10 Most Reliable German Luxury Cars You Can Buy Used
There is no denying that German engineering has given us some of the best engines in the automotive industry. German automakers have decades of experience in building high-quality automobiles with captivating style, state-of-the-art technologies, and unparalleled driving experiences. Owing to these, the German luxury cars have become the very symbol of success and opulence. This is why a myriad of celebrities, athletes, and business tycoons prefer them as their means of transportation.
Let’s be honest, buying a German luxury car has also been a dream of everyone at some point in their life. And it is also true that not everyone can afford to buy a new one straight from the dealer as wealthy people do. So when these uber-opulent cars make their way into used car lots, they look extremely attractive. With most of their depreciation already being done, they start to make sense to a lot of the buyers and if one plays their cards right they can easily scoop one of these luxury vehicles for a bargain.
However, despite their gleaming looks from the outside, German cars are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to their reliability. If you don’t do your research you could get honey-trapped into something that could easily make you file for bankruptcy. Some of these German cars should be avoided at all costs. So, to save your dream of owning a luxury behemoth for a fraction of its original MSRP without drying out your account balance in maintenance. Here is a list of 10 of the most reliable used German luxury cars in the market today.
10 2009 BMW E90 328i
Accounting for 30 percent of all BMW sales every year, the 3 Series has cemented itself as one of the most valuable vehicles for the company. Since its inception in 1975, the car has seen multiple iterations throughout its life. However, if you’re looking for the best one in the used car market, then look no further than the 2009 BMW E90 328i. The sedan with its naturally aspirated N53 straight-six petrol engine will be your best bet.
People who own one of these, swore by its driving dynamics, smooth yet adequately powerful engine, and creature comforts. Reviews of the 328i have also stated that this nimble family sedan is equally reliable as well. The 2009 328i four-door sedan has an overall user rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Edmunds.com with a lot of great reviews which is a testament to how amazing of a used car it is.
9 2009 W221 Mercedes S-Class
From the very beginning, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been the benchmark for the German flagship luxury sedans. With its imposing looks and avant-garde technology features, the Mercedes S-Class is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after cars. So if you also want to ball on a budget with a top-of-the-line Mercedes land yacht, then you can pick one up for yourself for a price less than a new Toyota Camry.
The 2009 W221 S-Class is the perfect culmination of beauty, performance, and reliability. Unlike its older iterations, the W221 model comes with a better infotainment system, a more luxurious interior, and overall better build quality. As for its reliability, Motor Biscuit has even ranked the 2009 S-Class as one of the most reliable of the S-Class models.
8 2011 Mercedes E-Class
Next up on the list is another car from the three-pointed star family—the 2011 E-Class. This one of the better generations of Mercedes cars to buy from, and Mercedes Enthusiast Network even regarded it as well-built as the iconic classic W124. Arguably, the 2011 E-Class is the most reliable modern Mercedes that you can buy today. It scores an impressive 88/100 in J.D Power ratings and that in itself speaks a lot about the reliability of this German luxury sedan. The E-Class like its bigger sibling S-Class has also topped its luxury mid-size sedan segment for a few years now.
The 2011 E-Class with its exemplary ride quality, comfort, and reliability proves itself to be a great used car. It also comes equipped with DISTRONIC PLUS which is an added benefit. Other features include wood and chrome trim with double-stitched upholstery along with a 7-inch LCD, navigation, 8-speakers, and various other luxury features that you expect from a typical Mercedes.
7 2010 Audi Q5
The place for the first and only German luxury SUV on this list belongs to the beautiful 2010 Audi Q5. Accoutered with the powerful 3.2 FSI engine and agile running gear, the 2010 Audi Q5 is a serious bang for the buck. The mid-size Audi SUV offers exceptional driving dynamics both on and off-road. Also, not only does it look good, but it has also been given the honor of being the most reliable Audi SUV many times.
According to J.D. Power ratings, the Audi Q5 is one of the most reliable German SUVs from the 2010s. So if you are looking for a sleek, modern-looking SUV with the four rings on the grille, then you can scoop one up for less than $15,000.
