Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury and comfort. Indeed, the Daimler subsidiary is regarded as one of the most luxurious automotive brands in the world, with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence. But what makes its vehicles so expensive? Is it just the luxury features like fancy leather upholstery or massage seats? Or is it the cost of the materials and advanced technology?
Well, we think it’s a bit of a mix of all of these characteristics that make a Mercedes-Benz so pricey. The German giant’s prowess in automotive design, vehicle engineering, cutting-edge technology, superior quality, and safety systems helps it keep such high prices. However, a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean lower service costs. It’s often the opposite, in fact — luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz require frequent maintenance. Luckily, cost-savvy owners can choose to rely on a trusted Mercedes-Benz repair manual to look after their expensive ride and save a bunch in the long run. Indeed, without one, luxury vehicles can quickly become a financial nightmare, incurring hefty charges in repair and maintenance.
But even then, a Mercedes is still a status symbol and remains a dream car brand for millions. So let’s dive in and discuss some of the factors making Mercedes-Benz so darn expensive — and how you can keep ownership-related expenses under control.
Innovation and Technology
Did you know that Mercedes-Benz was the first automaker to equip a mass-production car with an ABS system? Indeed, the 1978 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was the first vehicle to feature a multi-channel anti-lock brake system, which was revolutionary at the time. Furthermore, early Mercedes developments, like equipping passenger cars with ESP (Electronic Stability Control) and multilink suspension systems, changed the automotive industry forever.
Since then, the company hasn’t looked back and continues to lead the automotive world with ground-breaking innovations and continuous technological advancements.
Today, Mercedes-Benz focuses on increasing driver interactivity. Features like the mbrace® bring the internet to your dashboard and let you remotely start the vehicle. Apart from that, the COMAND® system ensures all the functionalities are right at your fingertips with the help of a central controller and massive touchscreen infotainment displays. In addition, Mercedes-Benz models equipped with its MBUX system even let occupants control seat positions, ambient lighting, driving modes, and navigation using voice instructions.
However, all these features come at a cost — every time you buy a Mercedes-Benz product, you are also paying for the cutting-edge technology it offers and the R&D behind it.
Maintenance Costs
As mentioned before, Mercedes-Benz cars are rather costly to maintain. According to RepairPal, the average annual cost to repair a Mercedes is $908, higher than most automobile companies, such as Toyota ($441), Honda ($428), and Ford ($768). Only a few luxury brands like BMW ($968) surpass Mercedes in terms of maintenance expenses.
Even for affordable models like the C350 and E350, you’ll still have to spend around $724-$788 a year. And as you might expect, it’s even worse for top-of-the-line products such as the S-Class. An S550 will cost you at least $1,249, while an S63 AMG will set you back on average $1,581 a year — just to keep it running!
But what makes maintenance so expensive? Well, for a first, every Mercedes-Benz model is fitted with pricey high-quality parts. So, whenever a component malfunctions or wears out, a replacement will often cost you an arm and a leg. And that is without considering the labor rate, which is among the highest at a Mercedes dealership.
Luckily, you can significantly cut those costs by opting for quality aftermarket parts and maintaining your vehicle using a Mercedes auto repair manual. It might seem like a difficult task, but trust me, you’ll find everything you need inside the manual. Although I’m not a professional, I already replaced the engine in my Benz W201 following the step-by-step instructions, clear illustrations, and torque specs. Follow the manual, and you’ll have no issues!
No idea where to find one for your car? Have a look at eManualOnline — their repair manuals are the same used by dealer mechanics and cost less than a single visit at the shop!
World Class Safety
Mercedes-Benz is a leader in safety and always incorporates the latest passenger protection technologies in its vehicles. A notable safety tech is the PRE-SAFE system that anticipates oncoming collision using an array of sensors strategically placed around the car. It then tightens the seatbelts, adjusts the headrests, and closes all windows to minimize the impact.
Mercedes has also developed Attention Assist, helping keep riders awake by triggering alarms and monitoring abnormal steering movements caused by drowsiness.
The company also provides other safety features such as Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Active Stop-and-Go Assist, Exit Warning Function, Adaptive High beam assist, and Night View Assist Plus.
So, of course, all of those these safety features and the superior build quality increase the cost of a Mercedes vehicle. However, no matter how many bells and whistles a car has, there is always room for error. Without regular inspection, no vehicle is perfectly safe. Hence as a responsible owner who prioritizes safety, you should always conduct routine checkups using the instructions in your Mercedes-Benz auto repair manual. It has all the necessary instructions explained in layman’s terms so even novices will understand.
Luxury
Mercedes-Benz’s main marketing agenda has always revolved around luxury and performance. The brand’s cream of the crop — the S-Class — has been redefining opulence since its launch in 1972.
With posh interiors, ambient lighting, supple leather seats with massage function, ample legroom, a fridge to store champagne, OLED screens with haptic touch feedback, and a massive heads-up display with augmented reality, the S-Class is a technological tour de force on wheels.
Even cheaper models get a bit of this premium touch. However, in recent years Mercedes has reduced its prices to capture the entry-level market. Models like the A-Class and B-Class have become quite affordable by deleting some features and, crucially, using cheaper front-wheel-drive platforms. Still, the company seems to be going in the other direction for the next decade, so expect prices to jump significantly.
Last Words
Driving a Mercedes-Benz has been and still is a showcase of wealth and taste. And the legendary German automaker doesn’t need to change that — as long as people spend all that money, there is a business case for expensive cars.
Hence, if you own one, we would say you are lucky and quite privileged — not everyone gets to drive such a nice car. On the other hand, we sure hope you use a Mercedes-Benz shop manual to keep it properly maintained. After all, driving a car that nice sure has its perks, but it also comes with responsibilities!
