Which brand of car? Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz?

I passed my road test a few days ago, and since then, I have been researching which car to buy. I am considering buying a used, entry-level, four-door sedan from either three of these brands and their corresponding entry-level model:

1. Audi (A4)
2. BMW (3 Series)
3. Mercedes-Benz (C C****) (Damn censor)

My budget for the car itself is $25,000.

Which brand do you guys recommend? Remember, I am planning to buy a car that is at least four years old (preferably newer).

And no, I am not considering any other brands. I always wanted a German car since I was a kid, and here is my chance at one. I plan to keep this car (should I buy one) for at least ten years.

If you're buying used, don't get a German car. They are money pits if you land one that's less than reliable. If you have to get one of those, go BMW. Audi and Merc have horrible reliability.

Don't get a German vehicle OP. If you want something very sporty, luxury like car, get the Acura TL (2004-2008).

Go for the BMW. That's the car you start off with in Need for Speed Most Wanted.

You should post what country you live in... an Audi A4 is about $65,000 in Norway for a 2011 model...

I think its $32,000 in the US.

I live in the United States.

Yeah, I've heard that German cars can be money pits... Are the Japanese luxury brands any good? Lexus, Accura, Infiniti?

Like Pirate said, German cars can be money pits. But if you're absolutely dead set on getting one, I'd say find one for less than $20k and keep the rest of the money for future problems. If that isn't something you're willing to do, then you should stay away from VW/Audi as they are notorious for problems, especially around the age you're looking to buy.Dark__Link

I live in the United States.

Yeah, I've heard that German cars can be money pits... Are the Japanese luxury brands any good? Lexus, Accura, Infiniti?

The_Capitalist

The internet is your friend.

I think you should go with the 2005 BMW 3-series.

I live in the United States.

Yeah, I've heard that German cars can be money pits... Are the Japanese luxury brands any good? Lexus, Accura, Infiniti?

The_Capitalist

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

I live in the United States.

Yeah, I've heard that German cars can be money pits... Are the Japanese luxury brands any good? Lexus, Accura, Infiniti?

stanleycup98

[QUOTE="stanleycup98"][QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

I live in the United States.

Yeah, I've heard that German cars can be money pits... Are the Japanese luxury brands any good? Lexus, Accura, Infiniti?

Pirate700

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

[QUOTE="stanleycup98"] They're all decent. The Acura is probably the best of that list for the age you are looking for.Dark__Link

:lol: Oh God I don't get what they were thinking with those grills. They don't say luxury to me and I'm not quite sure what they're going for.

Audi A4 imo, those are beautiful...

I've always liked Audis, and they're cheaper to maintain, and fix, if it breaks.

BMWs and Mercedes cost an arm and a leg to fix up.

Well, I don't know. I am still very partial towards German cars, for some reason. The Audi and BMW look quite nice, though. Mercedes, I am still very iffy about . I might slash it off my list.

I would have considered a used Porsche, too, but those were out of my price range.

Well, I don't know. I am still very partial towards German cars, for some reason. The Audi and BMW look quite nice, though. Mercedes, I am still very iffy about . I might slash it off my list.

I would have considered a used Porsche, too, but those were out of my price range.

The_Capitalist

Audi is my favorite, so go with that :)

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

Well, I don't know. I am still very partial towards German cars, for some reason. The Audi and BMW look quite nice, though. Mercedes, I am still very iffy about . I might slash it off my list.

I would have considered a used Porsche, too, but those were out of my price range.

Pirate700

That's true.

I'll have a look at some used Acuras.

Infinitis look very sharp, though. I like the look.

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

Well, I don't know. I am still very partial towards German cars, for some reason. The Audi and BMW look quite nice, though. Mercedes, I am still very iffy about . I might slash it off my list.

I would have considered a used Porsche, too, but those were out of my price range.

The_Capitalist

That's true.

I'll have a look at some used Acuras.

Infinitis look very sharp, though. I like the look.

German cars are not known for their reliability. If you are set on one, I would say the BMW.

My real thought is to stay away form them though :P Especially if you're looking to keep the car for 10 years.

Japanese cars are pretty reliable. I also like Hyundai, which is Korean I believe.

I don't understand where you guys are getting this whole reliability issue with German cars. My family has owned BMWs for many years now and we've never had any major issues with them. My friend bought a used E-class and he's had it for 5 years now without any major problems. All the websites I've checked out list the BMW 3-series as the best used executive compact car.

http://www.cars.com/bmw/325/2006/consumer-reviews/

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/used_car_honours_2007/208061/bmw_3series.html

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/bmw/series-3/saloon/review

If you've always wanted one, I think you should get one. However, it always depends on the previous owner and how well he has maintained the car. Any car will have reliability issues if the previous owner treated it like crap. For example, in one car TV show, the three presenters bought identical used BMW convertibles. One of them had ignition issues, one of them had gearbox problems but the third one was perfectly fine.

