Business type cars and their issues.

flyer2018

Hi everyone,
Is here any mechanics who could provide some information about common issues with Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi?

Heres Johnny

flyer2018 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
Is here any mechanics who could provide some information about common issues with Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi?

What do you want to know? Which one to buy? Pros and cons of each?
Ask whatever you're thinking loads of experience here buying selling fixing wrecking cars.
Give specifics, like model, fuel type etc....loads of people will help.
For free!!

flyer2018

Yes would like to find out wich car would be worth to buy. Well I'm looking only for 2L Diesel models, Lexus 2.2D
Some mechanics say that Audi A4 is the best reliable and not expensive to fix (2TDI 2008/2009 years) others say that don't come near Audi oil consumption problems, timing chain problems.
Previous mechanic suggested 2TDI Volvo, but lately it's just falling apart and spent unbelievable money for repair.
Would really appreciate advises and some info on problems and fixing costs

Heres Johnny

Is it only reliability thats your concern?

Have a look at www.honestjohn.co.uk its a pretty good site for that kind of thing.

Everyone has horror stories about particular cars, to be honest they are all 10 years old and its about how well they have been looked after.

BMW diesel around that time has timing chain problems and the diesel Lexus is apparently a much poorer engine than the Germans for performance, not sure about reliability though.

I've had 5 BMWs and they have all been fine, but have all been petrol

flyer2018

Thank you for the website!
It's not only reliability but it's a major issue, comfort - yes I need something bigger and heavier than Toyota yaris, or Nissan Quashkai, both cars very unstable on the big speeds, diesel engine because making more than 200km a day, powerful enough to overtake other cars, and of course not crazy expensive to run. Like mentioned before, my car just falling apart and I'm not sure what car to look for to don't end up in similar situation when spending in garage more than price of the car, or few hours late to work because it suddenly died on the road.

Gravelly

Here's my 2 cents: I've a bit of an Audi bias, but of the models you've mentioned, based on my experience of having owned all except a Lexus, and having an indy German garage in the family, I would recommend either Audi A4/A6 for reliability (A6 has better interior, and is much easier to find in automatic), or Mercedes E-Class. I find the Merc C-class comfort to be sub-par for the money. BMW 5 Series have woeful reliability (I'll get abuse for this but it is true, ask any mechanic with experience of them), especially the well-known timing chain issues on the previous model, and expensive-to-track-down electrical gremlins on newer models. Lexus have a reputation for diesel engine troubles, but, as I've never owned one, and we don't get many, if any, in the garage, I can't say. I wouldn't buy one.

flyer2018

Gravelly, could you please mention years, millage, BHP of Audi /Mercedes that you find reliable? Were those cars diesel or petrol?
Talking about mechanics they say totally different things and calling different models.
That's why I'm on the forum.
Irish mechanics usually suggest to choose Japanese cars but Eastern suggests German.
Japanies it's no no, too light hard to control on motorway in heavy showers or windy weather.
Don't know anything about those cars that I'm asking, just most of mechanics kinda suggested to get one of those, mostly was suggested A4 2TDI 143BHP

Gravelly

flyer2018 wrote: »

Gravelly, could you please mention years, millage, BHP of Audi /Mercedes that you find reliable? Were those cars diesel or petrol?
Talking about mechanics they say totally different things and calling different models.
That's why I'm on the forum.
Irish mechanics usually suggest to choose Japanese cars but Eastern suggests German.
Japanies it's no no, too light hard to control on motorway in heavy showers or windy weather.
Don't know anything about those cars that I'm asking, just most of mechanics kinda suggested to get one of those, mostly was suggested A4 2TDI 143BHP

I was assuming all cars were 2.0 or 2.1 diesels (based on your OP) and between 2-6 years old. Mileage appropriate to year (though mileage on a recent model German car isn't critical within reason). The A4 2.0TDi is a car I've owned two examples of myself, and I found very reliable, and with reasonable performance. Can be hard to get one in automatic if that's your thing (and in my opinion all mid to large German saloons should be auto).

