Are German cars really a bitch to maintain?

[thelastpolarbear]

Everyone heres worships German cars blah blah blah but I've read that older models are not that reliable and expensive to fix.

so they wouldnt be good as a first car? Something like an E36 M3?

[LeSeanMcCoy]

Everyone heres worships German cars blah blah blah but I've read that older models are not that reliable and expensive to fix.

so they wouldnt be good as a first car? Something like an E36 M3?

looks like your first ride is also your last

[Philip81193]

E36 M3's are great brah. If you know what the f*ck you're doing. Are you looking for a '95 with the S50 or 96+ with the S52? 3/4/5, the greatest configured E36 there is.

[Meatie]

Yeah they are bro, I drive an audi and maintenance is quite hefty

[thelastpolarbear]

Yeah they are bro, I drive an audi and maintenance is quite hefty

Cant the basic maintenance just be done at home like fluid changes, etc?

[Staberella]

I have a Volkswagen and she's been great. Minor problems from being an older car '98 but she's held up very well. As long as you maintain it properly I think they are better than American or Japanese cars. My mechanic even says that the body would probably go on that thing before the engine would.

[LeSeanMcCoy]

I have a Volkswagen and she's been great. Minor problems from being an older car '98 but she's held up very well. As long as you maintain it properly I think they are better than American or Japanese cars. My mechanic even says that the body would probably go on that thing before the engine would.

volkswagen isn't even a legit german car

[Staberella]

volkswagen isn't even a legit german car

They're actually the original German autos. Always high on the consumer safety and economic value scale.

[dirtyjerz]

VW owner here, everything's expensive, to the above guy who said it's not a legit german car, half the parts on mine have german written on them, and it was made in germany, so idk what you're talking about.

[Maestro]

volkswagen isn't even a legit german car

how's that?

isn't it called the Hitler mobile?

[lovebbing]

Everyone heres worships German cars blah blah blah but I've read that older models are not that reliable and expensive to fix.

so they wouldnt be good as a first car? Something like an E36 M3?

i entered this thread with the intent to say how my e36 328is is a B-I-T-C-H to maintain, im in the process of replacing the accessory belt right now. I cant imagine how annoying, and expensive an M3 would be. dont listen to BMW fanboys who will tell you its not that bad, it REALLY is.....

i know its not what you want to hear, but its FAR from the best choice for your first car. I know they look awesome, and really are the ultimate driving machine, but there are better choices. Im not saying not to get it, but just be prepared for what could happen if you do.

and lulz at the people who are like "yeah I got a VW......." lulz thats does not count

[Penz0rman]

why dont you just buy a neon? you can make them fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


edit: you will also get lots of respect around here and IRL

[LeSeanMcCoy]

VW owner here, everything's expensive, to the above guy who said it's not a legit german car, half the parts on mine have german written on them, and it was made in germany, so idk what you're talking about.

[eelsemaj]

why dont you just buy a neon? you can make them fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


edit: you will also get lots of respect around here and IRL

aware

[thelastpolarbear]

i entered this thread with the intent to say how my e36 328is is a B-I-T-C-H to maintain, im in the process of replacing the accessory belt right now. I cant imagine how annoying, and expensive an M3 would be. dont listen to BMW fanboys who will tell you its not that bad, it REALLY is.....

i know its not what you want to hear, but its FAR from the best choice for your first car. I know they look awesome, and really are the ultimate driving machine, but there are better choices. Im not saying not to get it, but just be prepared for what could happen if you do.

and lulz at the people who are like "yeah I got a VW......." lulz thats does not count

Yeah I was just curious about it since people always mention maintenance costs and reliability when discussing older German cars. What other cars are <$10k then but are decent looking? I cant stand the look of 90's Japanese cars. Just browsin around at cars, lol.

