Quote:
Originally Posted by X3andZ4owner
Seems to me that the american worker don't put their soul in their work the same way as the german worker.
I state that quality should not only be skin deep.. but also on the places you don't see...
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Every real problem I've had with my X3 (and I've had some serious problems) was a result of poor quality control of
German made component assemblies imported to the US for installation; none were due to the assembly of the vehicle.
BTW, the latest
npr news releases have been bemoaning the fact that many “German” auto production lines are now staffed by up to 50% non-German “foreign” workers. So much for superior "German" production line skill.
Also, you may have heard that Norway's "THINK" electric car company (Aurskog, Norway) (if it survives) is planning on producing its car in the US, not Norway. Hopefully they will bring in a top notch Norwegian caulk line inspector.
As far as skin-deep quality, I totally agree and submit that BMW is putting its Euros into the places you don't see like engine internal components (where it really matters) instead of caulk line cosmetics, which from an engineering point of view are irrelevant as long as the seam is well sealed.
I'm not defending BMW as a company, only pointing out the realities of
any mass-produced product. In today's global economy it's up to the consumer to do his/her homework. If caulk line cosmetics are important to you, that's perfectly fine, but if so, you should inspect the caulk lines on the demo before ordering a vehicle that does not meet your expectations.
Each of us has and is entitled to his/her own priorities. I'd rather see BMW build 3 liter engines that make 306 (European) HP and improve fuel economy 13% over their last generation of engines. You may prefer that they hire unemployed Art Majors to man the caulking guns. So be it.
I may be considered a pessimist, but IMHO to expect perfection (in
every detail) today in any mass-produced product is simply being naive. However, after due consideration of all of the arguments presented here, I've moved "caulk line smoothness" from #927 to # 920 on my priority list.
P.S. I'm truly sorry that your government essentially doubles the price of a new BMW. We are fortunate that in the US our taxation has not reached these extremes, but we are headed that way.