bazz26

Er, Lexus on your original list is Japanese.

bazz26

Gravelly wrote: »

Here's my 2 cents: I've a bit of an Audi bias, but of the models you've mentioned, based on my experience of having owned all except a Lexus, and having an indy German garage in the family, I would recommend either Audi A4/A6 for reliability (A6 has better interior, and is much easier to find in automatic), or Mercedes E-Class. I find the Merc C-class comfort to be sub-par for the money. BMW 5 Series have woeful reliability (I'll get abuse for this but it is true, ask any mechanic with experience of them), especially the well-known timing chain issues on the previous model, and expensive-to-track-down electrical gremlins on newer models. Lexus have a reputation for diesel engine troubles, but, as I've never owned one, and we don't get many, if any, in the garage, I can't say. I wouldn't buy one.

That's funny as the 3 BMW's I've owned were more reliable than the one VAG car I owned in between.

flyer2018

Yes I know that Lexus is Japanese, it's the only one that looks heavy enough, never drove it. But definitely wouldn't be going for Nissan, Toyota and rest of the light cars. And that's correct I was wondering wich car would be better 2L Diesel the only Lexus is 2.2
The only thing is age of the car was looking cars 2008-2010

bazz26

The Lexus diesel IS is not a very reliable car, best avoided.

Why not look at the Skoda Superb?

Gravelly

bazz26 wrote: »

Gravelly wrote: »

Here'

That's funny as the 3 BMW's I've owned were more reliable than the one VAG car I owned in between.

If every single car BMW produced was a lemon they’d be gone years ago, however, pretty much any garage that gets a lot of German cars will tell you that BMW have poor reliability and are difficult and expensive to fix when they go wrong. I know several garages that refuse to work on BMW’s as they feel that the hassle isn’t worth it. It’s a pity as they are a fantastic car to drive.

bazz26

Not many garages turn away work on BMWs down this way... anything German tends to be expensive and often complex to repair when it goes pear shaped.

Gravelly

bazz26 wrote: »

Not many garages turn away work on BMWs down this way... anything German tends to be expensive and often complex to repair when it goes pear shaped.

Quiet garages won't turn away anything. The problem with beemers is that a lot of the diagnostic work requires an investment for the garage that's rarely worth it, and from what I'm told, customers end up complaining about the cost of work done. Unless an indy garage specialises in BMW work, it is easier to turn them away with a "that can only be done by a main dealer" type excuse. Our garage does a lot of Mercedes and VAG work, but, unless you are a long-standing customer, won't take on beemers. Let the MD do it and charge them through the nose for the privilege of fixing their faulty product. In the words or the tech that works on my car "if you are stupid enough to buy BMW, you're stupid enough to pay BMW to fix it".

Mintoe

flyer2018 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
Is here any mechanics who could provide some information about common issues with Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi?

Try reviews section on www.parkers.co.uk

flyer2018

Guys you probably burn me on fire for my comments...
Had a look at Skoda... 140bhp that's OK, outside I could live with that looks but inside.... I'd cry every day if I had to drive it, interior of car from 80's but price of it similar to nice looking cars and I'd spend most of the days in it,honestly can't even think of driving it 6-7h a day. Why Skoda? Is it super reliable?
Okay, thank you very much for for information, BMW and lexus out of concideration.
Any other suggestions?
Talking about garages, most of them refuse Volvo's too but why? It's Swedish car.

flyer2018

Parkers reviews and some other sites looks like an advertisement for some makes and models. Just checked reviews on my car seems all owners are extremely happy, but I had crazy amount of problems that mechanics were telling me. For example mad security, cat jumps on the bonnet and alarm will roars, forget to take out key - here you go surprise after few minutes car locking it self, you are lucky if you left the window open, but if not? �� it's just a small things.... Bigger picture when garage refuses to deal with it and sending to main diller, just comparing prices : diagnostic in small garage 30eur but in diller garage 90eur and 2weeks prior booking.

tedpan

flyer2018 wrote:

Hi everyone, Is here any mechanics who could provide some information about common issues with Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi?

