
In the quality evaluation of 10-year-old BBA vehicles, Mercedes-Benz cars demonstrate the best stability. However, as a premium brand, Mercedes-Benz comes with very high maintenance costs. Background of Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz is a prestigious German luxury automobile brand, recognized as one of the world's most successful premium car manufacturers. Main Mercedes-Benz series: The brand currently primarily manufactures C-Class (mid-range sedans and coupes), E-Class (premium sedans and coupes), S-Class (luxury sedans and coupes), along with G-Class (SUV off-road vehicles).

Having driven for over a decade, I have some experience with older BBA vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series tend to perform quite stably after ten years, especially those with naturally aspirated engines. Their engines and transmissions are less prone to major issues, and the chassis holds up well. However, it's worth noting that Mercedes' air conditioning systems often develop noise in later years, while BMW's electronic water pumps are a common weak point. The Audi A6 also has solid mechanical components, but its electronic systems can be finicky, particularly the MMI system which tends to freeze. For older cars, maintenance records are crucial—regular oil and transmission fluid changes make a world of difference compared to neglected vehicles. When buying a used BBA, pay special attention to engine condition and chassis rubber components.

Among 10-year-old German luxury cars (BBA), BMW's mechanical reliability is the most reassuring, especially their inline-six engines which are truly durable. Last month I helped a friend pick out an older 3 Series, and the engine still sounds impressively robust. Mercedes' M276 engine is also good, though the timing sprockets on some models need inspection. Audi's 2.0T engines require caution regarding oil consumption issues. Actually, regardless of brand, three major concerns with decade-old cars are: leaking engine oil pans, sluggish automatic transmissions, and rusty chassis components. Always test drive for at least 30 minutes before purchasing – pay special attention to the engine sound during hard acceleration, and make sure the transmission shifts smoothly for it to be worth buying.

In the decade-long BBA reliability ranking, I cast my vote for BMW. The N52 engine in the older 328i is practically indestructible, almost impossible to break down. The Mercedes W204 C-Class is also reliable, with a sturdier chassis compared to Audi. Audi's biggest weakness is electronic failures—I've seen several Q5s with center screens going completely black after a decade. Focus on the condition of the three major components: any abnormal engine noises or vibrations, whether the transmission shifts smoothly without jerking, and if the chassis feels loose over speed bumps. For older cars, also check the rubber components—cracked control arm bushings are a common issue. Maintenance records are especially crucial; an older car with full dealership service history is worth an extra 5,000 yuan.