6 2010 Audi A6
The next spot on this German opulence list has been captured by the 2010 Audi A6. Like its SUV sibling from the same year, the A6 has also been regarded as one of the most reliable German luxury cars of all time. With an astonishing score of 89/100 in reliability by J.D. Power ratings, the A6 has cemented its spot on this list. You can choose between a 3.2 FSI V6, 4.2 FSI V8, and a supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 engine.
Buyers of used 2010 A6s have reported that they are extremely happy with the bulletproof reliability and performance of the car. We believe that the 2010 Audi A6 is seriously one of the best cars for the price and if you get one you will not be disappointed.
5 2011 BMW 7 Series
No used German luxury list can be complete without the addition of the BMW 7 Series, and the same goes with this list as well. This time around, the model that has made its way here is the 2011 7 Series. The top-of-the-line BMW can be had with either a twin-turbo in-line six or a twin-turbo V8 engine. As for the looks, you’ll definitely look like a big shot rolling down the road. And after taking a step inside, you’ll be welcomed with a premium and spacious cabin with hoards of tech that is expected from a flagship luxury saloon.
According to The Car Connection, the 2011 BMW 7 Series scores an overall expert rating of 9.4/10, which is extremely impressive. Meanwhile, in terms of reliability, the 2011 model gets a rating of 84/100 from J.D. Power as well. They’re cheap too! If you are looking for a flagship BMW luxury sedan then you can get one of these for anywhere between $11,632 and $25,535.
4 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera
Porsche 911 and reliability are like two peas in a pod. No matter which expert you ask, you will get the same answer. That naturally aspirated flat-six engine mounted on top of those rear axles sings one of the most soothing notes and offers an adequate amount of power. Mixed with the precise handling and perfectly calibrated suspension, the Porsche 911 has become one of the best sports cars of all time. 2008 was also the first year that the 911 model got its legendary ultra-quick PDK transmission.
J.D Power ratings put the 2008 Porsche 911’s reliability score at 92/100. Even some of the most common sedans and SUVs fail to achieve this high of a score. And as with every Porsche 911, the 2008 Carrera too comes adorned with high-quality materials and amazing craftsmanship.
3 2013 Audi A4
Entry-level luxury sedans are probably your best bet when searching for a reliable German car, and the 2013 Audi A4 is yet another proof of this fact. It’s a well-rounded sedan that offers refined performance and has one of the most upscale cabins in the class. Equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 211 horsepower, the A4 is plenty quick and most importantly extremely reliable.
Overall, the 2013 Audi scores a pretty high J.D. Power rating, but it especially excels in the reliability rankings. It gets an impressive score of 87/100.
2 2011 Mercedes C-Class
The Mercedes C-Class rounds up the entry-level luxury sedans from all the three major German manufacturers in this list. Mercedes offered the 2011 C Class with two engine options—a 3.0-liter V6 making 228 hp and a 3.5-liter V6 pushing 268 hp. The three-pointed star sedan was also offered with a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine in its C63 AMG guise.
As for the reliability, the 2011 C-Class gets a remarkable 85/100 from the J.D. Power ratings. Right now, a used 2011 C-Class could be yours for as low as $12,000 in great condition.
1 2012 Audi TT RS
If there’s one other German sports car that can compete with the 911 in terms of reliability and outright driving pleasure, it’s the Audi TT. The tiny but exceedingly stylish sports car from Audi has been enjoyed by enthusiasts for over two decades. Audi gave the 2012 TT RS a 2.5-liter turbo DOHC 20-valve Inline 5-cylinder engine with a manual joystick to bang gears. The car can do 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds even without the help of a launch control system.
From a reliability standpoint, the earlier generations of the TT had some issues but for the 2012 model year these issues were ironed out, and the car had zero recalls and reported problems. We have always been huge fans of the TT, and we have even told you before why the Audi TT is one of the most reliable sports cars you can buy.
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