BMW Performance Parts now made in China?

[M3SSY]

I have a friend who works at a dealer and he said the BMW performance parts are now showing made in China?

any truth to this?

[Neil McRae]

like just about everything? half of whats in your BMW is made in china.

[rubber_ducky]

I'd wager that some are and some aren't.

Unfortunately it's the way of the world

[M3SSY]

Originally Posted by Neil McRae

like just about everything? half of whats in your BMW is made in china.

can you point me to your source so I can read about it?

[Woodengun]

I've purchased plenty of crap products made in USA, Europe and Asia.

I've purchased plenty of good products made in USA, Europe and Asia.


Country of origin isn't the important factor.

[shortseller]

China has become one of BMWs most important markets. Had a conversation with a rep from BMW CN recently at a software trade show. It's become their number one market focus. Get use to the phrase, "made in China" folks!

[48Laws]

Originally Posted by shortseller

China has become one of BMWs most important markets. Had a conversation with a rep from BMW CN recently at a software trade show. It's become there number one market focus. Get use to the phrase, "made in China" folks!

"BMWs most important market" in terms of untapped sales. China's millionaires have grown exponentially. There are more Gucci stores in China than Italy. The rich is a fastly growing demographic. Still, that has zero to do with BMW parts being made in China.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by 48Laws

"BMWs most important market" in terms of untapped sales. China's millionaires have grown exponentially. There are more Gucci stores in China than Italy. The rich is a fastly growing demographic. Still, that has zero to do with BMW parts being made in China.

Manufacturing behind the Great Wall of China goes a long way to opening up a market, eg...trust, brand loyalty and greasing political barriers to entry.

[Sassicaia]

Originally Posted by Woodengun

I've purchased plenty of crap products made in USA, Europe and Asia.

I've purchased plenty of good products made in USA, Europe and Asia.


Country of origin isn't the important factor.

I disagree.

National pride plays a part in the product.

SOME stuff made in china is equal to its comparible made in the country of origin, but in my years of experience that is the exception and not the rule. I have never had an example of something being made BETTER in china after the product was shipped over there.

Just my opinion, but if BMW decided to produce all their cars in china (including parts and complete manufacturing) i would loose all interest in owning one.

As someone who works for a manufacturer that shipped our manufacture from the US to china I can tell you our QC numbers got much worse.

[48Laws]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Manufacturing behind the Great Wall of China goes along way to opening up a market, eg...trust, brand loyalty and greasing political barriers to entry.

Bro, you'll find more parts made in China on a Harley than you would on a BMW.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by 48Laws

Bro, you'll find more parts made in China on a Harley than you would on a BMW.

Yeah, probably thank Rikuo & AMF- the final dagger, for that one.

[Woodengun]

Originally Posted by Sassicaia

National pride plays a part in the product.

Lol. National pride and here you are, an American purchasing European car.

Let's agree to disagree? I think we equate China with cheap low quality goods because a lot of products made in China are spec'd to be cheap and low quality.

The key being "spec'd". If a company works with a chinese manufacturer, they can get high quality goods. You just have to spec your product properly.

We equate Germany with high quality because a lot of products are spec'd to be high quality but the price tag reflects the higher manufacturing cost of tighter tolerances and such.

[DiscoWagon]

Quality parts can be made in China, it's up to the company having the parts produced whether or not they want to pay for the quality.

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by M3SSY

I have a friend who works at a dealer and he said the BMW performance parts are now showing made in China?

any truth to this?

The first thing we noticed on the F8X M3/M4 M Performance mirror covers is a decal displaying "Made in China", so yes there is truth to your friends statement. As for all performance parts being made in China, that is a different story.

[M3SSY]

Well this has swayed me enough to avoid purchasing that stuff...

[edwinm3]

"Made in china" No big deal!

[schnazzy]

Some BMW CF parts are made in the USA (like the CF roof). I just ordered and received almost 10k worth of BMW Performance parts and nothing had "made in China" on it. I did not get the mirror caps or the splitter.

Made in China is a big deal. The reality for BMW is that they have high standards so the consumer should still get quality parts and with CF, a flawless weave. Most likely parts that are required to be certified like springs, etc. may continue to be made in Germany to more easily be within spec and approved by the various certifications. Carbon fiber mirror caps, no issue.

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by M3SSY

Well this has swayed me enough to avoid purchasing that stuff...

Lol, you might as well sell your car and start walking. There are japanese and chinese parts on a stock BMW.

It's a global market and borders on earth have become smaller. It won't be too long before something shows up "made on earth".

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by schnazzy

Some BMW CF parts are made in the USA (like the CF roof). I just ordered and received almost 10k worth of BMW Performance parts and nothing had "made in China" on it. I did not get the mirror caps or the splitter.

Made in China is a big deal. The reality for BMW is that they have high standards so the consumer should still get quality parts and with CF, a flawless weave. Most likely parts that are required to be certified like springs, etc. may continue to be made in Germany to more easily be within spec and approved by the various certifications. Carbon fiber mirror caps, no issue.

This is the main point, quality is a matter of enforcement and control, not geographical location.
Arcteryx moved a huge portion of production to China, prices didn't drop and though some may say, there hasn't been proof or evidence of reduction in quality. There products are as robust and durable as ever.

Now if your point(op) is based on political and social reasons, that's something else.

[pikkagtr]

it's not where it's made, it is only important the quality control and demand from the MFG to only put out a quality part

in the late 1990's you couldn't give away a samsung tv, and their DLP's were Shit compared to Sony and Panasonic at the time, fast forward 2005+ and Samsung TVs are one of the best and their UHD 4K tvs look amazing

[M3SSY]

Honestly I don't trust chinese resin...

[lsturbointeg]

I deal with that here in Ohio. "Buy American!" is what they say to me when rolling around in my BMW. while they sit IN their Chevy's and Ford's but I bet they don't realize how much overseas parts are in their car?!