I don't understand how the Germans manufactures can continue to claim superior engineering when their products have sub-par reliability and require expensive solutions to repair. Why can't the Germans dedicate as much effort into quality as they do into look and feel?
"Superior German engineering" pertains to their engines, transmissions, suspensions, etc. which are indeed superior. Unfortunately, with these new and very advanced technologies, come expensive repairs and niggling problems.
which engine, which transmission and which suspension technology are we talking about?
Audi V6's have not been advanced until very recently. fairly robust, sure, but not advanced.
and even now, their "advanced" direct injection engines have some problems with carbon deposits and nothing to write home about with regards to power output without forced induction.
DSG transmission is advanced for sure. but 8speed auto was first employed by lexus.
suspension, ... maybe. but if it costs more to produce and more to maintain, can it really be considered "superior"?
German cars are at the cutting edge of engine, tranny and suspension technology. I'm not talking specifically about Audi but about MB, BMW, Porsche too. Just because it costs more to maintain or produce doesn't mean its not technologically superior. High tech things cost more to make anyways. Be it engines, drugs, infotainment, telecommunications, whatever.
Again, i'm not trying to argue or nitpick, but trying to see if i missed anything. What specific engine, tranny and suspension technology are we talking about?
state of the art air suspension, MB nicked from chrysler.
state of the art magnetorheological dampers, GM's subsidiary made it.
state of the art interior cloth(alcantara) developed in japan
state of the art transmission, sure DSG.. but it's by borg werner.. us company.
direct injection multiport that doesn't suffer carbon deposit issue... Toyota.
i'm not trying to discredit german engineering... but i'm just saying sometimes they don't employee best judgements when implementing them in cars.
As you say, high tech things costs more to produce.. but any company in the WORLD can produce the most tech advanced things if budgets were of no concern. see lexus LF-A, bugatti veyron, etc.
it's achieving, surpassing those at lower costs, that is what i consider "superior" engineering.