24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321
B
Campfire Oracle
Offline
Campfire Oracle
B
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321
Originally Posted by lhonda
Originally Posted by Bristoe
I just sold a 2004 325I sedan that was bought new, driven easy and regularly serviced.

It became a lawn ornament. I refused to take it on road trips because of it's history of problems.

Went to Florida in the Spring and Michigan in September. I drove my 12 year old Mazda Millenia instead of the BMW both times because it's been totally trustworthy since new.

The BMW was replaced with an Acura.

BMW=hype

Acura=quality


Beemers and Acuras? Aw hell, there goes my image of you rocking and rolling down a dusty road in some Kentucky backwater in a beat up pickup, mason jar in one hand and sumptin' else in t'other, Waylon what's his face blaring some Godawful noise out the busted window ...

Damn it.


Hillbillies are more eclectic than you would imagine.

And actually,..the Bimmers and Acuras are my wife's toys. (Realtor badges,..yanno?)

I drive a 2004 Nissan pick-up and a Burgman. (weird ass Mick badges)

BP-B2

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,340
B
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
B
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,340
300K out of a Lexus is very possible. When folks start talking cars everybody gets their hackles up. You can have good luck or bad with any of them. I had a 97 GMC that was a total POS. Fortunately warranty covered everything.I got rid of it when the warranty expired. I have a 2002 GMC with 260,000+ miles and it has been supurb. Water pump, alternator and just put on rear brakes. My next one might be another POS.
byc, the mileage you are quoting on yours indicate that you won't live long enough to see it hit 200K which will be 2040AD at the rate you are driving it.
Unless you are under 50yrs old.
Butch

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,749
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,749
The biggest problem over here with German cars is that they are rarer and mechanics are not as familiar with them.

As far as the overall build quality of the bodywork German cars are FAR superior to American made cars and most Japanese cars. I've worked on them all (bodywork not mechanical). I was astounded the other day when working on a higher end Caddilac as to how cheap the body panels were constructed. For example the decklid had simple folded metal edges, not even seam sealed. A $20,000 VW has far better body construction than a $80,000 Cadillac.

Having worked on them before and after I am strongly of the opinion that Chryslers influence and a quite adverse effect on Mercedes Benz' quality. They are just now recovering from them.

Most Japanese cars are made well. Lexus' are excellent. I've been surprised at how much Hyundai's have improved.

Again my POV is from a bodywork and construction standpoint not mechanical but having taken apart hundreds of cars from dozens of manufacturers you do start to develop opinions. And I am maybe a little favorably prejudiced towards Mercedes since the people at the factory were so nice to work with.................................DJ


Remember this is all supposed to be for fun.......................
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,780
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,780
Hm. I have a Ford Bronco, a Toyota Tacoma in the driveway, and the wife an Audi TT in the garage.

The Toyota will never quit -- 328,000 miles, original clutch. No repairs. I'd take that truck across country tomorrow, if needed.

The Bronco is basic transportation, but it's hanging by a thread. I wouldn't take it out of the county on a dare.

The Audi TT keeps the wife happy, and if she takes it to the dealer, I don't look at the bank statement that month. Electronic crap is starting to wig out -- and that stuff is stupid expensive. But did I mention it keeps the wife happy? FWIW, Dutch.


Sic Semper Tyrannis
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 915
M
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
M
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 915
I have a 1997 Toyota 4-Runner with just over 200K miles on it. I have replaced brake rotors once (they are ready again), a battery and a starter.


Osama and Obama both have friends who bombed the Pentagon.
IC B2

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611
Have skimmed this thread partly because I considered buying a used Jetta recently. Nice car in many ways, but it had a quirky glitch of some kind in the fan and AC, plus one of the power windows would not work, all of this on our test drive! If I turned off the engine, it fixed the fan/AC problem, sort of like rebooting a computer.

I asked two friends who own Jettas about them. Both of them said the engine drive train were excellent but they both had chronic "small" problems like power windows not working, door locks, interior lights, etc.


Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
V
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
V
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Try changing your own oil on a new VW. I fuggin' dare you....




Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,465
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,465
Originally Posted by Old_Toot
badger, were you going to soon, which BMW would you buy? Looking at an X5 for the wife, one that has been returned from lease. Any thoughts on beemers that were previously leased? Thanks.


Yup,

I wouldn't buy an off lease BMW simply because the driver of a leased BMW is going to change the oil when the car tells him to and not when common sense dictates. The Service Indicator will allow oil change intervals of up to 15k miles (BMW's have a 4 year 50k mile "free maintenance" package with the purchase). Funny how those oil change intervals doubled when the free maintenance was introduced. BMW knows the cars will probably go 100k miles with that kind of maintenance, but I know they won't go much further than that........


To anger a conservative, lie to him. To annoy a liberal, tell him the truth.

Promoted to Turdlike status 03/17/12



Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13,957
F
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
F
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13,957
Originally Posted by badger


Yup,

I wouldn't buy an off lease BMW simply because the driver of a leased BMW is going to change the oil when the car tells him to and not when common sense dictates. The Service Indicator will allow oil change intervals of up to 15k miles (BMW's have a 4 year 50k mile "free maintenance" package with the purchase). Funny how those oil change intervals doubled when the free maintenance was introduced. BMW knows the cars will probably go 100k miles with that kind of maintenance, but I know they won't go much further than that........


Exactly. They are really screwing people with that crap. Took my wife's in last week because the engine light came on and asked if they'd go ahead do the first oil change since it had been 10K and almost a year.

They smugly said no, not until 1 year or 15K miles. So now I have to waste my time again in a few weeks to drive 25 miles back to the dealership.

A$$holes. There is nothing magic about BMW filters and Castrol oil. They just figure the problems will be well after the warranty ends.


[Linked Image]



Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,601
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,601
Originally Posted by Bristoe


Hillbillies are more eclectic than you would imagine.

And actually,..the Bimmers and Acuras are my wife's toys. (Realtor badges,..yanno?)

I drive a 2004 Nissan pick-up and a Burgman. (weird ass Mick badges)


That you didn't correct me on the other details of my mental image is noted, and is good for a grin. There still is hope!

wink

IC B3

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,264
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,264
A bud had a 95 540i that had gotten the full Dinan 5 treatment. The thing was a damn rocket, but the maintenance broke his heart, and he finally dumped it.

Except for 40,000 miles or so in a Miata, the last two decades have been spent in Ford trucks of one type or another. The 04 F150 is paid for, and I'm not planning on buying anything new for a long time.

I grew up working on cars in Dad's garage, and love a responsive car, but I'd also like to retire, eventually...


"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,821
K
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
K
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,821
I have Chevy's the wife has a Diesel Beetle. The bug gets 45mpg on the road, but has had a lot of little nuisance problems. My 2000 S-10 has had none.


�Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program." -- Milton Friedman
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001
L
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
L
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001
Originally Posted by Okanagan
Have skimmed this thread partly because I considered buying a used Jetta recently. Nice car in many ways, but it had a quirky glitch of some kind in the fan and AC, plus one of the power windows would not work, all of this on our test drive! If I turned off the engine, it fixed the fan/AC problem, sort of like rebooting a computer.

I asked two friends who own Jettas about them. Both of them said the engine drive train were excellent but they both had chronic "small" problems like power windows not working, door locks, interior lights, etc.


If looking at a Jetta, get a wagon, and get the diesel. The Germans are very possessive about their wagons, and to the best of my knowledge they still assemble the wagons only in Wolfsburg. The rest of the line is US or Mexico. My Jetta TDI wagon was absolutely incredible. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,601
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,601
Originally Posted by mountainclmbr
I have a 1997 Toyota 4-Runner with just over 200K miles on it. I have replaced brake rotors once (they are ready again), a battery and a starter.


