German Cars Disappoint Car Owners

DW World ^ | 11/29/03 | DW World

[MarkL]

Did you also replace the water pump when you changed out the timing belts? What was the bill?

No, and I don't remember... I've had this car for 3 years, so it's been nearly 4 years since I did that... And the new Toyotas have timing chains, rather than belts, and according to the Toyota service manager I spoke with, the chains are good for about 125,000-150,000 miles, and in some cases, more.

Mark

[q_an_a]

that is a very cool link. thanks. my comments are not about technology at the various companies, but how they market. I assert that the people in Europe have a disadvantage to America because of their political environment. Thus retailers who can only have one sale per year do not understand why we sell so much. Therefore they use their marketing background to sell her and this is how MB is killing Crysler.

It will take time but in 15 years the Toyota pickups, built in Texas, will end that profit center at MB. At the same time the fact that Toyota and Honda are considered by the german driving public to be better cars, shows that style and cool features do not overcome the overall cost of operation.

[cjshapi]

Somehow I doubt that. But all the German car's I've driven aren't all they're cracked up to be.

[bvw]

on belts and chains:

I guess I didn't read that to my Olds 2.3 Cutlass's timing chain. Which had the decency to break a link while starting up one cold winter morning, thereby limiting the damage to the cylinders. A $2700 rebuild. I forget how many miles were on the engine, maybe 115k.

[skraeling]

the new Toyotas have timing chains, rather than belts,

Wish this '97 Geo had a chain. It's only used for teaching Grandchildren how to drive and as an extra car for visitors over Christmas, etc. At 93Kmi I'm getting a little nervous about the belt but hate to spend $500 for a new one (& water pump) as an "insurance hedge" against a value of less than $4,000.

[XBob]

116 - "I had an '85 626 and a '95 626. I loved them but the new 6 just blows them away. It's an absolute blast to drive."

I had an 1983 626 5 door, grand touring model - absolutely loved it - more than any car (even my BMW 2002, Alpha Romeo Spyder and Porche 912) I have ever owned. It drove like a sports car (McPherson Strut suspension, rack and pinion steering, fully independent suspension [adjustable suspension too], looked great, and loaded like a station wagon ( I could haul 8 ft long 2x4 studs with the rear hatch closed). Seats were great with lumbar supports, and I could haul my Mother and kids too.

It finally wore out a number of years back, and stupidly I thought I could get another one, just a newer model. Apparently the new Mazda6 is it's replacement, but it doesn't have a hatch back. Do you know if they have or plan any hatchbacks?

[XBob]

124 - "I guess I didn't read that to my Olds 2.3 Cutlass's timing chain."

I am not familiar with that engine, per se. However, if it is one of those 'half' endines they have built at various times - 1/2 a v8, the only car I do remember with timing chain problems was an olds V8 in the 70's, which had plastic 'shoes' on the timing gear to make it run more quiet and smoothly. Sometimes the plastic would come loose and jam the chain/gear, which would break. It was always wise to change that gear at about 100,000 miles.

[MarkL]

Wish this '97 Geo had a chain. It's only used for teaching Grandchildren how to drive and as an extra car for visitors over Christmas, etc. At 93Kmi I'm getting a little nervous about the belt but hate to spend $500 for a new one (& water pump) as an "insurance hedge" against a value of less than $4,000.

Do it! At 93,000 miles, you're probably tempting fate. I'd be suprised if the timing belt were more than about $500, but if it goes, or if it slips a tooth or two, you could bend valves, or even damage a piston and the cylinder walls. What would a new engine for that car cost? If you're going to keep it, I'd spend the money.

Mark

[Lazamataz]

Somehow I doubt that. But all the German car's I've driven aren't all they're cracked up to be.

I know it.