BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Figures updated
The BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are two of the UK's most popular executive cars. We compare the 3 Series G20 (2019–) and the W214 (2023–) E-Class on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 684,366 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the BMW 3 Series for the lower price, lower fuel costs and more performance, or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class for the bigger boot.
- The BMW 3 Series is the cheapest to buy new: from £41,945, £15,225 less than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
- The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the biggest boot: 540 litres, 60 more than the BMW 3 Series.
- Their MOT records are close: once age and mileage are taken into account, they fail about as often as each other.
- The BMW 3 Series is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £310 a year less than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the wheels on a BMW 3 Series: it fails on them 2.3 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the wheels on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class: it fails on them 2.9 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | BMW 3 Series3 Series G20 (2019–), 4-door saloon | Mercedes-Benz E-ClassW214 (2023–), 4-door saloon |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £41,945 to £66,475July 2026 price list (best) | £57,170 to £88,520June 2026 price list |
| Body | 4-door saloon | 4-door saloon |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 480 litres | 540 litres (best) |
| Length | 4,709mm | 4,949mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,827mm | 1,904mm |
| Height | 1,435mm | 1,468mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 150–374 PS (best) | 197–313 PS |
| 0–62mph | 4.4–8.4 sec (best) | 6.4–7.6 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2019) | ★★★★★ (2024) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 32.8–42.1 mpg | 23.3–60.1 mpg |
| CO2 | 19–182 g/km | 11–276 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,453 (40.3 mpg) (best) | £1,763 (33.2 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £1,412 (47.9 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,453 (petrol) | £1,412 (diesel) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 134Well above average | 133Well above average |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 24.5% | 22.5% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 14.0% | 13.3% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 13.4% (best) | 14.7% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 24.8% | 25.1% |
| Most common MOT fault | Tread depth (2.8% of tests) | Tread depth (2.7% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Wheels (2.3×) | Wheels (2.9×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 453,392 | 230,974 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Executive car | Executive car |
| Owners' average miles a year | 9,700 | 10,600 |
| On sale | 2019 on | 2023 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class more reliable?
There's little in it. Once age and mileage are taken into account, both fail their MOT about as often as each other (reliability scores 134 and 133, where 100 is average).
›Which is bigger, the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 240mm longer (4,949mm against 4,709mm). The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the bigger boot: 540 litres against 480.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The BMW 3 Series: new prices start at £41,945, £15,225 less than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (from £57,170). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Comparing petrol versions, the BMW 3 Series costs about £310 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,453 against £1,763), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Euro NCAP gave the BMW 3 Series 5 stars (2019) and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 5 stars (2024). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Pick the BMW 3 Series for the lower price, lower fuel costs and more performance, or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class for the bigger boot. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.