re: German cars- why it’s a $1,000 minimum for every time in the shop

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Most mechanics don't want to touch a European car.

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I mess around with Mini coopers. They are pretty easy to work on. Much, much easier than some of the other cars I’ve worked on.

No one will touch these things and you can pick them up with mechanical problems for just about nothing. Even if you need an engine swap, the entire front end comes off the car in 45 minutes. It’s designed to be removed in one piece. Because of this, I own 3 mini coopers.

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Lithium is 50% lighter than AGM.

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I was talking more about engine complexity (dynamic cam valve adjustment), multiple separately controlled coolant paths, etc. Not necessarily a battery that weighs less and is more expensive.

If you watch any videos of performance car failures and rebuilds, it becomes obvious that a standard and a performance autos are apples and oranges.

Yes, I was agreeing with you.

Was just explaining why Porsche (and others) would use lithium in the first place. As you know, weight savings are a huge objective in performance vehicles. There are also other considerations (RWS drain) as well.
That, and lithium batteries have excellent longevity.

I wouldn't want to modify any Porsche that was OEM for a lithium battery, personally.


The lithium battery in my 2020 was still in great shape when I sold the car in 23.

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batteries?

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What, is this an EV?

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I think most German autos require tools that prevent this

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Multiple BMW car owner here (never again).

The special tooling is required if you're doing more than the average DIY job such as removing fuel injectors, main oil seals and timing parts. Other than those if you can wrench on cars the German ones are no different than any other. You will need metric tooling but you need that with Honda as well. I never found those BMW's hard to work on, the problem was how often with all the plastic crap they use these days.

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batteries?


What, is this an EV?

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An increasing number of ICE cars have two batteries. One is to manage the stop/start system that is present on new cars. Not all cars with that stupid “feature” have multiple batteries, but if it’s a single battery system be prepared for more frequent battery changes.

The British were way ahead of the Germans. My 1964 MGB had 2 6 volt batteries under the floorboards behind the front seats (at least you didn't have to remove the seats).

Then some black lady yells at you for moving her seat

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You obviously never owned a vintage Beetle Could fix most issues with duct tape, baling wire, and a ball peen hammer (for banging on it till the problem got fixed)

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Back then if it cost a grand to fix a beetle, you would get you another brand new one for nearly the same price.