Eurpoean cars? I've had 2 BMW's an '00-328 and an '01-540. BOTH were the most troublesome cars I've ever owned. Great handling and responsiveness but that's were it ended.
The hardware and switches were junk. EVERY magnetic door lock failed, sun roof mechanism failed, A/C fan control failed, Ignition switch failed, radio volume control failed, side view mirror fell of, rear ball joints failed at 25K, cruise control switch failed, speedometer bezel cracked, steering wheel tilt motor failed, driver side window mechanism failed all during the first 4 years of ownership.
When I complained about all the failures the service rep said "too much plastic"! BTW I was at the dealers so much we were on a first name basis. In my 40 years of cars these two had gave me more trouble than all the American and Japanses cars put together.
What crap when you consider the 328 cost 42 grand and the 540 the better part of 60. They may run all day long on the Autobahn... when their not in the shop fixing all that junk hardware.