Police BMW engine issues
Discussion
Sheepshanks said:
A traffic cop commented on this sort of thing in another thread that the days of manufacturers custom building cars are gone. IIRC he said they have trouble even with 5 Series not being able to carry 4 fully kitted up bobbies.
The cars in the auction, as far as can be seen, look unmolested.
BMW still build authorities spec cars. Further changes are made post delivery depending on demands.The cars in the auction, as far as can be seen, look unmolested.
https://www.bmw-special-sales.com/en/topics/author...
Sheepshanks said:
A traffic cop commented on this sort of thing in another thread that the days of manufacturers custom building cars are gone. IIRC he said they have trouble even with 5 Series not being able to carry 4 fully kitted up bobbies.
The cars in the auction, as far as can be seen, look unmolested.
I spoke with a guy from Volvo about our new RPU estates, which have a few issues that need sorting out. he basically explained that the police market is now so small that, certainly they, don't or can't warrant building a car exactly how we'd want it (offering basics such as paddles for example). So, Volvo will say, 'here's what we can offer, take it or leave it?'.The cars in the auction, as far as can be seen, look unmolested.
Hence why the cars are not really fit for purpose, but the BMW issues may well be non sortable, not sure whether the BMW/ Police relationship has broken down enough that it can't be recovered? Volvo pretty much know that they can benefit from this current situation.
It may well lead to forces potentially going outside the national framework for approved vehicles and start kitting up and running what they want, rather than be dictated to by the framework and having cars they don't really want.
nordboy said:
I spoke with a guy from Volvo about our new RPU estates, which have a few issues that need sorting out. he basically explained that the police market is now so small that, certainly they, don't or can't warrant building a car exactly how we'd want it (offering basics such as paddles for example). So, Volvo will say, 'here's what we can offer, take it or leave it?'.
Hence why the cars are not really fit for purpose, but the BMW issues may well be non sortable, not sure whether the BMW/ Police relationship has broken down enough that it can't be recovered? Volvo pretty much know that they can benefit from this current situation.
It may well lead to forces potentially going outside the national framework for approved vehicles and start kitting up and running what they want, rather than be dictated to by the framework and having cars they don't really want.
I believe after all this time, the nhs is now trying to standardise its ambulance fleet! It’s shocking that was not done 30 years ago!Hence why the cars are not really fit for purpose, but the BMW issues may well be non sortable, not sure whether the BMW/ Police relationship has broken down enough that it can't be recovered? Volvo pretty much know that they can benefit from this current situation.
It may well lead to forces potentially going outside the national framework for approved vehicles and start kitting up and running what they want, rather than be dictated to by the framework and having cars they don't really want.
Here is a thought why don’t police setup a fleet service, a centralise fleet manager group to negotiate some specs and have some standard police cars as all force needed divisional response and RPU. Not sure why when spending tax payer money it’s ok for each force to pretty much do it’s own thing.
surveyor_101 said:
nordboy said:
I spoke with a guy from Volvo about our new RPU estates, which have a few issues that need sorting out. he basically explained that the police market is now so small that, certainly they, don't or can't warrant building a car exactly how we'd want it (offering basics such as paddles for example). So, Volvo will say, 'here's what we can offer, take it or leave it?'.
Hence why the cars are not really fit for purpose, but the BMW issues may well be non sortable, not sure whether the BMW/ Police relationship has broken down enough that it can't be recovered? Volvo pretty much know that they can benefit from this current situation.
It may well lead to forces potentially going outside the national framework for approved vehicles and start kitting up and running what they want, rather than be dictated to by the framework and having cars they don't really want.
I believe after all this time, the nhs is now trying to standardise its ambulance fleet! It’s shocking that was not done 30 years ago!Hence why the cars are not really fit for purpose, but the BMW issues may well be non sortable, not sure whether the BMW/ Police relationship has broken down enough that it can't be recovered? Volvo pretty much know that they can benefit from this current situation.
It may well lead to forces potentially going outside the national framework for approved vehicles and start kitting up and running what they want, rather than be dictated to by the framework and having cars they don't really want.
Here is a thought why don’t police setup a fleet service, a centralise fleet manager group to negotiate some specs and have some standard police cars as all force needed divisional response and RPU. Not sure why when spending tax payer money it’s ok for each force to pretty much do it’s own thing.
normalbloke said:
surveyor_101 said:
nordboy said:
I spoke with a guy from Volvo about our new RPU estates, which have a few issues that need sorting out. he basically explained that the police market is now so small that, certainly they, don't or can't warrant building a car exactly how we'd want it (offering basics such as paddles for example). So, Volvo will say, 'here's what we can offer, take it or leave it?'.
Hence why the cars are not really fit for purpose, but the BMW issues may well be non sortable, not sure whether the BMW/ Police relationship has broken down enough that it can't be recovered? Volvo pretty much know that they can benefit from this current situation.
