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Что осталось от немцев с пробегом?

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The video reviews what remains worth buying among used German premium cars on the Russian market. The speakers’ central advice is to choose a car for its mechanical condition, service history, and resale prospects—not just its badge or mileage. Their recommendations reflect the market at the time of filming and may change.

The reviewer works in used-car selection and says the company focuses on cars it can confidently recommend and warranty. Its practical priorities are liquidity and the main mechanical systems: engine, transmission, and all-wheel drive. Mileage alone is not a reliable measure of condition: inspect each car in person and check how it was used and maintained.

Audi

  • A6 C8: Presented as Audi’s most liquid current used model, helped by being cheaper than comparable BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes. The recommended choice is the 2.0-litre all-wheel-drive version. The speakers describe it as mechanically sound, comfortable, and spacious, with a large trunk and generous rear-seat room; its handling is less engaging than its rivals’. An engine pump/thermostat issue is said to have been addressed, though a repair could cost around 80,000 rubles if it occurs. The Quattro Ultra coupling needs attention to its fluid; neglect or hard use can lead to an expensive replacement.
  • A6 3.0 diesel: A more enthusiast-oriented option, especially as an Avant wagon, with a conventional automatic and Torsen all-wheel drive. Later examples are described as having the earlier engine problems resolved. On high-mileage cars, inspect the engine carefully; the speakers recommend considering preventive bearing-shell replacement at roughly 250,000–300,000 km.
  • A5 F5: Shares much of the A6’s underlying technology and is described as attractive and generally reliable. The four-door Sportback is more practical and easier to resell than the coupe. Two-litre petrol and diesel versions are both considered viable. S5 and RS5 versions are niche, expensive, and harder to resell.
  • Q5 FY: Mechanically similar to the A6/A5, with familiar two-litre engines and all-wheel-drive components. The speakers consider it a good car, but say it is less sought after than the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, so it is usually cheaper. They disagree about its styling and cabin quality.
  • Q7 4M: A practical family SUV with broadly similar technology to the Q8. A two-litre version is considered technically viable but difficult to resell.
  • Q8: Mechanically sound in the discussed three-litre diesel or petrol configurations, but very unpopular on the secondary market. That can make it a bargain, but the poor resale prospects are a major drawback.
  • Overall: The speakers say Audi has lost ground to BMW and Mercedes in the Russian market, even though several Audis remain good cars to own.

Porsche

  • Cayenne: The third-generation model is described as Porsche’s most liquid used car. The 2.9-litre V6 is considered strong and capable; early cylinder-head problems are said to have been corrected. The speakers advise using high-octane fuel, keeping the radiators clean, avoiding overheating, and changing the oil regularly.
  • Cayenne 4.0-litre V8: Praised as a powerful, unusually robust modern engine, provided it is not abused or poorly modified. The speakers debate the point of a fast SUV: one questions its practical value, while another values the comfort and performance in one vehicle.
  • Cayenne hybrids: Not recommended for buyers concerned about resale, as the speakers say the market is reluctant to buy them.
  • Macan: The first-generation model, including the later facelift with a 2.0-litre, 265-hp engine, is described as reliable and still in demand. Low-mileage examples are common, though the car is considered expensive for its age.
  • 911, Cayman, and Boxster: Described as generally reliable but more niche than the Cayenne and Macan. The 2.0-litre Cayman is specifically defended as a good, dependable car that drives well, though it lacks the sound of the higher-performance versions.
  • Panamera: Considered an awkward family-car choice: limited space, high cost, and neither the practicality of a family wagon nor the handling appeal of a 911. The speakers suggest a buyer may be better served by a practical car plus a separate sports car.

