What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

The European automakers have been successful building vehicles in China for China in joint venture plants. So much so that BMWs will soon be exported.

The quality of the parts supplier network is strictly controlled and monitored using the latest quality control processes. The plants have the latest mfg. equipment and German trained workers. The lower cost of labor affords BMW the opportunity to maintain the level of quality of parts previously made in Germany.

In many many cases our perception that China makes junk is absolutely true though luxury brands have learned their lessons from years of outsourcing to low labor rate countries like Japan and Korea were at one time.

That said, because German brands have touted German engineering so long, meaning to me all parts are also made in Germany, I don't want parts made in China either. Right or wrong, I am not ready to accept that from BMW.

When Steve Jobs was asked by the POTUS if Apple would bring back manufacturing jobs to the U.S.A Jobs stated that, that will NEVER happen. China manufacture most of the Eye PHONEs in the world along with Eye Pods.

When Sam Walton was running Walmart everything that was sold in his store was Made in U.S.A., but go to a Walmart store these days and even the Talapia is farmed raised in CHINA.

Depends on the company that is manufacturing products in China. Brought a BOSCH relay for my PORSCHE and it came in a BOSCH box but it was made in CHINA.

[TiAgX5]

Replaced the small tube on the coolant tank, I cracked it doing the VCG job.

Rather then put more China parts on the X , I repaired it with what I had in the shop. BMW! Pic below.

Every repair I've done on the X prior to this repair has been OE/OEM/upgrade aftermarket (StealthBulbs/PIAA/Powerflex/Cool Carbon/Brakelabs), this all changes today!

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I don't like it because of the total lack of EPA type regulation, and non-exisent human rights in China.

I totally agree from that standpoint of lack of human rights, though, as you know, it is extremely rare to find the good conscience and respect for mankind that you have in a corporation and most individuals do not distinguish purchasing a lower cost product from the actions of the country of origin.

Your 90s experience was not unusual though many brands had already gone through the same problems from having followed the low labor costs from Japan and/or Korea. Having learned the hard way they are adept at developing contracts that are defendable. Often they are only interested in a joint venture so that there is also in-country protection and skin in the game. And, there are now many experts that can guide new companies through the contract negotiations and how to get the product delivered per specifications. China by far has been the most difficult market thus far to get it right and keep it going right.

Joint ventures are certainly not a sure thing. The odds are much better if the joint venture agreement clearly gives the buyer right to have the critical quality control and Sr. management onsite at all times and the joint venture is also selling in the domestic market.

Where it is still very very risky to purchase is from Ebay, where the products are off brands or can be easily be counterfeit. This is especially true of products where the barriers to entry are low and the product is labor intensive. When the original is produced in China the volume produced will become public knowledge. China being so huge, there are thousands upon thousands of copycat cottage shops that produce products that will not measure up to the original. Where only 1% of the total volume may be extremely lucrative to them. With the marketing and advertising costs virtually eliminated by Ebay, imitations can now easily reach a worldwide market. As always, buyer beware.

[TiAgX5]

I agree Brian.

The BMW dealer coil pack had a list price of almost $130. BMW sure isn't passing the lower China production costs down to the consumer!

I saw an eposide of 20/20 investigates news where a group of high end fashion design corp lawyers went to China, hit the stores selling bootleg designer products in China. The news crew/lawyers were accompanied by Chinese copyright law enforcement officers.
Every shop/street vendor had nothing but bootleg items for sale. When the lawyers/news crew pointed this out to the Copyright LEOs all they did was scold the sellers and tell them to stop selling bootleg items. ZERO arrests, ZERO confiscation of copyright violation merchandise. China treats the crooks like a candy shop owner would treat a 5 yr old caught stealing a gumball! HELL, the 5 yr old would have to hand the gumball back!

[lhordmclain]

Performing my Honey do's (Commander in General), else I will be kicked out

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by lhordmclain

Performing my Honey do's (Commander in General), else I will be kicked out

Somebody went to Home Repo.

[upallnight]

If I was in the market for a car and lifted the hood and saw this



I would wonder what other type of shoemaker repairs this guy did on the X.

[knucklebuster]

Originally Posted by upallnight

If I was in the market for a car and lifted the hood and saw this



I would wonder what other type of shoemaker repairs this guy did on the X.

I think that part is superseded

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by upallnight

If I was in the market for a car and lifted the hood and saw this



I would wonder what other type of shoemaker repairs this guy did on the X.

At least it's not a "Made in China part. That's the point of why I did the repair this way.

Up to 100k miles EVERY repair was done by BMW, the next 80k EVERY repair has been done by me using OEM or better parts. The last 2 repairs I did, parts were Meyle waterpump (from Bavauto) and a coilpack (from Classic BMW), both parts were made in China. I've lost ALL faith in the quality of OEM and so-called "German" suppliers, like Meyle.

'merican fixes are the norm from here on! At least it won't get brittle and shatter when touched like the 2 previous OE/OEM tubes did.

As stated prior, I had planned on an "all in" rebuild of the X at 200k miles (about 1.5 yrs away), I REFUSE to do it when the OEM and German suppliers are producing parts in China. I will drive the X until it "shit the bed" then sell it for scrap!

[knucklebuster]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

At least it's not a "Made in China part. That's the point of why I did the repair this way.

Up to 100k miles EVERY repair was done by BMW, the next 80k EVERY repair has been done by me using OEM or better parts. The last 2 repairs I did, parts were Meyle waterpump (from Bavauto) and a coilpack (from Classic BMW), both parts were made in China. I've lost ALL faith in the quality of OEM and so-called "German" suppliers, like Meyle.

'merican fixes are the norm from here on!

bottom line if you can keep it on the road props to you .Paint it black and nobody will notice