Mercedes Benz 190 vs BMW Z3
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 | Mercedes Benz 190 | BMW Z3 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 120 | 299 |
| Model years covered | 1984–1999 | 1996–2003 |
| Worst model year | — | 1997 |
| Best model year | — | 2001 |
| Crashes reported | 18 | 17 |
| Fires reported | 8 | 10 |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 31 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 3 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Airbags |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 37.5% | 20.4% |
Mercedes Benz 190 by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
15
12.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15
12.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14
11.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
13
10.8%
Brakes
12
10.0%
Electrical System
11
9.2%
Airbags
11
9.2%
Suspension
6
5.0%
BMW Z3 by year
What breaks
Airbags
59
19.7%
Seat Belts
35
11.7%
Seats
34
11.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain
27
9.0%
Body & Structure
25
8.4%
Electrical System
18
6.0%
Suspension
18
6.0%
Engine & Cooling
17
5.7%