Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW: Luxury Showdown

Mercedes-Benz and BMW are the two most common German cars in Nigeria, and there are significant differences between the two. Have you ever wondered where the term “German machine” came from? It’s impossible to say for sure how it got started, but what we do know is that Mercedes Benz vs BMW is the car rivalry that heavily influenced the saying in Nigeria for only one reason.

Forget which one you prefer; we all have to admit they are both great cars to drive anywhere in the world. Mercedes-Benz vs BMW in Nigeria is with a special emphasis on the differences for people who own both Benz and BMW cars in the country. 

There is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and it was nice to see that the rivalry is healthy. Mercedes-Benz and BMW teamed up, and in late 2020 to felicitate a mutual understanding of this rivalry by consumers. 

Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW: Gas Mileage

Mercedes-Benz builds bigger engines than BMW, so Mercedes’s Benz cars consume more fuel on average than BMW’s. Mercedes-Benz cars have heavier engines, so they consume more fuel than BMW cars.

If you drive a Benz or BMW in the same category, your Benz will cost you about N7,000 in fuel per week more than a BMW. The difference in fuel consumption depends only on the weight of the car. However, Mercedes-Benz has launched many innovations to reduce fuel consumption in cars, such as Bluetec and Blue Efficiency.

Unfortunately, neither the  Mercedes-Benz nor the BMW cars are on the list of the most fuel-efficient cars in Nigeria. But Mercedes-Benz has worked hard to produce a car fully equipped with hybrid-electric vehicle technology.

Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW:  Durability

Both cars have always been made with quality materials, but there is something about the quality of materials in the Mercedes-Benz that makes it better than the BMW. BMW is notorious for using a lot of plastic parts in their cars, which upsets many BMW enthusiasts.

Mercedes-Benz wants to please its customers when it comes to building quality. Mercedes and BMW automobiles are available in Nigeria but the Benz rarely falls apart compared to the BMW. 

Don’t get this wrong. BMW has a quality interior compared to Toyota/Honda, but Mercedes-Benz beats BMW in this area of build quality for the best cars.

Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW: Maintenance 

Both cars are expensive to maintain in Nigeria but easier than both. There are many Mercedes Benz specialists in Nigeria, and these days you would see s Mercedes Benz cars being serviced and repaired by non-professional mechanics as they are friendly, unlike BMW. BMW servicing in Nigeria is very difficult due to the lack of experienced BMW technicians.

BMW is a car that requires the highest level of technical know-how to maintain and repair, which Nigeria lacks. For this reason, we see many abandoned BMW cars in mechanics’ workshops.

So when you think about how easy it is to maintain your car of choice, make sure Mercedes-Benz doesn’t stress you out in Nigeria as BMW does. Remember: The secret to servicing a BMW in Nigeria is finding the right technician for the car.

Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW: Part Availability 

Mercedes-Benz is making more parts available in Nigeria. Parts are not cheap, but they are readily available. However, BMWs are not as common, so they don’t have parts available in Nigeria like Mercedes.

There are dedicated BMW parts dealers in Nigeria, but parts are in such tight demand that they sometimes hoard prices on parts, knowing they will always have to buy them.

The good news is that online shopping has made it possible to buy anything from anywhere in the world. For BMW, you can buy spare parts for your car online whenever you need them. One is better than the other.

Mercedes Benz vs. BMW: Driving Experience 

Driving experience in Nigeria is divided into two parts. There is a comforting side and a performance side.

Because most cars are made to please the driver, Mercedes-Benz beats BMW when it comes to driving comfort. For this reason, Benz has developed a luxury van called the Splinter, dedicated to passenger comfort.

Comfortable leather and interesting infotainment are available in almost every Mercedes-Benz today, but BMW has focused on performance in most of its models. For this reason, it is bold to say that BMW is winning in the speed comparison.

The BMW is the ultimate driving machine, outperforming Mercedes-Benz on the road. When it comes to fast cars in corners, BMW beats Benz. For this reason, BMW is used more often than Benz as a drift car.

Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW: Car Upgrade 

In Nigeria, you can easily upgrade your Mercedes Benz, but it is almost impossible to upgrade your BMW. BMW is not a car that many people like to upgrade. BMW can’t upgrade body kits for older models because they don’t change their appearance significantly from year to year, and they are always different when they finally change their appearance.

You don’t see many BMWs being upgraded, but the Benz is much improved. Upgrade your 2002 G-Wagen to a 2018 model in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The difference between owning a Mercedes- Benz and a BMW in Nigeria is very clear. The question “Which is better, Benz or BMW?” cannot be answered directly. If you’re looking for a car that you want to drive like a sports car, most BMWs are your best bet, but if you’re looking for a show car with all the interior comforts of the world, the Mercedes-Benz is a better option.