Suggestions for a Reliable German Auto under $5k

[Giannis]

You could also get a B6 A4. I just don't know which engines were imported in the US.

 

[MBFanToDeath]

IMO 1. Mercedes-Benz W124 (indestructible Benz) 2. BMW E39

 

[Sunny]

If I were you, I would get a Japanese car. For the budget you have in mind, you can get a newer, safer, more reliable Japanese car that is almost definitely going to be also cheaper to maintain.

As for German cars - my take, if the car was maintained well and serviced regularly, major components should prove to be reliable, but smaller things will break with age and use and it will cost a lot more than Japanese cars to repair those. There is a reason you can find beautiful E38s (even 760s) on Ebay for less than 10k - it is tempting but maintenance will burn you.

 

[Giannis]

That came with the M54B25, right?

The usual stuff that break down are the engine coils, camshaft and crankshaft sensors and front wishbone bushings. Other than that, it's a generally reliable engine.

Ι forgot to mention that many owners had to replace the front passenger seat airbag sensor.

 

[tapenick]

IMO 1. Mercedes-Benz W124 (indestructible Benz) 2. BMW E39

Looks like a TON of engine options... which are good?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W124
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series_(E39)

 

[tapenick]

If I were you, I would get a Japanese car. For the budget you have in mind, you can get a newer, safer, more reliable Japanese car that is almost definitely going to be also cheaper to maintain.

As for German cars - my take, if the car was maintained well and serviced regularly, major components should prove to be reliable, but smaller things will break with age and use and it will cost a lot more than Japanese cars to repair those. There is a reason you can find beautiful E38s (even 760s) on Ebay for less than 10k - it is tempting but maintenance will burn you.

I hear ya... but just not my cup of tea. I'll pay extra up front and "down the road" to drive something "interesting".

Tom

 

[Sunny]

I hear ya... but just not my cup of tea. I'll pay extra up front and "down the road" to drive something "interesting".

Tom

I would too. But if it was for my (non existent) daughter I would probably put more mundane things like safety and getting back home reliably with out being stuck on side of the road above being "interesting".

 

[klier]

Get a VW Golf.

He said he didn't want anything boring so VAG is out of the question

 

[Gianclaudio]

Looks like a TON of engine options... which are good?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W124
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series_(E39)

W124: E280, E300, E320.. that's the ones I had more experience with. IMO the top picks are E280 and E320.

If you're able to get an E500, I'll make you a statue, in your honor

Best regards!