328i v 328i South Africa

[mfer]

What is the difference?

Looking into buying a 2006-2008 328i and I keep seeing south africa over and over. I mean X3's are made in the states, but you don't see X3 and X3 Kentucky?

Thanks!

[danny123]

im assuming you mean where there being built? As for the difference i dont think there is any? Im not really a BMW expert like some of the other guys on the boards. Personally id rather buy a car thats built in Germany.

[Ridgeway]

maybe just desirability, or perhaps one location had more issues/recalls...?

i know given the option @ an equal price i'd w/o a doubt choose the car made in germany over one made in africa or spartenburg

[Don B]

Don't know about newer ones, but I think E36s built in S.A. had some issues with electrics and build quality wasn't up to scratch. Apparently.

[Lezard]

One is built in a factory by people who live and breath cars.

Another is built on the same equipment that has been shipped to a country with far cheaper labor.

I make sure my VINs start with a W.

[The_Stig]

The one built in Germany is of better build quality. The SA one isn't as good. I detailed one that was from there and it was filthy right off the truck. There were sap stains that wouldn't come out so it had to be repainted. It just felt so similar, yet very different. Kind of like when your passenger in your own car.

[eisenb11]

Dang, I didn't even know you could get a 328 from SA, thought all the ones in the states were from Germany...?

Guess I lucked out, because I didn't ask but got a German one. Frankly, I would not want to have a SA one.

If it came down to it, and that were my only choice, I'd buy something else.

To me, build location is important. When I bought a Saab 9-3 (my last car), I had to get confirmation that it was built in Sweden, not England, before signing the papers.

[Ridgeway]

Dang, I didn't even know you could get a 328 from SA, thought all the ones in the states were from Germany...?

Guess I lucked out, because I didn't ask but got a German one. Frankly, I would not want to have a SA one.

If it came down to it, and that were my only choice, I'd buy something else.

To me, build location is important. When I bought a Saab 9-3 (my last car), I had to get confirmation that it was built in Sweden, not England, before signing the papers.

indeed
i've had bmw's from dif. factories/countries
and there is a distinct build quality difference (@ least over my sample size)