Where is the 1 series made ??

Wraith · 07-03-2008, 07:59 PM

I'm a member of several other car type forums as some of you know and the topic of other car types usually comes up on those boards for discussion, as is usually the case...

Anyways, there are quite a few Beemer enthusiasts on the Opel Australia forum and the topic of BMW manufacturer/production came up a while ago...

It seems that BMW are using manufacturing plants in Sth. Africa to produce alot of their range these days, does anyone know if this is the case the the 1er series also ??

Do you think or does anyone know if this impacts on quality, compared to if they were being produced/assembled in Germany ??

Thoughts/discussion...

larryn · 07-03-2008, 08:02 PM

The coupe/cabrio are made solely at the Leipzig Germany plant. The 3 and 5 door versions are made in a few locations though.

AussieRacer · 07-03-2008, 08:10 PM

When I went to an Audi dealer recently, they were crapping on about how BMWs are made in South Africa and Audis are made in Germany. For the record my 120i was made in Germany and I don't believe the 1 series is made anywhere else. 3 series, 5 series, Z4, and X cars are a different story.

I stand to be corrected though.

Zuzu · 07-03-2008, 08:13 PM

Some of the 3 series, like the 318i and the 320i coupes and sedans are made in South Africa..

larryn · 07-03-2008, 08:15 PM

True, the hatches are also made at Regensburg.

qship · 07-03-2008, 08:16 PM

Plug your VIN number into one of the VIN number ID engines on this forum and it will tell you where it was built.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3583

Wraith · 07-03-2008, 08:28 PM

Awesome guys, that's good to know - thanks for the info :smile:

I do here/read that some BMW models are even made in China, but those are exclusively for the local market and not exported at all...

I wonder why :biggrin:

AussieRacer · 07-03-2008, 08:47 PM

Wraith, it has nothing to do with the quality. Just saving money on import taxes. I have faith BMW maintains the same basic quality controls at any of its plants. There will always be differences, but minor.

aedeau · 07-03-2008, 08:58 PM

Just decoded my vin... somebody is bored at work

WBA - BMW AG München
UD92 - 120d, Sports Hatch, N47
0 - Airbags
0 - Check digit
0 - Europe, no year code required
P - Regensburg
Z95570

WMW - BMW AG Werk Oxford (Mini)
MF72 - 6-MT, L4/1598, MF72, N14B16
0 - Airbags
X - Check digit
0 - Europe, no year code required
T - Oxford
T32142

Wraith · 07-03-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieRacer

Wraith, it has nothing to do with the quality. Just saving money on import taxes. I have faith BMW maintains the same basic quality controls at any of its plants. There will always be differences, but minor.

Glad to hear that is the case :smile:

cozza · 07-04-2008, 01:34 AM

I actually emailed the Liepzig plant a while back (late at night, drunk), asking about production times and they replied!

Dear Mr. W,

thank you for your e-mail in which you require more information about the production process of your new BMW 125i.

The total amount of time to build a car in our factory takes more than 30 hours.
First the basic frame work is being built (about 10 hours). After that the car body passes through the paint shop, where it is given four coats of paint (about 17 hours).
Finally the painted body comes to the assembly line where it is customised to suit the client’s preferences (up to 12 hours).

In the BMW production process the cars are assigned to the customer at a very late time – at the beginning of assembly – when the vehicle identification is being engraved. From now on the car belongs to the customer and is assembled exactly according to his or her instructions. Until this moment the car body is a kind of a supply part. In other words: We produce a certain amount of car bodies in different colours and have them ready for assembly in a high rise storage. When it comes to the assembly of “Mr. W’s car” we take the “still nameless” painted body shell out of the storage und fit them with all the interior details that you have ordered.

That is also the reason why people are right when they say it takes about one day to create your special car. But it is also right to say that it takes some more time to build a whole car from the beginning to the end.

I hope this is the answer to your question. I wish you all the best for you and your new car.
Have fun riding it.

Best regards
Manja Ihle
---------
BMW
Werk Leipzig
Manja Ihle
Presse-, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Mitarbeiterkommunikation
BMW Allee 1
04349 Leipzig
Telefon: + 49 341 445-38005
Mobil: +49 176 607-38005
Fax: +49 341 445-39888
mailto:Manja.Ihle@bmw.de
http://www.bmw-werk-leipzig.de

Zuzu · 07-04-2008, 01:41 AM

There was a fantastic documentary on during the week on Discovery (Foxtel) called..
"The BMW Super Factory"
I dont know if any one here saw the show but it was unreal..

It took you stage by stage in the production of a Z4 in the factory in Germany.

I was hoping it would be back on again but havent ssen it..

aedeau · 07-04-2008, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozza

The total amount of time to build a car in our factory takes more than 30 hours.
First the basic frame work is being built (about 10 hours). After that the car body passes through the paint shop, where it is given four coats of paint (about 17 hours).
Finally the painted body comes to the assembly line where it is customised to suit the client’s preferences (up to 12 hours).

isn't 10+17+12 more like 40 hrs?:iono:

dodgey · 07-04-2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuzu

It took you stage by stage in the production of a Z4 in the factory in Germany.

I was hoping it would be back on again but havent ssen it..

I capped it for some of the guys on 'Tex.. SD only though...

http://www.mininova.org/tor/1559035

Let me know when you get it so I can pull it off :w00t:

Zuzu · 07-04-2008, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgey

I capped it for some of the guys on 'Tex.. SD only though...

http://www.mininova.org/tor/1559035

Let me know when you get it so I can pull it off :w00t:

Did you shoot it??

Swift135 · 07-04-2008, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuzu

There was a fantastic documentary on during the week on Discovery (Foxtel) called..
"The BMW Super Factory"
I dont know if any one here saw the show but it was unreal..

It took you stage by stage in the production of a Z4 in the factory in Germany.

I was hoping it would be back on again but havent ssen it..

It's on again on National Geographic channel this Saturday at 3pm and Wednesday at 1pm. The factory is in Spartanburg, North Carolina, USA.

Zuzu · 07-04-2008, 02:34 AM

Thanks Swift..

AussieRacer · 07-04-2008, 02:39 AM

Just started download.... :smile:

cozza · 07-04-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieRacer

Just started download.... :smile:

Where from? Link please :smile:

amk2912 · 07-04-2008, 03:18 AM

Downloading............2 hr30 to go!

dodgey · 07-04-2008, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Did you shoot it??

Wish I did, but I don't have my cameras or my guns anymore...

but I sure do miss it

Hey Cozza, the bt link is further up...

cozza · 07-04-2008, 04:58 AM

Cool, thanks. Downloading it now.

