KennethKwok

I have a used 2005 W211 E500. I live in Hong Kong, China.

A forum friend suggested another brand for less repair bills.

What do you think is the most reliable brand for family sedans?
Most reliable is defined here as
1. We still do regular maintenance, engine oil change, brake pad change
tire change as required.
2. less unscheduled visits: airmatic suspension fail, sensonic brake fail...

Is German cars or Japan cars more reliable?

Many thanks for your precious opinion.

homeofstone

Toyota

relinuca

FWIW, First of all, for the record, I love German luxury cars. I'm on my 4th 911 and second Benz. I have also had several Japanese cars over the last decade.

When it comes to pure reliability and low mtnce. costs, Japanese cars are clear winners; no one can beat them on this issue. Consumer Reports magazine's annual issue repeatedly shows their superiority.

relinuca

jeffwoehrle

Absolutely agree.


I love my Benz, but if you want something to get you around and never have to think about it, get a Toyota.

beejAMG

It would cost a bit more to run a Merc. But I would take a well maintained w124 any day over a later model Japanese car. Those cars are built like a tank! but if you're worried about running cost, a Toyota will be your best bet.

KennethKwok

Many thanks.

That confirm my suspicion.

I suppose there are well time and sick days for cars.
When German cars (Benz) are well, they feel so much better.
The Driver's feel is important.
E.g. I feel great holding my Digital SLR Camera, when
a compact digital camera would suffice for my need.

I hope that the more expensive car (German) would excel
in EVERYTHING. But that does not seem to be the rule in life.
Some cheaper things can be better than expensive things
in certain aspects. And expensive things cannot be better in
every aspect. (E.g. a Digital SLR camera is much heavier than compact
digital camera)


Many thanks.

vettdvr

High price doesn't have to mean High Quality.. It just might mean poor manufacturing efficiency, lots of waste and higher manufacturing cost. Don't always assume the higher price is higher quality. Sometimes a very high efficiency production with little scrap can sell a high quality product at lower cost.

KEY08

Acura

homeofstone

Yes Acura is very good, However, the last Acura I had(2005 TSX) had a lot of problems over the 230,000 miles I owned it since new. AC compressor failed, Power steering pump and hoses failed twice, Cat converter failed, after 200,000 it developed oil leaks, nav screen failed. My 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 V8 with 114,000 miles is near perfect, with zero problems.

novae500

Think my next purchase will be either Toy/Honda or their higher end Lexus/Acura brand.

N_Jay

It could also mean a lot of R&D into early adoption of technology and the additional cost due to relatively low volume production.