Most Unreliable Import Luxury Sedans
Import Luxury Sedans
Some luxury sedans can be a bit expensive to maintain. This is bad news for drivers in Raleigh who want to avoid costly repairs. Even worse, you could be left stranded on the side of the road. Here’s a look at five of the most unreliable import models.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia ranks among today’s most fun-to-drive import luxury sedans. Many people also like this Italian model’s sleek styling. Unfortunately, long-term reliability isn’t great.
Quite a few owners have encountered a problem with the Giulia’s electrical wiring. This issue can cause the vehicle to suddenly cut off without warning. Drivers are then forced to call for a tow. Anti-lock brake failure is another big problem that tends to plague the Giulia. Stopping power will be greatly reduced, which ultimately becomes a serious safety hazard.
Jaguar XF
This import luxury sedan gets top marks for its superior interior quality and ultra-smooth ride. However, its higher cost of upkeep may turn away some people. Over time, the Jaguar XF’s rear suspension is susceptible to making a clunking noise. To fix the problem, you may be forced to have certain parts replaced.
After surpassing the 40,000-mile mark, some XF owners have experienced cracked alloy wheels. Because of this problem, drivers may begin to feel unusual vibrations in the steering wheel. The tire may also begin to lose pressure. If the owner is lucky, Jaguar’s warranty will cover the cost of a new set of wheels.
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance import luxury sedan. Crisp handling and lightning-quick acceleration make it a blast to drive. On the downside, owners often have to invest a lot of money in repairs. If you plan to get a BMW M3, don’t be surprised if its radiator begins to plug up. The coolant won’t be able to circulate properly, thus leading to powertrain overheating.
BMW’s VANOS system is also prone to premature failure. This technology controls the engine’s valve timing. When it goes bad, performance and fuel efficiency can drastically decrease. The only viable solution is to install a new unit.
Maserati Ghibli
For good reason, the Maserati Ghibli does not hold its value as well as some other import cars. While the Ghibli does offer an upscale driving experience, reliability is definitely not one of its strong points. If you happen to run across a pre-owned Maserati Ghibli, be sure you can handle its annual cost of maintenance.
Parts, such as spark plugs and tires, may have to be replaced more often than normal. A brake flush is also recommended every other year. Transmission failure is an even more serious concern. Grinding and crunching sounds indicate that the transmission needs to be rebuilt.
Porsche Panamera
The German-engineered Porsche Panamera is built for drivers who need a more practical luxury sports car. While the Panamera is nice, prospective buyers should be aware of its high cost of upkeep.
Some models come equipped with an dual-clutch PDK transmission, which is engineered to shift gears especially rapidly. Unfortunately, this transmission’s complicated design makes it more expensive to repair.
To avoid overheating, you also need to keep tabs on the car’s engine cooling system. Its water pump may wear out sooner than expected. Other parts of the cooling system can also fail, including the plastic hose pipes.