Many people join luxury cars with the European car market, and rightly so. Europeans certainly have a taste for sleek, premium, luxury vehicles that still pack a punch. Brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Maserati are some of the most famous household names around the world for their luxury offerings. Of course, they’re also known for being some of the most expensive production cars out there.
So anyone looking to bring home a European luxury car is also making a significant investment, given the cost of purchasing and maintaining a luxury vehicle. Cars like the Genesis G90, G80, Lexus LC and Chevrolet Camaro are some of the most reliable luxury cars on the market today. Unfortunately, the worst that could happen would be to realize that you wasted your money on a luxury car, choosing to rely on brand value over reviews or actual ownership experience. Without further ado, here are 10 European luxury cars that are simply not worth the investment.
10 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2018 – Ghouls In The Machine
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always been the pinnacle of luxury and automotive excellence, but the 2018 model had a lot of issues that made the experience pretty awful. In addition to 13 recalls against the car, the 2018 even had a roof panel that is at risk of falling off.
In fact, when it comes to safety, the S-Class even had a horrible problem of sending the wrong location of the vehicle when it crashed. There were a lot of problems with this S-Class, which made its $100,000+ price tag an overstated amount for the problems that came with it.
9 Maserati Quattroporte 2003-2012: Pininfarina design did not fix the car
Maserati cars have never been known for their reliability, although the brand is almost synonymous with luxury and performance. Unfortunately, the Maserati Quattroporte, which entered its fifth generation in 2003, was a horribly unreliable luxury car.
For starters, you’ll be surprised at how harsh the fifth-generation Quattroporte’s gear changes are. Maserati Quattroporte owners complained of clutch problems as early as 13,000 miles, which did little to improve the brand’s reliability image.
8 2010 BMW X6M: Engine and Temper Overheating
When the 2010 BMW X6M came out, enthusiasts loved it, but over the years, the luxury SUV has managed to garner a number of complaints and recalls.
In particular, the 2010 BMW X6M suffered from a water pump failure that would cause the engine to overheat when draining the coolant, resulting in complete engine failure. In fact, it also carried the risk of fire in the car. As such, the 2010 X6M’s $90,000 price tag didn’t give you any peace of mind, turning you into a luxury SUV that cost a fortune, but wasn’t worth it.
7 2005 BMW M6 – One of the worst engines ever put in a car
The 2005 BMW M6 came armed with an engine that sounded great when you read the spec sheet. Powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine, the BMW M6 produced 507 hp, while being packed with great features and equipment inside.
Unfortunately, that S85 engine in the M6 was one of the worst engines ever put into a car. Cracked coolant hoses, problematic water pumps and oil leaks were just a few of the gremlins that plagued this engine, making the 2005 BMW M6 a European car to always stay away from.
6 2009 Jaguar XF V6 – A kitten without a claw
In 2008, Jaguar launched the XF, armed with a 3.0-liter V6 engine. Now, for $50,000, customers expected both luxury and power, which of course Jaguar should have delivered. Although the cabin, at the time, was quite luxurious, the performance of the car did not deserve its cost.
Unfortunately, despite paying $50,000 for a 5.0-liter V6 engine, customers only got 234 horsepower from the 2009 Jaguar XF. In fact, it took this European luxury car a full 8 seconds to hit the mark. 60 mph, which made it slow, and definitely worth the investment.
5 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 – 10 too many memories
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 cost around $40,000, but unfortunately, it was never worth that price. Of the 13 recalls across the 2015 C-Class range, the C300 accounted for 10. One of the most perplexing issues with the 2015 Mercedes C300 was the risk of the roof panel coming off!
Like the 2018 S-Class later, the 2015 C300 also suffered from a software issue, which gave incorrect geolocation in the event of a crash. Making things even more unsafe was the improper deployment of airbags in the luxury sedan, along with the risk of fire thanks to a poorly connected fuel delivery module.
4 2015 Mercedes-AMG GT: Too many memories, too dated a cabin
Let’s make one thing clear: the Mercedes-AMG GT is unbelievably gorgeous. It is also extremely powerful, with over 500 hp. Unfortunately, the car has proven to be one of the most unreliable Mercedes-Benz cars over the years, which makes spending close to $300,000 a pretty bittersweet experience.
With six recalls to its name, the AMG GT is not a luxury car that you can enjoy non-stop. Airbags have been a major concern in this car consistently, along with Mercedes’ age-old problem of detecting the wrong location in a crash. For the money the AMG GT commands, it certainly doesn’t offer enough peace of mind.
3 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 – More memories than you could hold your hands
Mercedes-Benz’s 2017 E-Class lineup has 20 recalls against it, with the E300 being the biggest defaulter in the lineup. From unresponsive gearshifts to a spoiler that could pop off at any moment, the Mercedes E300 is a luxury sedan you’ll regret taking home.
Faulty seat belt and airbag systems are also a problem with the 2017 E300, along with an even bigger problem of losing power steering assistance in the middle of driving. For a $30,000 car wearing the Silver Arrows, the 2017 E300 was never worth the investment.
2 2010 Aston Martin Rapide: The ride quality makes you want to return to the dealership
Aston Martin priced the 2010 Rapide at an astronomical $201,300. Armed with a V12 engine, the British super-sedan made 552 horsepower and had a top speed of 188 mph.
Sure, an Aston Martin sedan for a family sounds like a good deal, but ten minutes later, you realize the problem. The $200,000 Aston Martin had a harsh ride quality, with many owners complaining that it was also hard to handle. Factor in the Rapide’s massive depreciation and you’ve got a super-sedan that just wasn’t worth the money from day one.
1 2014 Maserati Ghibli – Money Down The Drain
The Maserati Ghibli made a comeback in 2013 after a 15-year hiatus and certainly excited enthusiasts. There was plenty of luxury inside the new Ghibli, along with three V6 engines on offer, but the car itself was terribly unreliable.
For the asking price of $80,000, the Ghibli’s engines were prone to take over the blue, and the model managed to win 6 recalls. The fuel system was prone to leaks and the electrical system could short out, posing a risk of fire. Even in the used car market, where the 2014 Ghibli costs about $23,000, the luxury car isn’t worth the money or the headaches.
sources: NHTSA, Consumer Reports, CarGurus