It may well lead to forces potentially going outside the national framework for approved vehicles and start kitting up and running what they want, rather than be dictated to by the framework and having cars they don't really want.
I believe after all this time, the nhs is now trying to standardise its ambulance fleet! It’s shocking that was not done 30 years ago!Hence why the cars are not really fit for purpose, but the BMW issues may well be non sortable, not sure whether the BMW/ Police relationship has broken down enough that it can't be recovered? Volvo pretty much know that they can benefit from this current situation.
It may well lead to forces potentially going outside the national framework for approved vehicles and start kitting up and running what they want, rather than be dictated to by the framework and having cars they don't really want.
Here is a thought why don’t police setup a fleet service, a centralise fleet manager group to negotiate some specs and have some standard police cars as all force needed divisional response and RPU. Not sure why when spending tax payer money it’s ok for each force to pretty much do it’s own thing.
daydotz said:
Doesn't surprise me The ducato/relay/boxer/promaster have a odd layout due to being designed for left hand drive markets its overdue retirement its probably due to cost
I am a big chap and have driven those vans no issue.NHS being what it is you can pretty much refuse to do most things and as long as it’s not against the grain of current PC Woke thinking there is very little can do.
I know having spoken to SWAST not many like the outgoing Mercs 4.5tn wagons and the issues around commercial vehicles tyres and speeds etc.
On another note I was passed by what I think was a private ambulance Renault I think late on Friday night in the a303 sparkford area and he was 80 mph on the ghost island kicking stones up on a bed and almost hit the car in front so some drivers really fly in them.
surveyor_101 said:
I am a big chap and have driven those vans no issue.
NHS being what it is you can pretty much refuse to do most things and as long as it’s not against the grain of current PC Woke thinking there is very little can do.
I know having spoken to SWAST not many like the outgoing Mercs 4.5tn wagons and the issues around commercial vehicles tyres and speeds etc.
On another note I was passed by what I think was a private ambulance Renault I think late on Friday night in the a303 sparkford area and he was 80 mph on the ghost island kicking stones up on a bed and almost hit the car in front so some drivers really fly in them.
I reckon going from Mercedes autos to a heap of sNHS being what it is you can pretty much refuse to do most things and as long as it’s not against the grain of current PC Woke thinking there is very little can do.
I know having spoken to SWAST not many like the outgoing Mercs 4.5tn wagons and the issues around commercial vehicles tyres and speeds etc.
On another note I was passed by what I think was a private ambulance Renault I think late on Friday night in the a303 sparkford area and he was 80 mph on the ghost island kicking stones up on a bed and almost hit the car in front so some drivers really fly in them.
t FIAT manual based on purchase cost alone is a really bad idea and is similar to the issues the police have with BMWs. All your eggs in one basket and no contingency.My best made is a paramedic and is not looking forward to giving up his Merc for the national spec FIATs. Switching from auto to manual is his main bugbear but the other issue is terrain and the MBs are sturdy and solid in wintry condition. His trust had already through their wholly owned subsidiary bulk bought a load of MBs and leased to the trust to try and stave off the switch but have been told they will receive financial penalties if they do it again.
It is painful. The 5 series is just the best all round car and yet we can’t seem to buy them. We do apparently have some Superbs and A6s coming though which *should* be decent.
The whole design of BMWs just lends themselves to sporty driving. Had a tandem run today driving an old x5 which has thankfully avoided the chop so far. Head and shoulders above the Volvos for driveability. The V90 struggled to stay with me!
The whole design of BMWs just lends themselves to sporty driving. Had a tandem run today driving an old x5 which has thankfully avoided the chop so far. Head and shoulders above the Volvos for driveability. The V90 struggled to stay with me!
surveyor_101 said:
I believe after all this time, the nhs is now trying to standardise its ambulance fleet! It’s shocking that was not done 30 years ago!
But standardising across the whole of the UK also brings it's own issues as the problem with the BMW engines highlights. All it will need is the Fiat ambulances to develop an issue that affects the whole fleet and the ambulance service is knackered. Drumroll said:
But standardising across the whole of the UK also brings it's own issues as the problem with the BMW engines highlights. All it will need is the Fiat ambulances to develop an issue that affects the whole fleet and the ambulance service is knackered.
First most services were running mercs or fiats that wasn’t a massive variety in land Ambos.How often does that happen, also with platform and engine sharing you can buy Renaults and merc and find out they have the same engines as with a class and Clio, Nissan.
Standardising fleets makes the whole operation smoother and costs and parts more manageable. Many companies do it Royal Mail have moved to PSA with some older run out Vauxhalls.
carreauchompeur said:
It is painful. The 5 series is just the best all round car and yet we can’t seem to buy them. We do apparently have some Superbs and A6s coming though which *should* be decent.
