Do you think build quality is going up or down? - BMW Forum

wayoutcat · 01-25-2009, 12:07 AM

I did a search for "build quality" and read fifteen pages (almost four hundred threads) of search results and found no in-depth discussion on whether or not BMWs of the present era are better or worse than in the 90's.

I can't believe this hasn't been run into the ground already. If I missed something in my search, please hand me a clue and I apologize for asking. But if not, please feel free to offer your opinion.

I have heard half-hearted grumblings from some quarters that the current BMWs are not as well made as the older ones (that I can afford used! : )

I'm only curious. It won't be an issue for me until the new ones are old enough to be in my price range anyway. I love my four thousand dollar E36!~

marti5 · 01-25-2009, 05:10 AM

IMHO I would deffo say build quality is on the down no doubt about it. I had an E32 before the E38, the 32 was a recycled panzer tank as for the 38 its a recycled washing machine, I can really see the difference.

wayoutcat · 01-25-2009, 10:59 AM

Wow. Sorry to hear it. Thanks for responding.

My understanding was that the E30's were lighter and quicker but not quite as solid as the E36, which I quite like, but I can see how it would be even more fun if it weighed less. Still, that is not a build quality issue. More the inevitable bloating of safety and tech.

witeshark · 01-25-2009, 11:10 AM

Yeah, the safety and tech components add weight. Ex: 2009 cars should have tire pressure warning systems which should do nothing if tires are checked as they should be. Also worth mentioning: the E30's were developed on the Nürburgring. The E36's with CAD (computer aided design). The improvements for the E36 were not quite as expected.

BimmerE39 · 01-25-2009, 12:53 PM

I'm not sure how to gauge build quality anymore. Alot of the older cars are simpler when compared to the new cars. Through my experience I feel some areas of build quality have gone down and others have improved. BMW does a lot of experimenting with other materials to keep the cars weight down and keep their cost down. In the E39 and E36 BMW started using resin/plastic impellers for the water pump, plastic radiator necks, and other plastic pieces that have shown over time to be useless. On the other hand safety has gone up, engine technology has progressed tenfold, and they have become more refined and tweaked through the years. I'm in the middle on it because I love the older cars and I also love the newer cars as well. Either way I'm happy as long as I'm driving a BMW.

jimmythepie · 01-25-2009, 04:56 PM

yawwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn,its down as ive said countless times,e46 last of the true cars.the rest plastic and awfull,buy a lexus or a toyota or a vw,in fact anything but the overpriced shit bmw are trying to fob us off with.
dont let em get away with it anymore.
sales down 49% in the uk that"l learn em.

wayoutcat · 01-26-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmythepie

yawwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn,its down as ive said countless times,e46 last of the true cars.the rest plastic and awfull,buy a lexus or a toyota or a vw,in fact anything but the overpriced shit bmw are trying to fob us off with.
dont let em get away with it anymore.
sales down 49% in the uk that"l learn em.

Heh! : ) I notice that you and I drive the same year and model.
Yeah, I am kinda sad I discovered BMWs so late in the game. This is my first and even though I really like it, it may be my last, because I'm not thrilled with the direction the new ones are going (heavier, more complicated).

There's a possibility I'd buy *another* old BMW when this car gives up the ghost, but there are a lot of other cars out there. The same thing is happening to a lot of them though. I had two 90's Nissan SE-R's and loved them but I have no love for the newer offerings for that company. Even the awesome 350/70Z is too heavy and not particularly nimble. FAST, yes. But without the handling it's just a Japanese Mustang. And yes, I owned and loved a Stang, a 1970, but I would never accuse it of having good handling.

My 1998 328 is what? 3200 pounds? And it already feels almost too heavy.

wayoutcat · 01-26-2009, 08:54 PM

I will certainly admit that the added weight in my '98 is not making it any more fun than your old '89. Sometimes I miss my old 1992 Nissan for its 2350 pound curb weight. But not for it's torque steer! : )

jimmythepie · 01-27-2009, 07:44 AM

hey furball,any snaps of your motor?how you finding it on this site?

denyo77 · 01-27-2009, 09:27 AM

EFlirty > everything!!!

it's lighter than most cars, you have no blind spot which totally adds to safety, it's got a great inline-sexer and as for airbags I can use my passengers boobies

wayoutcat · 01-27-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmythepie

hey furball,any snaps of your motor?how you finding it on this site?

Love the site. Tried to put pic of car in sig. but evil robots somehow wont let me. SO, I replaced the cat with the car. There it is. That's my car. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Lots more comfortable for long drives than an M3! (Yes, I'm an old guy... who the heck says "way out cat" anymore?)