Reliability and 33 Years of Experience, Not looking good. Options

[colingreene]

I daily drive a 88 bmw 325ix, its never given me any problems other than the ones the previous owner caused.
And the 30 year old fuel pump died.
Other than that. Still runs perfect with over 200k on its weird all wheel drive system.
Built in Munich

[Series9]

I'll tell you right now, I occasionally have BMWs show up looking for service.

When I work on them, it's very obvious that they are higher quality than both Porsche and Mercedes.

[somd914]

I think you will find with any modern performance vehicle bleeding edge technology, and the general reliance on expensive technology are their pitfalls no matter the country of origin.

But even run-of-the-mill daily cars are becoming bloated with tech. The mechanicals may be less sophisticated and more reliable than performance cars, but in the end the electronics will kill you on repairs - ABS, traction control, stability control, automatic braking, dynamic cruise control, electronic throttle bodies, computer-driven transmissions, multifunction displays, unintended lane change monitoring, tire pressure monitors, electronically tuned suspension systems, proximity keys, and the list goes on and on.

Oh, just replaced a taillight on my wife's '04 330ci. Sure, LEDs are state of the art, last longer, consume less power, etc, but the circuit board failed, $250 for a new light assembly - I could buy a lot of incandescent light bulbs for that price!

I was running around in a friend's new Macan GTS the other day. Awesome SUV, but $75k, all I could see where monster maintenance costs down the road, and in four years it might be worth $40k.

I'll stick to my classics toys...

[matthepcat]

I really like the new BMW M2...but dont think it would be worth the maintenance. My 06 Subaru WRX has been flawless for 130k heavy handed miles.

Our Audi Q5 3.0T has been a great car so far....but who knows what the future holds.

[Pacqs]

Yea i feel sometimes that 98-2016 cars are way too much computer and not reliable for the long run
But theres a few cases when is not correct. my dad owns 2 mercedes (both ml320)
one from 98 and the other of 2001,those damn things are already at 200k or near it and so far the most mayor fail was a transmission rebuild on one of those and that was when it was at around 190k
on the other side of the spectrum we had a vw jetta from the 98 and that darn thing spend most of the time at the shop than on the road, my dad got tired of it and send it to the junkyard
Still whatever happens on the road of the middle of the nowhere i think its easier to fix a 60-88 car that you can fix with some hillibilly shit
than a 2001-2016 car if its breaks down you are toast unless you got a code reader and know how to fix this modern alien ships

But even so its hit and miss on most of the cars today
a lot of people my age are like DUDE i want a new bmw or whatever
meanwhile im happy with a car that is almost twice my age :L
i swear i get into a car that is 2011-2016 and im like "TOO MUCH DAMN BUTTONS!!!"

[r_towle]

How many 70's and 80,s American cars are still in service???

[SixerJ]

100 percent agree and have Audis as daily rides for a long time, build quality is not what it was

Currently have a 2007 A6 Allroad (115k miles), failure list beside the regular service parts that are expected to wear

Rear wash wipe pipe failure at the hinge (I have the absolute best repair method and is how it should have been engineered in the 1st place - PM for details)
Toasted Bose amp due to leak (had it repaired)
Corroded and minor leak on rear wiper box - replaced at the same time as the pipe
New throttle body
New intake swirl valves (both banks)
Intermittent fault on 3rd break light - had to drill / break out the original light & then file the bottom of the new one to make it clear the rear screen which is clearly fitted after the light
Drivers door is starting to drop due to wear in the top hinge

Before the current car I had a 1996 S6 avant, that had a failed exhaust sensor and one coil pack.......car died at 220k after a hose split and it cooked the head

[jcd914]

20 years working on VW, Audi & Porsche and I have seen plenty of "German Engineering" gone wrong.
It usually looks like good design that was cheaply implemented.

I have a 1996 Audi A6 quattro sedan with an auto trans, that has been one of the most reliable cars I've owned.
It is currently my son's DD with 290K miles and has required little more than brakes and maintenace.
Had to replace the radiator fans and the climate control head, both of which I got at pick and pull.
The leather seats are slpit and torn and the paint is faded but it starts and drives evertime.

I have a 2008 Ford F-150 with 160k miles that like my A6 has been almost trouble free but it currently has a transmission leak and the shifting is a little odd sometimes. I'll be taking it in to get looked at as soon as the S4 is back together.

