Out of 12 BMWs I’ve owned, I’ve had 1 water pump fail.I have owned more than a dozen of German cars with a turbo
charger and I never ever had to replace one single water pump,
timing chain or turbo charger.
For many years I thought Germans are notorious scaredy-pants.
Now I think Americans are even worse milquetoasts.
That let to a huge question: Why the heck Americans have such
frequent issues with European cars while (the vast majority of)
European owners obviously don't? I feel baffled . . . . .
.
Used Audi or Mercedes? Sub $10000 A4s?
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edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Timing chain issues, then recommends G37 that was grenading engines bcs. broken timing chains as low as 50k.I have owned more than a dozen of German cars with a turbo
charger and I never ever had to replace one single water pump,
timing chain or turbo charger.
For many years I thought Germans are notorious scaredy-pants.
Now I think Americans are even worse milquetoasts.
That let to a huge question: Why the heck Americans have such
frequent issues with European cars while (the vast majority of)
European owners obviously don't? I feel baffled . . . . .
.
How long did you keep them? age and miles? and who did you buy them from?I have owned more than a dozen of German cars with a turbo
charger and I never ever had to replace one single water pump,
timing chain or turbo charger.
For many years I thought Germans are notorious scaredy-pants.
Now I think Americans are even worse milquetoasts.
That let to a huge question: Why the heck Americans have such
frequent issues with European cars while (the vast majority of)
European owners obviously don't? I feel baffled . . . . .
.
I suspect most cars in N.A. as they get to the 3rd owner and ~10 years($10k Audi's), get at least a couple skipped oil changes, or get fluids replaced at jiffy lube with not the right stuff... Some simpler car designs deal with that better than others.
At a certain price point, and age, and with the proper maintenance schedule, sure, the good german cars are good. Some of them aren't trouble free to begin with and adding improper maintenance makes them a bad choice for someone who doesn't do their homework on what they are getting into.
There are lots of japanese and american cars too, that can have big repairs bills too, but at least in the past, there have been less of them, and they have been much simpler cars.
I believe close to 70% of MBZ, BMW and Audi vehicles are leased rather than bought. There's a reason for it.
Depreciation is high; there's a reason for it.
Depreciation is high; there's a reason for it.
Yeah, I think a general consensus is that when dealing with older sporty or luxury cars, is that you really have to research what the issues are for the model and that year. And know how to inspect the car before buying.
Just assuming any toyota or whatever is rock solid, is a bad idea if you spend all your car budget up front on a used car. A car with added complexity and higher repair costs, and higher potential for being abused, needs even more due diligence in buying, and a bigger reserve fund.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Can you tell us what is your particular experience with EA888 engine?
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Added complexity doesn’t mean bad reliability. BMW B58 twin turbo engine is today most reliable six cyl engine on the market.
EA888 engines have some weaknesses, but they are well known and not hard to mitigate.
This site has lots of worry worts. My wife bought a new 2015 Audi A4 and it’s been a good car. Has it been Toyota Camry reliable? No. Would you drive a Camry or a used Mazda6 if you made over $200k a year and had no mortgage or debt?
My buddies 2015 Golf with 100k miles is burning 2 or 3 litres of oil per OCI... A couple of external seeps around the turbo but most must be getting burned. And its got a decent coolant seep around the water pump he thinks, he adds that when he add oil...
I haven't asked every 1.8 TSI owner what's up with their cars, but I did ask one, and this is what he's dealing with.
No, it would have to be a Crown Vic or Town Car.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I have/had 3 of those engines, two still in my garage. None burned oil, CC was traded at 126k without any mechanical work except spark plugs. Tiguan is 11yrs with us and you can only take it away from my wife’s cold dead hands.
If you want to know how stout 1.8TSI is, you might ask @TiGeo
As for your buddy, I know people who would break a breaker bar.
Supposedly the average millionaire drives an F150, and its not new either.
Breaker bars are easy to break, just apply more leverage. Anvils on the other hand…
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Well, you get the point. I mean, listen, I have seen people breaking T34 tanks bcs. they didn’t know how to operate them. Which is actually an achievement.
Or a Honda Accord, a Toyota Camry, a well used Lincoln ...
Yep...that is one reason why they are millionaires...
Yea-the difference in their whole portfolio is a used vehicle......otherwise they wouldn't be a millionaire...........sure.
Maybe, but more likely a Tesla along with other cars.
Yes.
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