Mercedes-Benz

  • General buying advice: Mercedes has very strong brand loyalty and demand, but many used examples come from taxis, corporate fleets, leasing, or rentals. The speakers advise checking the car’s ownership and service history carefully; well-maintained private-owner examples can be good buys.
  • Drivetrain and transmission: All-wheel drive is strongly preferred because rear-wheel-drive C- and E-Class cars are harder to resell. The 9G-Tronic automatic is described as a reliable unit, although proper diagnosis may require specialist equipment.
  • C-Class W205 facelift: The preferred version is the two-litre M264 with all-wheel drive. The 1.5-litre M264 is also considered a good engine; the difference in refinement and response is small in ordinary use. The older 1.6-litre M274 is discouraged because of its age, known timing/cam-related issues, and rear-wheel-drive-only availability in this generation, which hurts resale. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system is not considered a major concern.
  • E-Class W213 facelift: The two-litre petrol M264 is the safer general recommendation. Some imported examples are said to have defective valve guides, potentially leading to cylinder-head repairs estimated at 300,000–500,000 rubles; the speakers say this issue is less evident in Russian-market cars but should be checked. The two-litre OM654 diesel can suffer rocker-related wear and costly head repairs, roughly 300,000–400,000 rubles. It may suit drivers covering long distances, but the petrol engine is presented as the less risky choice. Three-litre and AMG versions are harder to resell. Desirable equipment, including a panoramic roof, memory seats, and AMG styling, can help resale.
  • GLC 253 facelift: Described as mechanically similar to the E-Class, with familiar two-litre petrol and diesel engines and the 9G-Tronic. It is popular on the used market, with a reasonable choice of diesels.
  • GLE 167: Less popular than the BMW X5, despite a substantial used supply. The two-litre engine is considered underpowered for the vehicle. The 2.9-litre diesel is a more suitable option, but its rocker system is another potential concern. The speakers generally prefer the X5 as an all-round choice.

BMW

  • G-series/CLAR cars: The reviewer is particularly positive about BMW’s modular platform, saying it was implemented more successfully than those of Audi and Mercedes. The B38, B48, B58, S58, B47, and B57 engines, together with the ZF eight-speed automatic, are described as strong and reliable. Some early B58 pump issues are said to have been corrected.
  • B47 diesel: Singled out as an exceptionally durable two-litre diesel. The reviewer cites cars reaching 500,000–700,000 km on their original engine and gearbox, while noting that performance is modest.
  • Recommended mainstream models: All-wheel-drive 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, and X5 are the preferred choices. Rear-wheel-drive sedans are considered harder to sell. The X5 and X3 may need suspension-arm work sooner than smaller cars, but the speakers regard this as a relatively minor maintenance cost.
  • Resale: BMW is said to command higher prices and attract stronger demand than comparable Audi and Mercedes models. The X5 is particularly popular.
  • Niche or hard-to-sell models: The 7 Series, 8 Series, and 2 Series are described as difficult to resell; the 7 Series is called a particularly risky choice for buyers who may need to sell later. An unusually low-mileage 7 Series can be an exception, but such finds are rare.
  • Performance models: The M5 F90’s 4.4-litre V8 is described as having had many of its earlier issues addressed, but it remains an expensive, specialised purchase. More generally, the speakers warn that BMW condition is crucial because some owners drive these cars hard.

Overall verdict

The speakers’ conclusion is that used German premium cars can still be bought with confidence, particularly when they have clear documents, a good service record, and no serious accident history. For the most straightforward ownership and resale, they favour an all-wheel-drive BMW 3 or 5 Series/X3/X5, an Audi A6 C8 2.0 AWD, or a carefully chosen Mercedes with all-wheel drive and a suitable two-litre engine. Porsche Cayenne and Macan models are recommended for buyers who want a Porsche, but buyers should account for higher running costs and avoid hybrids if resale is a priority.

No formal product ratings or numerical scores are given.

Different speaker views

  • The main reviewer is notably enthusiastic about modern BMW engineering and favours its reliability and resale strength.
  • The speakers disagree about cabin design: one prefers Audi’s interior and finds it more comfortable, while another challenges that preference.
  • They also differ on fast SUVs: one questions their purpose, while another sees the combination of comfort, size, and performance as worthwhile.

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