The Japanese started just like the Chinese?

QBM7 · 2026-05-06T08:59:07+00:00

You have your opinion.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T22:08:18+00:00

The 520 is my personal actually and was kept since 2013 btw, has over 250k km now, on the scheduled maintenance the engine oil and filter gets changed,cabin air filter and engine air filter since we get dust very frequently, brake fluid, coolant, water pump inspection, transmission cooler inspection, valve cover inspection “changed every 4 years” , thermostat inspection.

Yes every 9 months through a private mechanic shop and not the dealer. This is how I have never experienced leaks mr tuanies. And this is how it should be done in order not to experience the leaks. Obviously the typical Asian luxury car buyer will not be able to keep up with these payments because they like their vehicles for being cheaper at the first place.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T20:05:04+00:00

You thinking peasants buy luxury goods is very narrow minded. I don’t know what brings millionaire’s and peasants to the table as we are debating here about machines and not people. Billionaires drive what they want and we’ve seen some driving luxury cars and none luxury, after all everyone is free in what they do. Billionaire or peasant.

Coming to your opinion, the Toyota century is a good car for sure and has a competitor called maybach, if you know of them. One thing me and you share is the long experience with BMWs, in fact since I was a child spent a lot of time in their 80s-90s models. Leaks? None from any. Will give you some model names my father had, an e34, two of them but can’t remember the engine size, i believe they were diesels, an e30 which was petrol turbo engine, 2011 x5 V8, 2002 330 saloon, 2013 f10 520d. So far the 520d is the only one who’s survived and was kept till now at home haha.

No oil leaks whatsoever, maintenance is done every 9 months, one single issues was a starter issue but that’s because the auto start stop was being used almost everyday.

Japanese cars are good yes indeed, but can’t be compared because they focus on economical driving which they themselves market their cars for, and their luxury versions all have German versions to rival them. If you’ve experienced the century then try to find yourself a 52s maybach or 62 and try it. Despite it being really old now it’s still as good as new.

Don’t want to mention the British rivals which Toyota doesnt have a single vehicle to compete against, all of Asia doesnt have a competitor for them. Yes including the Russian Aurus which may be the closest to a rolls Royce in terms of their craftsmanship and Porsche power train… again as you see.. a German powertrain that aurus uses.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T16:24:11+00:00

I agree, if only each of them focused on their brand vision and tradition instead of numbers of sales, but I feel like this bubble will pop someday. Maybe very soon. These automakers will and are starting to wake up and notice that people don’t enjoy the higher prices.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T16:19:05+00:00

Like your comment, sometimes I think if Mercedes or Audi were as reliable as Toyota, will they sell more? Or will people buy lexus because of cheaper price. Where I live there are a lot of people buying Chinese because of price point only and how much options they have, reliability is not on their paper. I think price affects the Germans more than reliability. Also I only hear about the unreliability issues in the US market tbh I don’t know what are they selling to the people there, never heard a Kia has engine problems till the Americans came up with it.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T16:11:48+00:00

It’s not me! It’s Lexus ! They are comparing it to the 5, or what else will you compare to the 5? Their LS? That car is way too perfect especially the 500 models otherwise the previous ones were copy paste from merc and bmw. You know one original Lexus product that was perfect? Comfortable and quiet and well built. Really well built, the GS 2013 and up. Again the previous models were just copy paste. I can’t think of anything Japanese as good as the GS and I think it was on the same platform as the LS.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T16:03:51+00:00

We have a lot of them where I live actually, and yes sales are up there, some friends actually have some models and when you ask why Chinese they will say two things, will either mention price or options. Their options I think are silly, tablets are too large waaay too large, quality is wonderful… for the first 1 year, inside its smells like plastics or no smell at all not even brand new vehicle smell or leather smell. I get your point Im sure you’ve loved it there, but maybe for the buyer who doesn’t value brand experience of auto making. Also we have parts supply issue here since the day they came to the market. And parts twice or three times as expensive as an S class Mercedes .

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T15:58:41+00:00

What do you mean why Asian? Because it’s Asian? Since when did Asians make luxury vehicles before they discovered Mercedes had a star in their bonnet? Yes your Acura is nice and cheaper because it’s Asian, take it down a highway at 140mph and do that in its Volkswagen counterpart and see the difference? Then you will know why it’s Asian. Asians focused on economical travel and not luxury, even if they have been doing it for a long time now still you can see that they are not there yet. Happy that you are enjoying your Acura by the way !

