The Car Thread ... !

[44267547]

I have a Peugeot 3008, it’s been a brilliant car but it’s current generation so very German.

The interior of the 3008 looks identical to BMW styling. Although I don’t care for infotainment displays that are mounted above dash, where it’s a ‘cleaner’ look when they’re integrated into the dash.

Yet the exterior styling of the 3008 looks like a cross of a Mitsubishi Outlander from the front and a Ford Mach-E mixed the Ford Edge from the rear. Not a bad looking vehicle at all.

 

[ericwn]

No it doesn‘t.

Also, cars are stupid, and we should move past them.

Well said. The time of the Hoverboard will soon be here. Everything else is comical, and old news.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well said. The time of the Hoverboard will soon be here. Everything else is comical, and old news.

Hoverboard? Move over slow coach. I’m waiting on the transporter from Star Trek.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Agree on the poor cornering and build quality with American cars. Never even considered buying one. They just aren’t for me. German quality is my preference. Then I’d go Asian. Then the bus. Then an American car!

I'm not sure I would say this is true anymore. At least with American cars since the early 2010's. The overcomplexity for no reason, the components that fail if use them is very common on every German car I've owned. BMW has had window regulator/motor issues, radiator overflow tank issues. Audi has had problems that if you use the glove box or center armrest the latches/sliders break. I just had to pull the navigation, climate controls shifter trim on my wife's A4 because the design of the ash tray (which has coin holders) makes it so coins slip into the lid track under regular braking.

American cars now have all the same tech, 4 wheel independent suspensions, and go 200k-300k miles without any more major issues then German cars. Many, offer AWD versions, and even with bigger engines get close to the same MPG (except big trucks/suvs).

I agree American cars of the 80's-90's were WAY behind, but since the early 2010's American cars are on par, and outlast the German counterparts.

Also, for us here in the US, American cars are cheaper than German, since Germans are Imports. Having grown up overseas, I understand that American cars are a premium because they are your Imports.

My current inventory: Audi A4 2.0T, BMW 325i, Ram 1500 Hemi

 

[Apple fanboy]

I'm not sure I would say this is true anymore. At least with American cars since the early 2010's. The overcomplexity for no reason, the components that fail if use them is very common on every German car I've owned. BMW has had window regulator/motor issues, radiator overflow tank issues. Audi has had problems that if you use the glove box or center armrest the latches/sliders break. I just had to pull the navigation, climate controls shifter trim on my wife's A4 because the design of the ash tray (which has coin holders) makes it so coins slip into the lid track under regular braking.

American cars now have all the same tech, 4 wheel independent suspensions, and go 200k-300k miles without any more major issues then German cars. Many, offer AWD versions, and even with bigger engines get close to the same MPG (except big trucks/suvs).

I agree American cars of the 80's-90's were WAY behind, but since the early 2010's American cars are on par, and outlast the German counterparts.

Also, for us here in the US, American cars are cheaper than German, since Germans are Imports. Having grown up overseas, I understand that American cars are a premium because they are your Imports.

My current inventory: Audi A4 2.0T, BMW 325i, Ram 1500 Hemi

We don’t see too many American cars over here (U.K.) as people generally don’t see the benefit in importing them. Plus the steering wheel is on the wrong side if you do!
Generally the US cars are too large for my tastes as well. But each to their own.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The likes of Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler and Cadillac have all at some point tried to expand their brands into the UK and Europe and failed terribly. I think part of it is the cars they’ve released have either been rebadged Saabs, Daewoo’s or just aesthetically inferior to European or Asian brands. The only American owned brands that seem to have been successful are Ford and Vauxhall/Opel/GM cars that have been designed on this side of the pond. The safety regs used to be a lot stiffer in Europe and build quality was never the best on the imports we received. It’s sort of left a stigma I think.

 

[JT2002TJ]

The likes of Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler and Cadillac have all at some point tried to expand their brands into the UK and Europe and failed terribly. I think part of it is the cars they’ve released have either been rebadged Saabs, Daewoo’s or just aesthetically inferior to European or Asian brands. The only American owned brands that seem to have been successful are Ford and Vauxhall/Opel/GM cars that have been designed on this side of the pond. The safety regs used to be a lot stiffer in Europe and build quality was never the best on the imports we received. It’s sort of left a stigma I think.