It all depends on the actual car you want, your request is far too vague. All makes and models have issues of some kind. The best thing to do would short list a few cars you like, then we can give you recommendations based on experience.

At the end of the day you should get the car checked thoroughly by a mechanic and if you have the cash, buy from a reputable dealer with a warranty. We could talk about the reliability of Audi, Skoda and BMW all day but if you pick up a mistreated lemon, you could get unlucky.

So, based on a couple of strangers on the internet you've decided to drop BMW from your list? Not specific models, but the entire range? What a bizarre thing to do.

Be realistic in what you expect to get from a 8-10 year old 2L diesel which you plan on driving 30,000 miles/50,000 km a year. You think you had lots of expensive work on your S40: You didn't. That's all very reasonable given the mileage and the age of the car. If you think otherwise, you're not being realistic.

Why don't you go and put together a shortlist of cars you like which are in your budget, instead of asking people how long is a piece of string?

mrs.doubt.fire

I drive BMW's for the past few years. The X6, I had to replace the stat nav after a few years as it died. I then had a BMW 520 for a few years, the timing chain started to go when it was about 5 yrs old from new, took it back to the BMW dealer and their mechanic's looked after it and they said yes it's going to go, they had to take a video of it to record the sound and send a written report about it to BMW in England and England sent it (video and written report) to Germany. The garage came back to me and said Germany will replace the chain for FREE but their excuse was because I was a valued customer AND on both vehicles over the years when the service was due, I had both vehicles in to be serviced on time and I had always looked after the vehicles. But I just smiled and said nothing as I know its an old garage hack...they are suppose to do the chain for free. My parents always had a Mec and they said the same thing, timing chains go in those too after a few years and the garage/dealer fix them for free. I'm still driving the BMW 520, diesel, automatic, although I have up graded to a new one recently...aww sur it's grand, little do the garage know but I drive the sh**e out of them LOL I drive them like I stole them simply because just like any other car regardless of make or model, when the time comes to up grade for a new one, the garage wont give you much for them so in my opinion..no point in minding it. Same goes for seat covers, I gave up putting seat covers on as your only minding it (the condition of the seats) for the next lad.

flyer2018

Tedpan -
I like Volvo's and Saab's but most mechanic's said to don't come near them.

JayZeus - sometimes strangers in internet can give a most genuine advice as they aren't interested to make money of you and giving advice from their own experiences.

Talking about age and milage my friend has Audi A3 2002, milage on it 430 000 km never had any trouble only regular things service, tires, bulbs, timing kit.
But another pal has A6 2017 on 84 k miles had to buy new engine and change gear box. So again as many people as many experience. Simple tings like servicing car how much it costs for those models, how much is timing belt kit change? What usually breaks down on those cars and how much coast to fix. Read lots of complaints about BMW that timing chain getting loose slips and damaging engine

flyer2018

Will anyone complains about Audi A4? A5 that recommended by some mechanic's?
Have you had experience with Volvo's and Saab's that most mechanics don't recommend and what is the major issues with them?

tedpan

flyer2018 wrote:

Tedpan - I like Volvo's and Saab's but most mechanic's said to don't come near them.

Cool, can you be specific with models?

FYI, Saab is no longer a company. Volvo was Volvo, then ford, now Geely so let us know model, year etc. Still way too vague on what you want.

flyer2018

Too much generalisation going on there. If you want information, you need to start getting specific. If you want a chat, that's fine, but be clear about it.

flyer2018 wrote: »

JayZeus - sometimes strangers in internet can give a most genuine advice as they aren't interested to make money of you and giving advice from their own experiences.

