The rivalry between BMW and Mercedes-Benz is timeless and glorious in every possible way. From witty banter about each other on billboards to relay races to improve sales and technology, the fight between two iconic automotive giants is a treat for us all.
But one of the most common and probably difficult questions to answer is the comparison between the two. Which one is better? Who is more prestigious as a brand and worthy as a car manufacturer?
Both corporations are industry leaders in luxury car manufacturing. Both are respected all over the world. Both produce high quality vehicles with excellent performance. Thus, the choice between the two brands is akin to disputes about which is better - an apartment or a private house, watermelon or melon, diesel fuel or gasoline. Depending on who you are talking to, you will get different answers.
In fact, everything is simple. To determine your priorities, you need to objectively consider several factors and then decide which manufacturer is best for you. In this confrontation between BMW and Mercedes-Benz, we evaluate two rivals on ten criteria. Depending on what you are looking for, a winner will be obvious towards the end.
1. Model variety
For a brand to be liked by everyone, it must have products for all occasions. Fortunately, both BMW and Mercedes in 2021 have an extensive lineup of vehicles across many segments, aiming to cater to all of the unique preferences of buyers.
BMW creates luxury limousines, sports cars, hatchbacks, sedans - in its repertoire almost all types of cars, from small city coupes and high-speed convertibles to now fashionable crossovers and SUVs for out-of-town adventure lovers. Most of the products come in series - 3rd, 5th, 7th. Each has a similar competitor in the face of Mercedes. In addition to the standard variants, there are four unique ones - BMW M, I, X and Z4. The opponent has no analogues.
But Mercedes offers more variety. Unlike the "Bavarians", he has an additional set of vehicles - station wagons, trucks, pickups, buses and vans.
2. Performance
Both German companies build both conventional and high-performance models with enviable speed performance and built from durable parts. Reliability is what both brands are known for. Their products have a reputation for being well-engineered, comfortable, safe, innovative and fast.
When it comes to speed, there is no clear winner. When comparing regular models, BMW is generally faster, but when you look at the sporty versions from the M and AMG divisions, they are on par.
However, BMW has the advantage of smaller and lighter powertrains. In the 3 Series, 4 Series, M and X5 lines, you will find powerful, but more compact engines compared to their counterparts from Mercedes.
3. Fuel consumption
BMWs are more economical than Mercedes counterparts - smaller engines help them save fuel, while more massive Mercedes units are more willing to gobble up gasoline. Most cars in Stuttgart will refuel more often.
4. Security
When a person pays big bucks for a luxury car, they want to make sure their safety is their top priority. Fortunately, both German manufacturers supply cars with long lists of protective equipment.
However, experts put Benz first on these criteria. The PRE SAFE system in most models is one of the reasons why they continue to be considered one of the safest. On the other hand, the sturdy BMW body is itself an excellent protection against collisions, including side impacts.
5. Technology
Both Daimler and Bavarian Motor Works use exceptional innovation. This is one of the reasons why they have a higher market share than other luxury brands.
But Mercedes is more competitive in this regard. The use of the MBrace telematics system makes it outstanding. It provides all the possibilities of connectivity, entertainment and security, and allows you to control important systems in the car from the host PC or smartphone. Thanks to it, you can get any necessary information about the car in a matter of seconds.
BMW offers the iDrive system, which allows full control of various functions in the usual way, as well as with voice or gestures. The excellent head-up display is another plus for BMW.
6. Driving experience
BMWs tend to be noticeably lighter than Mercedes-Benz when judging equivalent models. The reason, again, is in the smaller engines. The Bavarians take turns with greater ease, giving the user an unforgettable driving experience. BMW also has excellent manual switches, making them ideal for street racing. If you take turns experiencing the thrill of driving, the same cars from Benz will seem more bulky and wayward.
Even with the base models, BMW excels in driving experience. He has always built "driver cars" and it has long been determined that the best is the BMW M3. But now even the usual representatives of the 3rd and 5th series are so good that they question the rationality of the expensive M-versions.
Standard Mercedes are powerful, but not so dexterous and do not allow the driver to completely merge with the car, feeling almost every meter traveled with his skin. But driving on normal roads will still be an absolute pleasure, especially if you get to the top S-Class.
7. Initial cost
Overall, you can expect to pay anywhere from $ 35,000 to $ 160,000 for a BMW or Mercedes. When comparing similar cars, Mercedes' price list usually turns out to be slightly higher. Budget-minded buyers may find BMW more interesting, although both companies may offer several low-cost entry-level models.
8. Cost of ownership
You will spend a lot of money on the maintenance, insurance and repair of any luxury vehicle. There is no way around this. However, in this case, it all depends on the region where the owner lives.
The cost of services, spare parts, consumables, etc. for both brands is about the same, but the scales fluctuate in one direction or another, depending on which cars prevail in a particular territory. The more common brand there is cheaper in repair work, specialized mechanics can be found on every corner; in spare parts, especially used ones, the choice is richer, and the prices are lower.
Mercedes cars tend to be more expensive because parts are more expensive and harder to come by. On the other hand, BMWs depreciate faster, resulting in more money lost in the long run.
9. Exterior / interior design
Representatives of both teams have excellent stylistics, well-thought-out forms, a lot of unique details. And, of course, distinctive hereditary traits: BMW, for example, for the sake of sportiness moves the cab to the rear, and Mercedes gives the cars a "uniformly regal" look with a long wheelbase and bionic shapes. He calls this "sensual purity." Essentially, this means fewer wrinkles, sharp edges and harsh lines - all in pursuit of true elegance.
Undoubtedly, the overall aesthetics have evolved over the years, but even today we can see echoes of the past in modern models. There are elements that BMW stylists have been stuck with for decades. Among these items are the "Hofmeister bend", the fold line running through the entire side profile and the "muscular" back. And Benz continues to experiment with its Panamericana grille, which goes back to the legendary W194 300 SL, an incredibly successful racing car.
Make your way inside and no manufacturer will disappoint with quality. But there is an obvious difference in the interiors of the two giant brands. Mercedes saloons are incredibly luxurious and comfortable, with elegant leather seats, chrome and wood inlays. Everything inside, including accessories, is made in a pompous lush style. The lion's share of attention is paid to the comfort of passengers.
BMW, on the other hand, gravitates more towards ergonomics, especially in terms of the arrangement of the driver. Take a look at the 3 Series as an example, where everything on the center console is tilted towards the pilot. This feature makes it easier to control all systems while driving. Nevertheless, the Bavarians have a lot to offer for connoisseurs of luxury too - the 7 Series, for example, known for its sophisticated, elite décor.
10. Target audience
Both companies have worked hard for decades to expand their target market. But little has changed: stereotypes are an addictive thing. BMW is still more appealing to gambling youth hungry for trendy style and performance, Mercedes tends to do well with older generations (although, say, the A-Class launched in 2013 is aimed primarily at younger customers).
Both producers have built up their own passionate fan base over time. Most likely, it is the brand and manufacturer that attracts buyers, and not the real characteristics of the cars. But there is a general rule of thumb: if you want fierce and sporty, choose a BMW, something more respectable - Mercedes-Benz.
In addition to Mercedes and BMWs, models of another German manufacturer are also in demand - Audi, rare cars which amazes motorists in many countries.