German car dealers and models - opinions?

Here you can post stuff that is not related to Christopher Ward
User avatar
MadJam250
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2111
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:10 am
CW-watches: 2
Location: England

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by MadJam250 »

Intrigued why Japanese is off the shortlist?

I've owned one BMW and could never grasp why it was described as the 'ultimate driving machine', personally. I have owned 3 Lexus over the last few years (never from new as, for me, inaffordable) and I think it will always be hard to ever move to another brand now. I can't fault its quality, refinement, comfort, spec level, reliability, looks ... and the customer service at main dealers is amazing (and servicing costs aren't that much than independent servicing outlets). I know this doesn't help with the German need here, but I can certainly recommend Japanese for all round reliability, especially Lexus ..which in my eyes, beats a BMW 'equivalent' hands down.

Have never owned a Merc but from looks alone I'd personally go for that if there was a coin toss between them and BMW.
MadJam

* CWL, x2 (C2, C3)
* Steinhart Titanium O1Ti500P
* Tissot Visodate heritage incoming
* Certina DS Podium chrono
* Seiko SARB033
* Smiths vintage mechanical WC4204/s
* Brathwait Classic Slim Steel
* Invicta 8924, 9094
User avatar
Martin
Senior Expert
Senior Expert
Posts: 260
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:17 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Cornwall

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by Martin »

There is some evidence that buying second hand diesel engined cars (regardless of manufacturer) carries some risk in terms of long term reliability and possible expensive costs. A DPF for example, does not last forever and is a four figure cost to replace. I would suggest a little research before buying a three (ish) year old diesel car. EU regs have meant increasingly complex and expensive engine and exhaust modifications to meet emission targets.
Galton321
Forumgod
Forumgod
Posts: 872
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:45 am
CW-watches: 14
LE-one: yes
LE-two: yes
Location: Hampshire

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by Galton321 »

Can only speak from personal experience. Had a VW Passat couldn't praise it highly enough. Lovely car very roomy enormous boot but if want something sporty might be disappointed. Also safety rating excellent, saved me on M25 shunt without a scratch. Had a new Merc A class got rid of it after about 6 months. Had intermittent engine management fault. Engine would suddenly refuse to accelerate and limited itself to 1200rpm. Pullover, switch engine off and would then go. But not good in outside lane of motorway. Garage couldn't identify fault or reproduce it. Probably thought I was stupid. Couldn't rely on it had to go. My wife has had three Lexus models. 140,000 miles on one without an itch, no rattles, fantastic cars and amazing customer care. Definite best buy but not most economical engines. Friend drives BMWs and swears by them. Very economical given performance. However there are rogue cars in every brand. Also cars are very personnel and image, brand consciousness and what your mates might think all play a part. So hope he gets something he really likes.
Leo David
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1840
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:57 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: London

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by Leo David »

I don't think this will help your friend, Smeggers, but for what it's worth I have had a 2009 C class for a little over 2 years and it has not been without fault. First was a replacement alternator, second the driver's door mechanism snapped internally so I couldn't open the door from the inside. I had to unwind the window and let myself out via the external door handle. Mercedes wanted me to replace the entire inner door card at a cost of £500, but I decided to take the door panel off and try to repair it myself. which I did with some success although I cannot vouch for the quality of my repair and I expect it to break again at some stage. I am told this is not an uncommon fault across the Mercedes range, which all share the same mechanism.

The other irritating fault has been with the rear light cluster. Again it is apparently not uncommon for the assembly housing the rear lights to short causing overheating and eventually a breakdown in one or more bulb connectors. The entire assembly was replaced at a cost of some £100. That said the car is extremely comfortable on long distance drives (I took it to Italy twice and Germany last year and I did not suffer any form of driver fatigue other than what you would expect on 8, 10 and 12 hour drives). These faults are, however, sufficient to dissuade from buying another Mercedes. Conversely my previous car, a Toyota, never missed a beat in 13 years and 140,000 miles. Oddly enough I looked at a Lexus when I bought the C Class and i feel it might have been the better option.
LD
CornishDave
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2320
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:02 am
CW-watches: 8
Location: Northumberland

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by CornishDave »

Mercedes, Audi and BMW well outside my budget. My son in law has just ordered a new model Superb Estate which he says lives up to it's name in his view it is Superb! Given what he is getting for less than thirty grand apart from badge snobbery I can see not too much point in the German offerings. Mind you I drive a lowly Kia Sportage and have just seen the replacement the front of which is awful! Hyundai Tucson looks a lot better so may look at that.