True. Just like vehicles truly designed for the UK market typically fail over here. When it comes to reliability, European vehicles just don't have the longevity of American made vehicles...

Said from a person with 2/3 German vehicles, and I've owned more German cars than any other.

Every German vehicle I've owned requires soooo much preventative maintenance, and regular things that should last the lifetime of a vehicle are considered wear items.

 

[Apple fanboy]

True. Just like vehicles truly designed for the UK market typically fail over here. When it comes to reliability, European vehicles just don't have the longevity of American made vehicles...

Said from a person with 2/3 German vehicles, and I've owned more German cars than any other.

Every German vehicle I've owned requires soooo much preventative maintenance, and regular things that should last the lifetime of a vehicle are considered wear items.

Another reason I’m going electric. I don’t want to be replacing a cam belt every few years.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

True. Just like vehicles truly designed for the UK market typically fail over here. When it comes to reliability, European vehicles just don't have the longevity of American made vehicles...

Said from a person with 2/3 German vehicles, and I've owned more German cars than any other.

Every German vehicle I've owned requires soooo much preventative maintenance, and regular things that should last the lifetime of a vehicle are considered wear items.

I’ve had a few German cars over the years and have one now and have had my fair share of faults with them. I’ve also owned a 2015 and a 2018 Honda CR-V and both had faults though and these cars are known for their reliability. The funny thing is I have owned 2 Citroens and now a Peugeot and these combined have been the most reliable cars I have owned. Hopefully I haven’t jinxed it lol, but they have. I still like a German car though and the drive is fairly unmatched. Our 3008 matches any BMW I have driven though for both build quality and driving comfort though but I think Peugeot poached a senior BMW executive in 2016. I know the interiors are produced by the same French company that manufacture interiors for Audi, BMW and Mercedes’.

I’ve not owned any of the recent American car releases we’ve had here but they’ve had poor reviews. I drove an ex bosses Cadillac CLS on a couple of occasions and that thing creaked and rattled over every bump. I think it was based on a Saab 93 so the handling was ok, but it had all the garish chrome trim and hard plastic interior that looked over the top for this sort of market.

 

[44267547]

The likes of Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler and Cadillac have all at some point tried to expand their brands into the UK and Europe and failed terribly. I think part of it is the cars they’ve released have either been rebadged Saabs, Daewoo’s or just aesthetically inferior to European or Asian brands. The only American owned brands that seem to have been successful are Ford and Vauxhall/Opel/GM cars that have been designed on this side of the pond. The safety regs used to be a lot stiffer in Europe and build quality was never the best on the imports we received. It’s sort of left a stigma I think.

Cadillac is a failing brand here in the United States (And has been for years with terrible reliability with cheap plastic interiors). Chevrolet and Dodge (Chrysler included) make junk consumer vehicles. GM in general is not really the most reliable brand here in North America either.

I think it’s one of the reasons that if you look at Toyota and Honda, they retain their resale value so well, because they’re so reliable in the higher mileage stage of their lifespan. My only issue with some of the asian brands, is design, but that’s just really the only gripe I have.

Ford on the other hand, I think they really do have some great drivetrains in their vehicles (Ecoboost engines, 5.0L, ect,) they’re probably the one manufacturer that’s moving in the right direction with most of their fleet to electric within the next 10 years.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Another reason I’m going electric. I don’t want to be replacing a cam belt every few years.

Only a few hours work 👍 It’s a consumable. Generally only needs doing every 60-80K miles.

Sure there are lots of reason for going electric but this is so low down, and you still need maintenance and service anyway.

Having gone electric in one car; home charging is great, range on most of them on sale is sufficient to have range confidence. But public charging is a pain so far I’m only at 2 successes out of six attempts. Don’t get me wrong for 95% of journeys it doesn’t matter, but a lot still has to change.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Hoverboard? Move over slow coach. I’m waiting on the transporter from Star Trek.
View attachment 1977408

I recently installed my home unit. Now waiting for my local pub to install one and getting home will be a piece of cake

 

[JT2002TJ]

Cadillac is a failing brand here in the United States (And has been for years with terrible reliability with cheap plastic interiors). Chevrolet and Dodge (Chrysler included) make junk consumer vehicles. GM in general is not really the most reliable brand here in North America either.

