[John_01]

I have heard that new e90 sedans with six-cylinder engines for the Australian market will now be made in Germany. The four cylinder models would still be made in South Africa. True or False?


UPDATE 30 APRIL 2009:
When I asked for written confirmation from the Dealer, they checked with BMW Germany and found the answer is FALSE.

BMW e90 Sedans with 4 and 6 cylinder engines for the Australian market are made in South Africa. The M3 sedan is 8 cylinder. It is made in Germany. e91 Touring and e93 convertibles are also made in Germany. There are some exceptions, eg. e90 sedan with 4 cylinder diesel made in Germany. Best to get written confirmation from your dealer if it is important to you.

See Post #25 on Page 2 about how to determine where your vehicle is made.

[VGR00]

I think all 6cyl have only been made in Germany and that was the E36 - E46 to current E90

[TwoTriBeZ]

hmmm that is weird, dealer said all 3 series sedans are made in South Africa except the M series

[John_01]

Originally Posted by TwoTriBeZ

hmmm that is weird, dealer said all 3 series sedans are made in South Africa except the M series

When did you hear this? because I think it may have changed recently (in 2009).

[chappy]

My 335 coupe is made in germany which i bought in december i think its only the 4cyl are made in south africa.

[VGR00]

Originally Posted by chappy

My 335 coupe is made in germany which i bought in december i think its only the 4cyl are made in south africa.

Correct.... always has been the case

[wrbell]

My 2009 E90 325i was built in South Africa. Dispatched from Durban 19/2/09, took delivery today!!!

[deonsand]

mine is in line six ,made in Germany

[samchuang33]

I was told that all coupes E92 are made in Germany and all sedans E90 are made in South Africa. That what the sales told me when I order mine.

John 01, just wondering where did you get the information from?

[John_01]

I was told by my BMW dealer while I was going over the specs for the new car (Not ordered yet). I had read before that all sedans were made in South Africa, but I was told the six-cylinder sedans are now made in Germany and that it was reported in the motoring section of the sydney morning herald about a month ago. I have seached everywhere and I can't find any information about it.

As far as I know, 3 series e92 coupes have always come from Germany.

[John_01]

Originally Posted by wrbell

My 2009 E90 325i was built in South Africa. Dispatched from Durban 19/2/09, took delivery today!!!

Is there some reason why you couldn't get one that was in stock?
In my case I have to order because I want a manual transmission.

When you paid the deposit, did the paperwork specify the country of origin?
Otherwise how do you know where it is made?

[wrbell]

I couldn't get one in stock or at another dealer because of the options and colour(s) that I wanted. E90 325i, Bluewater Metallic, Saddle, Burr Walnut, Sports Pack, Innovations Pack, Front PDC, Step, Steering wheel paddles, sunroof.

The order form does not specify country of origin, but I knew (or thought I did), because my previous 2005 E90 325i had come from South Africa. When the car enters production, your dealer can give you the VIN, and it will tell you where the car is being assembled and you can track from the port of origin to Oz.

Don't stress too much, they tell me that the SA facility equals or betters the German ones in quality.

[ToanP]

My Feb build March compliance E90 323i came from Durban.

I was told that after April 09, the Innov pack doesnt' have adaptive headlights anymore plus some other features missing; hence the run out sale till 31 March, even for MY09 models.

Maybe after April 09, they're being built in Germany and not SA thus cutting back on features to maintain price. That's just my 2c.

[bcoz]

I googled and found this Drive (SMH) article on the states of origin of vehicles sold in Australia. It is from May 2005, and although it may be out of date, it is useful, particularly the bit about the VIN codes...

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...3&vf=1&IsPgd=0

Some extracts:

Where do I come from?
City and country of origin

BMW 1 Series, 3 Series coupe, convertible, station wagon, Munich, Germany; 3 Series sedan, Pretoria, South Africa; 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series, Dingolfing, Germany; X3, Graz, Austria; X5 and Z4, Spartanburg, US.

Crack the code
Need your vehicle's state of origin?

The first two digits of your vehicle's 17-character Vehicle Identification Number code may be the only clue where it was assembled. Here are the VIN codes for vehicles on sale in Australia.

VA through VE - Austria

SN through ST - Germany
WA through WO - Germany

AA through AH - South Africa

1A through 1O - United States
4A through 4O - United States
5A through 5O - United States
.....
Details correct at publication.

[VGR00]

The first two letters on my vin is WB which following the above codes means that my car came from Germany. I was always told that all the half engined 3's came from SA. Either way, it dont matter because I have no doubt the quality standards are equal regardless of the manufacturing plant or country.

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by ToanP

My Feb build March compliance E90 323i came from Durban.

I was told that after April 09, the Innov pack doesnt' have adaptive headlights anymore plus some other features missing; hence the run out sale till 31 March, even for MY09 models.

Maybe after April 09, they're being built in Germany and not SA thus cutting back on features to maintain price. That's just my 2c.

Lets hope your right. My diesel is April production so might come from Germany then. I will check my VIN number as soon as I know.

[ToanP]

My VIN starts with WBAPG... and it was loaded on at Durban according to WWL Tracking. :s

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by ToanP

My VIN starts with WBAPG... and it was loaded on at Durban according to WWL Tracking. :s

I think my 2004 X5 has a vin number that starts with WB too and I am pretty sure that all X5 are assembled in US.

[kgb1637]

Some American 335's and 328's are made in South Africa, I'm unsure about the ones that go to other markets.

[BYZ]

...Interesting my 09 Feb Built LCI 335i M-Sport also begins with WB, country of origin Germany.

[ToanP]

Originally Posted by BYZ

...Interesting my 09 Feb Built LCI 335i M-Sport also begins with WB, country of origin Germany.

Hi BYZ,

How did you find out where yours was made? Was it via ship tracking or something better Maybe 335i are German made.

[BYZ]

Originally Posted by ToanP

Hi BYZ,

How did you find out where yours was made? Was it via ship tracking or something better Maybe 335i are German made.

G'day ToanP,

I should have placed a question mark at the end of the sentence to indicate if it was built in Germany, that said my previous E90 325' VIN began with A, county of origan South Africa.