The other point re expensive German machines is maintenance costs unless of course you can find an experienced independent which my brother in law did for the Audi and Mercedes he owned. Mind you the cost of spare parts was still pretty pricey! One final thing on a Mercedes at four years old his had serious rust problems! Not uncommon on Mercs he was told!
User avatar
vikingdrvr
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3844
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:48 am
CW-watches: 6
Location: Arizona

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by vikingdrvr »

why not a Jag :D
vikingdrvr

InComing: nada
InTheBox: C60 GMT, C7, C7IRR, C70 D-Type, C8, C11. Steinies: Nav B/OVM/OceanTi500/Racetimer X2/Chrono II. Others: SMP300M Chrono, SMdV, Alpina X2, Tissot Chrono, LLD, Heuer 2000 Auto, Breil...
Emily DT, Charlotte Deco, Coral (wife’s)
User avatar
smegwina
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 11771
Joined: Sun May 26, 2013 10:04 am
CW-watches: 11

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by smegwina »

A huge thank you to you all for the time taken to reply.

It has been a fascinating read for my chum who has taken everything on board with regards to the pros and cons and has gone totally left field and got a new Kia Optima!!!!!!! The seven year warranty swayed him apparently.

Now....... Reading your replies, taking in all your info and joining him on the hunt was such fun and has now made me realise that I also want another car, so the hunt is on for me now!!!

Thanks again all. It is much appreciated and genuinely helped. He has a young family and you guys made him realise that head must overrule heart!

Good on ya.

Sent from my UMI eMAX using Tapatalk
User avatar
Bahnstormer_vRS
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 35156
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:06 pm
CW-watches: 34
LE-three: 1
LE-foura: 1
LE-fourb: 1
LE-six: 1
Location: Hertfordshire, UK

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Thanks for the feedback Nick. There's nowt so queer as folk.

He's gone completely left field, even further left than Skoda.

What thoughts as to what you are looking for Nick? or is it too early to say.

Guy

sent from my Sony Xperia Z1
In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)

Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
User avatar
vikingdrvr
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3844
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:48 am
CW-watches: 6
Location: Arizona

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by vikingdrvr »

let me guess :-k
something very 8)
vikingdrvr

InComing: nada
InTheBox: C60 GMT, C7, C7IRR, C70 D-Type, C8, C11. Steinies: Nav B/OVM/OceanTi500/Racetimer X2/Chrono II. Others: SMP300M Chrono, SMdV, Alpina X2, Tissot Chrono, LLD, Heuer 2000 Auto, Breil...
Emily DT, Charlotte Deco, Coral (wife’s)
Scrogg
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1975
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 11:58 am

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by Scrogg »

smegwina wrote:It has been a fascinating read for my chum who has taken everything on board with regards to the pros and cons and has gone totally left field and got a new Kia Optima!!!!!!!
A surprisingly good car :thumbup:
User avatar
MadJam250
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2111
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:10 am
CW-watches: 2
Location: England

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by MadJam250 »

Kias are good.

VWs were good, 48 hours ago! Oops
MadJam

* CWL, x2 (C2, C3)
* Steinhart Titanium O1Ti500P
* Tissot Visodate heritage incoming
* Certina DS Podium chrono
* Seiko SARB033
* Smiths vintage mechanical WC4204/s
* Brathwait Classic Slim Steel
* Invicta 8924, 9094
User avatar
smegwina
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 11771
Joined: Sun May 26, 2013 10:04 am
CW-watches: 11

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by smegwina »

Scrogg wrote:
smegwina wrote:It has been a fascinating read for my chum who has taken everything on board with regards to the pros and cons and has gone totally left field and got a new Kia Optima!!!!!!!
A surprisingly good car :thumbup:
MadJam250 wrote:Kias are good.

VWs were good, 48 hours ago! Oops
It really is a phenomenal car!!!

The amount of car for the money is staggering, the equipment list is mindblowing and the 7yr warranty means that the depreciation is irrelevant.

They had one coming in that they were going to use as their new demonstrator that was exactly the spec he wanted and a decent colour so he went for that as he now does not have a huge wait for the car to be made, and they have lent him a car until his arrives on the ship!!

All in all, he is delighted with the service and his new toy!

Thanks again y'all. I shall keep you informed :)



Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk now Free
Scrogg
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1975
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 11:58 am

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by Scrogg »

smegwina wrote:They had one coming in that they were going to use as their new demonstrator...
He's bought new new Optima? :shock:

I didn't think they were due to start arriving until Q4
User avatar
smegwina
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 11771
Joined: Sun May 26, 2013 10:04 am
CW-watches: 11

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by smegwina »

Scrogg wrote:
smegwina wrote:They had one coming in that they were going to use as their new demonstrator...
He's bought new new Optima? :shock:

I didn't think they were due to start arriving until Q4
Ooh, no idea on the series. I assume it is the current model based on the fact that he got a cracking deal!

I shall investigate!

Sent from my UMI eMAX using Tapatalk
Lavaine
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3918
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:45 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Alberta, Canada (The Great White North, eh!)

Re: German car dealers and models - opinions?

Post by Lavaine »

Scrogg wrote:
smegwina wrote:They had one coming in that they were going to use as their new demonstrator...
He's bought new new Optima? :shock:

I didn't think they were due to start arriving until Q4
Q4 starts in 9 days, explaining why his car is already on a ship. So it makes sense.
2017 CW Forum "Darwin Award" winner.
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post