What is BMW planning?

[MileHigh]

Aren't cars becoming like washing machines?

People look at the specifications, the badge and the price.

Nobody really knows where their washing was made, who actually made it or noticed that it is identical to several others.

With Mercedes working with BMW and Ford working with GM I suspect I am right.

Worse than that, they are becoming parts cars with components made by common companies. Very little differentiation out there, even when different component makers are used. Everything seems to have 500cc cylinders, either 4 or 6 of them.

Hopefully, the X5 chassis is just a misdirection, or a not to the drivetrain… just a hope. If Ineos has done the engineering, and has the plant to make it, why not. Tarriffs aren’t forever. I’ve said that the long-term viability of the Grenny is probably with BMW. My guess is that Sir Jim runs it as long as he can, and when it needs to be redone- he sells it off. Getting service on currents IGs at BMW would be great- it’s not like it is going to be cheaper at IG dealers (or close) and if they go tits-up, 3rd party service will make BMW service look like a deal. I’m not saying I want this to happen, just that the realities of the car market make a boutique car maker that stands alone a real hard path.

We’ll still have our OG IGs.

 

[Tazzieman]

I think this is a fair observation

 

[CRH]

@CRH what problems are the Volvos having? Which models, or all?
Wife's XC40 has been reliable and brilliant 3 years into ownership.
2 tyres the only expense. Blame low profile tyres and a single pothole for that.

It was something I read last year about reliability and it mentioned Volvo to be pretty poor now after the warranty is finished in comparison to other vehicles/their image. If i own a vehicle or in the Grenadiers case, I accept it have made the purchase and what happens will happen. Unlike the Grenadier which was a completely new product, with modern vehicles you will be unlucky if it happens to you. Although, in the case of electric vehicles, which we are told are simple and easy to maintain, all 3 people i know who have owned them have had far more issues than any normal vehicle, with some being off the road for days. I was even locked in one with the driver for 5 mins after it locked itself after turning off. 1 person has said they won't have one again, another is a company vehicle so it's no government tax and the other is a government tax avoidance through a rental system, which i think is bonkers.
Unless you have problems, keep the vehicle, it may never be yours that has issues. Think of it like an Ineos HVAC

 

[Tazzieman]

It was something I read last year about reliability and it mentioned Volvo to be pretty poor now after the warranty is finished in comparison to other vehicles/their image. If i own a vehicle or in the Grenadiers case, I accept it have made the purchase and what happens will happen. Unlike the Grenadier which was a completely new product, with modern vehicles you will be unlucky if it happens to you. Although, in the case of electric vehicles, which we are told are simple and easy to maintain, all 3 people i know who have owned them have had far more issues than any normal vehicle, with some being off the road for days. I was even locked in one with the driver for 5 mins after it locked itself after turning off. 1 person has said they won't have one again, another is a company vehicle so it's no government tax and the other is a government tax avoidance through a rental system, which i think is bonkers.
Unless you have problems, keep the vehicle, it may never be yours that has issues. Think of it like an Ineos HVAC

My wife and I could be the only couple on planet earth with a trouble free Volvo XC40 AND Ineos Grenadier!

 

[Max]

Residuals are shocking on those. A 3 or 4 year old with average miles can be had for £20k or even less.

Well if that is the case another few years after that and our "White Goods on Wheels" will be on the scrap heap

 

[Jeremy996]

My wife and I could be the only couple on planet earth with a trouble free Volvo XC40 AND Ineos Grenadier!

Shhushh!, they'll hear!

 

[Eric]

My wife and I could be the only couple on planet earth with a trouble free Volvo XC40 AND Ineos Grenadier!

You are going to regret saying that

 

[Tazzieman]

You are going to regret saying that

Nah!

 

[landmannnn]

My wife and I could be the only couple on planet earth with a trouble free Volvo XC40 AND Ineos Grenadier!

The only real issues/complaints with the newer Volvos is the Android Automotive software implementation.


Buggy software from Volvo range from random power steering errors to odd HVAC behaviour to keys not working occasionally.

That might sound a bit familiar. I wonder why.

 

[CRH]

The only real issues/complaints with the newer Volvos is the Android Automotive software implementation.


Buggy software from Volvo range from random power steering errors to odd HVAC behaviour to keys not working occasionally.

That might sound a bit familiar. I wonder why.

Sounds like all modern stuff is a bit iffy

 

[Tazzieman]

Sounds like all modern stuff is a bit iffy

They won't be still running 60 years later ,I'll bet. Unlike this little beauty on the Island of Hvar, Croatia today!

 

[Zimm]

Done some work on fixed gensets over the years, never really saw failed generators, the engines always got high hours and wore out before the generator. Soon as alternators and motors were used in something mobile like an electric drive truck the component life would be considerably less. Something about bouncing around and large fluctuations in rpm and load must take its toll on the rotors/armatures when compared to fixed rpm constant load gen sets.

An electric motor doesn't see any more NVH than an Ice motor from the chassis and produces less itself. There's nothing reciprocating. Heat is what kills electric motors, and automotive engineers design to a lifespan and reduce mass to suit. An electric motor doesn't have Tesla motors are lasting way longer then predicted. It's a minor engineering problem. All a manufacturer needs to do is decide to spend 350 on the motor instead of 250 and lose a little efficiency and what you'll buy will long outlast anything else in the car.

Oh, outside of all the r&d, these little powerhouse motors are relatively cheap compared an Ice motor.

To me, when it comes to transportation, especially 4x4 transportation, I really don't care wtf produces the tq that moves it. The chassis and coach are maters. They are what carry what I want to carry and roll over what I want to roll over. I like standards when available, but even then, the only time I really notice the drive train, is when it INST doing what its supposed to do.