Over-engineered...reflecting the Byzantine German mind-set. The elegant simplicity of Japanese engineering gets it right.
The Japanese can make them run. Unfortunately EPA mandates have made them less reliable than in days past. Being from one of the most intensive salt belt areas, Japanese cars don’t hold up as well as German cars as far as rust. The Japanese are getting much better, but they roll their sheet metal to thin.
When the Germans engineer some right, it is very good. When they engineer it poorly, however...