Japanese vs. German engineering

[kyleN20]

they both have great engineering, to say japan doesent know how to engineer a car is stupid, honda civic is one of the easiest cars to work on ever (90-98ish) they are like legos, small fun and easy to take apart and put back together. it also why the civic is probally the most common car with a engine swap (im assuming). i sold my e34 and will be going to look at a civic hatch tommrow, ill drive it for a while and enjoy the 40mpg, and when i find some time ill swap in a b18c1 and have a fun little 175hp gocart all for under 4k

[BillionPa]

doesnt the mitsu 3000GT VR-4 require removal of the engine to replace the spark plugs or something?

[E34 530]

My 93 Toyota MR2 is still using the original thermostat, radiator, AC, starter, spark plug wires...in fact EVERYTHING is original except tires, clutch, filters and the 5-year old spark plugs. It starts right up every morning. Never overheat or breakdown once.

Yes, servicibility e34 is better. But for reliability, MR2 wins. That said, I don't not want to own a Toyota Camry. It's just a boring car.

Don't jinx yourself, my roomate has an MR2 and blew the belts and waterpump a few weeks ago. He has to pull the engine out to gain access and change them lol.

[repenttokyo]

doesnt the mitsu 3000GT VR-4 require removal of the engine to replace the spark plugs or something?

it's - have you ever been under the hood of one of those ? no room AT ALL.

[repenttokyo]

meh, work on chryslers and fords. the E34 is a dream to work on. even with the V8.

my v8 and v6 fords have always been really easy to work on, no issues at all. even engine swaps go smoothly...

[markus]

im talking about modern day ones. tauruses and the escape and the wonderful freestar. nothing like having oil filters burried between hot exhaust manifolds and above starters.

[bigtisas]

When I look at my girlfriend's 06 325ia, it doesn't look like easy to work on.

[John B.]

im talking about modern day ones. tauruses and the escape and the wonderful freestar. nothing like having oil filters burried between hot exhaust manifolds and above starters.

Reminds me of the Honda Civic we used to own. The filter was on the back of the motor & could only be accessed from underneath. As soon as you broke it loose oil ran down all over the exhaust. My experience with Japanese cars is that most everything will last for 100k but after that watch out.

Whats the deal with Honda & lousy suspension? I recently rode in a late model CRV & the damn shocks still clunk over every bump just like our 1990 Civic did. Can't they buy a decent shock??

Having just finished doing extensive rust repair to my daughter's mid 90s Sentra I'd also have to mention their crap construction & extremely poor quality steel. These cars rot out in areas where no car should rot due to overlapping layers of uncoated crap steel. Reminded me of the mid 70s Alfa Alfettas which started rusting out on the boat over from Italy.

[shelbyz4u2nv]

haha...anyone do a water pump/timing belt on a late model 300zx twin turbo...lol

[repenttokyo]

im talking about modern day ones. tauruses and the escape and the wonderful freestar. nothing like having oil filters burried between hot exhaust manifolds and above starters.

me too! at least, mid to late 90's is where I have experience. Although I have to agree with you on the 97 + trucks - pain in the ass!!