> Are premium car brands really so fragile? yes and no. german cars tend to have tighter tolerances than your typical economy sedan. they can be very reliable

> Are premium car brands really so fragile? yes and no. german cars tend to have tighter tolerances than your typical economy sedan. they can be very reliable if maintained properly, but they can't take as much neglect as a Corolla. the tradeoff is that, subjectively, they are often more pleasant to drive. bmw would be an exception, being notorious for using plastic parts designed to last only the duration of the first lease.