[hanmaas]

What are your opinions on the planned cooperation between BMW and Mercedes, who are planning on developing and sharing small things such as wiperblades but possibly engines for e.g. 3er and C-Class, and other parts?

[noro]

I never heard of this, but if it true then it is extremely disappointing. Wold in general is loosing individualism in exchange for cash.

[blue2fire]

Expect shared window switches.

[hanmaas]

Originally Posted by noro

I never heard of this, but if it true then it is extremely disappointing. Wold in general is loosing individualism in exchange for cash.

It was just on the news here in Germany, thought I'd spread the word.
They explicitly said it will only be small things in the near future, but we all know what that means.... Apparantly, the reason behind all this is that they are trying to downsize costs in R&D for engines and tech in general. R&D can't be that much for a bunch of switches and wiperblades in order for a cooperation to pay off.....
Maybe the C335 is just lurking around the corner...

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by hanmaas

Maybe the C335 is just lurking around the corner...

I would have that. Mercedes has much better customer care and they would probably get it right.

[hanmaas]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

I would have that. Mercedes has much better customer care and they would probably get it right.

Agreed. And maybe they have fail proof HPFPs too.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by hanmaas

Agreed. And maybe they have fail proof HPFPs too.

Not if the HPFP is also shared

[LuvMyRide]

Very Disappointing!!! i take pride on th fact that my car has nothing @ alll to do with MB... Especially after being a regretful owner of on of those pieces of craps...

But thats would be very disappointing and I hope that is not confirmed!

[BIMMER//DRIMMER]

wow very interesting bit of information.

[hanmaas]

This is an older article I found in English. It basically sums up what they have been planning, which has now been confirmed.

Frankfurt - Germany's two prestige car brands, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, are stepping up plans to share research and manufacturing as they seek ways to cut costs during the economic downturn, a German newspaper reported Sunday.

All cooperation was conceivable provided it was not noticeable to customers or detrimental to the two unique brands, senior executives were quoted as saying by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

BMW, based in Munich, and Daimler, the Mercedes-Benz maker based in Stuttgart, have been in talks for years on pooling resources, but such moves have been obstructed by engineers opposed to using the arch-rival's technologies, the newspaper said.

Day by day, the pressure of costs was overcoming that resistance, the newspaper added. It said the first contracts were ready to sign, but the two companies were not planning any cross-shareholding in one another.

Premium cars have suffered a sharp downturn in world sales.

A Daimler spokesman responded Sunday that the company would not comment and everything that had to be said would be announced on Tuesday by senior executives at an annual financial-results news conference.

At BMW, a spokesman said the talks were public knowledge and 'not new,' but he denied there had been any new concrete outcome to the talks. He said the two groups were already jointly developing hybrid power units and conducting joint purchasing of components.

Those components were out-of-sight items under the skin of the cars such as air-conditioner parts or seat-belt-tension springs.

Source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/ne...eration_plans_

[canucklion]

it's an old topic as well

BMW, Mercedes-Benz join forces

Mercedes to share research with BMW

The Wall Street Journal: "BMW, Mercedes Mull a Parts Pact"

[hanmaas]

You're right, I had seen speculations about this in the past as well. But all their planning is actually being put into action now, as opposed to before where it was just planning for the approaching future.

[ArabianSensation]

If you value handling, get a BMW. Mercedes cars have always been big executive vehicles for the most part.

I can see them sharing some parts but let's be honest, they are two different companies. Maybe they'll get together and make a M-Z8 AMG SLR 65.

[vgame64]

Originally Posted by ArabianSensation

If you value handling, get a BMW. Mercedes cars have always been big executive vehicles for the most part.

I can see them sharing some parts but let's be honest, they are two different companies. Maybe they'll get together and make a M-Z8 AMG SLR 65.

And now the new 7 does a good job filling that part of the market.
And for the coziest exec vehicle, BMW wins with the RR Phantom (much better than the Maybach from what I have read)

[jpsum]

they won't share engines.

[hanmaas]

Originally Posted by jpsum

they won't share engines.

Considering current development of hybrids and explorations of other alternatives I wouldn't put any money on that.

[ilidon]

If this happens then there's going to be a balance of performance and luxury between the two brands. Let's just hope, like what the others have said, that the uniqueness in each car brand is still there unlike ford/lincoln/mercury which all looks the same but only have a different badge.

[Jonny550]

ewwww that sounds like a poopie idea

bmw and merc have been rivals forever thats like burger king to start selling little things from mcdonalds like a bic mac at burger king i find no interest in even hearing about this

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by vgame64

And for the coziest exec vehicle, BMW wins with the RR Phantom (much better than the Maybach from what I have read)

All everybody says is the the Maybach is technically brilliant but the Phantom invokes a better emotional response. If you discount that, i think the Maybach gets that crown.

[twinturboa51]

i call shenanigans. it cant cost much to develop an engine that they use in like 5 other cars (3.0 liter tt)

[JeepJeep]

I believe BMW and MB have already co-operated before, researching hybrid technology. Check out some of the links Canucklion posted.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by hanmaas

What are your opinions on the planned cooperation between BMW and Mercedes, who are planning on developing and sharing small things such as wiperblades but possibly engines for e.g. 3er and C-Class, and other parts?

Totally OK imho, it works on Skoda and VW very well and to be frank I don't think they have much of a choice. They have to do this sooner or later or they'll go bust on ttheir own. It's just now a game of who will be on top.

BMW and Merc can easily share chassis - and just use different set ups. I know for many it's blasphemy but overall most platforms are RWD and similar sizes. 3-5-7 and C-E-S are ok to match them up but make bodies and driving feel as distinct as possible. The only problem is personnel and who gets laid off. Egineers at BMW do driver cars well and Merc people do nice comfy quality cars. I believe that on engineering side BMW might be at slight disadvantage (fuel pumps anyone?) - Merc is just a tiny bit better but also more pricey. BMW on other side tunes the cars to drive well but they make things a bit more complicated. So they can marry the two stregths. And make Merc more driver comfort, and BMW more driver - like in 80s. And Let AMG and Msport do their crazy shit for fanboys of each mark.

I really don't mind if it means they stay in business. But it's very hard to marry these - i think employees of each company almost hate each other, that's how much brand loyalty there is.

Back to why it's necessary - for modern car manufacturer to achieve proper economies of scale they need to be making around 5-6 million units per year. That's VW. Merc and BMW do just over 1 million each. not enough. Even together they will have to share stuff to get more mass market bits out (use the Smart and Mini brands). It's a big challenge and quite exciting. Still, 2-3million is not enough - and this is where a 3rd company will come in. most industry talk points at Peugeot-Citroen. They are the ones who got the cheap mass market covered. Will French and Germans get along - I dunno, but British and Germans manage so why not. Besides, BMW and Peugeot share diesel engines already (in Mini).