[MotoSook]

The thing I've noticed between German cars and Japanese (or American car) cars is the quality of construction is felt/seen much later in the life of the German car.

The trim stays firmly in place longer. The buttons and dials still firm and click like they should. The markings on the dials and buttons aren't rubbed off, and the surfaces are near new, not rubbed smooth if textured. The windows and doors still shut with that secure sounding thud and click. There are little to no rattles or creaks....

Everything just holds their contruction much better. The paint is thicker (rock chips reveal this) and rust less likely to form at an early age. You'll appreciate this if you live in the rust belt.

The Asian clones may have all the bells and whistles that the Euro cars have, and they may have an enticing warranty, but one has to wonder if the bells and whistles won't require frequent trips to the dealer for warranty work. Sure it's covered, but the hassle and wasted time is something to consider. One of the biggest complaints I hear from newer car owners is the nagging electronics issues with the "loaded" cars. The gizmos and techno package is great until the gremlins visit.

I believe that is one of the OP's turnoff.

One has to wonder how durable the features are in the Asian clones.

Don't get me wrong. If I was shopping for a mundane commuter, a 10/100K warranty would be a large factor. But what's a BenzMW gonna be like after a few years?

I see some of the earlier Korean attempts at a luxury vehicle from several years back and can't help but think someone slapped a chromed grill from an Euro car on a Chrysler Town Car. If they would just fined and refine their own identity to go with the good warranty terms, it would be a step up. Instead we have a grab bag of other brand's design features tossed into a bowl, stirred with chopsticks and poured onto a committee design table.

Just give me a great drivetrain, a great chassis and durable contruction in a classy design that doesn't try so hard....they can keep all the fluffy synchodrivecommandcentrolvoiceactivatedtwentyspeak ernavigatedLCDheadrest feature.

My in-laws borrowed my '02 530i once, and they couldn't believe it when my wife told them it wasn't a brand new car and that I had bought it for 1/2 of what they just paid for their Honda Rav 4 as their retirement vehicle.