[flexbrah]

i entered this thread with the intent to say how my e36 328is is a B-I-T-C-H to maintain, im in the process of replacing the accessory belt right now. I cant imagine how annoying, and expensive an M3 would be. dont listen to BMW fanboys who will tell you its not that bad, it REALLY is.....

i know its not what you want to hear, but its FAR from the best choice for your first car. I know they look awesome, and really are the ultimate driving machine, but there are better choices. Im not saying not to get it, but just be prepared for what could happen if you do.

and lulz at the people who are like "yeah I got a VW......." lulz thats does not count

you do realize that you're complaining about a ROUTINE maintenance item right? btw, the accessory belt is a really simple DIY, at least on the e46 it is... the e36 should be roughly the same difficulty.

regardless... maintenance on a BMW isn't bad at all... a lot (if not all) maintenance items can be done yourself fairly easily. (this is coming from a guy who has very minimal experience working on cars...) if you don't want to do the work yourself and you take it into the dealer you WILL get shafted (don't buy into the bullsh!t everyone spouts about how "you can only take the car to the dealership for repairs" LOL). take it to an independent shop that works only euro's. labor charge is typically half of what the dealership charges.

the downside of owning a german car? the parts are typically more expensive. i buy all my parts online, but its still more expensive than, for example, parts for a camry. you can expect a 25-50% markup on german parts compared to other cars.

[wanaBsedated]

volkswagen isn't even a legit german car

Pardon?

Audi, VW, Porsche.. all the same company.

That being said... they're like any other car, but more expensive parts.

[schabowy90]

vdubs are really solid now I think. good reliability these days



and inb4 matheoperez

[wanaBsedated]

I own an 03 A6 2.7T and I F'n love it.

[Penz0rman]

you do realize that you're complaining about a ROUTINE maintenance item right? btw, the accessory belt is a really simple DIY, at least on the e46 it is... the e36 should be roughly the same difficulty.

regardless... maintenance on a BMW isn't bad at all... a lot (if not all) maintenance items can be done yourself fairly easily. (this is coming from a guy who has very minimal experience working on cars...) if you don't want to do the work yourself and you take it into the dealer you WILL get shafted (don't buy into the bullsh!t everyone spouts about how "you can only take the car to the dealership for repairs" LOL). take it to an independent shop that works only euro's. labor charge is typically half of what the dealership charges.

the downside of owning a german car? the parts are typically more expensive. i buy all my parts online, but its still more expensive than, for example, parts for a camry. you can expect a 25-50% markup on german parts compared to other cars.

QFT
/thread

[Staberella]

Pardon?

Audi, VW, Porsche.. all the same company.

That being said... they're like any other car, but more expensive parts.

The first German auto ever made was the VW beetle but they are not real German cars because they don't cost eleventy billion dollars to buy and maintain. They're way too reliable to be as much of a money sucker as my REAL German automobile!

[TeenMisc]

Everyone heres worships German cars blah blah blah but I've read that older models are not that reliable and expensive to fix.

so they wouldnt be good as a first car? Something like an E36 M3?

my first car was an e36 328is, you better be down for 1500 dollar mechanic bills.

[wanaBsedated]

The first German auto ever made was the VW beetle but they are not real German cars because they don't cost eleventy billion dollars to buy and maintain. They're way too reliable to be as much of a money sucker as my REAL German automobile!

LOL, I am pretty sure the passat is a reworked A4 at least the last generation and they all share some parts and technology.

and youre a heavenly blessed beauty.

[wanaBsedated]

my first car was an e36 328is, you better be down for 1500 dollar mechanic bills.

:/ for what?

Gotta find a good mechanic.

[Westboarder]

They don't really break down anymore often than a reliable car. But the repairs are expensive as f%k.

[LawlKing]

I have a Volkswagen and she's been great. Minor problems from being an older car '98 but she's held up very well. As long as you maintain it properly I think they are better than American or Japanese cars. My mechanic even says that the body would probably go on that thing before the engine would.

Because your a woman

zingggg!

[wanaBsedated]

I was thinking about picking up a b5 S4 for a project car to go along with my A6 .

Probably would go with twin GT28rs's

[TeenMisc]

:/ for what?

Gotta find a good mechanic.

engine fan wearing out and breaking, flying off and fukking up everything around it belt, radiator, water pump etc.
If you want an e36 do yourself a favour and fan delete mod that ****.

[Staberella]

Because your a woman

zingggg!

That's so Benny Hill. lol

[wanaBsedated]

engine fan flying off and fukking up everything aound it belt,, radiator, water pump etc.
If you want an e36do yourself a favour and fan delete mod that ****.

Oh, that makes sense then.