Jap built e36's vs Germany built

[dreamkast 5]

Could someone give us a breakdown of all the differences that matter between the 2. The only 1 I know if that I have came across e36's jap built that were belt driven but not with the Germany ones.

[thorburn 121]

all m50/m52's are chain driven. doesn't matter where they came from

you normally don't get any evidence of service history from a jap import

and you get a jap plate holder

[lidistick 70]

They are all built in Germany.

[antil33t 90]

The 318i M40 SOHC is still belt drive I think?

[dreamkast 5]

Ahh ok I just thought when carjam says japan as the first place of origin that it meant it was made there, as even with my NZ new 323 it said the place of origin was Germany

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2132]

The 318i M40 SOHC is still belt drive I think?

yep

Ahh ok I just thought when carjam says japan as the first place of origin that it meant it was made there, as even with my NZ new 323 it said the place of origin was Germany

mines a jap import and place of origin is germany. Through no fault of thier own, CarJam isnt 100% accurate on finer details like that, because it all depends on what the importer writes on the paperwork

[1rotty 40]

They are all built in Germany.

Really?,

I understood that at least some assembly was done in Japan (local content quotas etc) hence differences like the jatco etc.

[dreamkast 5]

yep

mines a jap import and place of origin is germany. Through no fault of thier own, CarJam isnt 100% accurate on finer details like that, because it all depends on what the importer writes on the paperwork

Ok so I really shouldnt pay attention to the origin of the car as if it says Japan it really doesnt mean it was made in Japan.

[hotwire 352]

Really?,

I understood that at least some assembly was done in Japan (local content quotas etc) hence differences like the jatco etc.

My understanding - built in Germany (or SA) but Jap market assembled with required Jap content.

[greenday-rulz21 6]

You guys are correct. Jap E36's are partially assembled with Japanese content.

Why do you think only Jap imports have the Jatco trans?

[deeveus 81]

I thought they were all Germany & SA?

Recently found out that my X5 was made in EDIT: South Carolina, USA.

Edited May 30, 2010 by Clinton

[bimmer boy 21]

They make BMW's everywhere, the built X3's in Mexico I also belive they build X5's there now too....

But as said all BMWs sold new in Japan have to be built using a certain amount of Japanese parts or they cant be sold in Japan and since Japan is such a huge consumer of course BMW AG will supply partially built BMWs where the car is finished off in Japan.

Usually small things like speedos and steering wheels, wheels etc are japanese built. From memory I think it is 30% of the car needs to have Japanese parts.

In the case of the E36 the biggest part being the infamous Jatco box among a few other smaller things..

[hotwire 352]

I thought they were all Germany & SA?

Recently found out that my X5 was made in California!

I was meaning E30/36 etc

Yep to yours - X5 is a yank variant as are a few others. They are built in USA.

To my knowledge - BMW building in China too - for their market I would gather (& hope!)

[deeveus 81]

From memory I think it is 30% of the car needs to have Japanese parts.

I gather this is just to protect it's own industry I suppose.

Yeah sorry, I did mean E36 in being built in SA & Deutschland.

[5amchris 45]

Could someone give us a breakdown of all the differences that matter between the 2. The only 1 I know if that I have came across e36's jap built that were belt driven but not with the Germany ones.

Quote From jochen on this thread.

http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....showtopic=18567

Most BMWs are assembled in Germany. Even the ex-Japan BMWs are assembled in Germany. All the E39s I ever saw were. Some vehicles (Z4, X5) are made in the USA.

JPN on the speedo simply means that the instrument cluster is the Japanese-version cluster (different instrument cluster to Euro and USA cars, has different functions)

The VIN reveals what manufacturing facility the vehicle was built at, the following is part of the VIN standard:

VIN Character 1 - Manufacturing Country Codes

1 or 4 USA

2 Canada

3 Mexico

J Japan

K Korea

S England

W Germany

Z Italy

So check your VIN.

Starts with a J = made in Japan

Starts with a W = made in Germany

Most BMWs start with WBA = Germany, BMW, Plant A.

[dreamkast 5]

Wow info central, cheers guys. I guess ill ask the car owners of the bmws that say place of origin :japan for the VIN. Would you guys say it really matters? Theres something about a German made BMW that sits with me better (completely based on nothing, but would be keen to learn if either has benefits)

[dirtydoogle 383]

The only reason to search for a Non-jap spec model is if you are scared of the Jatco box.

[dreamkast 5]

Yep that was the next question I was gona ask. How do they way up to the normal ones, and would it cause issues if needed to be fixed.

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2132]

not sure if BMW is included, but sometimes cars made for the JDM are built using lesser quality parts, as cars are removed from japanese roads once they hit 8 years old iirc, and therefore the cars are usually built to have a usefull life of 8 years, as opposed to 20+ elsewhere in the world.

[dirtydoogle 383]

Yep that was the next question I was gona ask. How do they way up to the normal ones, and would it cause issues if needed to be fixed.

Jatco box's tend to develop the famed Jatco jerk and flaring between gears. I have never experienced the flaring in any e36 I have driven with the exception of a high km thrashed 328i.

The ZF boxes are supposedly far tougher and smoother. The stories of repair costs vary alot, so it might pay to ask some specialists

[Guest Ari Gold]

I'd love to know where you all think the Japanese BMW factory is.

[dreamkast 5]

Jatco box's tend to develop the famed Jatco jerk and flaring between gears. I have never experienced the flaring in any e36 I have driven with the exception of a high km thrashed 328i.

The ZF boxes are supposedly far tougher and smoother. The stories of repair costs vary alot, so it might pay to ask some specialists

That 328 i took for a drive on saturday im pretty sure that was german built one, and the flaring between the 1st and 2nd gear was horrendous, think ima stay away from the jatcos if they are even more likely to get this problem

[dirtydoogle 383]

I'd love to know where you all think the Japanese BMW factory is.

I would love to know too

That 328 i took for a drive on saturday im pretty sure that was german built one, and the flaring between the 1st and 2nd gear was horrendous, think ima stay away from the jatcos if they are even more likely to get this problem

I haven't heard of a ZF box doing that. But, I suspect it is possible.

[lidistick 70]

Poor maintenance will do that to any gearbox. The Jatco box on my 328i was smoooth as a baby's backside. Pick one with the options you want and in good mechanical condition with a FSH. Get it professionally checked by Glenn. Flush gearbox with new fluids, service car and enjoy it.

[Top Secret 2]

not sure if BMW is included, but sometimes cars made for the JDM are built using lesser quality parts, as cars are removed from japanese roads once they hit 8 years old iirc, and therefore the cars are usually built to have a usefull life of 8 years, as opposed to 20+ elsewhere in the world.

Wait, what? Can you get a source for any of that?