliable than the other? I only buy BMWs, my wife only MBs, and from my personal experience, my cars def. end up costing me more in maintenance and repairs during a 5-10 years of ownership.

I realize there are outliers with models within each manufacturer, but curious at general sentiments and experiences between the two.

At mileage where it matters Mercedes is doing significantly better.

https://www.dashboard-light.com/reports/BMW.html

[Oldgixxer]

Have owned numerous MB AMG's from 2005-20010 and only kept them 2-3yrs before moving into something new. Never had any issues and I drove them hard. Have no firsthand experience with new models although a relative has an E53 and it's been nothing but problem after problem and has to be towed to the dealer almost everytime.

Got our 1st BMW back in '98,my GF (now wife) ordered a new 323i and have had several more leading up til now,all leased new. We never had a single issue that required a trip to the dealer,outside of scheduled maintenance until we got a new M550i in 2020. Total hunk of junk. Within the 1st 500mi it was at the dealer for electrical issues,then drivetrain malfunctions,then more electrical issues etc. In 1.5yrs&only 16k miles on the odo it was at the dealership 13x.

Got rid of that and into an '22 X3MC for me and a '22 430i convertible and have been pretty much problem free.

Personally,I still would never purchase either MB or BMW used&out of warranty but that's just me