This article does not bode well for Audi:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...rts27_ST_N.htm

 

This article too:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...299442246.html

 

Ours previous Volvo XC90 had multiple problems, one of them never fixed in 4 years of ownership, Q5 needed both sides DRL modules so far (1 y.old)

Also, when paying more money, I will demand everything to be "perfect", and I will "cope" w/ some minor problems in a "basic" vehicle...

 

BMW finally admit problem with N54 engine and recall 130,000 cars
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...02&postcount=1

 

Perfect? Prepare yourself for some disappointment. More $$$ usually means MORE cutting edge technology and a higher level of comfort and/or performance. Reliability usually suffers. Even within most brands the larger more expensive models are usually the least reliable. Never heard of and never expect to own a "perfect car". Call me a realist.

 

There is no question that Asian cars are more reliable than Western cars. But while they're reliable, they're also boring to drive.

 

That's true!

 

Actually, asian reliability is largely a myth. Lots of Japanese cars (especially hondas and nissans) have sh*tty automatic transmission that crap out at 60-70K miles (and sometimes even earlier). A friend of mine had the AT in his Acura TL replaced 4 times over the course of 3 years.

Also, Japanese cars generally have poor interior fit and finish and become rattle traps after a couple of years of use. Contrast that to my dad's 2002 X5, which still feels as solid as the day he drove it off the dealership lot 8 years ago.

It's funny that the myth of "japanese reliability" seems to be largely a North American invention. In Europe and Asia, German cars are not seen as less reliable than their Japanese counterparts. The problem with many of these so-called "reliability surveys" is that they don't differentiate between the various types reliability issues (i.e. a failed transmission and a rattling cup holder are given the same amount of weight in the overall reliability index calculation). Then, of course, you've the phenomenon of people demanding perfection from the more expensive cars. An Audi owner might complain about "excessive wind noise", while a Nissan driver would not even give it any thought and just assume that a certain amount of wind noise is perfectly normal.

 

This is stupid.

Your anecdotal evidence doesn't prove consumer reports false. Just because you know someone or a few people who've had trouble with their Japanese cars doesn't make Jap cars unreliable.

If you bothered to actually read the consumer reports, you'll see that the problems that consumer reports points out in luxury cars like Audi and BMW is the unreliability of critical parts like turbo engines--not insignificant things like "rattling cup holders" that you pointed out.

 

There is a lot of marketing involved in these perception. Reliability needs to be looked at by model, not just brands. The recent Toyota recalls just shows that higher volume you go the poorer the reliability tends to be because the company tends to favor profitability. Unfortunately with the Acuras and Lexus coming on the marker, the german automakers are becoming more and more bean counter companies... One other factor to think about is that Europe and some countries in Asia have focused on Diesel because of environmental and fuel economy. Only the US have fallen behind because of aggressive lobbying. I can guarantee you that the 1990 Audi 80 TDI my parents had was more reliable than any japanese car I have owned in the US in the 21st century and with better interior fit and finish. It is not too surprising if the gas engine from the european automakers do not get as much of their attention.
One other thing I have noticed is also the adaptation to the market. I have seen some european cars considered unreliable in SE Asia because... their AC was not strong enough and were getting high failure rate...Well yeah, it does not get as hot in Europe as it is year round in Singapore...

I personally do not believe that Asian cars are significantly more reliable than others. I tend to feel like they require more maintenance albeit low cost maintenance. Over 4 bimmers and 1 VW I have never had any significant problems. I've had actually more issues on my Honda civic...