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BMW 328I vs Mercedes-Benz C300: reliability compared

From 2010 to 2016, owners filed an average of 208 complaints per model year about the BMW 328I and 318 about the Mercedes-Benz C300.

Side by side

BMW 328IMercedes-Benz C300
Model years compared2010-20162010-2016
Owner complaints1,4572,229
Complaints per model year208318
Recalls1526
Years to avoid201120102011
Best years201220152016None stand out
Most common problemEngineAirbags
Crash rating5 2015No data
Fuel economy26-27 mpg combined (2016)No data

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2010 BMW 328I: 1552010 Mercedes-Benz C300: 45320102011 BMW 328I: 5802011 Mercedes-Benz C300: 48020112012 BMW 328I: 1302012 Mercedes-Benz C300: 26720122013 BMW 328I: 2582013 Mercedes-Benz C300: 26220132014 BMW 328I: 1522014 Mercedes-Benz C300: 9420142015 BMW 328I: 1252015 Mercedes-Benz C300: 38220152016 BMW 328I: 572016 Mercedes-Benz C300: 2912016
BMW 328IMercedes-Benz C300

Problems compared

328IC300
Engine804262
Electrical382249
Airbags218735
Transmission10273
Fuel system92223
Brakes8071
Body32294
Suspension8258

Questions about the BMW 328I vs Mercedes-Benz C300

Which is more reliable, the BMW 328I or the Mercedes-Benz C300?

Between 2010 and 2016, the BMW 328I has 1 year to avoid and the Mercedes-Benz C300 2. The BMW 328I has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the BMW 328I drew fewer complaints per model year (208 vs 318), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the BMW 328I or the Mercedes-Benz C300?

From 2010 to 2016, the BMW 328I was covered by 15 recalls and the Mercedes-Benz C300 by 26.

What years of the BMW 328I and Mercedes-Benz C300 should you avoid?

BMW 328I: 2011. Mercedes-Benz C300: 2010 and 2011.

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