BMW 318 vs Mercedes Benz E Class
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | BMW 318 | Mercedes Benz E Class |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 169 | 412 |
| Model years covered | 1984–2001 | 1993–2008 |
| Worst model year | 1995 | 2003 |
| Best model year | 1996 | 1996 |
| Crashes reported | 25 | 14 |
| Fires reported | 2 | 12 |
| Injuries reported | 18 | 8 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Electrical System |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 26.6% | 8.3% |
BMW 318 by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
63
37.3%
Airbags
21
12.4%
Electrical System
19
11.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
11
6.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
10
5.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
7
4.1%
Brakes
6
3.6%
Seat Belts
6
3.6%
Mercedes Benz E Class by year
What breaks
Electrical System
99
24.0%
Suspension
57
13.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
39
9.5%
Engine & Cooling
38
9.2%
Brakes
34
8.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
20
4.9%
Body & Structure
18
4.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17
4.1%