Im not impressed with the welding finish on my X3 (bad finish and spikes) - Page 6 - XBimmers

clarence · 06-20-2011, 11:51 PM

The hand applied sealant are, according to their website, for sound deadening purpose. That means they're an extra to what's necessary & hence wht u see on cars such as Hyundais maybe the basic sealant itself, which is applied by robots.

clarence · 06-20-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X3andZ4owner

BTW I know German workers got free lunch Lager Beer at the German factories a couple of years ago does this also apply to the US factories ?

Maybe my car was made just after an lunch hour?

On a visit to the Munich a plant few yrs ago I found the German workers working in a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. Unlike the Jap plants they don't seem to be rushing their work & the line totally stops during breaktimes.
Found the same thing at Audi's Ingolstadt plant & the Germans are not worried abt showing u nearly everything.

guycashmore · 06-21-2011, 06:23 AM

Here you can see video of the seam sealant being applied..

http://www.bmwusfactory.com/manufact...ss/paint-shop/

Mostly by robots, don't blame the workers!

My E class Mercedes has a very similar sealant finish in the 'hidden' areas.

sfax · 06-22-2011, 03:02 PM

I had another look at mine and from a distance it is absolutely fine. Even close up in most areas it's OK so not a concern at all really (for me anyway). I do think the OP has a point as his seems quite bad in comparison

from a distance

close up

and close up other side

lbjgh · 05-30-2012, 05:30 PM

I know it's an old thread. ...but it looks like BMW has improved the manufacturing process in Spartanburg. Well, at least on the sealant in the trunk.

X3andZ4owner · 06-03-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbjgh

I know it's an old thread. ...but it looks like BMW has improved the manufacturing process in Spartanburg. Well, at least on the sealant in the trunk.

Yes, looks like they maybe read this thread :-))

maxeaus · 06-19-2012, 04:50 AM

I guess the moral to the story is you get American quality if its made in America.

I certainly wouldnt buy an American BMW.

n55x3 · 06-19-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxeaus

I guess the moral to the story is you get American quality if its made in America.

I certainly wouldnt buy an American BMW.

You know the F25 X3 is made in the US right?

Chalky White · 06-19-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n55x3

You know the F25 X3 is made in the US right?

hahaha.

maxeaus · 07-07-2012, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n55x3

You know the F25 X3 is made in the US right?

No shit, thats what im talking about, i dont own a US made one if thats what you mean.

mibmwx3 · 07-07-2012, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxeaus

No shit, thats what im talking about, i dont own a US made one if thats what you mean.

Then you're missing out on a great car.

SR40X3 · 07-07-2012, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxeaus

I guess the moral to the story is you get American quality if its made in America.

I certainly wouldnt buy an American BMW.

The quality of our X3 with regard to build quality is as good as if not better than previous German made BMW's we have owned.

I mean...ask yourself - how can the quality differ?

lbjgh · 07-07-2012, 08:11 AM

I have to agree. My previous Honda was built in Ohio and had typical Japanese quality.

I trust my South Carolina built BMW will have better build quality than the previous X3 built on contract in Austria by East Germans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR40X3

The quality of our X3 with regard to build quality is as good as if not better than previous German made BMW's we have owned.

I mean...ask yourself - how can the quality differ?

faztaz · 07-07-2012, 10:11 AM

Out of curiosity has anyone compared the sealant to the X1 which is produced in Europe?

JoeyO · 07-08-2012, 12:25 AM

Yea guys, BMW HQ lets their own plants determine their own weld quality. They have absolutely no written standards and allow one big free-for-all when it comes to quality control.

You people kill me. Have any of you worked in global engineering environment?

Maybe it worked that way in 1916. But it doesn't work that way today.

02420X3 · 07-08-2012, 08:05 AM

LOL, most of the welding is done by robots. I doubt that the capabilities of the US robots are any less than those in AT or DE.

powertech83 · 07-08-2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02420X3

LOL, most of the welding is done by robots. I doubt that the capabilities of the US robots are any less than those in AT or DE.