I put 140K on the same make and model with zero issues over just over three years. Any guesses on what I traded it in for? 2005 Runner. Put over 70K on the clock on that one so far. 210K and every one of them trouble free miles? Legendary reliability is right. In another 70K I'll go back with the '05 and do it again.

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,392
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,392
Having seen the problem all too often with German cars over the years (a lot of "Hangar Queens") and having helped friends fix them themselves has revealed frequent very high cost of parts, I arrived at a hunch. The Germans always have placed a high priority (and invested egos) on sophisticated design work - innovations, slick ideas, seamless designs, tight tolerances, etc. But, those minds do not seem to meld with the attitudes of guys who run production and quality control, Given the socialist bent of their society/economy, the worker bees may not invest the same pride and care when they are making/assembling vehicles and parts. Just a hunch.


NRA Member - Life, Benefactor, Patron
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,806
P
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
P
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,806
Originally Posted by 257wby
Can't say that's been the case for us. Have had an Audi of some sort in the garage for 30 years. First one was a Fox...now have a TT.


Must have been a lot wrong if it was in at the garage for 30 years, must have been slow getting parts. grin


"The 375HH is the greatest level of power you can get for the investment in recoil." (JJHack)
79s and losttrail, biggest waste of air.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,130
W
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
W
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,130
Why are German cars so trouble prone? Because they aren't Japanese.

Even my lowly GMC Sierra is less trouble prone than a Mercedes. But then the Duramax diesel engine is assembled in Moraine, Ohio with domestic and Japanese parts, with every engine hot run on a test stand for 8 minutes before being installed in a truck. That's something no one else does, not even for the costly diesel option, not Ford or Ram. The Duramax engine is an Isuzu/GM design with both GM and Isuzu being co-owners. Why my old Honda CIVIC is still running after 31 years, rather well I might add, with no breakdowns.

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
T
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
T
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
Originally Posted by bender
I never relied on Consumer reports. Just to prove them wrong, I put 175,000 trouble free miles on a 1984 Chevy Citation X-11, 378,000 miles on a 1990 Pontiac 6000STE, and currently, 72,000 miles on a 2005 Pontiac GTO. Consumables -brakes, clutches, etc, are serviced and replaced as needed, but no catastrophic failures. Ya just gotta take care of whatever you have. They are all pretty good nowadays.


I'd be replacing the rear brakes a lot if I had a GTO. smile


Camp is where you make it.
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,517
C
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
C
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,517
Originally Posted by mountainclmbr
I have a 1997 Toyota 4-Runner with just over 200K miles on it. I have replaced brake rotors once (they are ready again), a battery and a starter.


My 92 4Runner is still going strong, though the Ohio salt is taking it's toll.
I may need to look for a "new " one.
Maybe splurge and get a ...1998-99?

My BIL is a BMW nut. Always has been. He has about 12-15 at any one time.
Maybe 3-4 that run.
I've never seen any car that requires SO many special tools to do a routine repair.

The electronics are nightmares.
He told me last night, he is buying yet another electronic diagnostic laptop for aboy $800
His step daughter's 325 won't start!
Fun cars to drive. I raced them on and off over the years.

Great tourque but I would NEVER recomend them one unless you are prepared to spend big $$$ for service, often.


"wanna hear God laugh? Tell Him you have complete control now!"
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,055
R
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
R
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,055
Originally Posted by Foxbat
VW has been last or close, on JD Power for years.

Mercedes was near the bottom of that list for a few years as well.

All those reports IMHO are to be treated dubiously..

We have 130K on my wife's Jetta TDI and other than standard maintenance, it purrs right along and I can't feel any degration in handling. I figure it can go another 125K easy..


Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69
Pro-Constitution.
LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
182 members (257 mag, 10Glocks, 300_savage, 2UP, 300jimmy, 01Foreman400, 15 invisible), 1,488 guests, and 840 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,592
Posts18,397,909
Members73,815
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.145s Queries: 15 (0.002s) Memory: 0.9045 MB (Peak: 1.0625 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 09:57:19 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS