So is the phrase "German Engineering" supposed to denote quality?

[bull]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/pricing/best-worst-in-car-reliability-1005/best-worst-models/index.htm

Doesn't look like it to me.

[6pkrunner]

It certainly did - when the Japanese were still making cheap transistor radios and Honda was limited to producing single cylinder motorcycles and a Chrysler 300 was a muscle car capable of smoking a 'vette.

But not so much in the last 20 years or so. Now they are just another company running under risk management.

[twilt]

Not in my mind.  I cringe everytime I see a German POS pull up to the shop i work in. Within the last 2 weeks, I`ve had the pleasure of checking out two BMW`s with coolant leaks. Both were leaking from a plastic housing on the back of a cylinder head that is completely and totally inaccessible without removing the transmission. To me,  German cars are just overpriced  junk.......purchased by naive status seeking individuals.   

[andy74]

and as a sales rep for dcx, ill tell you the quality hasnt changed,new cars are still basically pieces of shit

[hemihead]

And Jap cars aren't any better... no matter how badly everyone's been brainwashed.

[6670charger]

And Jap cars aren't any better... no matter how badly everyone's been brainwashed.





I've heard some horror stories about the "shortcuts" the Japanese brands take.  They're no better than anyone else. 

[Doright]

I dunno guy's I gave in a year and a half ago and bought one of the first 06 VW JETTA TDI's to hit the market well its had a few problems but the dealer has been quick to fix a few issues I have had, service has been excellent dealer mg mt excellent no pressure sales would buy from again.
Looking forward to the 08 model, not looking forward to the Ammonia injection system they will be putting on them.
It gets 44MPG at 80 mph I drive 70 mi. each way to work 150 mi a day plus drive over a 5,500 ft pass in the commute each way, I now have 43,000 mi on it and the dealer is willing to buy it back for $20,000.00 I only paid $25,500.00  with 1 mile on it.
When it warms up I'm gonna sell it back to them and go back to riding my Honda 04 CBR 1000.

[Charger_Fan]

Looking forward to the 08 model, not looking forward to the Ammonia injection system they will be putting on them.

Sounds stinky.

[dpm68]

Okay, my two cents...as a mechanic who will work on most anything, I have to say that new(er) VWs, Audis, and BMWs are my least favorite of all. I had a 1986 GTI several years back, and I swear it was the last of the gooduns. Quick, reliable, and not too hard to work on - their speedometer set-up was a pain in the ass, and perhaps too much plastic on the grille... but nowadays they have slipped, to say the least. I have replaced a regular customer's starter three times in the last two years and have repaired and re-alligned its poor-fitting body panels too many times to count, and this car is not alone - there are several other new Jettas just like it. As for Audis, do not EVER buy, or recieve one from the 80's or you will be sorry. Same goes for the Bimmers. My apologies for this paragraph having nothing to do with Mopars...I love my 68 R/T and good lord it's going to cost me a fortune to finish...hee hee!

[twilt]

Reminds me..... About a year ago had a Volkswagon towed into shop for a no start diagnosis. Timing belt was stripped/broken. After the job was
"sold" I started taking a good look at the car and started to wonder how in the heck was I going to have the room/clearance to get the crank pulley off which was facing the front of the car.  A quick trip to our Mitchell on demand system revealed that the front clip of the car had to be removed    and would supposedly require special tools. All for about 3 hours of labor....      I think not. Our service manager called the customer back and suggested that they take it to a Volkswagon dealer. 

[dpm68]

Sad indeed.

[Slowpoke]

I worked for a Volkswagen store in parts until last summers and the Jetta's and beetles very nightmares
for the warranty dept. The passat's weren't as bad but the smaller cars have tons or quality control issues.
   I now work for a Subaru dealer and am very impressed with the quality. Instead of a room for warranty parts
returns I now have a shelf and it takes a couple of weeks to fill that up.

[Doright]

Like I said Im planning on selling any ways they have a pretty good resale value.
And they do get greate fuel milage 44 mpg Diesel and I have had some problems with it Stereo replaced, Mass airflow sensor, Clutch pressure plate flywheel all new, Undiagnossed intermitant miss.   

[PocketThunder]

My spouse had a Jetta for a couple years and that thing was junk.  I was fixing something on that car every couple months.  We traded it in on a Maxima and Nissan makes a pretty good car for the most part.  We have since traded the maxima in on a Jeep GC and D'oh!  the damn heater blend door problem is haunting me.  Oh well, another time for another thread on that one.  or you can read it here http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771954