BMW 318I vs Mercedes Benz S430
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 318I | Mercedes Benz S430 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 113 | 282 |
| Model years covered | 1984–2003 | 2000–2006 |
| Worst model year | 1994 | 2001 |
| Best model year | 1993 | 2004 |
| Crashes reported | 11 | 7 |
| Fires reported | 4 | 11 |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 3 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Electrical System |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 19.5% | 7.4% |
BMW 318I by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
35
31.0%
Electrical System
17
15.0%
Airbags
11
9.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
9
8.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
7
6.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
7
6.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
6
5.3%
Brakes
5
4.4%
Mercedes Benz S430 by year
What breaks
Electrical System
106
37.6%
Lights
38
13.5%
Suspension
31
11.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
17
6.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14
5.0%
Body & Structure
11
3.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
10
3.5%
Engine & Cooling
7
2.5%