Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-19-2006, 09:01 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,255
BMW Z8 issue, MB owners can laugh

Has anyone been following the warpage problem with the $160,000 BMW Z8?

Seems the aluminum frame into the shock tower structure can deform when hitting a severe pothole. The warpage causes the hood to deform - noticeable by a change in the closure gap.

I found this out at www.leftlanenews.com

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-19-2006, 09:37 PM
86560SEL's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: east Tennessee (southeast USA)
Posts: 3,015
Oh my !!

I would be livid !!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-19-2006, 09:40 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,160
Why would you want one of these anyway?
Buy a Porsche!
__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-19-2006, 10:49 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Those are still cool cars. I am kind of surprised though usually BMW gets the frame down. You never hear of structure problems on those cars.

Still for $160k a CL65AMG is a better buy.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-20-2006, 12:06 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Posts: 1,213
Audi, Jaguar and BMW will be the first big victims of the sudden increase in aluminum construction in their cars. I was surprised to see MB hasn't jumped into using aluminum as much as those automakers have used on some of their cars - good idea, as MB has gotten too much bad rap lately on bringing new features not yet thoroughly tested to the market. A structural flaw in such an expensive vehicle would be a huge embarassment for the automaker. Much bigger than electronic issues.
__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-20-2006, 03:06 AM
cmac2012's Avatar
Renaissances Dude
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 33,910
That is one sexy Beemer, though I'd be pissed if mine was showing those problems while still young. Interesting piece at the link there. I'm all for saving weight, but I'm not sure I want alu-minium anywhere in my frame or suspension. Metal fatigue too big a danger with aluminum. That particular car, I'd want to cherish it for many years -- no throwaway car that.
__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-20-2006, 03:17 AM
Gigtime's Avatar
Space for Rent
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wimberley, TX
Posts: 151
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy
Those are still cool cars. I am kind of surprised though usually BMW gets the frame down. You never hear of structure problems on those cars.

Still for $160k a CL65AMG is a better buy.
Actually there have been a lot of problems with Z3's, especially the larger engine models. Some have actually pulled themselves apart. It's a problem with the rear end of the car. I haven't had any problems but several people in the Bimmer and Z3 forums have.

Bill
__________________
_______________________________________
1988 MB 560 SEL 138k - Desert Taupe w/ Cream Beige Interior.

Mods:
Euro Headlights w/Smoked Corners
New seats from a `91
ASA 15-Hole Replicas
Sony HU, JL Audio 400/4 Amp, JL Audio 2-way Components on rear deck, JL Audio 3-way Components in door & dash.


2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster 33k
2002 Toyota Rav4L 50k
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-20-2006, 09:18 AM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,853
That car wouldn't last one month on the roads in SE Michigan.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-20-2006, 09:22 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 130
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gigtime
Actually there have been a lot of problems with Z3's, especially the larger engine models. Some have actually pulled themselves apart. It's a problem with the rear end of the car. I haven't had any problems but several people in the Bimmer and Z3 forums have.

Bill

The E36 3-series cars also have major problems with the rear subframes tearing out.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-20-2006, 09:36 AM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,853
I wonder if this indicates a problem with German design & testing for the American market. I know the roads in Europe are considerably better than what we have here.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-20-2006, 10:14 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Albuquerque, NM USA
Posts: 1,947
Most butt-ugly car ever from Germany
__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-20-2006, 10:40 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern Louisiana
Posts: 481
Interesting

that aluminum seems to have fallen out of favor as a material for frames and cabs of semi-trucks; lightweight but prone to fatigue, cracking, and general lack of durability.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-20-2006, 10:53 AM
Gigtime's Avatar
Space for Rent
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wimberley, TX
Posts: 151
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabeel
The E36 3-series cars also have major problems with the rear subframes tearing out.
Nabeel, the Z3 is built on the 3 series chassis but I didn't realize they were having this problem with all 3 series. Some of the dealerships are repairing them but BMW as a company seems to be in denial of the problem. A potential class action lawsuit is in the works.

The differential mounts are cracking, many welds are failing and the trunk floor is separating from the subframe.

From what I've seen, most of the cars having problems are where the owners have worked to increase horsepower. The M version of the Z3 has a reinforced subframe so I don't think it's had the same problems.

Bill
__________________
_______________________________________
1988 MB 560 SEL 138k - Desert Taupe w/ Cream Beige Interior.

Mods:
Euro Headlights w/Smoked Corners
New seats from a `91
ASA 15-Hole Replicas
Sony HU, JL Audio 400/4 Amp, JL Audio 2-way Components on rear deck, JL Audio 3-way Components in door & dash.


2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster 33k
2002 Toyota Rav4L 50k
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-20-2006, 12:59 PM
pmizell's Avatar
Benz Zealot
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 838
The fact that the Z8 is a $160,000 auto is the issue here. Most Z8 buyers paid that hefty price as an investment only to find out that it appears to have been a terrible investment. (even if the problems are unfounded, the story has devalued the car)

Here's a BusinessWeek article on the Z8:

Z8 Structural Problems
__________________
-Paul-
'01 E430, Sport 72,000 mi
'98 C280, 126,500 mi
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-21-2006, 12:43 AM
cmac2012's Avatar
Renaissances Dude
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 33,910
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabeel
The E36 3-series cars also have major problems with the rear subframes tearing out.
This reinforces some of what I've gathered from reading Roundel when I used to get it. I gather that the E-30 (my rig) has a better reputation among many, or at least some, BMW enthusiasts than subsequent 3 series. I've driven a couple of later model 3 series (not sure which ones -- I wasn't as up on it then) and I didn't like the feel as much as my car.

Anybody know much about the E-39 5 series? My mom likes my Beemer big time -- 5 speed and all -- she loves to borrow it and go visit her friends, and if I can pull it off, I want to buy her an E-39 to try to make up for all she had to put up with around me. Hell, I'd just give her the 325i but it has almost 250 K.

__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:06 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page