BMW iM3 - The Future Electric M3 Super Sedan

[PandaBear]

The collar, or bushing that secures the pull-out spray handle in the base/stem on my kitchen faucet is wearing out, and allowing play to develop, which is not a desired trait on something that is regularly swiveled during the course of usage.

The maker, Kohler, does not break it out as a separate part, and instead offered to send an entire new faucet, without hesistation.

Tesla puts the bare minimum effort that it can in the servicing and supporting of their cars. Some will repeatedly espouse their methods as "forward thinking" and "cutting edge" or some form of 4D chess, but in durable, or white goods, terms, they might as well be treated as effectively disposable.

Even those who don't keep their vehicles long term might be caught out by their practices if not enough of an aftermarket support base develops.

For those who do keep their cars longer term, like an owner of a German marque who can walk into the dealer and order parts for a 25-year old model, that would be a bitter pill to swallow.

Keeping parts or warranty around is going to be a distraction for "small and young" companies. Since most of Tesla's value is how much it can grow in the future and how fast, we are likely to see Telsa sacrifice out of warranty and collision repair in exchange for new cars development cycle. I don't blame them for making that choice, and I think customers should be aware of what they are signing up for.

To be fair, any small botique car companies (Ferarri? Lambo? Lotus?) would have the same decision to make and their customers should also be aware of it. Mercedes and BMW? I don't know if it is US market that has the part cost problem or if their European customers have the same expensive to repair and maintain problem US customers have as well. Or if they are just expensive because of their complex designs.

 

[Owen Lucas]

https://www.motor1.com/news/541282/bmw-neue-klasse-electric-3-series/

"BMW aims to make extensive use of aluminum combined with a carbon fiber "cage" body structure with CFRP in some areas."

2 year old article but if the vehicle does indeed have a carbon fiber structure, you can expect a lot more totals. Even certified BMW body shops don't want to touch these because it involves peeling off layers of the CF panel one by one (3 layers IIRC) to stagger overlay a new section.

There is also some type of bagging / vacuum procedure to cure the glues required on reassembly (in stages). Very expensive repair and basically a total for something you can easily fix on a regular steel BMW.

Oh, and you have to take the vehicle back and forth to the BMW dealer to have the battery disconnected and a dozen other service center resets.

Carbon fiber vehicles are basically a giant piece of e-waste / scrap after a minor accident.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Keeping parts or warranty around is going to be a distraction for "small and young" companies. Since most of Tesla's value is how much it can grow in the future and how fast, we are likely to see Telsa sacrifice out of warranty and collision repair in exchange for new cars development cycle. I don't blame them for making that choice, and I think customers should be aware of what they are signing up for.

To be fair, any small botique car companies (Ferarri? Lambo? Lotus?) would have the same decision to make and their customers should also be aware of it. Mercedes and BMW? I don't know if it is US market that has the part cost problem or if their European customers have the same expensive to repair and maintain problem US customers have as well. Or if they are just expensive because of their complex designs.

Supporting your customers shouldn't be a "distraction." And Tesla is neither small, nor young, any longer. Can't play the "we're a startup" card.

They just don't put a lot of effort in that respect of being an OEM, and even those inside the company admit to that.