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USED European Luxury Cars (pre 1990)

1109 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2007 at 6:18 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi

Messages Page 1 of 111

#1 of 1109 bcathcart by bcathcart

Feb 17, 1999 (7:35 pm)

SPORIN.Iwould rate the audi 100 as your best option.Best spec is the 2.2litre 5 cyl model. A good one from a reliable source with a service record ,moderate miles,and good body, no rust,is good for 200k miles. Better if available in US is a 200 looks like 100 but has turbo engine and is fully loaded,a really nice car .Body trim is expensive so make sure none is missing.Be fussy when buying, a nice one will hold its condition for years if looked after.In general a mutch under-rated car.

#2 of 1109 Mr_Shiftright by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 18, 1999 (12:32 am)

I'm also a big Audi fan...you get a Benz-like car for much less money. But as bcath says, you must buy the best possible car you can in the very beginning. I think you might find a 100 automatic a bit dull, whereas a turbo or turbo quattro is an awesome car. They are not really fast cars, but they are solid and handle impeccably. When shopping, avoid any with a damage history or any with excessive mileage. Service records would be nice. Figure $100 a month for top notch maintenance (spring and fall major service plus midterm oil changes 4 times a year plus occasional bit and piece to be replaced. This will be an average, since every fourth year or so you'll spring for tires or or somesuch more major expense).


Since Audi resale isn't that great, expect to pay a bargain price but also possibly take a beating on a resale later on. The Benz holds a much higher resale value, but you pay a lot more in the first place. You will find all German car parts expensive, including VW, so no getting around that.

#3 of 1109 bcathcart by bcathcart

Feb 25, 1999 (12:31 am)

I did not realise that the US imported Quattros. Its the best.I have a 230 bhp version .its the dogs balls as we say here.Get one before you die.

#4 of 1109 Mr_Shiftright by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 25, 1999 (7:01 pm)

Well, it's a luxury car...even a Benz would cost that, if you really did excellent maintenance...I'm figuring major spring service, major fall service, and incidental items to keep the car top notch.


You can drive the car for less per month, but it won't be getting the best care. I always have to laugh, my friends say "Oh, I don't spend that much and my car is great!" So I drive it and before I'm around the block I noticed 27 things wrong with it that they have easily come to live with that would drive me crazy..."oh, I never use the rear window, so why fix the motor?" "Rattle, what rattle?" "Do you think the muffler has a hole in it, I hadn't noticed"..."just wiggle the wiper blade, it'll kick in"....you get the idea....there's maintenance and there's MAINTENANCE...to me, give an expensive and complicated car what it needs now, or it'll ask for way more later on.

#5 of 1109 Sporin by Sporin

Feb 25, 1999 (10:30 pm)

I agree, believe me, I am not sulking, I was looking for an honest answer and you gave it, I appreciate that. I would rather know now, then find out down the road.


I guess the safest thing for me to do is continue leasing every 3 years. This has worked out great for me, low monthly payment, bumper to bumper warraty through the life of the lease, inexpensive servicing. I can lease a 99 Saab 9-3 locally for $299.00 per month with almost nothing down, hard to beat that.


Thanks for the info.

#6 of 1109 Mr_Shiftright by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 26, 1999 (3:49 am)

You know, you can't be a warranty...that's what makes it "worth it" to buy or lease a new car...economically it may not make sense, but if it breaks, you just dump it at the dealer...I find great comfort in that, especially when the cars are so complex...at least now I can fix just about anything on the cars I drive, so I'm my own "warranty" I guess...as long as I have the time, and a second old car in my back pocket to drive.


I didn't think you were sulking, I thought you took it very bravely.

#7 of 1109 old&great by pbnargiz

Feb 26, 1999 (6:44 am)

 I've been driving a BMW 3.0cs for 25 years and yes I've put a lot of $s into it. Although I have been looking to replace it, I'm having a tough time cutting the umbilical cord. This dude must be an exception, no mechanical problems, runs great and is a "head turner".So, my experience has been positive. If the truth be known, the bimmer is probably in better shape than I and it's time for an automatic.

#8 of 1109 Mr_Shiftright by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 26, 1999 (6:48 pm)

If you can get ahold of a 3.0 that isn't rusted and that has had Weber carbs installed, right there you've defeated two of its major problems....and by your model, the overheating had been tamed, I believe. But if you don't mind putting money in now and then, it's a perfectly okay everyday car to drive.

#9 of 1109 Sporin by Sporin

Feb 26, 1999 (9:25 pm)

I am still going to look at some older Audis, I don't think that rattles and maybe small things that need fixing is what worries me, I would fix those when $$ permitted, and put the neccessary $$$ into the parts that keep the car running.


I am more worried about getting stranded somewhere. This will be our only car and I don't want to worry about my wife if she is out driving. Obviously, I am not expecting Accord/Camry reliability, but shouldn't a well maintained 7-10 year old Audi be mechanically realiable?


Again, thanks for all the good info, I want to make sure I am going into this with all the information I can.

#10 of 1109 Mr_Shiftright by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 26, 1999 (10:19 pm)

yes, an older (but not too old) Audi should be fine, but I'd stay away from those high mileage cars..that's where the trouble starts...

Messages Page 1 of 111

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