I have a 1993 Audi S4 with 240K miles on it and it has been a bit more trouble some but not bad overall.
Radiator fan failed and took out my radiator, coil packs failed,Bose amps squeal periodically.
It chews up tires because it is big and fast and I like to push it.
I just last week put new seals and bushings in the turbo and don't have it running yet..

I have a 2001 VW Beetle (daughter's car) that up til recently has been trouble free. I guess my brother had fixed all the broblems before I bought it from him. Last christmas the water pump failed and my daughter lives in Long Beach so I had to pay to have it fixed. With all the added on require extra "when we do these cars we always replace these other crappy plastic parts that will fail right after you leave our shop" it was almost $1500. Since then I have had t have the brakes replaced and a fuse/relay panel that sits on the battery in the engine compartment.

I have only bought 1 new car in my life and time will tell if that was a mistake or not.
Two years ago we bought a new 2014 VW Jetta TDI and with 30K miles it has been perfect sp far.
I did buy an extended warranty and extended maintenace, so 4 years I don't have to touch it.
My wife loves the car, so I don't think I will convince her to sell it back to VW but I'll get $6K from VW for cheating on smog and getting caught.


Jim

[porschetub]

Make sure the German cars you buy were build in Germany and not US/Mexico/Brasil/Spain.
There is a huge difference between the factories in terms of quality.

That's rubbish who told you that ?,Brasil and Mexico have been manufacturing since God knows when,all the drivetrains were made for early VW Golfs and others models and shipped back to Germany for final assembly with the bodies.
Brasil was a major player in crankshaft and piston supply to VAG for decades.
Tell me otherwise and I will believe you.

[sixaddict]

If you have watched Porsche evolve over the over the years , they have always started a new model then corrected its deficiencies in the following years. The best/worst example of this is the 924/944 series. Best thing that ever happened to me is never owning one.
Many years ago the owner of my favorite shop was checking out a woman who literally had to sit down when he told her how much her tab was----later told me
"the 944 is the mechanics friend" ! We are chumps sometimes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[914forme]

I have a fleet of VWs 2007 and newer. And two are TDIs to are TSI, I have run TDIs to 300,000+ miles ,sold them, and still see them on the streets. These where highly modified cars. I hd one 1999 A4 Jetta that was a Pos, the electricals became an issue. Security module would shut the car down while you where in it.

That was the worse one. I will say I really dislike the Tiptronic trans in my 2005 so much I swapped it to a stick. I have since sold that car.

They can be fine cars if feed correctly. My Chevy truck on the other hand. 2 fuel pumps, replacement fuel lines, when stainless steel. Rusting to death, rebuild auto at 200,000 miles. Engine is putting out maybe 175HP, maybe. And it has cancer bad. I keep telling myself it is 13 years old, it is a farm truck, it gets abused all day everyday. Then I go out and look at new ones, and think, yeah right, I'll rebuild this one a few times.

Oh I forgot the big one, all the brake lines rusted out. I was hauling a load, hit the pedal and it went super soft and to the floor. Luckily the trailer had brakes, and it hauled us down. Turned around drove home and found the issue, replacing the brake lines was a _________.

It now needs a new water pump, could use and engine rebuild, it is getting old, trans is still not making me happy, I should have rebuilt it myself, electric door locks don't work, dash flips languages as you drive. Tow haul mode does not work 100% of the time.

To each there own i guess.

Al industries have issues, I use Apple Computers, I make a living because, Microsoft, Cisco, HP/ Aruba, and Palo Alto etc..... I have not had a single issue with my Apple laptops. I know others who have, not a fan boy, but I am a fan as it works 100% of the time. For me!

Same thing with tools some people have to have Snap-On, I own one ratchet because my father-in-law made the casting for the handle. It is a nice ratchet. Currently I have all Cobalt micro turn ratchets, almost as nice, but 1/4 the cost. BTW, I have another version of the Snap-On ratchet that was sold by another company, no red handle, no snap-on name, but 1/3rd the cost and just as nice. It came out of the same plant, just different plastic color , and a mold with out snap-on on the inside.

[ThePaintedMan]

I'll tell you right now, I occasionally have BMWs show up looking for service.

When I work on them, it's very obvious that they are higher quality than both Porsche and Mercedes.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) The E30 and E36 are damn-near bulletproof.

