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Can German cars really last 200k miles with proper maintenance?
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There's this perception that German cars are expensive to maintain and don't last as long as Japanese cars, but I've seen plenty of Mercedes, BMWs, and Audis with high mileage. I'm curious about German car longevity 200k miles in the real world.
What's everyone's experience with luxury car reliability over 200k? Are certain German brands or models better than others for longevity? Is the maintenance cost really that prohibitive if you want to keep a German car running past 200k miles?
German car longevity 200k miles is definitely achievable, but it requires a different approach than Japanese cars. Mercedes-Benz from the 80s and 90s are particularly known for longevity - the W124 E-Class and W126 S-Class are legendary.
The key with German cars is preventive maintenance and using quality parts. They're engineered to high standards, but they expect you to follow the maintenance schedule precisely. Neglect hits German cars harder than it does Japanese cars.
Luxury car reliability over 200k is interesting because it's not just about whether they can last, but whether it's economically sensible to keep them running. A 15-year-old Mercedes might be worth $5,000 but need $3,000 in repairs.
That said, I've seen several older BMW 3-series with 250k+ miles that are still daily drivers. The inline-6 engines in those cars are known for longevity if you keep up with cooling system maintenance. The plastic parts in the cooling system are the weak point.
Volkswagen deserves mention in the German car discussion. The older Volkswagen diesels (especially the TDI models) are known for incredible longevity. I've seen several Jetta TDIs with 400k+ miles.
The key with VWs is the maintenance schedule - they're very specific about what needs to be done and when. Following it precisely seems to make a huge difference in how long these cars last.
Porsche is another German brand with good longevity reputation. The air-cooled 911s are legendary for durability, and even the water-cooled models seem to hold up well. I've seen several 911s and Boxsters with 150k+ miles that are still driven regularly.
The maintenance costs are high, but the cars are built to last if you're willing to invest in keeping them running properly. It's a different philosophy than buying a car you expect to run with minimal investment.
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