[GT3]

I would like to share my experience of owning 4 decade old Germans in this thread. I am not well versed in writing an expert review on cars. I will just share my genuine thoughts on the ownership experience of these cars. My dream was to own an E60 530D, but before I could do that I bought 3 other Germans.


Purchase 1: 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI

Our first German car was the Skoda Octavia TDI, which we got from a Dealer. We purchased it in 2013 and sold it in 2015, only because of boredom. It had run 1,10,000 kms when we got it and had it till 1,50,000 kms. It was a 3rd owner's car and was not company maintained, so there was no guarantee regarding the genuinity of the odometer. We took a leap of faith and purchased it. Thankfully it was a fruitful ownership experience and we got to experience first hand the depth of engineering these cars had to offer. Sadly I don’t have any pictures of the car now. Will share in the future if I retrieve any photos.

Pros:

•It is the Innova of the German cars. It will run 5,00,000 kms trouble free even if abused.
•The 1.9 TDI had linear acceleration without any turbo lag. I also like the gruff and crude noise of this engine.
•Fuel efficiency of 18-20 kmpl.
•It just demolishes bad roads with ease and I never slowed down for bad roads like I did with the other cars mentioned below.
•Stable handling with a feelsome steering.
•Built like a tank.
•Excellent VFM as a used buy at that time.
•Cheap maintenance.

Cons:

•The car was too low to the ground, elderly people might have trouble getting in and out. The ground clearance was also an issue.
•Honestly couldn’t think of any other con. I feel the car was way ahead of it’s time when it was launched in India.



Purchase 2: 2011 Jetta DSG





Towards the end of 2019, while still searching for that elusive E60 530D, I also started searching for a well maintained Jetta, Laura, Passat. While browsing through the OLX app(which is my favorite social media and time pass) I came across a doctor owned New Shape 2011 Jetta DSG which was with the 3rd owner. It had run 1,00,000 kms and was fully company maintained. Even though a 3rd owner car might ring alarm bells, it was in an excellent condition and a major service was done. The tyres and battery were replaced recently. I bought the car after getting it inspected at the service center.

I used the car for close to 1.5 years and 20,000 kms and sold it.

Pros:

•Extreme value for money. I bought it at a price less than that of the base model Renault Kwid.
•Excellent engine with a good balance of performance and efficiency. I got an average of 15-16 kmpl.
•Balanced ride and handling.
•Very reasonable maintenance costs.
•Average Reliability.
•Compact size and reasonable ground clearance for a D Segment sedan.

Cons:

•Missing Bluetooth and Reverse Camera in my Model Year.
•Body parts are hard to source.
•The 2011 model, didn't have LED headlights, so it might look like a Vento to
some.



Purchase 3: 2010 MB E350 CDI





Towards the end of 2020, since no well maintained E60 530d was available, I also started searching for other 3.0 diesels. Saw a few X5's but did not like them. Then again a doctor owned 2010 MB E350 CDI came up on the radar. It was with the second owner and had run 85,000. Just like the Jetta, the MB was also recently serviced and had its tyres and battery replaced. It was not fully company maintained but the service history was available.

It has run 1,30,000 currently. I might replace it with a L322 Range Rover, W221 S350 CDI, Facelift W212 E350 CDI or the Endeavour 3.2.

Pros:

•Excellent comfort, it feels like you are floating on the road.
•The performance is good, if not excellent for a 3.0 diesel.
•The prestige associated with the 3 pointed star.
•Solid build quality and the car feels like a tank.
•Reasonable VFM. Got it for the price of a mid-variant Ciaz.
•The interiors still look brand new considering it is a 13 year old car.
•It is more suited to our road conditions than the E60.
•Good reliability.

Cons:

•Not a fun to drive car. The engine, gearbox and suspension are suited towards comfort. It might not be a con for the target audience.
•Spares are eye wateringly expensive.
•It is not fuel efficient like the new age 3.0 diesels, I get an average of 8-10 kmpl.
•Body parts are hard to source.



Purchase 4: 2008 BMW 530D





As usual, I was still scanning through OLX and other classifieds, for an E60 530d. Then one fine day, towards the end of 2022 my known contact in KUN BMW, informed me of an E60 530D that had come in for exchange during a used car festival at KUN BMW, Chennai. I immediately went to Chennai the next day from Coimbatore. Saw it, drove it, checked the service history and bought it immediately. It had done 90,000 kms when I saw it. Like my previous purchases, a major service, tyres and insurance were done recently by the previous owner.

It has run 1,00,000 kms currently. I might sell the car, since it is too stiff for the most of our roads, but it is a dream on smooth tarmac. I might replace it with the F10 530D or Panamera or a Cayenne.

Pros:

•A dream to drive on perfect tarmac. No other car comes even close to this at this budget.
•Still looks stylish and contemporary after close to 20 years since it was designed.
•Bomb of an engine and handles like it’s on rails.
•Extreme VFM. Got it for the price of a Middle Variant Swift.
•Average reliability.

Cons:

•Extremely stiff ride which is not suitable for most of our Indian roads. I thought it’ll be manageable, but it’s not, even after replacing the struts.
•Rubber parts are showing signs of ageing, since it’s 15 years old.
•It is not fuel efficient like the new age 3.0 diesels, I get an average of 8-10 kmpl.
•Interiors don’t have the same quality as the Mercs of similar vintage (Though newer BMW's have improved vastly nowadays). There is a huge difference.
•Body parts are hard to source.



My general thoughts after owning 3 old Germans

•These cars are excellent VFM as used buys. Once you get used to these, it’ll be very hard to justify a new car purchase at any price point.

•If you want peace of mind I would suggest getting a car 5 year old German. Even though 10-15 year old cars are reasonably reliable it will not be a rosy path as there will be constant minor niggles. God forbid, there is a fair chance you might end up with a white elephant.

•But if you are someone like me who wants to experience different flavours of cars without hurting the wallet much and you are someone who changes cars frequently and you don’t mind the small niggles and is willing to take the risk, I would suggest getting 10 year old Germans.

•A competent FNG is a must. Otherwise don’t even think about owning a 10 year old German.

•Go for a model that is generally reliable. For example, avoid brands like Land Rover, Jaguar, etc. Also avoid cars with air suspension, as they will entail huge replacement costs. But it is altogether a different story that I am dreaming of owning a L322 Range Rover or the W221 S Class.

•If you are someone who doesn't need the badge value or a 3.0 diesel, I would suggest getting a VW or a Skoda, as they offer 90% of what a BMW or a Mercedes offers, including the Fun To Drive part(but a 3 Litre is a 3 Litre and there is no replacement for displacement).

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Reviews section. Thanks for sharing!

Going to our homepage in the coming week

[Desmodromic]

Thanks for the post.

Buying a used 530d(F10) or E350(w212) has always been on my list over the years. I absolutely love the seamless power delivery, the big car feel and the mile munching ability. However i have always refrained from buying them for the following reasons:

1. The reliability and peace of mind of a FNG serviced/repaired car on highway runs is always in question?

2. If one sets aside 1.5-2L per year for repair/service bills, will it suffice? Is there a possibility that one would end up spending 3-5L per year

3. Whats the cost difference involved if one services/repairs the car at a ASS versus a FNG?

Given the 10year rule for diesels in Delhi, it is tempting to look for cars there. But the cost of re-registering in tamil nadu seriously reduces the cost arbitrage and the risk of being stuck with a lemon is a moot point for that...

[Sumanyu17]

Here's my experience of owning a 13 year old German. I will only focus on the plastic and rubber parts that have given way due to the brutal North Indian summer heat. This is the current condition of my CBU 2010 Passat B6.

1.Glove box latch



2.Cup holder sliding cover



3.Headliner



4.Door pad leather trim



5.Gear lever trim



6.Sunroof sunshade handle



7.Rear sunblind rails



8. Seat belt channel




Some other problems which haven't been photographed include a failing blower motor, broken plastic gear in one of the power windows, failing power window switches, broken tabs for headlight dust covers, leaking windshield washer fluid reservoir, missing rear 12v socket cover, failing front passenger seat-belt height adjuster, .

These many parts shouldn't be failing on a 13 year old/ 1L km run car under any circumstances. Its not like we treat the car roughly, this is under regular point A to point B usage.

[Straight6_N54]

Adding my experience of owing few pre owned Germans. My second pre owned BMW came with BRI package which was such a blessing in disguise. Under wraps changes, suspension, door handles, headlights, and tyre rods. Try to search for cars under warranty.

If you go very aggressive with budget where you grab a near/ crossed 1 Lakh km German, be ready for

1. Transmission fluid overhaul
2. Engine timing kit
3. Engine mounts
4. Routine service like oil change, if not done.
5. Brake pads.

These are extremely labour intensive, regardless of the FNG and parts you procure bill will be in lakhs.
Its hard to cough up these kind of money if you are a salaried person.
Never compromise on car mechanics, every mechanical component has to be top notch. Last thing you want is a broken down car in a joy trip.

Bigger the engine, bigger then labour and costs involved.

If you are a first time owner, trust me dont go budget shopping for luxury brands. Keep a range of 30-50 lakhs. Get one with extended warranty. In the end of the day factory service and Genuine parts go a long way.

[Raghu M]

Originally Posted by Straight6_N54

Adding my experience of owing few pre owned Germans. My second pre owned BMW came with BRI package which was such a blessing in disguise. Under wraps changes, suspension, door handles, headlights, and tyre rods. Try to search for cars under warranty.

If you go very aggressive with budget where you grab a near/ crossed 1 Lakh km German, be ready for

1. Transmission fluid overhaul
2. Engine timing kit
3. Engine mounts
4. Routine service like oil change, if not done.
5. Brake pads.

These are extremely labour intensive, regardless of the FNG and parts you procure bill will be in lakhs.
Its hard to cough up these kind of money if you are a salaried person.
Never compromise on car mechanics, every mechanical component has to be top notch. Last thing you want is a broken down car in a joy trip.

Bigger the engine, bigger then labour and costs involved.

If you are a first time owner, trust me dont go budget shopping for luxury brands. Keep a range of 30-50 lakhs. Get one with extended warranty. In the end of the day factory service and Genuine parts go a long way.

Golden words, thank you for that piece of advice. For a second, I was wondering if I should shop for a budget German but now I am very clear. It's better to buy the high end 7OO or even the Innova rather than own a German and cough up lakhs just for some repairs.

[rosh_aveo1.4]

Well…I’m rather having a good time with my 2010 W204 C class (and yes I’m a salaried person as well). Was my first German car purchase and the service and spare costs of it from FNG isn’t bad. Regular service with all the oil change and such is less than 15k. Transmission oil change comes to 20 to 25k. Spent around 75k for Blistein suspension change but there are lower cost options as well if you wish to. Few trim updates I got from Amazon which again wasn’t as expensive. So yeah, it depends on the model and condition and the FNG. I am lucky so far. Since it was the first German, the likes of the C class made more sense or even the BMW 3 series was fine. They are considered workhorses or the Innovas of the Germans at that time with not much electronics to fail. I had to do my research on that and understood that (hence the option to go for the W204 model with the OM646 engine code). Loved the w221 S class and is still my dream car but its sheer size and spare part costs even from FNG, will be expensive. And the more the electronics it comes with the more the risk.
That being said the biggest fear is the cost of accidental parts like doors or mirrors and such. And with insurance not covering more than 50 or 60%, how to manage an accidental case if that ever happens (God forbid) is quite scary. Which you won’t face if it’s a newer car that has more coverage.

Originally Posted by Straight6_N54

Adding my experience of owing few pre owned Germans. My second pre owned BMW came with BRI package which was such a blessing in disguise. Under wraps changes, suspension, door handles, headlights, and tyre rods. Try to search for cars under warranty.

If you go very aggressive with budget where you grab a near/ crossed 1 Lakh km German, be ready for

1. Transmission fluid overhaul
2. Engine timing kit
3. Engine mounts
4. Routine service like oil change, if not done.
5. Brake pads.

These are extremely labour intensive, regardless of the FNG and parts you procure bill will be in lakhs.
Its hard to cough up these kind of money if you are a salaried person.
Never compromise on car mechanics, every mechanical component has to be top notch. Last thing you want is a broken down car in a joy trip.

Bigger the engine, bigger then labour and costs involved.

If you are a first time owner, trust me dont go budget shopping for luxury brands. Keep a range of 30-50 lakhs. Get one with extended warranty. In the end of the day factory service and Genuine parts go a long way.

[rosh_aveo1.4]

This is so common in BMW as well and I also noted the collapsing roof liner for almost every VW Jetta or Passat. Is it parked in shade or open parking? Perhaps the heat? I have a similar vintage car as mentioned but luckily the plastics are holding up really well. The only common issue amongst the W204 was the cup holder shutter cover and the stickers on the dashboard buttons that wears off like center console, power steering buttons and power window buttons. I noted this when I was checking out the diff C class in OLX. For me, the shutter cover broke and I took it off. The buttons are holding up very well except for the power mirror open and close button that strayed peeling very slightly. But you can easily get replacement stickers or covers for the same.

Originally Posted by Sumanyu17

Here's my experience of owning a 13 year old German. I will only focus on the plastic and rubber parts that have given way due to the brutal North Indian summer heat. This is the current condition of my CBU 2010 Passat B6.

1.Glove box latch

Attachment 2490303

2.Cup holder sliding cover

Attachment 2490304

3.Headliner

Attachment 2490310

4.Door pad leather trim

Attachment 2490306

5.Gear lever trim

Attachment 2490305

6.Sunroof sunshade handle

Attachment 2490307

7.Rear sunblind rails

Attachment 2490308

8. Seat belt channel

Attachment 2490309


Some other problems which haven't been photographed include a failing blower motor, broken plastic gear in one of the power windows, failing power window switches, broken tabs for headlight dust covers, leaking windshield washer fluid reservoir, missing rear 12v socket cover, failing front passenger seat-belt height adjuster, .

These many parts shouldn't be failing on a 13 year old/ 1L km run car under any circumstances. Its not like we treat the car roughly, this is under regular point A to point B usage.

[Mystic]

I am glad that you had fun experiencing the German engineering. There is no pleasure without pain. The risk you had taken is worth the satisfaction you had at the end of the day. Also, just in case if one gets a Lemon, one should take it in that spirit and move on as life is too short to worry on some small issues.

I being a civil engineer wonder on how many of you when buying an apartment know the lifespan as designed by a structural engineer. What to do as an owner after the lifespan is completed? In old metros, we often hear about 75 year old apartment balconies giving away and also sometimes the whole multi storied structure collapses during rains as the owners refuse to get them demolished and the laws are not strict to force the demolition by Government.

Similarly, if there is some sort of an authentic scientific way of calculating the life span for the automobiles as per the designer in an ideal situation, this would be useful when one takes decisions to buy a 3rd or 4th owner vehicles. If BMW says our cars have a life span of 30 years/ half million miles and they can vouch for it as they only know the life span of each individual part in their car, then one can safely take a decision when going for a used BMW confidently as there is still life in the vehicle which can be effectively used before it is scrapped. This also saves the scarce resources we have on this planet.

In my research days of structural engineering, we as research scholars used to accompany our professors in evaluating the structural safety of huge structures which are showing signs of failure much ahead of their intended life span for what ever reasons. We use very sophisticated non destructive testing machines to give our expert opinions to the Government.

Similarly, I wish that we have some authentic inspection body which can evaluate the life span of a vehicle, that would be helpful for all. I donot believe on the so called 100 /200 point tests done by dealers.

[Straight6_N54]

Originally Posted by rosh_aveo1.4

Well…I’m rather having a good time with my 2010 W204 C class (and yes I’m a salaried person as well). Was my first German car purchase and the service and spare costs of it from FNG isn’t bad. Regular service with all the oil change and such is less than 15k. Transmission oil change comes to 20 to 25k. Spent around 75k for Blistein suspension change but there are lower cost options as well if you wish to. Few trim updates I got from Amazon which again wasn’t as expensive. So yeah, it depends on the model and condition and the FNG. I am lucky so far. Since it was the first German, the likes of the C class made more sense or even the BMW 3 series was fine. They are considered workhorses or the Innovas of the Germans at that time with not much electronics to fail. I had to do my research on that and understood that (hence the option to go for the W204 model with the OM646 engine code). Loved the w221 S class and is still my dream car but its sheer size and spare part costs even from FNG, will be expensive. And the more the electronics it comes with the more the risk.
That being said the biggest fear is the cost of accidental parts like doors or mirrors and such. And with insurance not covering more than 50 or 60%, how to manage an accidental case if that ever happens (God forbid) is quite scary. Which you won’t face if it’s a newer car that has more coverage.

These days Youtube and social media marketing is off the roof. These old German cars come cheap for a reason, their maintenance is headache if not done well by the FNG. There is a heavy dependence on the FNG. If you are in a Tier 1 city, that is completely fine and there are many reliable centers. But If you are in a tier-2/3 city, going behind the FNG and waiting for parts and updates is unnecessary stress.

I was not saying Salary person cannot afford them, Paying for all these repairs and spending time behind getting the car sorted , ultimately it is just be fixed to the stock car. If you are spending money for a cosmetic upgrade or suspension/ remaps, you would actually feel there is difference in the car. But spending alot for a very old car just to keep it running is add on expense on top of everything. Just because you bought the car you will have to go behind it. If you didnt have to spend that 50K or 70K of the salary money on repairs, you can take a decent getaway holiday with that amount.

After owning multiple German cars, I realized that we cant be too attached to the car emotionally. When ever my car required any additional service it really put me down emotionally , that was an added stress to the already busy days. That being said, ultimately we car guys will somehow justify everything with our heart than brains

[rosh_aveo1.4]

Actually you right...this is more of a passion than logical thinking. So far I spent around 1.25 lakh in total (including 4 new Tyres) and the engine upkeep. Ran around 15k since I bought it and no major showstopper of an issue (touch wood). That same 1.25 lakh would have been put to a much better use practically wise, like a holiday. I doubt I would need to spend anything more than 30k this year but yes, if something like an AC compressor fails it would be expensive, there is no denying that.
However, it's not always about being logical and listening to the mind. That feeling came to my mind when I thought 'If I'm stating I'm car crazy...I got to own at least one German marquee brand and know how it feels like' and either I'll be convinced that I can do this going forward or it'll be my first and last experience with a German. And you correctly stated it 'ultimately we car guys will somehow justify everything with our heart than brains'

It's just been 1.5 years in my case and it's too early to decide whether I'll continue this in the future. But I am so glad that I did try it without any regrets. Didn't do this for show purposes (not that I expect a W204 to be showy in any way but that was my intention too).

Oh I am in Kochi, Kerala and it's a Tier 2 city. There is absolutely no issue in getting the parts of such brands. You either go the OEM way for peace of mind but need to spend heavy cash or you have umpteen options here to decide what is the quality/cost ratio you can go with (which still has a good life of parts from my personal experience so far). I was shocked at the parts price variations and at the same time, the quality level would match it's price (lower the price lower the quality). And I would choose a well stock Merc or BMW compared to a heavily spec/modified car but that's each person's preference I believe. Btw, as spare parts availability goes, I think it's the same for any brand. How many times I have read Kias and Honda's had to wait for parts. I had the same issue with my Jeep Compass and Tata Tigor. Both from very different brands and price range, yet both of them had to wait for some weeks or so to get certain parts. At cases I felt getting the Merc parts were easier than the Jeep or Tata.
Maybe it's because of the type of car I have i.e. the C, 3 series and A4 in Germany, aren't considered a proper luxury car and was meant for daily drives and hence made robust unlike the bigger brothers. Who knows.

And you are so right on the FNG part. If you don't have a good one, you are doomed. I had to research and ask friends and look around for some good FNG, in some cases, who I would think is a good FNG would then burn my fingers. But at the end, it's an experience no doubt. I have 2 good contacts now and they are really helping me to maintain the C class without any major hassle, atleast as of now :-)

Just to conclude, buying these cars is purely emotional and a 'listen to the heart' kind of experience, nothing more.

Originally Posted by Straight6_N54

These days Youtube and social media marketing is off the roof. These old German cars come cheap for a reason, their maintenance is headache if not done well by the FNG. There is a heavy dependence on the FNG. If you are in a Tier 1 city, that is completely fine and there are many reliable centers. But If you are in a tier-2/3 city, going behind the FNG and waiting for parts and updates is unnecessary stress.

