BMW makes some of the best luxury SUVs on the market, which range from full-size vehicles to small compact ones. The BMW X3 is one of its more popular choices, often competing with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which is known for its above-average performance. 

One area that often gets overlooked is the warranty deals. While both vehicles are equal in that regard, the X3 has a step-up on its competition. MotorTrend compared the two vehicles and show how the X3 saves you money in the long run. 

How maintenance can be cheaper for the BMW X3

Warranties on new vehicles are often a major buying point for many, especially when you spend a good deal of money on your purchase. The BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC offer the same peace of mind for their luxury SUVs. But, when you really look at it, they’re not quite the same. 

Each one has a warranty that’s good not only for four years but also for 50,000 miles. The only difference is that BMW offers a little more to help keep your model in top shape. The money you spend on the X3 will get you the BMW Ultimate Care Program for the first three years you own the car or 36,000 miles. The GLC doesn’t have that. 

Routine maintenance includes things like oil changes, inspections of problems, and swapping out filters. For normal vehicles, these don’t generally cost all that much. However, on these European vehicles, like the BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the costs can mount quickly.

How much would it cost for routine maintenance for the Mercedes-Benz GLC?

Mercedes-Benz doesn’t have this kind of program, at least not currently. You would have to pay for the labor and services to perform the maintenance tasks. Neither is going to be cheap. 

Labor is expensive because you would need someone who specializes in working on this kind of car. Because there’s a lot of intricate electrical and computer systems to deal with, it will take more time and effort to do them right, which means it will cost you more in the end. 

MotorTrend found this out when they took on both a BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC vehicle for a year to test out. The X3 model was covered under the care program, so they spent exactly $0 on maintenance. As for the GLC, it cost them $1000.43 for service visits during that year. 

What the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC offer in terms of value

The Mercedes-Benz GLC offers a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 hp. Going up to the higher end trim, you could get a motor that produces 500 hp for even more power coming from under the hood. 

It also handles very well and comes with a decent amount of standard features. You’ll find that it has better acceleration times and braking performance than the X3 as well. All that can be had for a starting price of approximately $43,000.

BMW’s luxury SUV, the X3, offers one of the largest amounts of cargo space and cabin roominess among similar vehicles. It also excels at fuel economy, beating out the GLC. As for performance, it ranks right up there with Mercedes-Benz GLC when it comes to acceleration times and braking distances.  

When purchasing a high-end luxury SUV, saving money on routine service visits will become important. By choosing the BMW X3 and receiving the Ultimate Care Program, you can save approximately $1,000 over the GLC just in maintenance costs in the first year.