M3 are built by hand?

[JZ69]

I think this answers the OP question.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by piloto

Built on the same line as the rest of the 3 series. Now, some people may think that's a bad thing, as hand-built sounds more exlusive, but as someone who works in manufacturing, I think it's a good thing.

Basically, with a moving assembly line, you have stationary workers and the product moves from one station to another, as each station adds value. The bottom line is that each work does the same set of tasks over and over and over again, constantly improving their process along the way. This in turn increases quality, productivity, while driving down cost.

The other adavantage is parts are standardized from one M3 to another. Nothing is filed, reamed, sanded to "make it fit," that so often happens on hand-built cars.

As it is, you have enough variability in the production process, hence why some cars haev had problems, whereas others haven't. Hand-building the car would only add more variability, which is what you should be eliminating in any production process.

Great points
(Unless we're talking about Detroit. All the crack and meth hangovers on monday morning??? I'd rather have a machine puting my stuff together!!)

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by piloto

Built on the same line as the rest of the 3 series. Now, some people may think that's a bad thing, as hand-built sounds more exlusive, but as someone who works in manufacturing, I think it's a good thing.

Basically, with a moving assembly line, you have stationary workers and the product moves from one station to another, as each station adds value. The bottom line is that each work does the same set of tasks over and over and over again, constantly improving their process along the way. This in turn increases quality, productivity, while driving down cost.

The other adavantage is parts are standardized from one M3 to another. Nothing is filed, reamed, sanded to "make it fit," that so often happens on hand-built cars.

As it is, you have enough variability in the production process, hence why some cars haev had problems, whereas others haven't. Hand-building the car would only add more variability, which is what you should be eliminating in any production process.

Have you viewed the CD info package that you should of received when you purchased your m3? I can't recall the exact info but in those CDs/DVDs, it is explained how and where the m3 is built. I remember them saying that they are built on the same assembly line as m3 cup cars. The chassis of the m3 is torqued down to different specs than those of the regular 3-series.

However, my point is that according to BMW, m3s are not built on the same assembly line as the regular 3-series.

-SZ

Update

Just watched the video, it is on the BMW website. Basically, after the M prototypes are built, the M3 production cars are manufactured in Regensburg (spell?) on the same line as "series cars" and the chassis is bolted down using special machines essential in achieving the rigidity required of all M cars.

Is a series car a cup car or just a regular 3-series? All Ms are made this way according to the vid.

Ref: http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...eryvideos.aspx

Vid: BMW M Facilities

[Deniz1210]

The only M car that's build by hand is the prototype - as with any other prototypes, including 1 series. Any other M3 afterward is built by robots.

[JCtx]

I also think robots and machines do a better job than humans at assembling cars/engines, with one exception: I'd like pistons to be matched to cylinders. The tolerances are still high enough that if you get a 'low' piston in a 'high' cylinder, you get increased oil consumption and/or engine noise, and in some cases (GM's LS1/2 engines), piston slap. That's one reason why many engines consume more oil than others IMO, even when the rings are supposed to prevent that. Yes, it'd be best to build engines to better tolerances to avoid that step, but that adds money too (better machines, etc). Due to cost cutting, we'll have to get used to engines consuming oil and most cars/engines not getting built 'by hand' at all.

[Gubbins]

Originally Posted by joseph328

Whoah wait ... if there is no God?
There is no M3?

Alternatively, if there is a God, who made God?

[sA x sKy]

Originally Posted by Gubbins

Alternatively, if there is a God, who made God?

He has no superior.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Gubbins

Alternatively, if there is a God, who made God?

Joking aside, that's a great question , and I don't have an answer. Any theologians here??? Hey, you were the one who hijacked the thread .