I think it’s one of the reasons that if you look at Toyota and Honda, they retain their resale value so well, because they’re so reliable in the higher mileage stage of their lifespan. My only issue with some of the asian brands, is design, but that’s just really the only gripe I have.

Ford on the other hand, I think they really do have some great drivetrains in their vehicles (Ecoboost engines, 5.0L, ect,) they’re probably the one manufacturer that’s moving in the right direction with most of their fleet to electric within the next 10 years.

Chrysler line (including Ram) has many many many vehicles in then 300k miles range. Look at any Ram on the road... A 200k mile Ram holds its value, and is on par with any vehicle I've ever owned (first car was a MB 1979 450 SLC). I had a 2002 Jeep wrangler that had 0 problems in over 100k miles (I literally mean 0).

I've never owned GM vehicles, I'm a Mopar guy. I'll take a Mopar over any Ford or GM...

 

[JT2002TJ]

I’ve had a few German cars over the years and have one now and have had my fair share of faults with them. I’ve also owned a 2015 and a 2018 Honda CR-V and both had faults though and these cars are known for their reliability. The funny thing is I have owned 2 Citroens and now a Peugeot and these combined have been the most reliable cars I have owned. Hopefully I haven’t jinxed it lol, but they have. I still like a German car though and the drive is fairly unmatched. Our 3008 matches any BMW I have driven though for both build quality and driving comfort though but I think Peugeot poached a senior BMW executive in 2016. I know the interiors are produced by the same French company that manufacture interiors for Audi, BMW and Mercedes’.

I’ve not owned any of the recent American car releases we’ve had here but they’ve had poor reviews. I drove an ex bosses Cadillac CLS on a couple of occasions and that thing creaked and rattled over every bump. I think it was based on a Saab 93 so the handling was ok, but it had all the garish chrome trim and hard plastic interior that looked over the top for this sort of market.

I have yet to own a German car that didn't have interior squeaks from trim panels rubbing. If you change your vehicles ever 5 years, you may never notice, but any German car 5+ years old pretty much all have interior squeaks, or trim pieces that break. Both my Audi and BMW have wood trim that has cracks from just sitting there (not from removal). And I live in NY, so the vehicle doesn't see harsh heat. I also have dark tinting.

I still love German cars, but I will say, the days of their vehicles lasting 30+ years with only maintenance are gone. When something goes wrong with a German car, you better be ready to either keep the car forever or get rid of it asap as you will very quickly go down a rabbit hole. Also, residual value of a German car is terrible. A $120k S-class will be worth 70k-80k in 2-3 years...

I still can't believe that German manufactures are still ok with burning oil. Burning oil is a either a design flaw or a manufacturing defect...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Only a few hours work 👍 It’s a consumable. Generally only needs doing every 60-80K miles.

Sure there are lots of reason for going electric but this is so low down, and you still need maintenance and service anyway.

Having gone electric in one car; home charging is great, range on most of them on sale is sufficient to have range confidence. But public charging is a pain so far I’m only at 2 successes out of six attempts. Don’t get me wrong for 95% of journeys it doesn’t matter, but a lot still has to change.

My cars done less than 40k. I was first told it needed doing 2 years ago. But it’s not the main reason I’m switching. That would be petrol prices!
But not having much to maintain is a big plus. There is a lot less to go wrong or wear out on an EV.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I have yet to own a German car that didn't have interior squeaks from trim panels rubbing. If you change your vehicles ever 5 years, you may never notice, but any German car 5+ years old pretty much all have interior squeaks, or trim pieces that break. Both my Audi and BMW have wood trim that has cracks from just sitting there (not from removal). And I live in NY, so the vehicle doesn't see harsh heat. I also have dark tinting.

I still love German cars, but I will say, the days of their vehicles lasting 30+ years with only maintenance are gone. When something goes wrong with a German car, you better be ready to either keep the car forever or get rid of it asap as you will very quickly go down a rabbit hole. Also, residual value of a German car is terrible. A $120k S-class will be worth 70k-80k in 2-3 years...

I still can't believe that German manufactures are still ok with burning oil. Burning oil is a either a design flaw or a manufacturing defect...

5 years of VW ownership. Never put a drop of oil in it.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

My cars done less than 40k. I was first told it needed doing 2 years ago. But it’s not the main reason I’m switching. That would be petrol prices!
But not having much to maintain is a big plus. There is a lot less to go wrong or wear out on an EV.