Miatas are bulletproof, I'm convinced. Mine is a 91, and I just had my first issue on Friday. Had a small rust pinhole leak in a water pipe which caused it to overheat. By the time I realized it, the gauge was pegged. Stopped, threw some water in it along with a split piece of rubber and a hose clamp and it started right up and drove the 45 minutes home no problem. Welded it back up, put in some antifreeze and I expect to go another 50k miles without touching a damn thing, other than maybe the convertible top. I bought the car for $200 and have less than $200 into it, nearly 5 years later. That's why you never see shops that specialize in Miatas - they never need work.

I agree with you Joe. VAP products are over-engineered in many ways, to the point where they forgot the relatively simple stuff in recent years. More business for you, but a pain in the ass for the owner and a horrible ROI for the owner that spent good money for a good product. As you said, the 6.0 "problem child" diesel in the F-250 at least doesn't have freaking D-chunks coming out of the sides of the cylinder walls or terminal IMS bearing issues. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Cracker]

Sorry, you opened the door.... and I can't pass up this opportunity. My teener has a GM Powerplant for a reason and it ain't about dinnero's - through the first four full weekends on track without a breakdown - at speed! Seriously, I hear you and you're right on the money! Sadly.

PS: Congratulations on a solid (future) business plan...

Tony

[Mark Henry]

I'm thinking about putting a sign on the back of my truck that says: "If you have a VW, Audi or Porsche made before 1998, bring it to me. If you have a later one, sell it NOW, or I can help you part it out later."

Screw that, that buddy with the independent shop is at least a millionaire because of later VW's. In fact he won't work on aircooled, he sends that work all to me.
Come in at close to half the dealer labour rate, get a good rep and customers will flock to your shop. He has 4 guys working for him and his wife runs the parts department, they are freakishly busy. He steals at least 3/4 of the local dealers service and parts business. Bad enough that VW has tried to hassle him and the dealer offered to buy him out.
He can do a timing belt in just over two hours, but he still charges book rate like the dealer, just his labour rate and parts is way cheaper. He figures out all the sneaks to get the job done faster.

Guy sinks all his extra cash into houses, mostly triplexes, that's his retirement plan. He calls his customers and tenants his good little robots.

[76-914]

I have a fleet of VWs 2007 and newer. And two are TDIs to are TSI, I have run TDIs to 300,000+ miles ,sold them, and still see them on the streets. These where highly modified cars. I hd one 1999 A4 Jetta that was a Pos, the electricals became an issue. Security module would shut the car down while you where in it.

That was the worse one. I will say I really dislike the Tiptronic trans in my 2005 so much I swapped it to a stick. I have since sold that car.

They can be fine cars if feed correctly. My Chevy truck on the other hand. 2 fuel pumps, replacement fuel lines, when stainless steel. Rusting to death, rebuild auto at 200,000 miles. Engine is putting out maybe 175HP, maybe. And it has cancer bad. I keep telling myself it is 13 years old, it is a farm truck, it gets abused all day everyday. Then I go out and look at new ones, and think, yeah right, I'll rebuild this one a few times.

Oh I forgot the big one, all the brake lines rusted out. I was hauling a load, hit the pedal and it went super soft and to the floor. Luckily the trailer had brakes, and it hauled us down. Turned around drove home and found the issue, replacing the brake lines was a _________.

It now needs a new water pump, could use and engine rebuild, it is getting old, trans is still not making me happy, I should have rebuilt it myself, electric door locks don't work, dash flips languages as you drive. Tow haul mode does not work 100% of the time.

To each there own i guess.

Al industries have issues, I use Apple Computers, I make a living because, Microsoft, Cisco, HP/ Aruba, and Palo Alto etc..... I have not had a single issue with my Apple laptops. I know others who have, not a fan boy, but I am a fan as it works 100% of the time. For me!

Same thing with tools some people have to have Snap-On, I own one ratchet because my father-in-law made the casting for the handle. It is a nice ratchet. Currently I have all Cobalt micro turn ratchets, almost as nice, but 1/4 the cost. BTW, I have another version of the Snap-On ratchet that was sold by another company, no red handle, no snap-on name, but 1/3rd the cost and just as nice. It came out of the same plant, just different plastic color , and a mold with out snap-on on the inside.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif) I want to see a pic of that pickup. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

I'll tell you right now, I occasionally have BMWs show up looking for service.

When I work on them, it's very obvious that they are higher quality than both Porsche and Mercedes.