As for the stranger having nothing to gain from you, just remember that they also have nothing to lose and their experience is representative of nothing in isolation. You had bad experience with the repair costs of your S40 as it got older. I had one and never had any such problems. Who is right? Who is wrong?

For every person who tells you to avoid a particular car you can bet with certainty you'll find someone who will have had no problems with that same model and will recommend it all day long.

But you have to get down to particular models, engines and production years if you want useful advice.

So far, this thread is just 'pub talk' BS as far as I can tell. There's nothing except:

Timing belts and chains need to be replaced, sometimes often, sometimes not.
This costs money, sometimes little, sometimes a lot.
Mechanics don't like Volvo's. At least some don't. While some do. Strange one that, isn't it?
Some people have BMW's and find them reliable, some people like to tell people BMW's are unrealiable.
Toyotas and Japanese cars are too light, apparently.
Lexus didn't look light, but it's off the list now for some arbitrary reason with little real justification or merit.

I'd love to be able to help as I'm sure most reading this thread would, but you have to give people something to work with. Something a bit more focused and considered, like a list of cars you actually have some interest in and would consider purchasing if you had satisfactory advice and input.

flyer2018

Saab 93 aero 2009-2010, it looks nice interior and seems powerful enough, I know that they don't make anymore. But what's exactly wrong with those cars?
Volvo s40, s60, as far as I know it became ford only in mid 2010.

flyer2018

flyer2018 wrote: »

Will anyone complains about Audi A4? A5 that recommended by some mechanic's?
Have you had experience with Volvo's and Saab's that most mechanics don't recommend and what is the major issues with them?

Find or pick a mechanic you like and trust. Ask their opinion/advice and then stop picking up interference and noise from other mechanics. You will get nothing but conflicting advice and feedback otherwise.

tedpan

flyer2018 wrote:

Saab 93 aero 2009-2010, it looks nice interior and seems powerful enough, I know that they don't make anymore. But what's exactly wrong with those cars? Volvo s40, s60, as far as I know it became ford only in mid 2010.

Huh, Volvo is Geely since 2010??

flyer2018

JayZeus, I'll repeat again : considering cars salons, around 2l-2.2l Diesel with 140+ BHP so Audi A4 120bhp out of concideration only A4 143BHP, car should be heavy enough and ok looking inside. Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Lexus been suggested by few mechanics not because I like them, been told most reliable. Before that was concidering Saab 93 aero 2009-2010, s40 2009, s60 2009, A4 208-2009 s line.

If BMWs has timing chain problems why I should take a risk buying one? If lexus having engine problems why I should concider it as an option?

flyer2018

And OK maybe my conversation looks like a talk in the pub, sorry I'm not a mechanic and not a man to know all things about the cars. All I wanted to know common problems of those cars coasts and similar looking /specs cars.
But seems it's hopeless and have to buy cat in the bag again....

Gravelly

flyer2018 wrote: »

And OK maybe my conversation looks like a talk in the pub, sorry I'm not a mechanic and not a man to know all things about the cars. All I wanted to know common problems of those cars coasts and similar looking /specs cars.
But seems it's hopeless and have to buy cat in the bag again....

I hope the information from my experience was of some help. Some posters appear to be taking your posts as a challenge rather than a simple request.

flyer2018

Gravelly: thank you very much for your answer, it was really helpful. Also did research on YouTube and found the answer why my car went totally wrong. It's nothing to do with age of the car and nothing to do with mileage, it's not bad electronics, it's sensetieve electronics and when you get mechanic who doesn't know about volvo much and treats it like other car it gets damaged, price of repair not worth it. And it's just simple things that you never think of for example disconnecting diagnostic mashine before switching off the program is enough to get mistakes and errors in electronic or disconnecting battery if key is in ignition or charging charger...
Find out that timing kit has to be done every 150k kilometers not 90k as I did and service 30k not 10k, seems can't trust my mechanic anymore...