Reliability and 33 Years of Experience, Not looking good. Options

[Series9]

As the owner of an indy VAP shop, I have to say things are not looking good.

I started in VWs with my grandfather's '71 Super Beetle when I was 14. I would enthusiastically tell everyone (for a very long time) that German engineering was the way to go.

Fast forward 33 years. What I say now: "Do NOT buy any VAP built after 1998." Even before 1998, I now realize that drivers of American and Asian cars have generally had a more reliable experience.

My Vanagon is on it's third engine in ten years, my Jetta requires attention at least twice a month, my 914 (before it became the RS) required an engine replacement in the five years I owned it as a /4.......etc, etc.

I'm basically making money on the flaws of German engineering. Yes, it tends to be more precise than the others. BUT, that precision comes at a cost. Small flaws amplify themselves in such a way that the whole system will stop working harmoniously long before other manufacturer's vehicles.

What's my most reliable vehicle/mile/dollar/hour of maintenance? 2006 Ford F250 6.0 Diesel (and that truck has the "unreliable" 6.0).

If someone came to me tonight and said "you have to drive to Washington state and leave right now", I would get right in the Ford and not worry one second about making it there and back.

If I had to take the Vanagon or the Jetta, I would be highly stressed. Both cars are great, but great for within 100 miles.

That's it. I wanted it off my chest.

My VAP specialty will continue at S9, but I may be driving something else..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Series9]

I'll tell you right now, I occasionally have BMWs show up looking for service.

When I work on them, it's very obvious that they are higher quality than both Porsche and Mercedes.

[ThePaintedMan]

I'll tell you right now, I occasionally have BMWs show up looking for service.

When I work on them, it's very obvious that they are higher quality than both Porsche and Mercedes.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) The E30 and E36 are damn-near bulletproof.

Miatas are bulletproof, I'm convinced. Mine is a 91, and I just had my first issue on Friday. Had a small rust pinhole leak in a water pipe which caused it to overheat. By the time I realized it, the gauge was pegged. Stopped, threw some water in it along with a split piece of rubber and a hose clamp and it started right up and drove the 45 minutes home no problem. Welded it back up, put in some antifreeze and I expect to go another 50k miles without touching a damn thing, other than maybe the convertible top. I bought the car for $200 and have less than $200 into it, nearly 5 years later. That's why you never see shops that specialize in Miatas - they never need work.

I agree with you Joe. VAP products are over-engineered in many ways, to the point where they forgot the relatively simple stuff in recent years. More business for you, but a pain in the ass for the owner and a horrible ROI for the owner that spent good money for a good product. As you said, the 6.0 "problem child" diesel in the F-250 at least doesn't have freaking D-chunks coming out of the sides of the cylinder walls or terminal IMS bearing issues. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)