BMW is going cheap!

MotorenWerkeN52 · 12-13-2011, 12:25 PM

Just venting here but I hate how BMW is using cheaper plastic parts in their cars. I was working under the hood last night in my garage and once I finished I went to put back a few clamps, which were holding hoses, that broke. Not that it is a big deal, they only cost about 1.50 each but its such a pain to get these small parts. Cant imagine how these parts will hold up in the long run, surely wont be as reliable as the E36.

Juiced1M · 12-13-2011, 12:54 PM

Cheap where I dont notice much "plastic"

DnA Diesel · 12-13-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydermirza12

Just venting here but I hate how BMW is using cheaper plastic parts in their cars. I was working under the hood last night in my garage and once I finished I went to put back a few clamps that were holding hoses that broke. Not that it is a big deal, they only cost about 1.50 each but its such a pain to get these small parts. Cant imagine how these parts will hold up in the long run, surely wont be as reliable as the E36.

Are you perhaps over-romanticizing your older car?

I ask because the only plastic parts I've had break on my BMWs were on my E34 (aux heater pump inlet, the expansion tank, radiator inlet - note: cooling system theme)...so it's not like BMW just started using plastic recently.

Regards
D.

fdriller9 · 12-13-2011, 01:18 PM

Well I know it's common for many companies, and this isn't limited to just the auto industry, to have one-time use fasteners, nuts, bolts, etc.

This isn't so true for the plastic parts you mentioned but for nuts and bolts, tightening them causes them to elongate permanently. This is how bolts work. They stretch to put compression on the two parts they are joining. There is tension on the bolt. Every time to tighten that bolt or nut, it stretches and weakens. Even if you just apply a pre-load to the fastener, it gets weakened.

Whereas on the other hand, plastic doesn't stretch. It just breaks. So if it breaks, it obviously need repalcement. With a metal screw, it can be reused but that doesn't mean it's safe to.

But anyway, they should still perform just like a traditional metal clip or whatever.

Sorry for the dry and technical post. I'm studying for a machine design final and one of the topics are screws and fasteners lol.

335BBS · 12-13-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydermirza12

Just venting here but I hate how BMW is using cheaper plastic parts in their cars. I was working under the hood last night in my garage and once I finished I went to put back a few clamps that were holding hoses that broke. Not that it is a big deal, they only cost about 1.50 each but its such a pain to get these small parts. Cant imagine how these parts will hold up in the long run, surely wont be as reliable as the E36.

...Not to mention the broken hoses in your 2011 328...

pimp4cheddar · 12-13-2011, 01:22 PM

The interior is also very cheap...driver door handle, driver window control, cup holders...

All of those plastic parts peel with enough use... I had the dealership replace my steering wheel center as the plastic was starting to peel around the volume controls and also replace my door handle & window control.

Not a fan of the cheap rubberized plastic...

obert · 12-13-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar

The interior is also very cheap...driver door handle, driver window control, cup holders...

All of those plastic parts peel with enough use...

fdriller9 · 12-13-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar

The interior is also very cheap...driver door handle, driver window control, cup holders...

All of those plastic parts peel with enough use... I had the dealership replace my steering wheel center as the plastic was starting to peel around the volume controls and also replace my door handle & window control.

Not a fan of the cheap rubberized plastic...

Yea that does suck. I have that issue in alot of places in my car

I thought they switched over though, to parts with the color mixed into the plastic?

MotorenWerkeN52 · 12-13-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaker

...Not to mention the broken hoses in your 2011 328...

Fixed for you

MotorenWerkeN52 · 12-13-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DnA Diesel

Are you perhaps over-romanticizing your older car?

I ask because the only plastic parts I've had break on my BMWs were on my E34 (aux heater pump inlet, the expansion tank, radiator inlet - note: cooling system theme)...so it's not like BMW just started using plastic recently.

Regards
D.

I have never had an E36, I am just comparing the plastic clip in my car to the ones in my friends E36. We were just working on his car the other day and all the plastic clamps/clips seems to be thicker and made better.

335BBS · 12-13-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydermirza12

Fixed for you

Thats different then. Time for all of you guys to buy Japanese....Or Audi.

MotorenWerkeN52 · 12-13-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

Well I know it's common for many companies, and this isn't limited to just the auto industry, to have one-time use fasteners, nuts, bolts, etc.

This isn't so true for the plastic parts you mentioned but for nuts and bolts, tightening them causes them to elongate permanently. This is how bolts work. They stretch to put compression on the two parts they are joining. There is tension on the bolt. Every time to tighten that bolt or nut, it stretches and weakens. Even if you just apply a pre-load to the fastener, it gets weakened.

Whereas on the other hand, plastic doesn't stretch. It just breaks. So if it breaks, it obviously need repalcement. With a metal screw, it can be reused but that doesn't mean it's safe to.

But anyway, they should still perform just like a traditional metal clip or whatever.

Sorry for the dry and technical post. I'm studying for a machine design final and one of the topics are screws and fasteners lol.

Thanks for the input, I'm always willing to learn... Interesting stuff.

Majikthese42 · 12-13-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

I thought they switched over though, to parts with the color mixed into the plastic?

European manufacturers tend to coat interior plastics to make them look good or feel pleasing to the touch.

Volvo uses a "tactile" paint on it's switches that begins to turn into a gooey mess once the car is out of warranty. I've needed to replace every window switch on my '98.

The Japanese manufacturers seem to know better.

MotorenWerkeN52 · 12-13-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaker

Thats different then. Time for all of you guys to buy Japanese....Or Audi.

lol... I love BMW too much to buy Japanese... Don't think I am ever going to switch over.

12-13-2011, 12:25 PM	#1
MotorenWerkeN52 Second Lieutenant 157 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i (Phytonic Blue) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Stamford, CT iTrader: (1)	BMW is going cheap! Just venting here but I hate how BMW is using cheaper plastic parts in their cars. I was working under the hood last night in my garage and once I finished I went to put back a few clamps, which were holding hoses, that broke. Not that it is a big deal, they only cost about 1.50 each but its such a pain to get these small parts. Cant imagine how these parts will hold up in the long run, surely wont be as reliable as the E36. Last edited by MotorenWerkeN52; 12-13-2011 at 01:32 PM..
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12-13-2011, 12:54 PM	#2
Juiced1M Banned 47 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: East Coast iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [0.00]	Cheap where I dont notice much "plastic"
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12-13-2011, 01:18 PM	#4
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Well I know it's common for many companies, and this isn't limited to just the auto industry, to have one-time use fasteners, nuts, bolts, etc. This isn't so true for the plastic parts you mentioned but for nuts and bolts, tightening them causes them to elongate permanently. This is how bolts work. They stretch to put compression on the two parts they are joining. There is tension on the bolt. Every time to tighten that bolt or nut, it stretches and weakens. Even if you just apply a pre-load to the fastener, it gets weakened. Whereas on the other hand, plastic doesn't stretch. It just breaks. So if it breaks, it obviously need repalcement. With a metal screw, it can be reused but that doesn't mean it's safe to. But anyway, they should still perform just like a traditional metal clip or whatever. Sorry for the dry and technical post. I'm studying for a machine design final and one of the topics are screws and fasteners lol.
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12-13-2011, 01:22 PM	#6
pimp4cheddar El Capitán 521 Rep 2,652 Posts Drives: BSM X3M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (25)	The interior is also very cheap...driver door handle, driver window control, cup holders... All of those plastic parts peel with enough use... I had the dealership replace my steering wheel center as the plastic was starting to peel around the volume controls and also replace my door handle & window control. Not a fan of the cheap rubberized plastic...
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