+1

Virtually all major car manufacturers has assembly plant all over the world, and the local plants build models that are popular in that market.
BMW and Mercedes also have plants here in Indonesia, and Mercedes even assemble their S-class sedan here. Their quality is no worse than German-made S-class (and no significant difference in pricing either).
Starting May 2012, BMW Indonesia has introduced locally assembled F25 X3, I am sure the build quality will be the same as my US-made X3.

maxeaus · 07-31-2012, 04:44 AM

Interesting claims being made of superb USA build quality whilst we partake in a thread of dodgy weld quality no less .

nonagon · 08-01-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxeaus

Interesting claims being made of superb USA build quality whilst we partake in a thread of dodgy weld quality no less .

New X3s don't seem to have the problem

lbjgh · 08-02-2012, 05:30 PM

While poking around under my hood (bonnet) I noticed some pretty shoddy finishes on the inner fender. It looks like the steel was cut using an oxy-acetoline torch. I'll post some pics to see if it's common.

06-22-2011, 03:02 PM	#114
sfax Brigadier General Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 3,774 iTrader: (0)	I had another look at mine and from a distance it is absolutely fine. Even close up in most areas it's OK so not a concern at all really (for me anyway). I do think the OP has a point as his seems quite bad in comparison from a distance close up and close up other side __________________ BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE . . titanium silver . . titanium front grille . . 309s . . xline . . xenons . . black leather . . alu trim . . professional multimedia package . . dynamic package . . climate package . . electric seats . . folding mirrors . . servotronic steering . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . sun protection glass . . split rear seats . .

05-30-2012, 05:30 PM	#115
lbjgh Major Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto Posts: 1,235 iTrader: (0)	I know it's an old thread. ...but it looks like BMW has improved the manufacturing process in Spartanburg. Well, at least on the sealant in the trunk. Attached Images __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes

08-02-2012, 05:30 PM	#130
lbjgh Major Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto Posts: 1,235 iTrader: (0)	While poking around under my hood (bonnet) I noticed some pretty shoddy finishes on the inner fender. It looks like the steel was cut using an oxy-acetoline torch. I'll post some pics to see if it's common. __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes

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06-20-2011, 11:51 PM	#111
clarence Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F30 328i M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,521 iTrader: (0)	The hand applied sealant are, according to their website, for sound deadening purpose. That means they're an extra to what's necessary & hence wht u see on cars such as Hyundais maybe the basic sealant itself, which is applied by robots.

06-21-2011, 06:23 AM	#113
guycashmore Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 X3 3.0D SE Join Date: May 2011 Location: Cornwall Posts: 43 iTrader: (0)	Here you can see video of the seam sealant being applied.. http://www.bmwusfactory.com/manufact...ss/paint-shop/ Mostly by robots, don't blame the workers! My E class Mercedes has a very similar sealant finish in the 'hidden' areas.

06-19-2012, 04:50 AM	#117
maxeaus New Member Drives: x3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	I guess the moral to the story is you get American quality if its made in America. I certainly wouldnt buy an American BMW.

07-07-2012, 10:11 AM	#124
faztaz 08 X3 6spd Drives: 13 X3 35i MSport Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 52 iTrader: (0)	Out of curiosity has anyone compared the sealant to the X1 which is produced in Europe?

07-08-2012, 12:25 AM	#125
JoeyO Lieutenant Drives: silver car Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: USA Posts: 516 iTrader: (0)	Yea guys, BMW HQ lets their own plants determine their own weld quality. They have absolutely no written standards and allow one big free-for-all when it comes to quality control. You people kill me. Have any of you worked in global engineering environment? Maybe it worked that way in 1916. But it doesn't work that way today.

07-08-2012, 08:05 AM	#126
02420X3 Lieutenant Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 546 iTrader: (0)	LOL, most of the welding is done by robots. I doubt that the capabilities of the US robots are any less than those in AT or DE.

07-31-2012, 04:44 AM	#128
maxeaus New Member Drives: x3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Interesting claims being made of superb USA build quality whilst we partake in a thread of dodgy weld quality no less .