Skip to main content
Trending now
A wire-tucked engine bay in a Honda S2000

How Do You Wire Tuck an Engine Bay?

Modifying your car isn’t limited to extracting more horsepower, changing its ride height, or outer appearance, it can even mean modifying the parts that you don’t normally see upon first glance. For example, if you want to make your pride and joy a show car, then you have probably thought about wire tucking your car’s …
The 3.2-liter Volkswagen VR6 engine in the 2008 Audi TT

Reliable VW Engines Aren’t Always Found in Volkswagens

Owning multiple brands doesn’t just let automakers like Volkswagen have more market share. It also means those brands can share technology, from platforms to powertrains. So, if you’re looking at a used Audi, it’s very likely it has the same engine as a Volkswagen. Naturally, that means it can suffer from the same issues. But …
The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine in the 2009 Audi S4

Which Used Audi Engines Are the Most Reliable?

With how expensive engine repairs can be, a used Audi can easily turn from bargain to nightmare. However, while some Audis can be problematic, not all of them are. And while no engine is truly perfect, the ones described below are fairly trouble-free. For used Audis with a 1.8T or 2.0T, go with an EA113 …
The 2008 Porsche Cayenne's 4.8-liter V8 engine

Which Used Porsche Engines Are the Most Reliable?

Depreciation means buying a used Porsche can be tantalizingly affordable. That is, until the repair bill comes in, because, used or not, a Porsche is still a luxury vehicle. However, whether you’re talking 911 or Cayenne, the German brand’s modern cars are more reliable than some may realize. Especially when it comes to their powertrains. …
The 2004 Volkswagen Golf R32's 3.2-liter VR6 engine

With a Few Tweaks, the VR6 Is a More Reliable Volkswagen Engine

Reliability and durability, though related, aren’t the same thing where maintenance is concerned. After all, if you have to constantly replace parts of your engine for it to work, that’s not a reliable engine. However, sometimes durable powerplants just need a few modifications or upgrades to make them easier to live with. Such is the …
The 1999 Volkswagen MkIV GTI's 1.8T EA113 engine

Which Used Volkswagen Engines Are the Most Reliable?

Reliability can be an issue for some Volkswagen models, from its sedans to its SUVs. That being said, the German brand’s cars are often more reliable than you may think, provided they’re maintained properly. This applies especially to the engines VW uses in its cars. So, if you’ve been trying to find a reliable used …
The rear-mounted V8 engine acting as a stressed member for the green-and-yellow 1967 Lotus 49 R3 DFV

What Does It Mean When an Engine Is a ‘Stressed Member’?

Designing a car or a motorcycle goes far beyond just its looks. The suspension, the transmission, the engine—all of that and more is part of vehicle design. And when it comes to the engine, it’s not just a matter of cylinder count or its relative position. There’s also the option of making the engine a …
A burgundy 2004 BMW Z4 showing its M54 inline-6 engine

Which Used BMW Engines Are the Most Reliable?

Even if they’re used and depreciated, luxury cars from marques like BMW are still luxury cars. That means maintenance and repair bills, especially for engine-related issues, can cost a pretty penny. However, not only can used BMWs be reliable overall, but so can their engines. It’s all a matter of understanding what’s under the hood. …
The N52 engine in the bay of a blue 2006 E90 BMW 325i Touring

The Most Reliable E90 BMW Models Still Have Some Engine Issues

If you’re looking for a reliable used BMW, the E90 3 Series is arguably your best modern bet. Especially the non-turbocharged 325i, 328i, and 330i models, which have the N52 BMW inline-6 engine. However, no car is immune from maintenance or reliability issues, including BMWs. And the same goes for the N52-equipped E90 cars. The …
Two high school students change a car's engine oil

Should You Get Your Engine Oil Analyzed?

Regularly changing your oil is a classic and constant part of vehicle maintenance. One that, with modern engineering capabilities and the rise of synthetic engine oil, has dropped in frequency somewhat. However, some people go beyond simply replacing their engine oil and send it off for analysis. But why do they do it? And should …
Five heavy-duty trucks are lined up to represent Volvo's all-electric offerings.

Europe Is Killing Internal Combustion Engines for Commercial Vehicles

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for the production of internal combustion engines in Europe. More specifically, the end date for commercial vehicle sales of internal combustion engines has been set. A combination of electric, hydrogen, and clean fuel technology will be phased in to replace the traditional petroleum-based engines.  2040 Deadline …
A mechanic working to fix a Ford F-150 with engine problems

Is Your Broken Ford EcoBoost Struggling to Satisfy?

We are not here, by any means, to say that the Ford EcoBoost engine is unreliable. On the contrary, it’s actually a great way to get a good power output while also giving vehicles better gas mileage. However, the recent news about EcoBoost class-action lawsuits and such are definitely a bit worrisome. If you are …