Germany has a long history of manufacturing some of the best cars ever. German automobile manufacturers attach more importance to the performance of a car than its looks.
They are a firm believer in the “function over form” principle. Since German car brands focus more on functionality and quality of a vehicle, the country is the leader in automobile manufacturing in Europe and is among the top five countries in the world, regarding the number of cars produced.
No wonder, even used German cars have a high demand in the market.
Here are some of the best used German cars that you can buy:
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1. Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG
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The 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG is one of the best used cars from Germany. It’s a car that the BMW M Roadster and Miata wish to be.
The car boasts of contemporary looks and a retractable hardtop. The six-cylinder supercharged engine outputs a good performance and the comfort inside makes the driver forget that they are driving a successful hairdresser’s midlife crisis.
If you are a lover of performance cars, this one should be on your checklist.
2. Mercedes-Benz 500E
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The 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E is a rare car but can be still found in reasonable numbers.
Porsche and Mercedes-Benz joined hands to manufacture this car which was head and shoulders above anything that the two car majors had in their individual repertoire at that time.
With the sturdy built quality and masculine looks, the 500E lasted through the decades. With a speed that can reach 160mph, there’s no reason why you won’t want to pick one.
3. Volkswagen Golf R32
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An economy car lookalike, the 2004 Volkswagen Golf R32 is packed with some top-line equipment, which makes the vehicle a serious contender for those hunting for performance.
It’s one of the most popular used German cars. The VR6 3.2 liter engine and the Haldex four-wheel drive works together to output one of the best performances in this segment.
The car gives tough competition to all its present-day rivals and is insanely fast for its size.
4. Porsche Boxter S
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Not exactly the sports car you need, but one that you sure deserve. Most German cars are limited to a speed of 155mph and removing that delimiter is not easy.
The 2002 Porsche Boxter S races from 0-60mph in about five seconds. The car has won praise among experts for its handling.
Have the delimiter removed and you can reach 160mph. Some of the Mercs perform better but the 2002 Porsche Boxter S is about all things sporty.
5. BMW E39 M5
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The 2000 BMW E39 M5 has been one of the bestsellers of the Munich-headquartered car company.
Of course the six-speed manual transmission in a car fitted with a V8 high-revving engine is a bit of a spoiler, but the chassis of the BMW E39 M5 makes it a winner.
This is one of the heavier used German cars but certainly a value for money. With looks to kill, the car should be on your list.
Also Read: 21 Best Ferrari Cars of all Time
6. BMW 135i
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The 2008 BMW 135i a lighter and more compact car from the 3 series. It comes fitted with a turbocharged twin powertrain which reacts much like Popeye after gorging on the spinach and other power adders.
The BMW 135i has the best coupe that the German automaker could possibly make on the given platform. It’s economically priced and frugal buyers warming up to it proves the utility of the vehicle.
7. Mercedes-Benz 56 SEC 6.9
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This car is probably the closest you can get to the AMG Hammer, sans running your wallet dry.
Built like a tank, the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 56 SEC 6.9 outputs enough brute force to reach three-digit speeds with not much of a fuss.
The 56 SEC 6.9 is from the old school of Mercedes cars that you always wanted to own, with enough modern-day grunt. The car is an overwhelming favorite if you want to buy used cars from Germany.
8. Mercedes-Benz S600
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Most used German car buyers are biased towards the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S600. It was once one of the most popular cars in the entire Europe.
It is a fast car, zipping to its top speed at a gentle press on the accelerator.
The car outputs 493hp and is fitted with a five-speed transmission system. It looks sedan-like.
The interior is elegantly appointed with some state-of-the-art features. Certainly one of the better used German cars in the market.
9. Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
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The 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 has been included in this used German cars list because it was manufactured by Daimler Chrysler in Osnabruck.
It shares the underpinnings with Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The car, like many of its peers, don’t look impressive enough. But it can achieve some unbelievable speeds.
If looks don’t interest you much, then this is one car that should be on your list.
10. Audi A94
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This is a pretty old car that offers great comfort and luxury at a reasonable price.
The 1994 Audi A94 was the first car produced by the Volkswagen subsidiary that featured the 1.8 liter 20v engine and five valves in each cylinder. The vehicle was based on a super touring race car design.
Not many are available these days. The car pulled Audi out of the black and was a bestseller in European markets.
Also Read: 18 Most Luxurious Car Brands in the World
11. Audi R8
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This one from the German carmaker’s stable is a two-seater midsized sports car. Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, the car has Audi’s patented Quattro All-Wheel Drive system. It’s fitted with an aluminum monocoque engine.
The 2007 Audi R8 was first announced as a concept car in 2003 and became fairly popular when production models hit the market. Racing champion Jacky Ickx once described the R8 to have the best on-road handling.
12. BMW 3 Series
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The 2001 BMW 3 Series has been one of the largest selling cars of all time. It dominated the luxury car market. The car was pretty much ultra-modern back then with some outstanding features.
It had a 21mpg fuel consumption on city roads and offered 30mpg on highways. With cruise control and all-wheel ABS, the 2001 BMW 3 Series scored high on safety standards. The car was available in six trims.
13. Volkswagen Beetle
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The 2003 Volkswagen Beetle was manufactured from 1938 to 2003.
Popularly known as the Bug because of its looks, the car spawned a subculture and became a hot favorite among collectors.
The last generation of Beetles had a bubbly exterior but was remarkably efficient.
Fourteen years after it stopped production, the Beetle is one of the most popular used German cars. Own it if you want to add some retro value.
14. Volkswagen Van
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The 1992 Volkswagen Van evokes tremendous nostalgia among car enthusiasts. The vehicle has a well-equipped all-wheel drive.
Spare parts of the car is still available in plentiful and not many owners want to part with it. Consider yourself lucky if you find this king among all used German cars.
One of the earliest off-roaders, the Volkswagen Van is a car committed to its owner and is never a letdown.
Also Read: 11 Best Used Lexus Cars to buy on a Budget
15. Volkswagen Tiguan
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The 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the most affordable compact SUVs in the market.
The car is known for its powerful base engine and agile handling. The 2014 version had both the manual and automatic transmission options.
The four-cylinder 2.0 liter turbocharged engine outputs 200hp. The car is a nice bet if you want a compact SUV in your driveway. The rear seats have ample headroom and legroom.
The handling, as already said, is good and feels sure-footed around turns.
Used German cars are always high in demand. Sturdiness and reliability are their major scoring points. Each of these cars are great examples of German engineering.