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German manufacturers have a knack for building fast and overengineered cars, but not all of them are worth owning.
German sports cars are regarded by many as some of the best-built, and most reliable on the market. Unfortunately, some examples fall significantly short and can end up being money pits that you would do well to stay well clear of.
The examples on this list provide great performance figures, and many have undergone steep depreciation, making them highly attractive to a gearhead. However, the purchase price only tells part of the story, reliability and maintenance problems can result in massive garage bills, and you could be better off entirely avoiding such cars in the first place. Here are 10 we would certainly give a miss.
Related: 10 Classic German Sports Cars We Wouldn't Touch With A 10-Foot Pole
The W204 C63 AMG is a very special car, with a next-level engine. Housing a beastly 6.2-liter V8 in the engine bay, the car was always going to provide great performance. With a 451-hp power output and a rapid 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds, this is a true gearhead's car.
Regrettably, early model year cars (2008-2011) had an engine design issue. Corroding headbolts were prone to fail, resulting in catastrophic head gasket destruction, and a consequential mixing of coolant and oil in the engine. A seized engine would be the eventual outcome, and replacements of such an advanced unit do not come cheap.
Related: These Are Our Favorite Features Of The 2007 Mercedes C63 AMG
At the time of the F10 M5's launch in 2012, there was little on the market to match the sheer performance of the car. Under the hood, a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 pumped out 553hp. This power output meant a rapid 0-60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds. A "Competition Pack" version was released in 2014, which upped power output to a very generous 567 hp.
The car was however plagued by several issues. From defective rear coil springs to powertrain errors and brake fade, buyers need to appraise a potential used buy very carefully, to ensure they aren't inundated with problems. Everyday running costs can also be fairly high, with high fuel consumption and expensive brake and tire consumables such as the Michelin Pilot Super Sports.
In production from 1997 to 2001, the B5 S4 was powered by a 265-hp 2.7-liter, 30v V6. Performance was generous, with 0-60 mph taking 5.6 seconds, before topping out at a 155 mph top speed.
Capable of carrying a family, and being equipped with all-wheel drive, the front-engined car was very versatile. Letting it down, are several engine issues including coil pack failure to turbo, gearbox, and timing belt tensioner failing.
Related: These Are Our Favorite Features Of The 2022 Audi RS4
The E36 was the second generation of the M3 and was produced between 1992 (1995 in the US) and 1999. European versions of the car came kitted out with a 286-hp 3.0-liter inline-6, while US spec cars had a lower-powered 240-hp version of the same engine.
The E36 was around 1 second faster on the 0-60 mph sprint than its predecessor, taking around 5.6 seconds. Despite being relatively cheap to get hold of, you might want to avoid investing in one of your own, as there are several known common issues. From cooling issues to heavy corrosion, and chassis weakening, this car can quickly drain your wallet if you pick the wrong one.
Sporting a radical redesign, the E60 generation 5 Series proved divisive. Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson even described it as an "ugly car." The M5 version provided serious power, with a massive 5.0-liter V10 producing 514 hp.
With this power on tap, despite being a fairly hefty car, the M5 can blast from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Regrettably, reliability issues mean you really don't want one in your ownership. Among other issues, the V10 has the potential to destroy itself as a result of failing rod bearings, even on low mileage examples.
The S4 is the slightly more restrained brother of the brutish RS4, the B6 generation was produced from 2003 to 2005.
Under the hood, a 344hp 4.2 liter V8 could be found, capable of taking the S4 from 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds. Unfortunately, we would swerve the B6 S4 as it can be liable to costly timing chain failures. Audi opted to use plastic tensioners as part of the setup, and like any plastic, this degraded over time. The result was either catastrophic engine failure or a very expensive chain renewal due to access issues.
The first generation of Audi TT was released back in 1998. Impressively, it shared a lot of likeness with its concept car, something which cannot be said for many cars. The TT brought something new to the sports car market, offering clean looks, decent performance, and a quality Audi interior.
While gearheads like to have the largest available engine, unfortunately, the 3.2-liter V6 could prove a costly mistake. The timing chain is liable to fail, with poorly engineered plastic tensioners and the potential to stretch, engine destruction is a possibility. Other issues include frequent ignition coil pack failure and "MAF" sensor failure on the 1.8 turbo variant.
Produced between 2000 and 2005, the Passat W8 is up there as one of the most discrete sleepers ever made. There was very little on the exterior to identify the car had such a large engine under its hood.
This Passat was powered by a 275-hp, 8-cylinder engine, and came with a "4Motion" all-wheel drive system. 0-60 mph was possible in 6.3 seconds, and the car could go on to a 155-mph top speed. Frustratingly, the power output was rather disappointing given the displacement and had the potential to fail in several ways, most commonly as a result of cam adjuster issues.
Benjamin has always had an interest in all things automotive. He is a keen follower of Formula One, and is particularly enjoying watching the rise of George Russell and Lando Norris. He is most knowledgeable about modern cars, but is learning more and more about classics. Currently based just North of London.