German reliability: the greatest myth

[nando]

not really different from any other BMW, new or old

E46 had it's own issues - sub frame failures, faulty tail light wiring, typical cooling system issues, vanos problems, window regulators.

[gtdragon980]

I think the last reliable BMW was the e46.

[nando]

All cars are measured the same way, its just statistics. Technically, the japanese and american brands have more issues in that time frame. I mean, if i had a new car and it broke down within the first month I'd definitely question its reliability...

[Stanley Rockafella]

It seems to be correlated.

LOL the first 90 days ?!?! really!?

shit, the BMW 7 series also made that list. Guess that makes it more reliable than a Corolla

[nando]

If quality is synonymous with reliability...

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...-year-in-a-row

It seems to be correlated.

The annual study looks at problems experienced by buyers of new, mainstream cars during their first 90 days of ownership and uses the average number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) to rank the brands. Lower scores mean a better result.

[E30 Wagen]

So, I shouldn't buy a new F30?

[abrokenframe]

I don't know...I have 3 German vehicles; two which are almost 50 years old. The two older ones drove on their mainly original parts down to the rubber bushings for over four decades! They also both have their original interior that is mainly intact and still functioning. These were standard DD type cars throughout their lives too. My girlfriend's Ford Focus has more plastic shit broken than both of these combined.

I'd say they were built to last.

[agent]

I don't recall if it's still true, but Porsche was consistently at the top for reliability for a while..

I don't know if that was ever true

It was within the last few years, I remember that graphic.

It probably was.

If quality is synonymous with reliability...

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1098785_porsche-ranks-highest-in-j-d-power-initial-quality-study-for-third-year-in-a-row

[3liter6]

I don't know if that was ever true

It probably was. The 911SC and 3.2 Carrera are somewhat legendary for their reliability with examples having gone 200, 300, 400K miles before needing major repair. There were a few issues with things like clutches and airboxes exploding, but overall they were fantastically reliable and perfectly capable of being daily driven assuming proper care and feeding (valve adjustments, oil changes, doing a couple of preventive upgrades).

The article is a bit silly, as I think the myth is that anyone believes German cars designed after ~2000 model year are actually reliable. I sure don't, and even if I did like the styling, definitely wouldn't buy one without a factory warranty attached.

I could maybe be talked into an R53 Cooper S, but that's 'bout it.

[mlbryant8]

I think the biggest difference ive noticed, is that even when things break on german cars, the cars still run. Working at Mazda I couldn't say the same about them.

Actually, I have owned four Mazdas, a rx7, a mx6, a Miata and a 2007 6. The only one that ever gave me any trouble was the rx7 and it was beaten when I got it. The other two I bought new and put 280,000 miles on the 2007 before I sold it and it was still running strong. Never had to do anything except replace the radiator and starter in 7 years of ownership. The Miata was bullet proof until I took it for an oil change while on a road trip and they drained it but never put oil back in it. Ran for about 600 miles before the engine blew. I would buy one in a heartbeat except I just love BMWs. On my 5th and the only bad experience was with my x5. A lot of aggravating little things that still were expensive. After my cats went out, I traded it for my 2007 Mazda 6.

[DEV0 E30]

I don't know if that was ever true

It was within the last few years, I remember that graphic. But within the last few years means people buying new/CPO P cars. Those people who are buying ~$100,000 cars are usually doing ok, and many times own more than one.

[Wschnitz]

I think the biggest difference ive noticed, is that even when things break on german cars, the cars still run. Working at Mazda I couldn't say the same about them.

[Stanley Rockafella]

zing!

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

I'm not saying german cars are reliable but the writer sounds like a typical American who has never been to Germany and bases his facts off his german "friend"

End rant

The writer actually had a pretty successful career working for Porsche before he decided to make a life change and pursue automotive journalism. He spent considerable time in Germany while he was employed at Porsche.

[Stanley Rockafella]

any details as to which models and years this applied to?

Also, most of the stats gathered are an average for a given make, when compared to other makes. Since Porsche makes so few cars, it's kinda obvious that on average their cars are more reliable since there's so few of them to begin with.

ijs

Old diesel mercs though, those things were bullet proof.

they also were far simpler with less crap to break