South African Fanatics are getting a bad deal from BMW SA

[Jerez]

When the first E30 M3 was launched,they gave us th 333i and as the e30 M3 developed into better cars we got the Is - not the same - when the E36 GT (Green only) was released in the EU,they gave us that Blue E36 M3 which everyone said was a special Germany edition.When a 1.8 version of the Z3 was released in the EU,only the elite in SA could have one cos it only came out in an ///M config.We always got and get screwed by BMW SA even though these cars are assembled in SA and shipped out - Whats the deal with that?

 

[Twinz]

The best SA agricultural products are exported...we get the leftovers. Its cheaper to buy diamonds abroad than here at home. There is something inherently wrong with our international economic relations. And this is not just a Government problem.

...Business would always regard the market that offers the most value - first. The fact that we dont get the phenominal 335d is not really about our fuel/diesel quality...the market predetermined this. Price points, value for money, bulk sales are determined by the market & not necessarily by the manufacturer.

 

[akash]

As far as i know only the 3 series is built in SA. All ///M cars and 135i are built in Germany and all X models are built in the USA.

 

[Jerez]

@Twinz - so why not offer the Z3 (first versions) in the 1.8 version to a population who would benefit from such a car all year round than offer it to the UK who would only be able to put the top down 4 weeks in a year.If flagship models are offered in abundance then other models in the range should be too.Someone somewhere has defined a line between the haves and the have nots.

 

[kabal]

@Twinz - so why not offer the Z3 (first versions) in the 1.8 version to a population who would benefit from such a car all year round than offer it to the UK who would only be able to put the top down 4 weeks in a year.If flagship models are offered in abundance then other models in the range should be too.Someone somewhere has defined a line between the haves and the have nots.

convertibles sell like hot cakes in UK. UKians also have a lot more money. People in south africa, who buy cars like the Z3, usually go for higher end models. if 2.8's are gonna outsell 1.8's 10:1, there is really no point in bringing in the 1.8's, IMO

 

[Legacy]

As far as i know only the 3 series is built in SA. All ///M cars and 135i are built in Germany and all X models are built in the USA.

Source of this information?

 

[symmat001]

When the first E30 M3 was launched,they gave us th 333i and as the e30 M3 developed into better cars we got the Is - not the same - when the E36 GT (Green only) was released in the EU,they gave us that Blue E36 M3 which everyone said was a special Germany edition.When a 1.8 version of the Z3 was released in the EU,only the elite in SA could have one cos it only came out in an ///M config.We always got and get screwed by BMW SA even though these cars are assembled in SA and shipped out - Whats the deal with that?

I do get this and see what you're saying when it comes to newer models, but the early models like the e30 m3's etc, and e28's were because of RHD and im sure i've read Apartheid and the resulting import restrictions or / exports from Germany before but could be totally wrong.

However what it did create are some of the most rare, most charactable and internationally collectable BMW's ever. If only South Africans had such an esteemed collecting culture as those in europe we would see a lot more of these examples.

The BMW 530 MLE (The first production M car in the world)
The 333i
The 325is
The Bmw e12/8 ( We were the only country to carry on production of the e12 when the e28 came out and produced the e12 with e28 parts like the dashboard etc)
The Bmw e28 m5 ( Only +- 90 of them, in a special spec with Nappa leather with a completely different interior than EU/US spec, and full options + body kit) There are at least 3 overseas and are probably one of the most desirable e28 m5's in the world.

We are also a lot luckier than most Countries when it comes to BM's USA got shafted, they have never had the 1 series hatch, and their e36 m3 Had a severely underpowered engine compared to ours

But on my list of some I wish we got were
e30 Touring
e36 Touring
e30 M3
e34 M5 3.8
e60 m5 (Manual) USA got this

 

[akash]

As far as i know only the 3 series is built in SA. All ///M cars and 135i are built in Germany and all X models are built in the USA.

Source of this information?

National Geographic (MegaFactories making the X3), BMW Club motors Randburg and BMW Bruma

 

[P1000]

Z's are also only manufactured in the USA

 

[Rayzor]

Isnt the cars abroad cheaper than SA?