The whole design of BMWs just lends themselves to sporty driving. Had a tandem run today driving an old x5 which has thankfully avoided the chop so far. Head and shoulders above the Volvos for driveability. The V90 struggled to stay with me!
Avon and Somerset have some newer 3 series to be fair Octavia and superb are good motors, such good value.The whole design of BMWs just lends themselves to sporty driving. Had a tandem run today driving an old x5 which has thankfully avoided the chop so far. Head and shoulders above the Volvos for driveability. The V90 struggled to stay with me!
I cant imagine doing blue light in Volvos they are way to tech filled these days having driven, s90, xc90,40, 60 etc
We keep getting told that we can't source BMW's which it why we are stuck with the Volvos - which are rubbish.
The assumption is that Volvo are churning out cheap vehicles and under cutting BMW on purchase price meaning that most forces who purchase through a consortium are only being offered the Volvos. The consortium can purchase hundreds cheap and then make even more cash off the forces.
The assumption is that Volvo are churning out cheap vehicles and under cutting BMW on purchase price meaning that most forces who purchase through a consortium are only being offered the Volvos. The consortium can purchase hundreds cheap and then make even more cash off the forces.
surveyor_101 said:
Drumroll said:
But standardising across the whole of the UK also brings it's own issues as the problem with the BMW engines highlights. All it will need is the Fiat ambulances to develop an issue that affects the whole fleet and the ambulance service is knackered.
First most services were running mercs or fiats that wasn’t a massive variety in land Ambos.How often does that happen, also with platform and engine sharing you can buy Renaults and merc and find out they have the same engines as with a class and Clio, Nissan.
Standardising fleets makes the whole operation smoother and costs and parts more manageable. Many companies do it Royal Mail have moved to PSA with some older run out Vauxhalls.
egor110 said:
surveyor_101 said:
.
Standardising fleets makes the whole operation smoother and costs and parts more manageable. Many companies do it Royal Mail have moved to PSA with some older run out Vauxhalls.
Rm switched because Peugeot would dedicate a production line and bang out x amount of poverty spec vans in rm red , the other companies we had to wait.Standardising fleets makes the whole operation smoother and costs and parts more manageable. Many companies do it Royal Mail have moved to PSA with some older run out Vauxhalls.
Southerner said:
To be fair to Royal Mail, for all their many faults around our way they're a shining example of how to get value out of a fleet; they're still running a very sizeable fleet of mostly 11-plate Vauxhall Combos. Getting them to survive over a decade of relentless daily abuse is pretty impressive IMHO, most of them are in a pretty passable state too, you only see the occasional one with the side stoved in etc. It does make you wonder at the wisdom of the typical fleet mentality of replacing stuff after 4 years or so.
In Somerset you still see some RM Corsa combos on an 04 plate and the fact they generally look ok is mega impressive!They must get some abuse however blue light vehicles get it as well. My experience of the nhs is they waste half the cash they get and clinical care is no longer the primary goal of the organisation!
There is a ambulance officer senior guy who has a fully loaded vrs petrol with the pano roof bigger wheels it might even be a premium challenge edition and he likes showing it off on YouTube, not sure what trust thought a car with 3k options. Was value for money , whilst I appreciate they get discount I can’t imagine a standard spec car would have been more, also for an unmarked car with a glass roof has made his temp light bar and issue and having one myself the 18s are much cheaper and more compliant for daily duties
Edited by surveyor_101 on Tuesday 28th June 13:36
surveyor_101 said:
Southerner said:
To be fair to Royal Mail, for all their many faults around our way they're a shining example of how to get value out of a fleet; they're still running a very sizeable fleet of mostly 11-plate Vauxhall Combos. Getting them to survive over a decade of relentless daily abuse is pretty impressive IMHO, most of them are in a pretty passable state too, you only see the occasional one with the side stoved in etc. It does make you wonder at the wisdom of the typical fleet mentality of replacing stuff after 4 years or so.
In Somerset you still see some RM Corsa combos on an 04 plate and the fact they generally look ok is mega impressive!They must get some abuse however blue light vehicles get it as well. My experience of the nhs is they waste half the cash they get and clinical care is no longer the primary goal of the organisation!
There is a ambulance officer senior guy who has a fully loaded vrs petrol with the pano roof bigger wheels it might even be a premium challenge edition and he likes showing it off on YouTube, not sure what trust thought a car with 3k options. Was value for money , whilst I appreciate they get discount I can’t imagine a standard spec car would have been more, also for an unmarked car with a glass roof has made his temp light bar and issue and having one myself the 18s are much cheaper and more compliant for daily duties
Edited by surveyor_101 on Tuesday 28th June 13:36
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