new respect for German cars

880 · 08-06-2012, 09:09 AM

I always read and heard that German cars are different - especially their handling and overall feel of the car.

I test drove a bunch of cars (Acura TL, Infiniti G37, BMW 328, Audi A4, Subarau Impreza). Build quality and material for all cars are about the same. Here's how BMW and Audi stood out.
- Steering is very responsive, doesn't take much to move the wheels
- Doesn't ride floaty but absorbs the bumps, not much body roll
- Throttle response is quick for an automatic
- Feels solid overall
- Seat position is very comfortable

I really do have a new appreciation for German cars.
I just don't know about their reliability.

VenomInside · 08-06-2012, 09:10 AM

I've had several german cars (mostly audi) and they were good until about 60k. Then prepare to pay out the ass.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my audi's (s4, a4, etc...) but my god when something broke it broke hard.

FenwickHockey65 · 08-06-2012, 09:54 AM

We had a Mercedes at one point and part of the reason we got rid of it was because maintenance costs were insane.

PeeBee · 08-06-2012, 10:07 AM

In general, I'd say they're good to up to around 62k miles. After that, the bills start to increase a lot.

To give you an idea: my E60 525d cost me 24k EUR on maintenance between 75k and 135k miles (at which point I decided to sell it). All in a time scale of less then a year...

PalmerGA · 08-06-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeeBee

To give you an idea: my E60 525d cost me 24k EUR on maintenance between 75k and 135k miles (at which point I decided to sell it). All in a time scale of less then a year...

That's insane... I can't believe that's the norm.

derklug · 08-06-2012, 11:25 AM

My boss's son got rid of his Audi A6 for the same reason, 75k and all kinds of little things just started killing him. Buy one for 5 years and sell it, or set aside a good chunk for maintenance fees.

C5RocksC5 · 08-06-2012, 11:40 AM

My wife has only driven BMWs and yes, maintenance cost can be expensive but that doesn't mean the cars are unreliable. Proper maintenance makes things reliable. There are people who buy BMWs, Audis, Mercedez who really can't afford to keep the car reliable. BMW tells you in the manual at what mileage you should check and/or replace parts..BMW does this to keep your car running great. Most of us are accostumed to just driving a car until somethings breaks and needs replacing. My wife follows BMWs recommended maintenance/replacement calendar and has never been stranded. I can tell you, my Chevy cars and trucks have cost more to get back on the road after a part failed because like most folks, I drive them til something breaks.

08-06-2012, 09:09 AM	#1
880 Drives: 2011 Z06, 2004 Cobra, 1991 MR2Turbo Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Delaware Posts: 469	new respect for German cars I always read and heard that German cars are different - especially their handling and overall feel of the car. I test drove a bunch of cars (Acura TL, Infiniti G37, BMW 328, Audi A4, Subarau Impreza). Build quality and material for all cars are about the same. Here's how BMW and Audi stood out. - Steering is very responsive, doesn't take much to move the wheels - Doesn't ride floaty but absorbs the bumps, not much body roll - Throttle response is quick for an automatic - Feels solid overall - Seat position is very comfortable I really do have a new appreciation for German cars. I just don't know about their reliability. __________________

08-06-2012, 09:54 AM	#3
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	We had a Mercedes at one point and part of the reason we got rid of it was because maintenance costs were insane. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

08-06-2012, 11:25 AM	#6
derklug Drives: 12 Boss 302 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 1,369	My boss's son got rid of his Audi A6 for the same reason, 75k and all kinds of little things just started killing him. Buy one for 5 years and sell it, or set aside a good chunk for maintenance fees. __________________ The biggest mistakes in life come when you know exactly what you are doing.

08-06-2012, 10:07 AM	#4
PeeBee Drives: "Bee" ZL585, Dark Blue Suburban. Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Luxemburg Posts: 1,244	In general, I'd say they're good to up to around 62k miles. After that, the bills start to increase a lot. To give you an idea: my E60 525d cost me 24k EUR on maintenance between 75k and 135k miles (at which point I decided to sell it). All in a time scale of less then a year...

08-06-2012, 11:40 AM	#7
C5RocksC5 Banned Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sin City Posts: 697	My wife has only driven BMWs and yes, maintenance cost can be expensive but that doesn't mean the cars are unreliable. Proper maintenance makes things reliable. There are people who buy BMWs, Audis, Mercedez who really can't afford to keep the car reliable. BMW tells you in the manual at what mileage you should check and/or replace parts..BMW does this to keep your car running great. Most of us are accostumed to just driving a car until somethings breaks and needs replacing. My wife follows BMWs recommended maintenance/replacement calendar and has never been stranded. I can tell you, my Chevy cars and trucks have cost more to get back on the road after a part failed because like most folks, I drive them til something breaks.