10 German Sports Cars That Have High Maintenance And Repair Costs

Jun 29, 2023

Gearheads beware! These German beauties are only interested in emptying your bank account.

While often hailed by the motoring press for their superior image and build quality, not all German cars live up to the hype. Many do set a benchmark for reliability, like the Porsche Macan, but some also fall way short of the mark, disappointing owners and causing major headaches in the process.

Even some of the most revered German performance cars won't provide worry-free motoring. The mighty BMW E36 M3 is a legendary vehicle, electrifying to drive, and tremendously fast. Still, it was prone to several engine problems, leaving owners with an enormous repair pair.

So for those looking to get behind the wheel of a German beauty. Think it through, because these are 10 German sports cars that'll bankrupt you through maintenance, and repair bills.

A race-bred 5.0-liter V10 engine brimming with power. A sleek, eye-catching BMW coupe shell. It's a gearhead match made in heaven. Especially when you factor in the 507 hp and 383 lb-ft torque and the M6's ability to rocket to 60 mph in a blistering 4.5 seconds.

Impressive to drive, the M6 blew away its competition. Used examples can get picked up at bargain prices. For a reason. The engine is an unreliable money pit. Four-figure repair bills are the norm. Keeping an M6 in tip-top condition requires pockets deeper than mine shafts.

Related: Richard Hammond Breaks The Drivetribe V10 BMW M5 Wagon

Unloved by the die-hard Porsche community, the 996 is the cheapest way into the 911 club. A fine-handling performance car, it will impress anyone who drives it. It is approachable, controllable, and brimming with talent. It's a Porsche 911 after all, and that says a lot.

Sharing several parts with the first-generation Boxster, the Porsche 996 911 isn't exactly one of the company's better cars. Exhausts, IMS bearings, and suspension components are all weak spots. Plus general maintenance is a nightmare due to the engine's traditional layout.

Satisfyingly fast, the Audi RS5 packs a mean punch thanks to its 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8. The engine chucks out 444 hp and 317 lb-ft torque, able to launch the car to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Its famous Quattro AWD system will ensure sure-footed play in all weather.

Due to the engine's high state of tune and setup, there are many common issues. Most notably carbon build-up, which can rob the car of vital horsepower, performance, and economy. Preventative maintenance also requires a lot of regular spending. It's an RS model after all.

Related: Why The 2023 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance Is The Perfect Family Wagon For Gearheads

A fantastically extravagant way to demolish continents, the Mercedes-Benz S65 is the height of sophistication. A flagship executive car boasting a hand-built V12 engine. One that thumps out 621 hp along with 738 lb-ft torque. It's enough for a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time.

Running an S65 AMG on a shoestring budget is not an option. Maintaining, replacing, or repairing components on the AMG S65 is a pricey business. With a combined MPG rating of 16, it also likes its gasoline, so running and caring for an S65 will need a big bank balance.

A big hit with tuners, the BMW 335i packs a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight six. In standard form, it pushes out 301 hp, enabling it to hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Getting big power from the engine is as simple as buying an off-the-shelf remap, making the BMW 335i a sleeping giant.

The BMW 335i is troublesome even without extra power. High-pressure fuel pumps fail, as do injectors, water pumps, and waste gates. Leaking gaskets and air-con systems have also caused problems. Ongoing maintenance can be high and runs a bank account dry.

Related: 10 Reasons Why Every Gearhead Should Consider The E92 BMW 335i Coupe

Back when hard-top convertibles were all the rage, Volkswagen waded into the fray with the EOS. It's a car that looks much better with its clever lid down than up. The pick of the range was the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Lifted from the MK5 Golf GTI, it made 197 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque.

The thing with an EOS is that they leak, plus they all have gremlins living in the fancy roof mechanisms. Electrical niggles can play havoc with the windows and roof. Carbon build-up also plagues the engine, along with diverter valve failure and intake manifold issues.

A headline-grabbing car in its day, the Mercedes-Benz CL600 has a 5.5-liter V12 with two turbos strapped on for good measure. This provided a more than adequate 510 hp and 612 lb-ft torque. That allowed the tech-laden executive coupe to sprint to 60 mph in 4 seconds.

Loaded with the best technology available at the time, the CL600 needs specialist treatment when ill. And that doesn't come cheap. The active body control system can fail, as can coil packs and ignition modules. Any repair bill on a CL600 will resemble a cell phone number.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Now a cherished classic, the Porsche 968 had spent many years getting overlooked by gearheads. A hidden gem of a performance car, its base specification 3.0-liter engine provided plenty of fireworks. Displacing 237 hp, it would pass the 60 mph mark in 5.9 seconds.

A general lack of maintenance can spell big bills. As a Porsche 968 can be subject to the water pump, timing belt, steering rack, and cam issues. Dual-mass flywheels can also be problematic. Classic Porsches aren't cheap to keep on the road, and the 968 is no exception.

Wildly styled and awesome to drive, the Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus entertained and thrilled its owners with its diminutive 698cc turbo-fed engine making 101 hp. Flat out, the little Brabus would run out of puff at 122 mph, which was plenty fast enough for its size.

Owners were impressed with its performance, which is not something you could say for its build quality. Water ingress, cheap plastic parts, and a dreadful gearbox all added to their woes. Engines would often give up the ghost at circa 60k miles, with the only option being a costly rebuild.

The Audi R8 V10 is often referred to as a supercar that can be daily driven. What gearheads aren't told is that those who choose to daily drive a 5.2-liter V10 tend to have the financial means to do so. These are people who don't drive around with an eye on the gas gauge.

While the engine tends to be reliable, there are other issues. Ignition coils, wishbones, and bearings fail. Servicing and ongoing maintenance are also expensive. Replacement parts are staggeringly priced. It's a V10 supercar and has V10 supercar costs to go with it.

Sources: Parkers, JDPower

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Having cut his teeth on the UK street racing scene in the late 90's and early 00's RJ faded from the limelight only to return 20 years later. An avid motoring enthusiast RJ especially enjoys JDM and Italian cars, and is an experienced multi-industry writer.