07-03-2008, 07:59 PM	#1
Wraith Captain 13 Rep 814 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	Where is the 1 series made ?? I'm a member of several other car type forums as some of you know and the topic of other car types usually comes up on those boards for discussion, as is usually the case... Anyways, there are quite a few Beemer enthusiasts on the Opel Australia forum and the topic of BMW manufacturer/production came up a while ago... It seems that BMW are using manufacturing plants in Sth. Africa to produce alot of their range these days, does anyone know if this is the case the the 1er series also ?? Do you think or does anyone know if this impacts on quality, compared to if they were being produced/assembled in Germany ?? Thoughts/discussion...
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07-03-2008, 08:02 PM	#2
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	The coupe/cabrio are made solely at the Leipzig Germany plant. The 3 and 5 door versions are made in a few locations though.
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07-03-2008, 08:10 PM	#3
AussieRacer Major 24 Rep 1,058 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Aust iTrader: (0)	When I went to an Audi dealer recently, they were crapping on about how BMWs are made in South Africa and Audis are made in Germany. For the record my 120i was made in Germany and I don't believe the 1 series is made anywhere else. 3 series, 5 series, Z4, and X cars are a different story. I stand to be corrected though. __________________ Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2008, 08:13 PM	#4
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	Some of the 3 series, like the 318i and the 320i coupes and sedans are made in South Africa..
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07-03-2008, 08:15 PM	#5
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	True, the hatches are also made at Regensburg.
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07-03-2008, 08:16 PM	#6
qship Disillusioned bourgeois capitalist pig! 21 Rep 488 Posts Drives: Blue Join Date: May 2008 Location: Malbin, Ozstralia iTrader: (0)	Plug your VIN number into one of the VIN number ID engines on this forum and it will tell you where it was built. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3583 __________________ You can lead a fool to knowledge but you cannot make him think!
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07-03-2008, 08:28 PM	#7
Wraith Captain 13 Rep 814 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	Awesome guys, that's good to know - thanks for the info :smile: I do here/read that some BMW models are even made in China, but those are exclusively for the local market and not exported at all... I wonder why :biggrin:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2008, 08:47 PM	#8
AussieRacer Major 24 Rep 1,058 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Aust iTrader: (0)	Wraith, it has nothing to do with the quality. Just saving money on import taxes. I have faith BMW maintains the same basic quality controls at any of its plants. There will always be differences, but minor. __________________ Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-03-2008, 08:58 PM	#9
aedeau Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 244 Posts Drives: VE Clubsport R8 LS3 6.2Ltr Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	Just decoded my vin... somebody is bored at work WBA - BMW AG München UD92 - 120d, Sports Hatch, N47 0 - Airbags 0 - Check digit 0 - Europe, no year code required P - Regensburg Z95570 WMW - BMW AG Werk Oxford (Mini) MF72 - 6-MT, L4/1598, MF72, N14B16 0 - Airbags X - Check digit 0 - Europe, no year code required T - Oxford T32142
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2008, 01:34 AM	#11
cozza ///Mthusiast 136 Rep 1,751 Posts Drives: M135i (March delivery) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	I actually emailed the Liepzig plant a while back (late at night, drunk), asking about production times and they replied! Dear Mr. W, thank you for your e-mail in which you require more information about the production process of your new BMW 125i. The total amount of time to build a car in our factory takes more than 30 hours. First the basic frame work is being built (about 10 hours). After that the car body passes through the paint shop, where it is given four coats of paint (about 17 hours). Finally the painted body comes to the assembly line where it is customised to suit the client’s preferences (up to 12 hours). In the BMW production process the cars are assigned to the customer at a very late time – at the beginning of assembly – when the vehicle identification is being engraved. From now on the car belongs to the customer and is assembled exactly according to his or her instructions. Until this moment the car body is a kind of a supply part. In other words: We produce a certain amount of car bodies in different colours and have them ready for assembly in a high rise storage. When it comes to the assembly of “Mr. W’s car” we take the “still nameless” painted body shell out of the storage und fit them with all the interior details that you have ordered. That is also the reason why people are right when they say it takes about one day to create your special car. But it is also right to say that it takes some more time to build a whole car from the beginning to the end. I hope this is the answer to your question. I wish you all the best for you and your new car. Have fun riding it. Best regards Manja Ihle --------- BMW Werk Leipzig Manja Ihle Presse-, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Mitarbeiterkommunikation BMW Allee 1 04349 Leipzig Telefon: + 49 341 445-38005 Mobil: +49 176 607-38005 Fax: +49 341 445-39888 mailto:Manja.Ihle@bmw.de http://www.bmw-werk-leipzig.de __________________ ///M135i: AUTO \| ALPINE WHITE \| CORAL RED LEATHER \| HEATED SEATS \| SUNROOF \| NAV \| DAB TUNER \| HARMAN KARDON \| PERFORMANCE BITS 'N' PIECES
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07-04-2008, 01:41 AM	#12
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	There was a fantastic documentary on during the week on Discovery (Foxtel) called.. "The BMW Super Factory" I dont know if any one here saw the show but it was unreal.. It took you stage by stage in the production of a Z4 in the factory in Germany. I was hoping it would be back on again but havent ssen it..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2008, 02:34 AM	#17
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	Thanks Swift..
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07-04-2008, 02:39 AM	#18
AussieRacer Major 24 Rep 1,058 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Aust iTrader: (0)	Just started download.... :smile: __________________ Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
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07-04-2008, 03:18 AM	#20
amk2912 Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,663 Posts Drives: '10 X5 40d & '12 F10 520d Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Downloading............2 hr30 to go!
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07-04-2008, 04:58 AM	#22
cozza ///Mthusiast 136 Rep 1,751 Posts Drives: M135i (March delivery) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Cool, thanks. Downloading it now.
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