A new boxer....

[SteveD]

...in 2-3 years maybe.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r110 ... esign.html

[Ross]

A BMW U-Boat.

[Major Softie]

"There is one glitch however.................the transmission is going to be made and most likely assembled in..........I'm sorry............CHINA?$??!!"


Who would ever think that BMW would design an engine with the potential for very long life, and then risk a weak link with the tranny?

The more things change . . .

[Ross]

"There is one glitch however.................the transmission is going to be made and most likely assembled in..........I'm sorry............CHINA?$??!!"


Who would ever think that BMW would design an engine with the potential for very long life, and then risk a weak link with the tranny?

The more things change . . .

I thouight that some of, if not all of the 650 single was made in China???

[Major Softie]

I thouight that some of, if not all of the 650 single was made in China???

I haven't kept up with the 650 since they stopped having the engine made for them by Rotax in Austria. Which was what, first year?

[macdaddy]

The 450 was made in Korea!?

[vanzen]

Who would ever think that BMW would design an engine with the potential for very long life, and then risk a weak link with the tranny?

There are two basic assumptions here that I find objectionable:

1. "BMW wouild design an engine with the potential for very long life"
To assume that BMW has any primary design goal
that will focus on anything other than maintaining market share
is simply nostalgic.

2. "and then risk a weak link"
For at least 4 decades, about every major manufacturing concern in the world
has been poking about in China to negotiate and set-up the infrastructure to manufacture parts and products
to the (name placed here) Co.'s specifications – While taking ultimate advantage of China's cheap labor.
To assume that the quality of a part made in China will be inferior
only speaks to an archaic / egocentric / nationalistic mode of thinking
(which, quite frankly,has no rational basis)
or a specific Co.'s lack of manufacturing tolerances or quality control.

[melville]

Who would ever think that BMW would design an engine with the potential for very long life, and then risk a weak link with the tranny?

There are two basic assumptions here that I find objectionable:

1. "BMW wouild design an engine with the potential for very long life"
To assume that BMW has any primary design goal
that will focus on anything other than maintaining market share
is simply nostalgic.

2. "and then risk a weak link"
For at least 4 decades, about every major manufacturing concern in the world
has been poking about in China to negotiate and set-up the infrastructure to manufacture parts and products
to the (name placed here) Co.'s specifications – While taking ultimate advantage of China's cheap labor.
To assume that the quality of a part made in China will be inferior
only speaks to an archaic / egocentric / nationalistic mode of thinking
(which, quite frankly,has no rational basis)
or a specific Co.'s lack of manufacturing tolerances or quality control.

Maybe Chuey can comment on what's happened in the last ten years or so, but Schwinn was the first Western bicycle company to source product in China (ca. 1990), and like they did with their previous Japanese and Taiwanese partners, they kept their own QC people on the floor. The end product was indistinguishable, quality-wise, from a similar level bike from Taiwan.

VW vendors I deal with nowadays say much the same--if you keep after the QC, you will get good product.

[Major Softie]

Who would ever think that BMW would design an engine with the potential for very long life, and then risk a weak link with the tranny?

There are two basic assumptions here that I find objectionable:

1. "BMW wouild design an engine with the potential for very long life"
To assume that BMW has any primary design goal
that will focus on anything other than maintaining market share
is simply nostalgic.

2. "and then risk a weak link"
For at least 4 decades, about every major manufacturing concern in the world
has been poking about in China to negotiate and set-up the infrastructure to manufacture parts and products
to the (name placed here) Co.'s specifications – While taking ultimate advantage of China's cheap labor.
To assume that the quality of a part made in China will be inferior
only speaks to an archaic / egocentric / nationalistic mode of thinking
(which, quite frankly,has no rational basis)
or a specific Co.'s lack of manufacturing tolerances or quality control.

The archaic part of my post was that I was talking about 30, 40, and 50 year-old BMW's, not this new one.

Can't you guys read between the lines anymore???

[Major Softie]

Maybe Chuey can comment on what's happened in the last ten years or so, but Schwinn was the first Western bicycle company to source product in China (ca. 1990), and like they did with their previous Japanese and Taiwanese partners, they kept their own QC people on the floor. The end product was indistinguishable, quality-wise, from a similar level bike from Taiwan.

VW vendors I deal with nowadays say much the same--if you keep after the QC, you will get good product.

You are mistaken about the quality of the Chinese Schwinns. They gave up on the China partnership because the Chinese factory was unable to meet their quantity and quality requirements. (you can find Schwinn history here: http://re-cycle.com/History/Schwinn.aspx

Schwinn has now ceased to exist. Their name is now simply a badge put on department store imports. They went bankrupt in the 90's, and Scott bought them. They tried to be competitive for a while after that, but now, they are owned by "Pacific," and their model line doesn't seem to be in competition with anyone but Huffy. They made some really bad mistakes. Their history through the 70's, 80's, and 90's is now a textbook example for business classes all over the country on how to destroy a successful business.