You buying?
Mercedes might use BMW engines.
- Thread starter edyvw
- Start date
You buying?
Never.
Well that's got to be a whole lot better than MB using Renault engines like the 1.3 turbo petrol previously used in the A Class and C class which is not up to the mark in terms of refinement.
I remember when MB and BMW tried to co-develop a transmission in the early 2000s, from ChatGPT:
Early 2000s (around 2001–2003) – BMW and DaimlerChrysler (Mercedes’ parent company at the time) worked together on the development of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) called the “Automated Continuously Variable Transmission (ACVT)”.
If GM and Ford can work together (10-spd auto), then I guess BMW and MB can too...99% of the customers won't know or care where their 4 cylinder turbo engine is from.
Early 2000s (around 2001–2003) – BMW and DaimlerChrysler (Mercedes’ parent company at the time) worked together on the development of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) called the “Automated Continuously Variable Transmission (ACVT)”.- The idea was to pool R&D resources to bring CVTs to larger, more powerful cars.
- They even set up a joint venture company called Getrag CVT GmbH.
- The project aimed to challenge ZF and other transmission suppliers, but it was eventually abandoned because CVTs couldn’t reliably handle the torque levels of bigger engines and because consumer acceptance in premium markets was weak.
If GM and Ford can work together (10-spd auto), then I guess BMW and MB can too...99% of the customers won't know or care where their 4 cylinder turbo engine is from.
Not well. While the cars are, well Mercedes, and range has not been an issue, reliability has been suspect. Some models like the EQS are facing a complete flop status and others receiving hefty discounts to move from dealerships.
Resale has been poor for all EVs, MBZ is no exception.
So far, MBZ customers are sticking to ICE.
But I wouldn't count out Mercedes. They are significantly changing their EV strategy. New or refreshed models and an E-Class EV are in the works.
Last edited:
My mom had a 94 525i with a GM transmission, a four speed automatic. The whole car was great, including the transmission. Lasted 15 years and 200k miles with completely routine service, an AC condenser, and a front end rebuild. Then the mechanic bought it and kept for at least five years thereafter. She loved that car and had great luck with it. She was always good about following maintenance too. She passed recently so it is good thinking of her enjoying that great car. Good memory.
I like ZF a lot - the 8 speed in my Ram is terrific - but but GM has historically done well with automatics too. BMW would never use a crap transmission.
I don’t like this either but BMW has always built a better engine than Mercedes. ;-)
Speaking of Moms with BMWs and GM transmissions, that reminds me of the 2004 330i ZHP my Mom had, with a 5-spd GM auto. I used to take that car out to the mountains and rail on it, such a great handling vehicle, however I don't think the transmission enjoyed me treating it like a manual and extended high revs as it clunked out around 60k miles...thank goodness for CPO warranty. Otherwise, that car was solid for the remaining 70k miles we put on it.
Right. Most existing Mercedes EVs are a flop and that's why pretty much all of them are being discontinued in the US. We'll see if they do any better in the next round. The way EV sentiment has been trending as well as shifting policy (no more tax benefits artificially propping up demand) I am a lot less optimistic than you are.
Frankly, IMO, no one wants this stuff. And the ones that actually do, (or did), they already have one.
For a period time in the early 2000's BMW used a France assembled GM automatic transmission in some of the lower powered models. Losing reverse was the most common issue with the unit at the time.
I just heard on Autoline News it was because Mercedes needed an engine that could work as a PHEV (hybrid). Like you, I was amazed. It's like McDonalds contracting with Burger King.
As someone said, it's a business, and BMW is happy to sell engines to customers, even their competitors.
But that doesn't stop their marketing departments from being cheeky with each other.
And as an OEM, they haven't done transmission engineering in-house, if ever. They've long partnered with Getrag, ZF, and the like to develop units to their specs. Some OEMs like to make those widgets whole, some don't.
Outside of joint ventures (including with Chrysler and Peugeot), traditional BMW engine production has been centered in Steyr, Munich, and Hams Hall, part of their acquisition of Rover. Casting and metal fabrication in the Landshut plant.
Munich is being refocused into an EV-centric plant, but one of the last stops on the tour used to be the engine assembly area. Well worth taking regardless.
I don't know if they still produce them, but the Automotive News diagrams that depict all the major suppliers for a model often contain a lot of strange bedfellows.
Your VW or Mercedes may contain parts from an SK company, Hyundai Mobis. Yes, that Hyundai. My old Volvo had an Aisin-Warner transmission.
That also includes IP. The balance shafts found in Porsche's old engines, and others, owe something to Mitsubishi's patents. At one point, BMW licensed some IP from Toyota for VANOS. The original setup in the S50B30 was provided by Rolls-Royce (the real one).
Don't think too hard about your luxury Swiss watch, with parts from China, or you may get upset.
But that doesn't stop their marketing departments from being cheeky with each other.
And as an OEM, they haven't done transmission engineering in-house, if ever. They've long partnered with Getrag, ZF, and the like to develop units to their specs. Some OEMs like to make those widgets whole, some don't.
Outside of joint ventures (including with Chrysler and Peugeot), traditional BMW engine production has been centered in Steyr, Munich, and Hams Hall, part of their acquisition of Rover. Casting and metal fabrication in the Landshut plant.
Munich is being refocused into an EV-centric plant, but one of the last stops on the tour used to be the engine assembly area. Well worth taking regardless.
I don't know if they still produce them, but the Automotive News diagrams that depict all the major suppliers for a model often contain a lot of strange bedfellows.
Your VW or Mercedes may contain parts from an SK company, Hyundai Mobis. Yes, that Hyundai. My old Volvo had an Aisin-Warner transmission.
That also includes IP. The balance shafts found in Porsche's old engines, and others, owe something to Mitsubishi's patents. At one point, BMW licensed some IP from Toyota for VANOS. The original setup in the S50B30 was provided by Rolls-Royce (the real one).
Don't think too hard about your luxury Swiss watch, with parts from China, or you may get upset.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Hard to tell them apart nowadays …
What will happen with the "Specs". Will it be LL-229.72, or MB-19FE? 
Interesting times ahead.
So far, everyone has been wrong about Tesla, EVs, etc.
"Tesla will be belly up any day now." "Wait till the big boys get in..."
I shoulda bought stock instead of the '18 M3 Mid Range... Would be easily $850K today.
Curious... What was your IMO back then? Just askin... Everyone's been wrong and probably still are.
Growth, progress, etc. are never a straight line.
Last edited:
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
How is that Tesla sale going on? Tesla sales in Europe are down 22.9% in June, and I remember "some" saying: just wait for Model Y. I would say: just wait until EPA goes away with carbon credits.
BMW, during the highest EV craze, said they are developing ICE at least until 2050. Others (VW, MB) said they will halt development.
Well, they decided to do development again, MB decided not to use any 4cyl in AMG models, but go back to V8. BMW? Well, they never gave up on ICE.
Everything has always been a make / buy decision - whatever is more affordable. Both BMW and Mercedes still let Magna Steyr assemble certain models, and have for a long time. If your going to let someone assemble an entire car with your name on it, then buying an engine from somewhere is really a nothing burger.
Bad to worse
Since they both have been making the same bad design engines for years, there should not be an issue.
Curious do the electric motor builders have a name plate for their AMG motors like in the ICE days?
Curious do the electric motor builders have a name plate for their AMG motors like in the ICE days?
I remember some saying Neue Klasse, "It is concept. Ain’t gonna see any streets." Just sayin'...
Maybe see one soon? Hope so.