 

[akash]

@Twinz - so why not offer the Z3 (first versions) in the 1.8 version to a population who would benefit from such a car all year round than offer it to the UK who would only be able to put the top down 4 weeks in a year.If flagship models are offered in abundance then other models in the range should be too.Someone somewhere has defined a line between the haves and the have nots.

convertibles sell like hot cakes in UK. UKians also have a lot more money. People in south africa, who buy cars like the Z3, usually go for higher end models. if 2.8's are gonna outsell 1.8's 10:1, there is really no point in bringing in the 1.8's, IMO

I agree, the Z3 was something unique that BMW had created at that time in terms of a two seater convertible, in SA BMW is known for their inline 6 motors and that would appeal to the SA market at that decade.

I was just a kid but i remember when the Z3 was released, every other remote control car, poster, stickers, lucky packet etc was in some way BMW Z3 related.

 

[Twinz]

Very interesting debate guys...sucks i only have iphone access to the net till wednesday next week, wiuld have loved to type more "intelligently"...hehe

I agree with Kabals thinking because that is how auto manufacturers have segmented the market. There is a very clever capital driven modus operandus behind what models are sold to whom and at what price. Staying glued to this thread even if i cant log in every hour...:thumbs:

 

[Jerez]

Yes cars in the UK are miles cheaper than that in SA - My 07 e92 M3 with 40k kms cost £26k, but by UK standards that not like spending R350k.E36 M e46 Ms can be picked up from as little as £4k but youd be lucky to find a cheap e30 M - £20k at least for a clean one.Cars here are not hammered - usually FSH on all performance models and perhaps the climate has an effect on general ware and tare.Also,there arent long Karoo type roads to make M models ending up sounding like a bag of spanners after a few years.Guys in SA are world leaders in th traffic light GP,and theres none of that sort of misbehaving here - Track days is where the magic takes place

 

[akash]

Did you guys know that there were 316i E90's being made.

I saw one while my wife and i were on Holiday on Mauritius in 2006

 

[Philip Foglar]

Not sure why one would want a Z3 with a 1.8i four pot instead of the magnificent 2.8i six!

But yes, we do tend to get the left overs or the less exciting things in most cases! In the motor industry this is often very evident, not to mention the fact that indeed, our car prices are very very high compared to other countries if you consider typical average income and expenses etc. However, there are certain things that we do pay considerably less for compared to other countries.

And yes, convertibles sell like hot cakes in the UK!!! Still remember an old Jeremy Clarkson program about old British cars that started the whole convertible sportscar industry - was hilarious with him driving in miserable rain soaking wet weather with the top down!

 

[ed_z]

I wonder how many people realise we also make a 3 series 4wd/ all wheel drive here in SA and gets shipped to the States etc

My E92 M3 dct comes in all wheel drive, i drove in one in Atlanta.:idea:

 

[Philip Foglar]

I wonder how many people realise we also make a 3 series 4wd/ all wheel drive here in SA and gets shipped to the States etc

My E92 M3 dct comes in all wheel drive, i drove in one in Atlanta.:idea:

This is quite well known actually...

But the ix models are not to compete with the Quattros but for regions with really bad weather conditions, snow etc - at least that's my understanding.

 

[Jerez]

As an ex SA boy,I know that there car markets got the consumers by the B...ls,I dont know of any other well developed country who would manufacture and recycle and recyle the mk1 golf but SA.My daily runner is a 1.3 astra deisel -5 airbags and abs,and CD PLAYER.This is a 5 yr old car.So lets leave alone the 1.8 Z3 and focus on some of the basics in car safety .In fact ,come 2014,DSC or its equivalent in other models will become compulsory in all cars.Consumers need to put their foot down and not just except this screwing from the car trade.

 

[akash]

The E30 M3 is a great car sad it never came to SA for what ever reason.

BUT......

In true South African "WE'LL SHOW YOU" fashion we created the E30 235is, 327is and 333i not to mention the Opel Supa Boss, Monza CD 16V, Opel 200TS, Ford Cortina Interceptor etc (not sure about the last car being a SA creation :fencelook

But anyway that just makes me feel proudly South African, sure we never got some really great cars here in SA but who cares really with the machines we did have available.

Just my thoughts:thumbs:

---

I wonder how many people realise we also make a 3 series 4wd/ all wheel drive here in SA and gets shipped to the States etc

My E92 M3 dct comes in all wheel drive, i drove in one in Atlanta.:idea:

I do, i saw 8 trailers taking down brand new F30 328i's on may way down to Durban. it was last year.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Yep, we had the 333i which was epic, and still is (the few that still exist in standard guise)!! :thumbs: