WHAT IS THE BEST USED GERMAN CAR UNDER $20K IN USA ?

[Sayed.DC]

Hello everyone.
I am in the market for a used car. I like to keep my cars for long time. This would be my first time buy a German car. I want to make the most of my money.

Which models would you recommended ?
Which models would have least electrical problems and be reliable ?
Would you recommend going stick ? ( do manual transmission last longer ).
Which car would be cheaper to maintain ?

I prefer a sedan and I assume it will be an Audi, Bmw or Mercedes Benz.
I think under that price it will be a vehicle year 2014 and under, with less than 50k miles.

My biggest fear is the maintenance cost and what if the car breaks down around 100k and I have to replace transmission or ECM goes bad.

I am considering A3, A4, 328XI awd, 335XI awd, C350 awd, E350 awd.

Please let me know what are your experiences ?

 

[domleo999]

Hello everyone.
I am in the market for a used car. I like to keep my cars for long time. This would be my first time buy a German car. I want to make the most of my money.

Which models would you recommended ?
Which models would have least electrical problems and be reliable ?
Would you recommend going stick ? ( do manual transmission last longer ).
Which car would be cheaper to maintain ?

I prefer a sedan and I assume it will be an Audi, Bmw or Mercedes Benz.
I think under that price it will be a vehicle year 2014 and under, with less than 50k miles.

My biggest fear is the maintenance cost and what if the car breaks down around 100k and I have to replace transmission or ECM goes bad.

I am considering A3, A4, 328XI awd, 335XI awd, C350 awd, E350 awd.

Please let me know what are your experiences ?

Hmm, all the cars you are suggesting sound great - its really up to you at the end of the day. I like the sound of the E350 4matic or the 335i X-drive - having driven both they are great fun and can handle any weather condition. The E is also the most practical on the bunch, and getting cheaper as the new E has arrived. I'm from the UK though, so I have no idea on American pricing and depreciation.

If your an enthusiast, I recommend going manual - if the day to day driving isn't slow and traffic congested - they tend to be cheaper as well.

An important point to take into consideration is the A3 - this is the only car out of your suggested bunch which uses a transversely mounted engine (placed on its side) which doesn't balance out the weight all that well. And the 4WD system on this car is haldex based (meaning the rear wheels are only used when there is a loss in traction) whereas the other cars use a permanent AWD system. Its quite mechanically inferior to the rest.

 

[Merc1]

There is no such thing. Any German car under 20K in the U.S. is going to be a problem. You can't do German for cheap.

M

 

[klier]

I DON'T KNOW!!!!!!