Mercedes-Benz is more expensive than BMW in nearly every cost category. Mercedes has a higher average transaction price ($75,700 vs $69,924), higher annual insurance costs ($3,625 vs $4,636 depending on source), and higher annual maintenance costs ($900-$1,400 vs $1,000-$1,700)[1][2]. However, BMW has significantly higher 10-year cumulative maintenance costs ($17,800 vs $12,900)[3]. For model-to-model comparisons, both brands are often within $1,000-$2,000 of each other at MSRP[4].
| Brand | Avg. Transaction Price (Oct 2024) | Avg. Transaction Price (Sept 2025) | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz | $75,700[1] | $73,205[5] | -3.3% |
| BMW | $69,924[1] | $68,898[5] | -1.5% |
| Industry Average | $48,724[6] | ~$50,000[1] | +2.6% |
Mercedes-Benz buyers pay approximately $5,800 more on average than BMW buyers[1]. Both brands command significant premiums over the industry average—Mercedes costs 56% more, while BMW costs 43% more than the typical new vehicle[6].
| Segment | BMW Model | BMW MSRP | Mercedes Model | Mercedes MSRP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Sedan | 3 Series | $48,675[4] | C-Class | $49,600[4] | +$925 Mercedes |
| Compact Sedan (entry) | 330i | $45,950[7] | C 300 | $46,950[7] | +$1,000 Mercedes |
| Mid-Size SUV | X5 | $68,000[8] | GLE | $72,000[8] | +$4,000 Mercedes |
| Full-Size Sedan | 7 Series | $93,300 | S-Class | $117,350 | +$24,050 Mercedes |
The price gap widens significantly in higher-end segments, with the Mercedes S-Class commanding a $24,000 premium over the BMW 7 Series[4].
| Source | BMW | Mercedes-Benz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Affairs Auto[2] | $1,000-$1,700/year | $900-$1,400/year | BMW higher |
| WhoCanFixMyCar (UK)[9] | £213/full service | £220/full service | Mercedes higher |
| RepairPal[10] | $968/year | $908/year | BMW higher |
The data shows mixed results depending on the source and region[2]. In the US, BMW tends to have higher annual repair costs ($968 vs $908)[10]. In the UK, Mercedes has slightly higher service costs[9].
| Brand | 10-Year Cost | Cost per Year |
|---|---|---|
| BMW | $17,800[3] | $1,780 |
| Mercedes-Benz | $12,900[3] | $1,290 |
| Audi | $12,400[3] | $1,240 |
| Cadillac | $12,500[3] | $1,250 |
| Toyota (reference) | $5,500[3] | $550 |
BMW has significantly higher long-term maintenance costs—38% more than Mercedes over a 10-year ownership period[3]. This represents an additional $4,900 in maintenance expenses.
For more BMW cost information, see our BMW maintenance cost guide.
| Brand | Avg. Monthly (Full Coverage) | Avg. Annual | vs. National Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | $242[11] | $2,904 | +25% |
| Mercedes-Benz | ~$302[12] | ~$3,625 | +55% |
| National Average | $193[11] | $2,316 | — |
Mercedes-Benz vehicles cost approximately $720 more per year to insure than equivalent BMW models[12]. CarEdge ranks Mercedes-Benz 11th among luxury brands for insurance costs ($3,625 annually) while BMW ranks lower at 14th ($4,636 annually) using different methodology[12].
Most/Least Expensive BMW Models to Insure:
| Model | Avg. Monthly (Full Coverage) |
|---|---|
| M4 (most expensive) | $321[11] |
| X5 | $221[11] |
| 3 Series | $237[11] |
| Z4 (least expensive) | $190[11] |
| Model Class | BMW Residual Value | Mercedes Residual Value | Better Value Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact (3 Series vs C-Class) | 49%[13] | 48%[13] | BMW (+1%) |
| Mid-Size (5 Series vs E-Class) | 43%[13] | 50%[13] | Mercedes (+7%) |
| Full-Size (7 Series vs S-Class) | 38%[13] | 42%[13] | Mercedes (+4%) |
| SUV (X5 vs GLE) | 48%[13] | 38%[13] | BMW (+10%) |
Mercedes generally holds value better for sedans, while BMW SUVs outperform Mercedes SUVs in resale value[13]. The E-Class notably retains 50% of its value after five years, compared to just 43% for the 5 Series[13].
| Year | BMW Value Retained | Mercedes Value Retained |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81%[13] | 82%[13] |
| 3 | 57%[13] | 55%[13] |
| 5 | 45%[13] | 44%[13] |
| 7 | 33%[13] | 36%[13] |
| 10 | 22%[13] | 25%[13] |
Mercedes maintains a slight depreciation advantage in later years, with vehicles retaining 3% more value by year 10[13]. This difference can translate to $2,000-$5,000 on a $60,000 vehicle.
Comparing a BMW 330i vs Mercedes C 300 over 5 years:
| Cost Category | BMW 330i | Mercedes C 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price (MSRP) | $45,950[7] | $46,950[7] |
| 5-Year Depreciation (55%) | -$25,273 | -$25,823 |
| 5-Year Maintenance | ~$8,900[3] | ~$6,450[3] |
| 5-Year Insurance | ~$14,520[11] | ~$18,125[12] |
| Total 5-Year Cost | ~$48,693 | ~$50,398 |
The BMW 330i costs approximately $1,700 less over 5 years of ownership despite similar purchase prices[3][11]. This advantage comes primarily from lower insurance costs, partially offset by higher maintenance expenses.
For more information on Mercedes costs, see our Mercedes maintenance cost guide.
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