2013 BMW 328i vs 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2013 BMW 328i
2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Stories from the shop
If I'm picking between these two head-to-head, I'm taking the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Reliability score's a solid 4.5 versus 3.6 on the 2013 BMW 328i, and the complaint counts back it up — 9 versus 286. That's not noise, that's a real gap between rivals built for the same buyer.
If you lean 2013 BMW 328i, know what you're getting into on engine and airbags. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2013 BMW 328i or the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.5 versus 3.6. The margin is clear, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2013 BMW 328i?
Compared to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 2013 BMW 328i sees more reported issues in engine and airbags. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
On the categories we tracked, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2013 BMW 328i. The two are running close.
Which has more recalls?
Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $12,050 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.