I don’t really agree with that. I mean how much engine failures do you really have on a car. Sure you safe in oil changes but otherwise ICE engines are pretty reliable. There are still heat pumps, steering, suspension, brakes etc. All the other bits.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I don’t really agree with that. I mean how much engine failures do you really have on a car. Sure you safe in oil changes but otherwise ICE engines are pretty reliable. There are still heat pumps, steering, suspension, brakes etc. All the other bits.

No exhaust, radiator or oil filters etc. though.
The car only requires servicing every two years. The service charge is about half to two thirds of the equivalent ICE car.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Not super-recent news, but I finally watched a few videos of Gordon Murray showing off the GMA T.33...wow. In an era when performance cars have become overly big, overly complex and overpowered, it is refreshing to see what is probably the last great ICE supercar (with a manual!) as envisioned by Murray.

The incredible power that engineers can now get out of IC engines means that extra bloat can be carried and certain design inefficiencies (or laziness) can be masked. Not so with Murray designs. The McLaren F-1 will always be my greatest-ever road car, but the T.33 echoes everything that made the F1 great while still maintaining simplicity and purity of design - even more so than the T.50 I'd argue.

The likes of Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler and Cadillac have all at some point tried to expand their brands into the UK and Europe and failed terribly.

US carmakers - erm, sorry, truckmakers got into the European market a very long time ago and built a good reputation with brands like Ford and GM's ownership of Opel. But, apart from isolated successes here and there, all of their attempts to bring US-made cars to Europe since the malaise era of the 1970s have been half-hearted efforts doomed to failure. If they really actually tried they might succeed. But the reality is, domestic US production lives and dies on sales of full-size trucks and to a lesser extent midsize+ SUVs. And those are not Europe's high-volume segments. Everything else is just a sideshow for them.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

No exhaust, radiator or oil filters etc. though.
The car only requires servicing every two years. The service charge is about half to two thirds of the equivalent ICE car.

No exhaust true but come on how often does an exhaust need replacing Radiator, no but replaced for the reverse using heat pump technology to optimise the batteries. Oil filter, nope I agree but again that was/is hardly a big deal anyway. You can do that on your driveway in a few minutes...

 

[JT2002TJ]

5 years of VW ownership. Never put a drop of oil in it.

You are the exception. VAG manuals indicate that oil consumption is normal as long as it is less than 1 quart per oil change. I think it's in BMW manuals as well.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

5 years of VW ownership. Never put a drop of oil in it.

I can’t say I’ve noticed excessive oil consumption either on the VW, BMW and now the Audi that I own. I did 30k miles in a Passat Highline 2.0 TDI and it was flawless.

You are the exception. VAG manuals indicate that oil consumption is normal as long as it is less than 1 quart per oil change. I think it's in BMW manuals as well.

Is this in relation to diesels or petrols? A diesel is serviced every 10k miles and I’ve not had to top oil levels up in between. In fact when checking during these periods it has always been consistent for me.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I can’t say I’ve noticed excessive oil consumption either on the VW, BMW and now the Audi that I own. I did 30k miles in a Passat Highline 2.0 TDI and it was flawless.


Is this in relation to diesels or petrols? A diesel is serviced every 10k miles and I’ve not had to top oil levels up in between. In fact when checking during these periods it has always been consistent for me.

Petrol engines. Google any of the 3 German Names and "oil consumption." We don't have a lot of diesels by the big 3 here, they more recently started coming. The US has very strict diesel regulations, they either don't want to pay for the testing, or possibly know they wont pass (I think it's more the cost than the compliance).

Seriously though, if you were unaware, oil consumption is just a known thing in German petrol engines.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I never had to add a drop of oil between services in any of my German petrol cars these include VW Golf R, BMW M2, Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and GL63 amongst a few others.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Petrol engines. Google any of the 3 German Names and "oil consumption." We don't have a lot of diesels by the big 3 here, they more recently started coming. The US has very strict diesel regulations, they either don't want to pay for the testing, or possibly know they wont pass (I think it's more the cost than the compliance).

Seriously though, if you were unaware, oil consumption is just a known thing in German petrol engines.

I’ve only owned German diesels over the years so it’s probably why I haven’t heard about that. The 2.0 Tdi VAG engines are real workhorses and are good for 300k+ miles from what I have seen.