I was not saying Salary person cannot afford them, Paying for all these repairs and spending time behind getting the car sorted , ultimately it is just be fixed to the stock car. If you are spending money for a cosmetic upgrade or suspension/ remaps, you would actually feel there is difference in the car. But spending alot for a very old car just to keep it running is add on expense on top of everything. Just because you bought the car you will have to go behind it. If you didnt have to spend that 50K or 70K of the salary money on repairs, you can take a decent getaway holiday with that amount.

After owning multiple German cars, I realized that we cant be too attached to the car emotionally. When ever my car required any additional service it really put me down emotionally , that was an added stress to the already busy days. That being said, ultimately we car guys will somehow justify everything with our heart than brains

[LiamJose]

The best way to buy a German car is not to look at the brand reliability. The best way to buy a German car is to look for engine reliability. BMWs are unreliable, right? Yes, most of them are compared to Japanese cars but what if I tell you that the B58 engine is as reliable as a Toyota engine? The N series engines are actually unreliable(N54 for example). If we're talking about old models, I can talk a lot about NA engines.

[GT3]

Originally Posted by Desmodromic

1. The reliability and peace of mind of a FNG serviced/repaired car on highway runs is always in question?

2. If one sets aside 1.5-2L per year for repair/service bills, will it suffice? Is there a possibility that one would end up spending 3-5L per year

3. Whats the cost difference involved if one services/repairs the car at a ASS versus a FNG?

Given the 10year rule for diesels in Delhi, it is tempting to look for cars there. But the cost of re-registering in tamil nadu seriously reduces the cost arbitrage and the risk of being stuck with a lemon is a moot point for that...

1. On a 10 year old car that has been used by someone else, you can never be sure of it's reliability on a 100 percent basis irrespective of whether it's serviced at the ASS or FNG. But it's a calculated risk you take for the price you pay. With all my vehicles luckily I have not been stranded anywhere, there have only been minor niggles. But I am "OK" with the possibility of some major issue, considering the price I paid for the experience.

2. With my VW and Skoda, I have generally spent 10k to 20k. With the Merc and BMW I have generally spent 50-75k. These costs are on a per year basis just on maintenance without tyres and insurance, etc. But there is a fair possibility that you might need to spend 3-8 lakhs depending on the issue you have. Just because I didn't have any major expense doesn't mean it will be the same for everyone. It may be because I'm just lucky or my cars were well maintained or both .

3. A FNG is 30-50% cheaper than the ASS.

4. The used car road tax in TN is very high compared to states like Kerala, so it's better to look for TN used cars.

Originally Posted by Sumanyu17

These many parts shouldn't be failing on a 13 year old/ 1L km run car under any circumstances. Its not like we treat the car roughly, this is under regular point A to point B usage.

This generation of Passat has a notoriously bad interior trim quality. You have to research about the car and be ready to accept what might happen with the gamble and also it might depend on how where it was parked and how it was maintained. For example, none of the interior trim in my Merc, BMW and Skoda is broken but the AC vents in the Jetta were broken. So it's not like every 10 year old German car will have broken interior trims.

Originally Posted by Straight6_N54

Its hard to cough up these kind of money if you are a salaried person.

If you are a first time owner, trust me dont go budget shopping for luxury brands. Keep a range of 30-50 lakhs. Get one with extended warranty. In the end of the day factory service and Genuine parts go a long way.

Wise words. If your new car budget is 10 lakhs, it's foolish to go a used Rs 10 lakhs German. But if your new car budget is 20 lakhs, then a used Rs 12 lakh German is advisable, considering you know the risks involved.

For a first time buyer a used German is highly not advisable unless it's under warranty.

Originally Posted by Raghu M

Golden words, thank you for that piece of advice. For a second, I was wondering if I should shop for a budget German but now I am very clear. It's better to buy the high end 7OO or even the Innova rather than own a German and cough up lakhs just for some repairs.

For the Innova or an XUV you might need a budget of 30 lakhs. So in your case you might look for Germans in the 20 lakhs and leave the rest for maintenance.

