Three great car manufacturers, but just one potential lease choice.
Tough call to make, right? But if you're in the market for a luxury car, you're most likely going to have to choose between one of these three competing German brands at some point or another. Which makes now as good a time as any to decide between them.
From small hatchback models to large sedans, they each have a lot going for them. All three maintain a high-quality image, and all three pride themselves on the production of efficient vehicles with reliable reputations. But is there any reason to choose one over the other?
Each brand used to be easily distinguishable from the others, but now each one is trying to please just about any luxury driver, meaning their cars are being designed with a less targeted audience in mind. That might be a good marketing strategy, but it can be frustrating if you prefer your vehicle to have a distinct personality.
But although the differences have narrowed in recent years, all three brands have still managed to retain some of their unique qualities so as to appeal to a certain type of customer. Our mission is to help figure out which type you are.
Let's find out!
Comparing the Three
If pure luxury is what you're after, then Mercedes-Benz is probably your cup of tea, whilst a BMW could be a good fit if driver comfort is a priority. Or maybe you'd like something between those two extremes, in which case Audi can give you the best of both worlds with sleek styling and bags of advanced technology.
That's your answer in a nutshell, but if you want to find out a bit more about why that is, and about the history of each brand when it comes to producing luxury cars, then please do read on.
Why Lease Mercedes?
Luxury for the sake of luxury, Mercedes-Benz is the long-standing, old-school king of the luxury vehicle market, which is no surprise given that it's the oldest car company in the world. Did you know that they invented the first petrol-powered automobile way back in the 1880s?(And just for the record, we wouldn't recommend driving that one now).
Mercedes-Benz vehicles once offered a very high level of quality and workmanship not found in the other German brands, but that gap has narrowed significantly. Instead they focus on luxury first and foremost, with Mercedes-Benz interiors revolving around high-quality, pristine materials and some exclusive features (we particularly like the Mercedes S-Class).
They're ideal if you want something that's self-consciously high-class, whilst not as out-of-reach as a Rolls-Royce or a Porsche. Nevertheless, their old-school nature and high asking price definitely makes them the most inaccessible option.
Why Lease BMW?
Founded in 1916, BMW started life by producing railway motors and brakes before turning to cars in 1928. Traditionally tailored towards the up-and-coming driver, BMW vehicles are definitely more in vogue nowadays.
Unlike its Audi and Mercedes rivals, the manufacturer focuses more on driving dynamics and performance – with a splash of luxury thrown in, of course. Their marketing slogan, 'Sheer Driving Pleasure', pretty much sums up the essence of the brand, with BMW aiming to give you the best driving experience possible. As you've probably noticed if you've ever been behind the wheel of one, BMW cars tend to favour driver engagement, with emphasis on the interior cabin space and a top-notch infotainment system.
So if you're looking for ride quality, driving pleasure and performance over sheer luxury for the sake of luxury, then a BMW lease could be the way to go.
Why Lease Audi?
Judging by its popularity, you might think that Audi (originally called 'Auto Union') has been around for a while, but it's actually a fairly new player in the luxury car market. Formed in 1932 as a merger of four companies (hence the four rings in the logo), Audi entered the luxury vehicle scene later than both BMW and Mercedes-Benz, with the first models being released after the brand was acquired by Volkswagen Group in the early 60s.
Sitting somewhere between BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the luxury car range, Audi produces cars with a focus on overall quality rather than driver engagement or luxury. Generally, the brand aims to balance performance with luxury when compared against its two German rivals. All modern Audis offer a good package with excellent performance, Quattro all-wheel-drive, and innovative technology. (Speaking of all-wheel drive, that used to be a defining feature of the brand, but now BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer it as well on most models.)
If there's one area in which Audi models stand out nowadays, it's got to be in the good looks department. A lot of this is obviously down to taste (and you're welcome to disagree), but appearance-wise, Audi vehicles with their sleek body lines tend to be regarded as the best-looking. The iconic TT model springs to mind in that regard.
So if stylish good looks and a nice, balanced drive are high on the priority list, then an Audi might just be your key to the city.
Which Costs the Most to Maintain?
The good news is that MOT, servicing, and brake and exhaust repair costs are roughly the same across all three brands.
The bad news (at least, if you're considering an Audi) is that Audi has the cars with the most expensive repair costs, averaging a cost of £182.94 per quote. Repair costs for the Audi A3, A4 and A6 are all more expensive than for their BMW and Mercedes-Benz equivalents. And the biggest gap comes when you compare the Mercedes-Benz C-Class against the Audi A4 – with the A4 boasting repair costs that are 39% more expensive.
Luckily, it's not all doom and gloom if you're an Audi enthusiast though. Their cars are actually the cheapest when it comes to repair costs for steering and suspension work, as well as for electrical and battery issues. They also work out to be the cheapest for cambelt changes (averaging £369.92), compared to BMW (£826.22) and Mercedes-Benz (£475.54).
Mercedes-Benz was actually the most expensive when it came to clutch replacements, with average repair costs coming in at £670.58 compared to BMW at £544.85 and Audi at £578.39.
So you see, it's not all bad news on the maintenance side for Audi drivers. If you really like the Audi style (and we wouldn't blame you), then it's arguably worth paying a little extra for potential repair costs further down the line.
Summary
We hope that we've given you a clear and succinct run-down of the perks and pitfalls that come with each of the three brands.
Neither of the three can be said to be 'better' in any general overall sense. They've just got different qualities to offer, and despite those qualities becoming vaguer over the years due to each brand becoming more similar and trying to appeal to a wider audience, each one has still managed to preserve something of a distinct character.
As for which of those characters suits you best, the choice is yours!