We’ve all heard the trope about continental cars being better at almost every aspect than their eastern peers. Looking sharper, running quicker, flashing snazzier tech and being as safe as a bunker have come to be expected if a car rolls up from the old continent.
Much like all overplayed tropes, the truth to that motif has definitely weaned off over the years but it can be argued that there’s still a modicum of veracity to it although once the caveats are mixed in, the black and white of it quickly dissolves into well over 50 shades of grey.
A constant misconception related to the trope is that continental marques tend to be synonymous with premium segments such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo.
It’s easy to fathom why though.
The limited market volume coupled with moderately restrictive conditions have created a gulf between the eastern and western brands.
We tend to believe that premium cars are continental while more mass models are courtesy from the east.
Nonetheless, let’s not forget that the old continent also has more mainstream brands that are capable, on paper, of going toe-to-toe with popular Japanese models here. The likes of Volkswagen and Peugeot do cater to the more mainstream market.
In Malaysia, the continental players are all quite well set in their ways. The aforementioned BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo sit comfortably on their highchairs in the premium segment.
The defining factors that set them apart include the latest in technology across the board as well as premium materials used generously in the build. Yes, you may continue to believe the trope with these badges.
On the other hand, Volkswagen and Peugeot ply their trade in a pricing bracket closer to the Japanese models but fall massively short in market share and this can be attributed to their origins in the old continent. Here, you’re probably better off taking the perceived betterment in quality with a pinch of salt.
Models and portfolio
If you’re someone that thinks a car only needs to get you from Point A to Point B, you’re forgiven for not finding continental cars appealing.
A huge part of the appeal a premium brand carries is, to put it crudely, bragging rights. Bringing the latest and greatest to consumers as soon as possible costs money and those that desire the best are willing to splurge on it.
Much of the latest tech orbits around infotainment and safety. The former is increasingly influential in swaying buyers as connectivity encompasses all aspects of our lives.
On the latter, who doesn’t want a safe car? That means everything that works towards keeping the driver and occupants out of harm’s way will pique the buyer’s interest.
That sees the newest models always making their way here almost as soon as they’re launched globally. Mercedes-Benz and BMW lead the way in this aspect with Volvo not far behind.
Market legislation has also necessitated local assembly (CKD) to ease pricing and this trio has since established their operations here. In fact, Volvo’s CKD operation here is the longest among any other manufacturer… stretching back to the 1960s.
Moving onto more mainstream continental brands paints a bleaker picture though. Past mishandling by franchise holders has seen brand confidence slip. Furthermore, a lack of specifications that fit the local market needs means limited appeal. Lastly, economies of scale in the previous point means the same carries forward into the pricing of spare parts and heftier costs in keeping them running. All these will put buyers off.
Price and depreciation
Depending on which side of the blade you’re cutting from, depreciation is a continental car’s worst enemy or your best friend.
Much in the same light as flagship smartphones becoming outdated quickly, premium continental cars update their tech with every new generation.
And this lightning quick advancement in technology will turn your premium car into a blip in the rear-view mirror of its successor as facelifts introduce the latest and greatest.
The downside to this modern tech is the massive cost associated with repairing it should something go wrong. More often than not, fixing something in a premium car simply isn’t possible due to the complexities and the solution is to replace it.
Once the warranty runs out, you can understand how the repairs bill can climb from four figures to five figures in the blink of a check engine light.
It isn’t unusual for continental marques to lose as much as 25 percent of their original value in the first 2 years. In fact, the higher up the model is within the segment hierarchy, the greater the rate of depreciation.
For someone looking to acquire a pre-owned continental car, that’s wonderful news. However, the caveat is the maintenance. You’re likely considering a model that’s out of or on the verge of exceeding its factory warranty and that means any major work will be straight out of your pocket.
Maintenance
Basic maintenance of continental cars has become much more bearable for your wallet and mental health in recent years. That said, major component failure will still likely mean a visit to your doctor.
WapCar has extensive guides on purchasing pre-owned continental cars. Much of them attempt to quantify maintenance and running costs as best as we can.
You can scroll through some of the articles to get a clearer picture of the model you’re coveting. Most of them even share specialist workshops that focus on a particular make. We can’t guarantee you’ll get the friends and family discount if you mention you got their contact from WapCar but we’ll vouch for them over sending these complicated continental cars to your usual bawah pokok mechanics.
A fair way to sum it up would be that all the savings you believe you’re getting due to the depreciation is just a check engine light away from going up in smoke if a major component kicks the bucket.
A solid tip to keep in mind would be to avoid hybrid continental cars. Yes, the hybrid variants are priced lower than their pure ICE siblings, but can you afford a replacement battery out of warranty? Chances are if you could, you wouldn’t be considering pre-owned to begin with.
Now that CARSOME has launched its CARSOME Service Center that caters to cars out of warranty, owning a pre-owned continental car has just become that bit less of a worry as trustworthy maintenance is around the corner. You can check it out here.
Also Read: CARSOME Service Center brings transparency and quality to keeping your ride running
Recommended continental cars
A quick scroll on the CARSOME site will bring up some of the popular continental models in their inventory.
We’ve listed down 5 popular models that should pretty much cover the vast spectrum of motoring needs with continental seasoning.
BMW 3 Series
Ah yes, the evergreen BMW 3 Series. Purveyor of driving bliss and the industry benchmark for a sports sedan, you can’t go wrong with one. Even in entry-level trim, the famed handling is present but the M Sport trims are definitely the one to go for.
You can check out a number of examples on CARSOME here but do be sure to give our guide on buying a used example of the previous generation F30 a read below.
Also Read: Used F30 BMW 3-Series LCI – Breaks My Wallet or Brings Me Women? How much to maintain and repair?
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
If you’re looking for something that isn’t all about ride and handling, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class makes a good case as the arch nemesis of the 3 Series.
The C-Class positions itself as a statelier and more elegant option on the road with a reassuring sense of calm, allowing you to enjoy the commute at your own pace.
Some fine examples can be found on CARSOME with our usual guide available here before you put pen to paper.
Also Read: Used (W205) Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Symbol of success for Civic money, is there a catch?
Volkswagen Tiguan
One for the family man, the Volkswagen Tiguan is their best-selling model here for good reason, accounting for over half of sales in the country. It’s a solid mid-sized SUV with that polished ride expected from a continental car.
Furthermore, there’s even a 7-seater variant available, adding on to the appeal and functionality as a family-mover. If the Japanese SUVs don’t tickle your fancy, the Tiguan could be just what your troupe needs.
If you’re quick enough, CARSOME may still have one 7-seater Tiguan Allspace variant on the lot.
Volvo XC60
Synonymous with safety, there’s no better car for a family than a Volvo. Though limited in models, the brand does stand out as a better value for money proposition than the usual BMW and Mercedes-Benz duo, though on paper their portfolio doesn’t quite line-up eye-to-eye with the Germans.
Still, Volvos are deceptively quick and with a cabin that’s angled towards family, it could very well be the underdog performance SUV you never knew you needed.
Unsurprisingly, they sell quick and the sole example on CARSOME might be spoken for but check back as inventory is continuously added.
Mini Cooper Countryman
Definitely the oddball in this bunch, the Mini Cooper Countryman is the compact SUV for someone requiring something that resembles practicality without sacrificing that Mini go-kart handling.
It’s a hoot to hoon and with some luck packing the family in, you might just be able to enjoy that drive out of town with space for everyone as well.
Check out some of the examples on CARSOME here but don’t forget to check out our guide on purchasing a pre-owned example.