Higher Maintenance Brand: Mercedes, Audi, or BMW?
So you know you want a German luxury vehicle, but the question is: which of the big three is best?
BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have evolved competitively since their starting roots, with less and less substantial distinctions to differentiate them in terms of performance, comfort, and style. As an auto shop, we think it’s best to consider the long-term value and costs of your car when making a new investment, especially when nearly any car you choose from Mercedes, Audi or BMW will be a luxurious thrill on the road.
Luxury Car Maintenance
Understanding which of the big three German car brands needs the most consistent maintenance is complicated. U.S. drivers already know that sourcing parts and finding expert labor for any import vehicle can be tricky and expensive, which none of the three brands are exempt from. Once you have a trusted auto shop like GT Peace Automotives the question becomes how often will my high-performance vehicle need maintenance?
Factors that Influence Maintenance Costs:
- Driving Style and Habits
- Local Weather and Climate
- Vehicle Age
- Manufacturer’s Instructions
- Automatic vs. Manual Transmissions
- Maintenance History
This includes how often and far you drive if you are driving more miles in the city or on the highway, and how you brake and handle the vehicle along the way.
Cold weather is hard on cars and might require more frequent oil changes to help sluggish engines.
Older vehicles might need some extra care and attention.
Depending on the vehicle make, each manufacturer will provide a recommended maintenance schedule. This might vary based on specific components of each car, whether it’s all-wheel or rear-wheel drive.
Maintenance needs and costs can greatly vary depending on the type of transmission in the vehicle.
If you are looking into a pre-owned import vehicle, the previous maintenance history highly influences how often it will need time at the auto shop.
Routine services don’t differ, but replacements parts do. That’s where Mercedes and BMWs hit the bigger bucks. But when considering longevity and reliability, Audi repair bills tend to grow as their cars age. With all these factors in mind, it’s easy to see where “savings here” and “problems there” can blur the line of most difficult to maintain.