>>26286
>>26285
>>26290

Yes, I know that German cars aren't that good nowadays, but it isn't only German problem, but global. Although it isn't fair to blame this only on postmodern capitalistic management with outsourcing mentality and planned obsolescence - there are plenty of much more obvious reason: complexity.

For example, that gearbox that I described first - DSG - is a pretty complex construction that combines two manual transmissions with robotic actuator. Why do this, if customer don't care much about internals? Fuel economy. Classic automatic transmission is much better in reliability terms, but uses more fuel than mechanical, and this couldn't be fixed. Same for volume, you can't get much power from 1.2l engine as in 1.6, but 1.2 eats 4-6 liters of petrol and 1.6 eats 6-10. But when combined with compressors and turbines, 1.2 becomes sometimes even better than 1.6. With price of complexity. Same for lighter pistons and other elements, they give more performance and less reliability.

Another reason is ecology, but it is paired with fuel economy. Other things like luxury reasons aren't that noticeable, they are mostly about interior components and electronics that don't matter much as drivetrain in long term reliability.

>peugeot 406 hdi is pretty much impossible to kill. vw passat b5 1.9 tdi or b6 2.0 fsi.

Yeah, they are good cars, especially passats - I see them occasionally on streets. But they are often very old and I don't like idea of getting 20+ year cars (although I had that once) for many reasons. Maybe if I'd decided to get old car, I'd choose some exotic like big American cars - I like them, but nowadays I'm practical (and maybe too old).

Diesels are rare here, fuel became better only recently, but stereotype about bad fuel still exists, so no one risking to buy modern diesel.

>dacia is owned by renault right? so quality cant be horrible but probably older stuff.