BMW engine design and manufacture

[KGV]

Does BMW design and manufacture most of their engines? Some auto companies buy a lot of their engine components from third part suppliers, and they basically just assemble the engine. Does BMW also do this, or are the majority of their components made in house?

Is this also the case for their F1 engines? I read somewhere that the F1 engines are developed here in Munich.

Thanks,

Ken

[jezzaaa]

Yeah mate - all the most impressive BMW engines are manufactured on a pig farm in Dorset

[KGV]

Hi,

A lot of US car companies buy their engine components from third party suppliers, TRW, Magna, etc, so I was wondering if BMW does the same, or if they build most of their own parts?

Thanks,

Ken

[NightDriver]

The way it will work is that BMW will come up with what engine they want (ie configuration, cc, hp). They will package the block assembly as they require it and deal with the power/emissions issues themselves.
For the internals i.e. pistons, rods etc they will usually be outsourced to a specialist company. For examply BMW could send Mahle the info on the engine and they would be able to use there experience to supply correctly designed and reliable pistons. Its not worth BMW doing development on costly parts such as pistons when outside company's with huge experience can do a better job.

Edited by NightDriver on Sunday 26th August 21:19

[Bodo]

It's in the name: Bayrische Motoren Werke

BMW has several facilities to manufacture engines with Steyr (703,500 engines produced in 2006) and Hamshall (217,400 engines produced in 2006) being the biggest dedicated ones:
http://www.bmw-werk-steyr.at/
http://www.bmw-plant-hamshall.co.uk/

Though, as said BMW sources certain parts from suppliers if necessary. When I've worked at BMW-RR Aero Engines some years ago, they would manufacture the VANOS because they had the appropriate facilities.

[BOR]

Currently, all petrol engine design is centered in Munich, all diesel design is centered in Steyr, Austria. F1 design is still in Munich as far as I know.

ALL components are design in conjunction with the supplier, whether that is an internal supplier (ie the BMW foundry to the north of Munich casts blocks and heads for the in-line sixes,v8s and I believe, the F1 engines), or an external partner, which is more or less the same for any large car maker.

[Ravell]

From what I understand, all inline 6, v8 and v12 BMW petrol engines are assembled in Munich, most of their diesels are assembled in Austria. I'm quite sure they do all the casting work of the block, head and other components themselves on site. Anything that needs forged is done by Mahle.

I managed to get a factory tour of the Munich plant, unfortunately they don't let you into the engine works.