Originally Posted by rosh_aveo1.4

That being said the biggest fear is the cost of accidental parts like doors or mirrors and such. And with insurance not covering more than 50 or 60%, how to manage an accidental case if that ever happens (God forbid) is quite scary. Which you won’t face if it’s a newer car that has more coverage.

As I said it's a risk one might have to take, in order to have this experience at a bargain.

Originally Posted by Mystic

I am glad that you had fun experiencing the German engineering. There is no pleasure without pain. The risk you had taken is worth the satisfaction you had at the end of the day. Also, just in case if one gets a Lemon, one should take it in that spirit and move on as life is too short to worry on some small issues.

I being a civil engineer wonder on how many of you when buying an apartment know the lifespan as designed by a structural engineer. What to do as an owner after the lifespan is completed? In old metros, we often hear about 75 year old apartment balconies giving away and also sometimes the whole multi storied structure collapses during rains as the owners refuse to get them demolished and the laws are not strict to force the demolition by Government.

Similarly, if there is some sort of an authentic scientific way of calculating the life span for the automobiles as per the designer in an ideal situation, this would be useful when one takes decisions to buy a 3rd or 4th owner vehicles.

Definitely sir, one should take it in that spirit and move on.

It's not practically possible to define a lifetime for cars as we do with buildings because there are a lot of variable involved like the terrain, maintenance, parking area, etc. The variables involved in a building are considerably lower.

Originally Posted by Straight6_N54

But If you are in a tier-2/3 city, going behind the FNG and waiting for parts and updates is unnecessary stress.

I was not saying Salary person cannot afford them, Paying for all these repairs and spending time behind getting the car sorted , ultimately it is just be fixed to the stock car.

After owning multiple German cars, I realized that we cant be too attached to the car emotionally.

I live in a tier-2 city and I feel the maintenance is fairly easy except the availability of body parts, which is an issue even in the tier-1 cities for 10 year old Germans.

As I said, If one has a new car budget of 30 lakhs, one should get a used car for 20 lakhs and keep the rest for maintenance. But the non negotiable part is the time and effort you have to give with both the buying and ownership part.

Definitely, if something wrong goes with the car one should take it in a good spirit and move on, considering the experience you got for the bargain price.

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by GT3

4. The used car road tax in TN is very high compared to states like Kerala, so it's better to look for TN used cars.

I'm afraid the roadtax in Kerala is now the highest in India with Karnataka coming second. Good ol days are long gone with constant hikes.

Very informative post. I have always wanted a relatively new 530d but recently they are all priced sky high due to high demand. A 2014 facelift E350d was second on the list but now reading about it being neither fun to drive nor mileage friendly has me hesitant. I believe if a car has bad mileage it should atleast be fun to drive and put a smile on your face to offset the fuel and spare part costs.

May I ask why you never tried any Audis? I have been seeing some tempting prices on some old A6 and A7 3.0 TDI quattros. Both come with all wheel drive and air suspensions. As nice as the A7 looks, I'm leaning towards the A6 due to them being less niche and possibly spare parts being more available. Is it a bad idea to get one?

[GT3]

Originally Posted by Cresterk

I'm afraid the roadtax in Kerala.

Very informative post. I have always wanted a relatively new 530d but recently they are all priced sky high due to high demand. A 2014 facelift E350d was second on the list but now reading about it being neither fun to drive nor mileage friendly has me hesitant. I believe if a car has bad mileage it should atleast be fun to drive and put a smile on your face to offset the fuel and spare part costs.

May I ask why you never tried any Audis? I have been seeing some tempting prices on some old A6 and A7 3.0 TDI quattros. Both come with all wheel drive and air suspensions. As nice as the A7 looks, I'm leaning towards the A6 due to them being less niche and possibly spare parts being more available. Is it a bad idea to get one?

I didn't tell about the new car road tax in Kerala. I think there is a flat road tax for used cars which is lower than TN, where the tax is 10% for ten year old cars.

The W212 E Class is more suited for cruising than cornering and it excels in that area. The W212 is more suited to our roads than the E60. If mileage is a concern try the E220 or the E250 but you will miss the creamy 6 cylinder in the E350.

I have not ventured into Audi's because most of the cars have air suspension, which entails costly repairs.