Mercedes vs. Porsche: Which Is More Reliable?

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Geoff Cudd

Geoff Cudd

I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.

I run a cause marketing agency and serve on the board of Vayu Global Health where we are disrupting the medical industry and preventing the needless deaths of mothers and babies during childbirth.

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Our expert editors have taken a close look at what sets Mercedes and Porsche apart to help make your decision easier.

We’ve found that despite the allure of cutting-edge technology, the real battle for dominance lies in each brand’s reliability - with Porsche taking a slight lead.

Join us as we explore the intricacies of Mercedes vs. Porsche reliability, providing you with the insights needed to make an informed choice.

Mercedes vs. Porsche Pros and Cons

Mercedes

Porsche

How Mercedes and Porsche Compare to Competitors

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Detailed Comparison

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Which is Better?

It is a hard call to put either Mercedes or Porsche above the other. Both cars are riddled with expensive maintenance costs, inconsistencies, and frequent problems. The worst problem is that when some parts of these cars break down, you might have to replace/refurbish the entire compartment.

There are a few reasons why we will rate Porsche above Mercedes, not specifically because we recommend any of these, but because you have to know. Porsche is more reliable than Mercedes because the numbers say so. The Porsche brand has a higher dependability score than Mercedes.

According to JD Power’s 2022 dependability survey, Porsche is rated 7^th with 162 problems per 100 vehicles. This is lower than Mercedes, which has 195 problems per 100 cars, ranking 18^th out of 32 car brands.

Repairpal disagrees, giving Mercedes Benz a reliability rating of 3.0/5.0, ranking 27^th out of 32 brands. Porsche is rated 2.0/5.0, ranking 32^nd out of 32 car brands.

Consumer Reports rate Porsche higher than Mercedes with a reliability score of 86/100. The 2022 Mercedes GLS and the 2022 Mercedes Benz E class have poor reliability ratings.

You need more than just numbers and ratings to trust a car’s reliability. The problem with Mercedes’s design reliability is that they load up their cars with so much technology and components that generate loads of problems for them.

Driving a Mercedes car, you will have to deal with the suspension control module, modules for lightning, stereos, and almost everything on a Mercedes are run by Modules.

The problem is that these modules cost a lot to replace. You will budget between $600 to as high as $1200. Imagine just changing your right shock absorber for $1200 and a 2.3hrs labour cost to deal with.

We will neglect the fact that Porsche has its problems. In fact, many drivers see Porsche cars more as toys than as real vehicles that deserve recognition.

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Design

Mercedes and Porsche are great cars when it comes to design. The entire body of these cars might be falling off, but their designs remain evergreen. The truth about the designs of Porsche and Mercedes is that they appeal to different audiences.

Porsche’s designs are performance-oriented; they are structured to mount the tracks, beat the wind, and tear up the race. That is what Porsche cars are all about. They have sprinkles and a touch of modern luxury, but Porsche’s designs focus more on driving pleasure.

On the other hand, Mercedes is concerned about luxury. Lots of folks buy Mercedes cars to validate their status. You are rich, so it’s necessary that your car screams the same.

Mercedes is just the best car to give the statement “A king is coming.” They have good designs, beautiful; the Mercedes brand emphasizes sensual purity and modern luxury. The Mercedes brand is big on designs and luxury.

Their cars are hot and good-looking; you cannot get your eyes off a Mercedes car. However, car design goes beyond how they look but also how they function.

You must understand that Porsche’s designs make it hard to work on. Porsche engines are ridiculously fitted under the car, an unusually bizarre position that will need so much work to fix a thing down there. This automatically increases the repair and maintenance costs of these cars.

For instance, the cost of changing a water pump on a Porsche car runs up to $1200, something that should cost $300 to $500 in other cars. Porsche offers better overall driving performance, driving pleasure, and ergonomics. You can fit Porsche more into the category of sports cars than Luxury cars.

Winner: Both

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Cost

It is a mixed ball when it comes to Mercedes and Porsche’s repair and maintenance costs. According to RepairPal, the average repair/maintenance cost for Porsche is $1192, while Mercedes costs $908.

From a statistical sense, it is cheaper to maintain a Mercedes Benz than a Porsche, but there is more to do this than just average costs. But, in reality, it is cheaper to maintain a Porsche than a Mercedes. You will spend more to keep a Mercedes running than you will for a Porsche.

This is because Mercedes cars break down more frequently than Porsche cars. In the bid to load its cars with too many designs, and technology, Mercedes’ systems always break down a lot, and when they do, it costs a fortune to get them back running.

Both cars have an expensive maintenance cost, but you will spend more on a Mercedes in the long run.

Winner: Porsche

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Durability

Neither Mercedes nor Porsche is the best pick when it comes to Durability. However, you should expect both cars to last up to 200,000 miles. The thing about Mercedes vs Porsche durability is that while Mercedes is driven as a daily car, Porsche isn’t.

With a Porsche car, you will have to battle oil/water leaks, battery issues, and clutch and engine maintenance problems. Mercedes has its fair share of problems. From engine mounts, air suspension problems, wear and tear, and multiple error codes, you have lots of problems to deal with.

Winner: Both

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Engine and Performance

Both car brands, Mercedes and Porsche, are known for their superb engineering prowess. But Porsche has a better engine that you can rely on.

Many drivers complain that Mercedes engines are so loud; most of them are diesel engines. The problems with Mercedes aren’t just their engines but the transmissions and suspensions.

Porsche has a better engine and mechanical framework that captures the entirety of its essence; driving pleasure. Both cars have similar engineering quality, but Porsche has a better delivery when it comes to driving pleasure.

You will get better speed, handling, and overall driving performance from Porsche cars than you will from Mercedes cars.

Winner: Porsche

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Gas Mileage

Comparing the fuel efficiency of all Mercedes and Porsche models, it is obvious that Mercedes returns better gas mileage than Porsche. With the Mercedes Benz AMG GT vs Porsche 911, Mercedes has better gas mileage. This is the same with Mercedes GLE and Cayenne.

You must understand that the differences in gas mileage between Mercedes and Porsche cars are always slight and depend on the model you choose.

Winner: Mercedes

Mercedes vs. Porsche Reliability: Safety and Technology

Porsche is as safe as Mercedes. It is true that Porsche doesn’t have an IIHS safety rating. This is because they are considered sports/luxury cars.

Nevertheless, they have a 5-star NCAP safety rating with the Porsche Cayenne. This means that while Porsche hasn’t been crash-tested by all firms, they have a good thing going on as regards safety.

Mercedes has four cars earning the IIHS 2021 safety rating and three cars in the 2022 safety rating. Both cars have almost the same safety features.

Winner: Both

Verdict

The comparison between Mercedes and Porsche cars depends greatly on what you want as a driver. You have no business with Porsche if luxury is all you want in a car. But you must consider Mercedes’ frequent breakdowns before you make such a decision.

With a 62.65% value retention in five years, Porsche cars have a better resale value than Mercedes, which has only 55.25%. Whichever choice you make, you must understand what you are getting into.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Porsche and Mercedes rivals?

Porsche and Mercedes are not rivals. Mercedes’ major rivals are BMW, Audi and Honda. Although Porsche identifies as a luxury car, they feature more in the sports category, and Mercedes doesn’t compete in that category.

Is buying a Porsche worth it?

Yes. Buying a Porsche is worth every dime you spend on them. This is only if you can afford the overall cost of ownership. Aside from the resale value, Porsche offers a pretty amazing standard for drive performance.