Most reliable German exec

[anonymous-user]

What would members of the forum regard to be the most reliable German executive car, I will narrow it down to 3 an E class, BMW 5 series or an Audi A6, I am looking at reg plates between 2006 and 2010, diesel engine with around 40-50,000 miles, many thanks in advance.

[vikingaero]

According to JD Power in 2018, they ranked the Germans - Audi, Mercedes BMW.

All of the Germans were beaten by Jag, LR & Volvo.

[Test driver]

Jaguar are well worth considering in this sector, although I much prefer petrol over derv.

[Escort3500]

vikingaero said:

According to JD Power in 2018, they ranked the Germans - Audi, Mercedes BMW.

All of the Germans were beaten by Jag, LR & Volvo.

Surprised LR is in there; thought they had a dreadful reliability record.

[Plate spinner]

I’ve had all three and can say without a moments hesitation that the most reliable is...










a combination of the exact car you have underneath you at the time and a bit of potluck.
All have their known weaknesses and all have owners who’ve done huge miles with nothing more than fuel, tyres and routine maintenance.

Just pick the one you like

[jeremyh1]

A mid 90s E class

[Bennyjames28]

I love a 5 series. If you buy it low mileage and service it twice as often as BMw tell you to then it will last you a long time and won't break.

[Dracoro]

I would say good luck finding a c10 year old German diesel barge that has only averaged 4/5k miles per year. These are most often bought to do high miles. If you do find any, make sure they’re not clocked.

Regardless, at that age I would say the more reliable ones would be the ones best looked after, rather than which brand.

[vikingaero]

Dracoro said:

I would say good luck finding a c10 year old German diesel barge that has only averaged 4/5k miles per year. These are most often bought to do high miles. If you do find any, make sure they’re not clocked.

Regardless, at that age I would say the more reliable ones would be the ones best looked after, rather than which brand.

Lots of London cars average 4k a year. Depends on whether you want a car that has been in stop/go traffic and idled for 200,000 years.

[anonymous-user]

There are lots of cars on autotrader with this mileage and age, if I was honest I've heard the most horror stories about Audi's which is surprising given their vast numbers on our roads these days, all that glitters aint gold so it seems.

[NickGRhodes]

vikingaero said:

According to JD Power in 2018, they ranked the Germans - Audi, Mercedes BMW.

All of the Germans were beaten by Jag, LR & Volvo.

How did Lexus do ?

[Monkeylegend]

That would be the Mercedes E220 CDi with the 5g box and a proper verifiable service history.

Barely run in at 100k miles so I would not be to hung up on mileage.

[Shiv_P]

Probably the mercs TBH, there is a reason all the German taxi drivers love them. Great reliable albeit agricultural diesels.

BMW seem incapable of making a good 4 pot diesel over the past 10-15 years so ignore them

VAG 2.0 diesels seem to be decent too but only had 1 in the family so not a huge amount of experience with them personally

[Andy665]

Can I ask why you are wanting to buy German

If you want reliable look elsewhere

[Spanglepants]

As the owner of a 2008 BMW 530D id say do yourself a favour and buy a Lexus GS450H.

[jeremyh1]

Andy665 said:

Can I ask why you are wanting to buy German

If you want reliable look elsewhere

Big he wants to drive around singing this song


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHZRHEJHS2k

[Dinoboy]

I've had 2 E60 520d's and an E91 320d, did around 50k in each and never had so much as a blown bulb in any of them.