I agree with you Joe. VAP products are over-engineered in many ways, to the point where they forgot the relatively simple stuff in recent years. More business for you, but a pain in the ass for the owner and a horrible

The problem with poorly engineered products is they spend more on advertising than the mechanic and there are those that will believe the problem is with the tech not the vehicle. Example: SoCal has the toughest restrictions on water heaters in the US, period. As a result the water heaters here are very different from most others and have a high failure rate; to wit, pilot outages. I can't tell you the number of times I have heard, "I never had a problem with my old water heater". The assumption being that I don't know shit from apple butter. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) And, I'll bet you've run into a similar situation Joe. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Tom_T]

Hey Joe,

I would tend to agree with you, but I have a different perspective as a long term owner, "keeper" & DDer of very few cars - 5 in total since 1969 (not including my parents' cars, nor the Honda in my Sig which was for our 2 kids). I can say that there are differences between even the earlier cars from Germany as well.

BTW Joe - is your Vanagon one of the early & leaky 1.9 WBXs?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

#1 - `68 Opel Kadette B 2dr Base Notchback Coupe, 1.1L I-4 w/ 4spd - 9/69 - 6/71, +/- 40K - 68K miles by me, good 20's mpg, but the smog control air injection made it run too hot & the head & exhaust manifold cracked & blew the engine.

#2 - `69 Pontiac Ventura 4dr Hardtop (125" WB), 400ci 2bbl AT - 8/71 - 3/76, +/- 45K - 137K, sucky 7-10 mpg during college & the 73 Oil Crisis when gas went from $0.25 - $1+ in a week, 10 gal max. every other day (even odd by last Lic. plate #), so looked for better mpg sports car after college, when it started needing major work.

> these were the last ones which I could do virtually anything on as pre-computer cars, while the 914 on required $20K+/- analyzers for the ECUs etc.

#3 - `73 914-2.0 "914S" - 2nd owner 12/75-now, was DD 75-85 @ +/- 45K-172K - currently under slooow resto, prior rolling resto & full mechanical rebuild at about 120-127K in 80-83, then whacked by a ditzy gal in a pkg structure 6/85 during grad school, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
then stored in my garage since then - so it's my own person "Barn Re-Find"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

#4 - `85 BMW E30 325e 2.7L I-6 w/5spd & AC - OO 5/85-now, curr. DD @ almost 200k - orig. motor runs good, trans rebuilt `04 +/-135K, repaint `05-06 & reupholstered front `14, replacing some 30 year old suspension components last few years, converted to R135 when OE compressor died in `98, recent reman AC compressor - not a bad car at all & 20s-30s with 42 mpg fwy possible from it's "eta 6"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

#5 - `88 VW Vanagon Westfalia 2.1L WBX-4 w/ AT & AC - OO 4/88-now, curr. DD @ almost 230K (more use for long XC trips every year `88-02, then flying was cheaper with miles for kids/wife), threw rod & new rebuilt motor at about 120K in `99, top end `05 due to cracked ring (not yet coolant leak then), AT rebuilt `07, suspension & other running gear rebuilt with rolling resto/repaint/refurb 2012-13. If/when it needs a new/rebuilt motor (again), then I'll get a "built" GoWesty 2.45+ with their 48mo/48K full warranty, & let them pay for anything that goes wrong!

Before & not counting the Westy's resto - around `02, I did a comparison, & the Westy was 4x the maintenance cost of the 325e, & 2-3x that of the 914 during it's DD days (even adjusted for inflation) - so VW had pretty bad QC even back then - as you noted about your Vano!

Also, the VW dealer denied all 24 months under warranty that there was no problem with the suspension leaning to the left (where the full camper equipement sits, but when we redid the springs/shocks in `12, my mechanic found that they factory had used the improper passenger van springs - instead of the proper HD Westy ones - & now the lean is gone! Lying POSs! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

The BMW E30 is a solid car with excellent QC - even if their parts are/were more. The bigger issue now for me & my mechanic on both/all, is finding OEM parts (ergo the reman AC compressor).

However, contrary to that VW quality issue - as both now being classic cars, the Westy is worth probably $50K+ as restored now, whereas the excellent 325e is under $10K - so rarity plays a bigger part than quality & driveability! I hope that the BMW comes up in value, so I'll feel better about eventually restoring it too.

So now my dilemma is that we're looking for a used late model mid-sized V8 SUV to tow our vintage Avion trailer (like Airstream) & be our "extra 3rd car" - & we really like the `08-14 Cayenne S V8 (w/out air susp.), but my 914 expert Austrian born & trained & factory trained VPA + now also B/M/T-L/N-I/S/etc. mechanic of 41 years says that the Toyota/Lexus V8 4Runner/GX/LX/GlandBruiser will cost me 1/2 in both parts & labor to maintain! .... but the wife & I prefer the ride & handling of the CayS. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Before the F150/Expedition & Tundra/Sequoyah & other full size pick-up/SUV fans crowd jump in here with advice - my wife won't drive the big-uns, & we have a very tight driveway & can't even open the door more than 1/3 when I'm hitching there + the streets are narrow, so we really do need to stick with mid-size, & the Toyota & P+A ones seem best for our "mission statement."

We had rented 4.0L V6 Nissan Pathfinders for a year, which were okay but had to rev too high on hills/grades & drove us crazy on long trips - so V8 is our choice (some new turbo V6's may have enough HP/TQ low end, but I don't want to pay higher new car prices). Also, Nissan's DA std. towing package is a 4-pin so you cannot run trailer brakes (required over 1500# trailer in CA), & they charge you double to switch to a 7-pin! Ids!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

We've been renting F250s & RAM 2500s since then in both gas & diesel (waaaay overkill for our little 20' 3000-3500# Avion T20 BTW), & they get 17 mpg avg with or without the trailer, have 7-pin, but are a royal PITA to maneuver into our narrow driveway & on our narrow streets - to the extent that I must get the neighbors across the street to move their cars just to get the behemoth 25-27' L long bed crew cab F250 - so + trailer & Hensley hitch it's +/- 50' L & with a big turning radius!

Also FYI, my mechanic says to stay away from the Nissans in general - including the Pathfinder V8, as well as emphatically saying that the BMW X5 is a POS!

Another issue he noted, is that apparently all of the German/Euro cars/etc. are now required to use a bio-based & degradable wiring insulation which is just "Rodent Candy"! He had a 2 year old BMW X5 in the shop that the rodents got to, & the owner's insurance company totaled it for less than what they owed, due to mice getting in there & feasting everywhere - cuz the harness replacement P+L was more that the threshold insurance value to total it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

BTW - someone here has a daughter in Long Beach - so just send her to Hans Imports in Huntington Beach, & you can talk to Hans Sr. mechanic to mechanic on what you need done. Tell her to say I referred you.

PS - The other problem with the new full size trucks & SUVs since about `06, is they've jacked them up so high that they're a PITA to climb up into, a PITA to load lumber/plywood/block/etc. into a bed that's above my friggin waist (& I'm not getting any younger nor stronger), & the front hood is so bloody tall & square that they have huge blind spots up there that completely block if a little kid is about to walk by or in front - so that they need dang front-up + back-up cameras all around! Joe's '06 in his OP pic is more or less the last of the reasonable height trucks. Apparently when their marketing folks do their focus groups on the trucks, the young guys only want the big bulky jacked up look designs - even if they're far less aerodynamic & bigger fuel guzzlers, so their marketing research completely ignores the rest of the world, & the work truck folks who have to hoist equipment & materials way up all day long! Rant over!

That's my $0.04! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
///////

[Ian Stott]

Just drove my 73 with a 2056 with LJet, done by Mark Henry, 1600 KM last weekend. I am always surprised at how comfortable it is, of course I was tired, but not sore. I have a 99 C 230 Kompressor as my daily driver, has never let me down, stills rides beautiful, has great power and still looks good. Replaced the alternator 5 or 6 years ago and that is it. Change the oil when your supposed to and other normal maintenance when needed. Maybe the difference is we have annual safety inspections in my province so the car gets a good going over every year. Not to insinuate you are not looking after your cars, just telling my experience with German cars.

Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada

[MoveQik]

I'll tell you right now, I occasionally have BMWs show up looking for service.

When I work on them, it's very obvious that they are higher quality than both Porsche and Mercedes.

We had a 2008 BMW 335 that we bought new for my wife. Worst car we have ever owned. Couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It was always in the shop for something. Usually minor, but still in the shop. She won't even consider a BMW for a car going forward.

Now she has a 2012 C250 Benz that has been flawless with close to 100k on the meter.

[mepstein]

I have a 2003 VW bug turbo that my wife inherited and I use as a dd/shop delivery car. I wouldn't of actually paid for one and it's just barely acceptable as a free car. My wife has a Honda. 235k with minimal maintenance and never let her down. I gave my 2004 hemi Durango to my son after I replaced the engine at 90k. POS Chrysler. But it's big so my wife likes all that sheet metal around my son.

[anderssj]

trying to unload our old '86 5000cs turbo quattro . . . lemme know (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)