LAST MAN STANDING: Of The BIG Three Germans, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, WHICH Vehicle Would YOU Expect To Stand The Test Of Time?

Mercedes. They may suffer from niggling issues throughout their life cycle, but I truly feel they are the best-built cars. I see more older Mercedes running wild than probably any other car brand, luxury or not. Mercedes have been in my family for almost 40 years now and they always have an incredible sense of solidity.

The Audi I had for four years ran flawlessly, but there was a plethora of interior squeaks and rattles, and the paint quality was below standard. Though it was a solid car, I always felt a sense of fragility about it. Though Audi uses high quality materials, I always suspected they masked the cost by using less-than quality designs and assembly beneath the surface.

Actually, the problem with the high cost of VW repairs is that they use too many components that were designed with Audi/Porsche in mind first. By contrast, Toyota designs bulletproof components for Toyotas that they use where possible on Lexus vehicles and the result is stellar reliability and durability on unseen parts.

Mercedes used to be a good long term bet, but recent problems with new S-Class should put up a red flag. If you want to avoid big future bills, don't keep any of these past warranty, or after warranty trade for model that has established a better than average reliability and cares extended warranty.

MB

Both BMW and Mercedes will need the insulation of a bigger car company down the road. To that end, both have aligned themselves with large Japanese automakers. BMW made by far the better choice.

Over time, it will be about maintaining volume against the Chinese juggernaut. The beauty of being aligned and/or merged with a larger automaker is the funding of technological advancement.

Mercedes clearly recognized this need 20 years ago when it bought Chrysler and it would not surprise me in the least if when Sergio goes looking for someone to buy FCA that Mercedes buys FCA, keeps Ram, Jeep, and Fiat and kills everything else. Ram, Jeep, and Fiat do not compete with Mercedes, but they would add tremendous volume.

Aligning with Nissan was dumb.Toyota is the the most technologically advanced Japanese automaker. Mazda would have been an infinitely better choice (pun intended) than dopey, flailing Nissan/Renault.

That said, I predict Toyota will come to own BMW and Mercedes will come to own the remnants of FCA and all of Nissan/Renault.

Mercedes will win in the end.

VWAG will be staggered financially for a decade over their criminal activity with dieselgate.

I took a chance and bought a 1998 salvage W140 S500 from the action for a little over $300. Had 196,000 on it and I'm close to 206,000 now. This car runs like you wouldn't believe. The quality and condition of the car for the age and miles is crazy. Willing to bet it's in better shape then most people's vehicles on here that are 2-4 years old. Anyways the solidity and quality of the car seems much higher than any other bmws or audis I have owned. Soft close doors and trunk all work like a charm till this day.

You lost me at salvaged title. That's not a wise move.

I hope the comments are only from those with the experience of driving the wheels of one of the brands in question. Since I have not driven the wheels off anything, I would just be guessing... MB seems to be the favorite here, but then again it matters what year and equipment are on the vehicle that someone is commenting from personal experience on.

My comments come from two sources: (1) behind the scenes dealership knowledge and (2) the experiences of my "grandfathers" who only owned top of the line premium.

I can add more specifics if necessary. Truth is I'm more of a BMW guy but Mercedes seems to be able to go the long run. I have a good friend with an E66 750 which has suffered from all the problems they can have. Tranny failure , timing chain, valley pan leak, you name it. My sisters tranny just went out on her E60 5 series last week and it hasn't hit 100,000 miles yet. I had a 4.8is X5 that had its run of 2-3 grand repairs needed, my mothers cooper S has a constant hick up, not enough time to list that! Mercedes S-class's will give you air suspension troubles but that is expected. Paint , interior and all basic hardware components seem to have a noticiable lead in quality from Benz. Since I'm a BMW guy I can't be called biased on this lol

After having problems with two VWAG cars, one VW the other Audi, I would be hard pressed to bet long term on Audi.

BMWs seem to have a lot of niggling issues but can run well if maintained.

Mercedes seems indestructible but I am not familiar with the ownership experience.

VW/Audi USA not only has a LOT to learn about quality, reliability, and durability, they also have a ways to go with customer satisfaction.

VW is especially antagonistic toward dealers and customers.

Audi isn't as bad, but darned close.

When the customer wants to go over the dealer's head to a higher up, the higher up will argue with the customer and then when the customer leaves less they bash the dealer for letting it get out of hand.

Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, and Kia are much more adept with customers who go over the dealers' heads--often because we have exhausted what we can do for them--and often the higher up helps the customer. In those franchises, if the customer wants to bump up, they are assisted in doing so without any ill effect.

BMW and Mercedes understand taking care of customers and they do.

You have a problem over the pond with VW Audi dealers. They have to fix that, but here we have no such problems and any VAG car is a better bet than the rogue drivers' champion BMW or the fashionistas' MB's. The latter have killed the goose that laid the golden egg by cheapening their offering since the handsome and half handbills cars of the 90's. Always changing and making new niches. Once an MB was almost like having a Bentley, it had an ethos and real glamour. Not any more. Buy an Audi, or even a high spec European Passat - if you can. Lovely car. especially a well specced Alltrack 4x4......