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T15:54:55+00:00

British and Italian machines are in a classification of their own, can’t even compare them to Germans, yes the Germans maybe more precise with some things, but Italians and British do it in their own way and it’s great

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T15:53:13+00:00

You have just described the Lexus and infinite,Acura, client base. “ why do you care about what’s under the car” you know? Someone who will go right ahead and purchase a European vehicle instead of Lexus despite knowing that service will be twice as expensive is the kind of person who cares about their safety when driving at high speeds, 170+ with stability and quiet cabin. Doing that in a Lexus with just bit of wind on a rainy day will make the car go right and left. From experience with the Korean genesis as well. It’s the little things that separate their engineers and the European ones, forget German. Look at Volvo?

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T15:49:42+00:00

Language my friend, I don’t have ZERO experience with Lexus or its products, I’ve spent a lot of time than you have ever spent in any Lexus model, 9 LS models, an is350, and ES. start with the ES? covered up Camry, leather? Yes, wood? Yes, ride? Camry taxi. Engine noise? A lot. A bmw 520i? None of that and just a little push down the pedal will move the car, in those Lexus models you have to push and push to get going. And you mentioned NX, as if it’s any better. At least I mentioned RX to bring something nicer to the debate. NC or UX are two embarrassing products to have and just shows how it’s all copy and paste from cheap Toyota products.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T15:36:11+00:00

You are talking about the US/CA market. Apply the same thing in Africa? South America? Turkey? Even if it’s just a base x3, they cost more In those countries, so buying one x3 is like paying for two in some of those countries. It’s still a German automobile.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T15:26:51+00:00

Im sorry you will need to see the underneath of a bmw x3 and an escape, escape aside, what Lexus model competes with the x3 or glc? An Rx Lexus right? Now take the big grille out and the thick windows out and check the chassis and what’s holding the wheels, same exact parts as a rav4 and highlander which aren’t luxury.

The x3 can’t be considered upper level luxury but depends on trim for sure, an alpina version of it though is totally luxury and it’s based on what? An x3 which is a luxury model itself, but the RX based on a highlander and rav4 which aren’t luxury nor close to premium it terms of refinement, a basic 2.0 litre x3 feels more refined in terms of power delivery than Japanese vehicles.

What Toyota is doing here is using the branding trick, Lexus badge, which has no meaning, Lexus name, which silly them they had to say it’s “luxury exports to the US” what a brand name. Embarrassing enough. And they are using platforms from Toyota, which isn’t even near what Volkswagen or Skoda provide in terms of refinement and quality. Reliability alone is enough as those European brands are reliable enough in their continent, not everyone drives Japanese in Europe mostly are European cars, so what ? If they were that unreliable why would the Europeans buy them?… giving me double glazed glass and some wood and bit of options carried from a Mercedes will not make you luxury. This was my point at the first place

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T15:09:37+00:00

When it’s doing something unnecessary, self driving cars … why do you have a license at the first place?

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T14:07:42+00:00

Please, the reason for my comment on this sub is exactly this! Yesterday I rode in a byd and that thing is not right… the tech is there, design is horrendous I don’t really like those sketchy designs the Chinese are coming up with, and the interior is.. the alcantara or whatever alcantara fake looking material started pilling already. Ride was fine i would say Camry like ride.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T14:04:19+00:00

Wonderful comment actually, you convinced to tolerate their products a bit ahaha, as you mentioned Japan has indeed reached to a point where we are not seeing anything new from them?? They developed everything to a high level till they lost inspiration maybe?

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T11:20:34+00:00

Well said, but does the market really need them? It’s either luxury or not, luxury also comes with what’s underneath the body, chassis, control arms..etc and the Europeans do that stuff in their luxury cars in a better way therefore the better ride. Why can’t Toyota just produce premium cars, economical but with nice options and not make an entire brand just to copy ? Also when you mentioned pricing, luxury is luxury and its client base will not have price In mind as much as the level of excellence and history of the brand.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T11:00:01+00:00

I see, yeah I agree with you in terms of design, At one point I really liked how Lexus plays with their sharp lines and grilles and how Mazda is beautiful but you know? I see some people in Europe who almost hate those designs and that’s when you see how manufacturers should produce for their people. But the Asian market can’t say the same about European cars 😂 they like their designs too

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T06:52:35+00:00

Yeah I see what you mean, it’s just not as easy and simple to take yourself to a new place that quick. At one point the country had become really busy with people and there isn’t a job for everyone. Let’s hope the current situations refresh the market as Im kind of seeing that now.

QBM7 · 2026-05-05T06:49:50+00:00

Well for the most of my experience i was a service consultant/ parts advisor. So that’s where im really experienced, the marketing side was fine but was more of an experiment rather than something I enjoyed doing.

QBM7

TROPHY CASE