I don't understand where you guys are getting this whole reliability issue with German cars. My family has owned BMWs for many years now and we've never had any major issues with them. My friend bought a used E-class and he's had it for 5 years now without any major problems. All the websites I've checked out list the BMW 3-series as the best used executive compact car.

http://www.cars.com/bmw/325/2006/consumer-reviews/

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/used_car_honours_2007/208061/bmw_3series.html

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/bmw/series-3/saloon/review

If you've always wanted one, I think you should get one. However, it always depends on the previous owner and how well he has maintained the car. Any car will have reliability issues if the previous owner treated it like crap. For example, in one car TV show, the three presenters bought identical used BMW convertibles. One of them had ignition issues, one of them had gearbox problems but the third one was perfectly fine.

sthadji

German cars in Australia are usually fairly reliable, But unlike Japanese or Australian built cars they can cost a fortune to repair and maintain if things do go wrong outside of warranty. German Cars are good but they tend to be over-engineered with a heap of gadgets and features, just more things to go wrong really.

with that cash get a new car, now depending if you want german for sport cars then get something like a lancer ralliart which has 240hp and all wheel drive and will be hell of a lot of fun to drive or a mustang v6 which im not an maerican car fan but you have to admit the v6 in that mustang is insane 300hp, now if you want luxury im not to good with that but a accord ive heard is pretty nice and with leather seats and a lot of features you can get one for that price

Mercedes benz has a very bad record on reliability. I wouldnt recommend getting one used. Audi and BMW are spotty, but have better records. Honesty, though, if you want to buy a used entry luxury car, go with japanese. They hold their value and they dont fall apart after a few years.

Neither join me and get some American Muscle.

Want reliability? Get a Hyundai. If your manufacturer offers a 100,000 mile, 10 year warranty, chances are they aren't too worried about something going wrong. And you shouldn't be either.UCF_Knight

That does look very attractive.

Guess I'll get a German car later in life when I have way more money and perhaps, a bit more experience.

I'm researching warranties now... and yeah, used German cars don't come with a very good warranty...

By an AMC Gremlin or a Pinto.

Audi, if it's good enough for Craig's Bond, good enough for me.

I am still interested in the German cars, but anecdotes about their maintenance costs has me considering an Infiniti. A used Infiniti is a few grand cheaper, too.

I am still interested in the German cars, but anecdotes about their maintenance costs has me considering an Infiniti. A used Infiniti is a few grand cheaper, too.

The_Capitalist

I second this. Acura TL is one of the nicest looking sport sedan out there. I highly recommend Acura TL-S with manual trans. I've driven it and it was a BOMB to drive.

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

I am still interested in the German cars, but anecdotes about their maintenance costs has me considering an Infiniti. A used Infiniti is a few grand cheaper, too.

Dark__Link

Just go with the BMW. I have had a 97 318i for the last 7 years and have had no problems with it whatsoever. Go with a German car, dont listen to all this people telling you to get a Japanese. If you had the money for a German, go with it.

Wow how many of those claiming that German cars break down all the time ever had one for any lenght of time? I own a German car, I'm part of my local VW / Euro community and I can tell you that these are ridicoulous claims. German cars, especially Audis, Mercs and BMWs are all finely engineered, high quality car. They don't break down anymore than your average Infity or Acura. Sure they may cost more to repair than the Japanese or Americans but if you like what you drive than that shouldn't matter especially if you're looking at a car that is less than 4 years old then you have a solid 6+ years ahead of you without any major problem if you take some care of it. IMO, do your own research and you'll find what you like. And if you like tuning, Germany is where the fun's at.

This is my "generalized" personal opinion. I know you can argue the following, but in my experience, (A bit more than most), with German automobiles...

Audi - Reliable, good gas mileage, a little cheaper to work on

BMW - Sporty, INSANE handling, people like to turn these into project cars (Mods)

Mercedes Benz - Very comfortable, cool tech stuff, luxury at it's finest (EXPENSIVE to work on)

Personally I am a Beamer (BMW) guy, but you can't go wrong with any of the 3.

How can you afford that for your first car? The insurance too...

I'd go with a merc out of them. Far more classy.

Audi, I seen someone say they have horrible reliability? That's BS, BMW's are money pits and the parts are insanely high so i'd cut that out straight away

I passed my road test a few days ago, and since then, I have been researching which car to buy. I am considering buying a used, entry-level, four-door sedan from either three of these brands and their corresponding entry-level model:

1. Audi (A4)
2. BMW (3 Series)
3. Mercedes-Benz (C C****) (Damn censor)

My budget for the car itself is $25,000.

Which brand do you guys recommend? Remember, I am planning to buy a car that is at least four years old (preferably newer).

And no, I am not considering any other brands. I always wanted a German car since I was a kid, and here is my chance at one. I plan to keep this car (should I buy one) for at least ten years.

The_Capitalist

I like the looks of Audi better. Mercedes and BMW are ugly imo.

Obviously though that's not the only thing to consider when buying a car but I really don't know anything else :P