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re: Are German cars worth the maintenance headaches and associated costs?
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:10 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:10 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
I've owned BMWs and Porsches for the past 10+ years. Excluding tires for the Porsche, I haven't spent more than 3K total on routine, out-of-warranty maintenance.
Can't speak about Audi, as I haven't owned one.
German cars have greatly improved since the 90s- early 2000s.
Can't speak about Audi, as I haven't owned one.
German cars have greatly improved since the 90s- early 2000s.
0
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:30 pm to TheLegend
quote:
Pretty sure he drives himself.
That is the story.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:30 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
If you plan on keeping it, they are not worth the maintenance and repair costs. So, just lease if you can and always drive something new and under warranty.
The exception is any nice Porsche 911, or a collectable M-B or BMW. These hold their value or appreciate, so the maintenance expense have an ROI. But these are a different deal and I would not consider those cars to be daily drivers (Porsche can be driven daily, but is then subject to depreciation and wear just like a normal car).
I'd keep the econoboxes for a while, and save up and buy a nice 911 that will go up in value, and which you probably will not be able to afford or prioritize you start a family.
The exception is any nice Porsche 911, or a collectable M-B or BMW. These hold their value or appreciate, so the maintenance expense have an ROI. But these are a different deal and I would not consider those cars to be daily drivers (Porsche can be driven daily, but is then subject to depreciation and wear just like a normal car).
I'd keep the econoboxes for a while, and save up and buy a nice 911 that will go up in value, and which you probably will not be able to afford or prioritize you start a family.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:35 pm to Red October
You are spot-on re: high-mileage 911s.
I traded a 20 for 24 in 23, and the 20 911 had 20K on it.
That's higher mileage for that car.
I traded a 20 for 24 in 23, and the 20 911 had 20K on it.
That's higher mileage for that car.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:38 pm to N2cars
my oldest daughter's friend (married and one kid) just traded in her 3 y/o Subaru for an Audi. I think she's nuts. We'll see.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:52 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
x7 here.
Have had a few years and no issues... just this past week though there was coolant leaking from the water pump.
Thats 2k my friend.
I am hoping that is the last of the issues with the car. I havent heard anyone spending 2k-4k a year on a german car. I am sure it happens with some.... but definately not most.
Have had a few years and no issues... just this past week though there was coolant leaking from the water pump.
Thats 2k my friend.
I am hoping that is the last of the issues with the car. I havent heard anyone spending 2k-4k a year on a german car. I am sure it happens with some.... but definately not most.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 4:48 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
If you lease one
Posted on 1/30/26 at 4:50 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
About to acquire one. They are brilliant to drive but a pain in the arse to maintain.
A Lexus is probably the better purchase, but they govern the shite out of them. Then again, that’s why they last forever.
How much is your enjoyment worth to you in dollars and time?
A Lexus is probably the better purchase, but they govern the shite out of them. Then again, that’s why they last forever.
How much is your enjoyment worth to you in dollars and time?
Posted on 1/30/26 at 4:52 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
You do not want to own one without a warranty. Wife’s awd X6 front differential failed at 50k. $11000 repair in warranty. As soon as warranty ended she traded it.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 4:53 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
Nein
Posted on 1/30/26 at 4:58 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
Only if you get a TDI
Posted on 1/30/26 at 4:59 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
No
Before the 2010's I would've said yes.
Before the 2010's I would've said yes.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 5:10 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
No.
Had a VW Passat. Will never own a German car again.
Had a VW Passat. Will never own a German car again.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 5:17 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
quote:
Considering getting rid of one or both of my Honda/Acura and driving a B8.5 Audi S4 or S5 for a few years while I'm still single and childless. Been doing a lot of research and it seems like with any German car, you're going to be shelling out 3-5K/year minimum on maintenance and repairs. To compare, I've maybe spent $1.5K total on parts (all work done myself) in the past 18 months on both my 1st-gen Acura TLX and 8th-gen Honda Civic Si. I know that the main issue with the German cars is the abundance of plastic parts, which wear out much quicker than the aluminum/rubber counterparts found in Japanese-made brands. You baws who drive German cars - is the driving experience & performance worth the headaches?
I don’t keep them outside of warranty. Only had 1 repair on a 2017 Audi S7, my 21 X5M was fine and my 2025 X5M Comp has been fine.
I buy and trade them in every 4 or so.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 5:21 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
All u need is a F250 King Ranch……..
Posted on 1/30/26 at 5:59 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
They aren't worth it for most people. I can work on all my own stuff, picked up a M series AWD BMTroubleYou pretty cheap and I have to tell you, it's one of the most pleasurable and best driving cars I've ever been in. At 150mph making high speed lane changes, it feels 100% glued to the track and in control. The engines( N63TU series) in them are known for being ticking time bombs though and require you to stay way ahead of the maintenance intervals. There's a few reliability mods that help prevent issues too like turbo blankets but I digress. Anyway, over engineered German luxury is way nicer than Japanese luxury but Japanese reliability is way ahead of German reliability.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 6:05 pm to VolsOut4Harambe
Buy a Lexus.
Problem solved
Problem solved
Posted on 1/30/26 at 6:09 pm to jimlsu1
Not ready to give up responsiveness, acceleration, technology, and superior braking yet.
They used to be dead-reliable, though.
They used to be dead-reliable, though.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 6:10 pm to sleepytime
What year M?
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