Kind regards,
Deepak
I haven't seen a website in Europe or in Switzerland, but if I were you, I would check out consumerreports.com. It's a US based website but they independently test hundreds of cars both when the car is new and over long periods of time. The website gives a lot of information about reliability, engine problems, electrical, cooling, fuel, etc. It's really comprehensive but really good. You may have to pay to see all of their information but I think it's worth based on the wealth of information they provide.
You are aware that the models on sale in Europe are VERY different from the US car market? Paying for US information makes absolutely no sense at all. There is a TCS statistic on Switzerland. Since the country is rather small does it only work for you if you drive a "volume" model... otherwise look at the equivalent ADAC statistic in Germany.
Hmm, Your mention of a Mini Countryman has now got me thinking again. This is available at a local Emil Frey dealership.
I agree and disagree with you. Like I said initially, I don't know if a website like consumer reports exist in Switzerland or Europe.
Yes cars sold in Europe are different than cars sold in the USA. But this is a resource that tells people about the reliability, potential advantages and disadvantages of cars.
For example, ff you buy a BMW 5 series or a Mercedes S class, then the cars are both manufactured in Germany whether they are going to Europe or to USA. If you go directly to the site, I'm sure you will have to pay, but I bet if you type in the correct search terms in google you can find more information.
Thank you for sharing TCS Switzerland and ADAC Germany by the way, I didn't know of those sites.
Just because a car comes out of the same factory does not mean it is the same. Yes, even if the lable on it is the same...
A Swiss Mercedes might have a very different engine set-up from a US spec (that needs to meet California emission laws) let alone from a China or India spec that is set up to work with crap fuel quality. They drive quite differently and expecting that reliability will be the same is wrong.
And just for the fun of it: Reliability is closely tied to the customers who buy it. A BMW 3 series is a "girly" car in the US while it is a bit of a boy racer in Germany... I'd bet that the reliability statistic for the same model would therefore be very different.
Honestly, I think you are wrong and we are going to have different opinions on this topic.
If a factory in Germany, France, China, or the USA is producing shit cars, I don't think it matters where the cars are going to, they are going to be shit in whichever country they arrive in. They may have different engines, different parts, but if they don't know how to put it together correctly it's not going to matter anyways.
Furthermore, let's consider the VW Diesel emission scandal. Initially it was suspected that only cars in the USA were affected but now VW has admitted that cars around the world are affected. 2.8 mm cars in Germany, 500k in USA, 180k in India and a total of 11 million cars worldwide. ( http://www.ibtimes.com/volkswagen-di...merica-2137284 ). The cars were manufactured in multiple countries around the world and yet they all had this issue.
Back to consumer reports:
This website operates the largest independent automobile testing center in the world. Its actually quite amazing, I would have figured that Europeans would have done something like this as people here love their cars so much. Anyways, they have extensive list of tests (50) that they conduct and they buy the cars anonymously. You are welcome to read about it further ( http://www.consumerreports.org/cars/...ts-tests-cars/ ).
I 2nd this. CU does a great job. Even with the little ocean wide differences in models its a good indicator 2 go by. Especially if your looking for a US import. However, ADAC is also excellent and costs nothing.
That's a daft statement. That's like saying "The cars were manufactured in multiple countries around the world and yet they all had four wheels and a windscreen". VWs around the world all had the emissions "issue" because VW put it there. Deliberately. In every factory.
There are most case where things are the same than not. Also it's quite rare that the label will be the same but the configuration different.
And 95% of the buyers won't even notice any difference.
Hey Paddy, A couple of practical things to think about on the Evoque based on experience of the loan Evoque whilst our Freelander 2 was in for Service:
Headroom is very limited and as we are similar in height I would expect you to knock your head a few times getting in & out and have a feeling of being cramped whilst driving.
Second is much reduced rear mirror visibility (compared to the Freelander) due to the low roof and the way it slopes down towards the back.
Otherwise pretty similar performance to the Freelander 2 except for slightly lower ground clearance and poorer entry/exit angles, but with some newer components.
Have you considered the new Discovery Sport - if you find one with the 2Lt ingenium engine then they have an MPG in the mid 50's. Personally I'm looking forward to a test drive soon.
Cheers,
Mick
You are wrong. The examples you gave, BMW and Merc are actually going against your theory as they have their factories in the US for the US market. Same goes for a number of brands. If you look at the honda CR-V, on the outside it looks exactly the same in EU and US, but the engine is totally different. Bottomline: do not use US centric websites to asses European cars.
@dgupta - there are countless "European" sites offering reviews. From the UK side Parkers, WhatCar and HonestJohn are good starting point for used car information. For enthusiastic drivers there is EVO. There are also sites specializing in reviews of cars for towing.
In general manufacturers will make only certain models on certain lines in certain factories. BMW for example produces all X3s in Spartenburg - my nerd knowledge runs out at this point in remember which models are built in which factories - and sometimes that build is sub-contracted out, for example the G-Wagon not rebranded a Mercedes is built by PUCH in Austria.
In terms of "global" products manufacturers are moving more and more to single engine/model configurations, but as already highlighted some differences remain. China/US car will run completely different engine maps to deal with low quality/low octane fuel.
@Paddy - that one looks a bit odd. Countryman S with silver wheels and dark cloth interior - wouldn't be my choice. Just before Christmas I was out and about in a 2009 Mini Clubman D and it felt great fun to drive. Not hugely quick but perky enough. The interior, although funky in design, did lack the switchgear quality/feel from a "proper" BMW - and the plastics weren't quite as luxurious or solid feeling. It majors on "fun and style" over "solid and rugged". Back to Countryman specific information: no matter how well they do in the Dakar it is very much a yummy mummy car.
If it was my money - I'd be talking numbers over a better specced Countryman or a smart looking Evoque.
Hey Mick,
Thanks for the Evoque info; I see what you mean about the restricted visibiity. I'll see what it's like if I get to drive one. The Discovery Sport is going to be out of my price range, I'm afraid.
Dodgyken, I can't get the "yummy mummy" aspect of the Countryman out of my head now. Damn you. I know I want to downsize a little from the Sante Fe, but the Countryman might a little too much. It does look fun though.
Sorry for that - but better you know the image now than after you buy it. Chris Harris get's his mountain bike in the back of a Ferrari FF - but those start at 170k
I never got the X1 styling - but they do offer a good all round package. The 23d is the pick of the engines.
Its been more than a month I started this discussion.At last I bought Mazda cx5.
Earlier plan is to buy forester but because of these points I came out of that.
Forester :
It is very thirsty for engine oil. Numerous engine oil issues. In US and in Australia dealership offering free oil for its entire life but in swiss it is little more expensive.
Anyway I am not going to use off road during high snow
Not spacious like Mazda cX 5
Fuel consumption little high it seems
Toyota RAV4 :
During the test drive itself I concluded it is not my car.cheap plastic interior and from inside the car it is not feel good.
came to know frequent wheel and braking issues
I have to admit ,I do like the look and price of the CX-5. My only gripe is the lack of a roof-bar option for my bike/ski racks.
https://www.google.ch/search?q=mazda...w=1266&bih=946
if might not have rails but bars are definitely available
How do you find getting the bikes on the roof of the Santa Fe. I'd have thought a towbar mounted setup would be easier to use.
I've only ever used the type that mount on the tailgate of a car.
It's not easy, but I manage .
What about the Skoda Yeti - with towbar and rear mounted bike rack?