When will you sell your X5?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

To conclude BMW parts quality has declined with any certainty it would be necessary to do a sampling of some number of parts based on the total worldwide sales of that part.

As an example if BMW sells 100,000 of a part, the sampling generally would be 10% or 10,000 of that one part. The percentage can vary based on the reason(s) for the sampling. So if BMW sells 100,000 of the gasket you mentioned, your purchases would need to be 10,000. The gasket would have to be installed and fail. And confirmed that a comparable gasket didn't fail using the same criteria. The number of failures acceptable out of the 10,000 would be a quality control decision. Using 1% that would be 100 documented failures of the gasket you rejected and less than 100 of the gasket you did use.

How would you regard BMW completely changing the way that the make a part and substituting one made totally differently and obviously more cheaply?

Edit: For example, they changed the E30 rear console from a laminated soft vinyl adhered to a plastic base to a hard plastic stamped piece that neither matched in color, texture, or sheen to the originals. Or, hell, even to the new center console or new dash available at the same time.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

How would you regard BMW completely changing the way that the make a part and substituting one made totally differently and obviously more cheaply?

Edit: For example, they changed the E30 rear console from a laminated soft vinyl adhered to a plastic base to a hard plastic stamped piece that neither matched in color, texture, or sheen to the originals. Or, hell, even to the new center console or new dash available at the same time.

It really doesn't matter if a part is more cheaply made. What does matter is that the part still meets specifications, performance and quality standards of BMW. I assume you bought one which again does not indicate all of that part sold are the same as the one you purchased. That is your experience and it is worthwhile to hear but should not be used as a generalization of declining quality of BMW parts. This began with your statement that BMW parts in general have declined in quality.