Which is the Best Brand BMW or Mercedes-Benz?

This matter divides the opinions of drivers around the world with many preferring one or the other. In this article we will take a look at the brands as they are in 2023 and see if we have a clear winner between these automotive power houses.

A Little History on the Brands

We will first start off by giving you a little of the history of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. To understand where they are today it is always good to see where they started out.

About BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, more commonly known as BMW, is a multinational vehicle manufacturer that produces luxury and performance cars as well as motorcycles. Based in Munich, Germany it has a long established history in the automotive world.

Originally named Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik it was founded in 1910 by Gustav Otto but was reorganized six years later into Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG. Finally in 1922 one last name change settled on Bayerische Motoren Werke, the BMW that we know today.

The actual BMW moniker dates back earlier to 1913 when it was used by Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH but in 1922 the engine-production assets were transferred to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke.

It wasn’t always cars with BMW however as their first product was a straight-six aircraft engine called the BMW IIIa which was designed in 1917 and obviously made its way into military fighter planes that saw service during the first world war.

When the military need ran out with the end of the war BMW had to shift focus instead to motorcycles, farm equipment and household items. It wasn’t until 1928 when the company purchased Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach that BMW started to build automobiles. The first car to carry the BMW name was a rebadged Dixi called the BMW 3/15.

Throughout the 1930s the automobile division grew and quickly became well known for sports cars and larger luxury vehicles. The company still built aircraft engines up until World War II, in fact this was the main aspect of their business.

It is often incorrectly believed that the BMW logo depicts a propeller like design in homage to their beginnings in aerospace engines. The truth is that the blue and white sections of the circle represent a heraldic pattern. The company initially wanted to use the Bavarian coat of arms on their logo but for legal reasons they could not. They had to settle for the colors of the Bavarian flag and a nod toward a coat of arms.

About Mercedes-Benz

The brand name Mercedes-Benz conjures up expectations of a high quality expensive automobile, a reputation that was certainly earned. This German based luxury car manufacturer is almost 100 years old and is sold around the world.

Although Mercedes-Benz as a company is close to a century old having been founded in 1926, its roots go back much further. In 1886 Karl Benz patented a design for the first internal combustion engine in a car. The invention of this engine was funded by the dowry that came to Benz through his marriage to Bertha Ringer.

Mercedes was originally a model created by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft in 1901. Daimler’s founder Gottlieb Daimler along with engineer Wilhelm Maybach modified a stagecoach at the same time that Karl Benz was creating his engine. This stagecoach was fitted with a petrol engine.

The Mercedes trademark was registered in 1902 by Emil Jellinek naming the 1901 Mercedes 35 hp after his beloved daughter Mercedes Jellinek. A consummate businessman Jellinek was marketing this new car around Europe and even had some shipped and sold to the U.S. to the likes of the Rockefellers, Astors and Morgans.

It was not until 1926 that the companies of Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler were to merge and the first Mercedes-Benz vehicles were made. One of the more iconic models during the 1930s was the Mercedes-Benz 770 which has the dubious distinction of being popular throughout Nazi Germany.

During the war Mercedes-Benz factories were pressed into work making munitions for the German army. Roughly half of the company's 63,610 workforce were being used as forced labor. The company later would pay $12 million in reparations to the laborers' families.

In 1958 with the war long over the company developed a partnership with Studebaker to sell cars again in the United States. Over the ensuing decades the company has been responsible for a number of major automotive innovations.

Which is Better: BMW or Mercedes-Benz?

When it comes to luxury vehicles BMW and Mercedes-Benz are unquestionably among the top auto manufacturers. They are so similar in many ways with the exception that BMW is perhaps sportier in its outlook while Mercedes-Benz tends to a more safety oriented market.

Below we will pit the two brands against each other in a few choice categories to see who comes out on top in 2023.

Model Variety

When it comes to the range of models these two brands have no shortage of options. They both have multiple SUV or in BMW’s case SAV type vehicles with BMW having 12 models to Mercedes-Benz's 11.

Both brands have plenty of sedan car options as well but Mercedes also offers a wagon in the form of the E-Class wagon while BMW does not have a similar option.

When it comes to convertibles and coupes they both have plenty of options in this category and they both have their own version of a roadster as well.

Those looking for an electric vehicle will find Mercedes-Benz has 4 options to BMW's 3 giving Mercedes a slight edge. Essentially both brands have plenty of models but Mercedes-Benz with its E-Class Wagon offers a little more variety.

Performance

As mentioned both these brands are known for creating reliable performance automobiles although arguably with smaller engines and their premium lineups BMW often comes out on top when it comes to power.

Mercedes has its power too but this comes in a heavier package overall so this would depend on your personal preferences. If you like light and powerful then BMW may be your brand but if you want something sturdier with power then Mercedes-Benz has you covered.

Fuel- Efficiency

This is a simple one to answer because heavy and powerful makes for less fuel efficiency whereas lightweight power is far more economical. As a rule comparable BMW and Mercedes-Benz Models will see better fuel mileage from the BMW.

This is an easy win for BMW.

Safety

Now we flip the script on the weight issues because although the sturdier and heavier Mercedes-Benz models may be less fuel efficient they are more solid and therefore safer. Additionally as a brand Mercedes does focus a lot more on safety than BMW so it is no great stretch to say Mercedes wins in this category.

Interior Design

The two companies both create great interiors but they have very different focuses in this regard. Mercedes really leans heavily into a luxury attractive finish while BMW thinks in a more technical direction. Ergonomics is the buzzword for BMW. They want you to have an easy drive in a user-friendly environment.

Technology

These two companies have built decades of reputation going back and forth as the leading innovators in Germany. They focus hard on new advancements and deliver fantastically well in this regard. Objectively speaking however Mercedes does tend to perform slightly better in this category.

Initial Cost

Sometimes you just have to bottom line it and price can be the deciding factor. Depending on the model you can be spending between $35,000 and $160,000 on a brand new BMW or Mercedes. There is not a huge gulf separating the two brands but generally speaking the sticker price on a Mercedes will be higher than a comparable BMW model.

It is up to your own discretion in this regard that the slightly higher price is borne out by the aspects of Mercedes-Benz over BMW.

Conclusion

It is always hard to pick between BMW and Mercedes-Benz and the battle has been raging for decades. In some years one may have outperformed the other while in others they may have been too close to call.

In general BMW is more sporty, fuel efficient, less expensive and a comfortable drive. Mercedes-Benz has a more conservative outlook, better safety and really leans into luxury interiors. They also have a slightly more varied range than BMW.

In terms of cost BMW wins and when it comes to safety you have to hand that to Mercedes. If you want a wagon type vehicle you also have to go with Mercedes. Ultimately though it will come down to your needs so hopefully we have given you something to think about today to help you choose your German automotive allegiance.

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