Police BMW engine issues
Discussion
I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of police Volvos on the road recently, notably XC90 and V90 both marked and unmarked.
I didn’t think much of this until I read today on that 130 Police Scotland Road Policing BMWs are off the road due to safety fears, related to the same issue which caused a fire and subsequent crash of a BMW 330 on the M6 in Cumbria last year.
Are forces starting to shift away from the BMWs?
Source for initial article HERE
I didn’t think much of this until I read today on that 130 Police Scotland Road Policing BMWs are off the road due to safety fears, related to the same issue which caused a fire and subsequent crash of a BMW 330 on the M6 in Cumbria last year.
Are forces starting to shift away from the BMWs?
Source for initial article HERE
Funnily enough I'd noticed recently a few VW Touareg marked cars knocking about in Hampshire, that's a new direction for UK forces as far as I know? Certainly a new one for Hants Police, who went from Volvo to BMW around the early - mid 2000s. Possibly the same reason behind it?
Can't say I can imagine the VAG stuff being more durable than Volvos, but I guess time will tell!
Can't say I can imagine the VAG stuff being more durable than Volvos, but I guess time will tell!
Southerner said:
Funnily enough I'd noticed recently a few VW Touareg marked cars knocking about in Hampshire, that's a new direction for UK forces as far as I know? Certainly a new one for Hants Police, who went from Volvo to BMW around the early - mid 2000s. Possibly the same reason behind it?
Can't say I can imagine the VAG stuff being more durable than Volvos, but I guess time will tell!
Can't say I can imagine the VAG stuff being more durable than Volvos, but I guess time will tell!
BMW took up the reigns for twofold reasoning. Volvo could no longer guarantee occupant safety due to axle weights being nigh on their limits due to kit.
BMW offered a far superior warranty and back up package and the axles could be loaded further.
Like said above, it's likely that Volvo UK have decided that offering good pricing and support to the police forces is a good marketing move, much in the same way that BMW realised 15 years ago that having a police X5 snort past you at full chat will open a lot of eyes to their capabilities and it would be well worth making a lot of deals that are hard to refuse.
Volvo are also a step ahead on the hybrid front, I suspect most of them will be running the T8 powertrain, so around 400BHP.
Volvo are also a step ahead on the hybrid front, I suspect most of them will be running the T8 powertrain, so around 400BHP.
The issue is apparently specific to police spec BMWs, and is being addressed.
BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
agent006 said:
Like said above, it's likely that Volvo UK have decided that offering good pricing and support to the police forces is a good marketing move, much in the same way that BMW realised 15 years ago that having a police X5 snort past you at full chat will open a lot of eyes to their capabilities and it would be well worth making a lot of deals that are hard to refuse.
Volvo are also a step ahead on the hybrid front, I suspect most of them will be running the T8 powertrain, so around 400BHP.
I’d also thought the same regarding the hybrids, however I entered the licence plate for one of the unmarked XC90s I spotted into DVLA vehicle check, it says “DIESEL” with 162 g/kg CO2, which I understand means D4 or D5. Volvo are also a step ahead on the hybrid front, I suspect most of them will be running the T8 powertrain, so around 400BHP.
JulianHJ said:
The issue is apparently specific to police spec BMWs, and is being addressed.
BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
Probably due to the fact that they never get turned off and always run with the run lock engaged to keep all the computer systems powered up. Despite regular servicing , they get a very hard life.BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
An XC90 T8 ARV costs far more than a 30d X5 Authority.
Mixed fleets are coming but it won't make life easier.
Annoyingly the X5 is the ideal car for the job, next best thing would maybe be something like a Q7.
The XC90 is just too cramped and the city driving safety stuff makes them an absolute nightmare on a blue light run or when trying to perform tactics.
Mixed fleets are coming but it won't make life easier.
Annoyingly the X5 is the ideal car for the job, next best thing would maybe be something like a Q7.
The XC90 is just too cramped and the city driving safety stuff makes them an absolute nightmare on a blue light run or when trying to perform tactics.
Tom1312 said:
An XC90 T8 ARV costs far more than a 30d X5 Authority.
Mixed fleets are coming but it won't make life easier.
Annoyingly the X5 is the ideal car for the job, next best thing would maybe be something like a Q7.
The XC90 is just too cramped and the city driving safety stuff makes them an absolute nightmare on a blue light run or when trying to perform tactics.
Very surprised they don't have all the safety crap disabled on police versions, you'd think that'd be an obvious move really. Do Volvos still have a reinforced chassis?Mixed fleets are coming but it won't make life easier.
Annoyingly the X5 is the ideal car for the job, next best thing would maybe be something like a Q7.
The XC90 is just too cramped and the city driving safety stuff makes them an absolute nightmare on a blue light run or when trying to perform tactics.
There are some current issues with the BMW RPU fleets, which have resulted in recalls and new guidelines for the vehicles use which may have a knock on effect on operational capability. Firearms units are certainly looking at the new Volvo XC90 hybrids.
There is certainly talk in our fleet dept about potentially moving some of the fleet away from BMW. But it will depend very much on what's available, fit for purpose and most definitely price.
But BMW almost always seem to step up with solutions which makes it hard to switch. Mixed fleets seem the best idea at the moment.
There is certainly talk in our fleet dept about potentially moving some of the fleet away from BMW. But it will depend very much on what's available, fit for purpose and most definitely price.
But BMW almost always seem to step up with solutions which makes it hard to switch. Mixed fleets seem the best idea at the moment.
Yep, seems to be an issue caused mainly by idling apparently. Over mileage on service by 1000 (on 5000 mile intervals) and it’s an engine rebuild.
The Volvos don’t really match the BMWs for dynamic driving though. Shame since that they are all that’s in the pipeline, apparently Audi is way more expensive on a fleet basis.
The Volvos don’t really match the BMWs for dynamic driving though. Shame since that they are all that’s in the pipeline, apparently Audi is way more expensive on a fleet basis.
JulianHJ said:
The issue is apparently specific to police spec BMWs, and is being addressed.
BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
A relative is an officer and says they were offered bmw 1 series as response vehicles for less than Ford/vaux/Peugeot/Hyundai and again the reason given was perception. Instead of telling the public that they cost less. This tells you all you need to know about the modern police force. BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
efcgriswold said:
A relative is an officer and says they were offered bmw 1 series as response vehicles for less than Ford/vaux/Peugeot/Hyundai and again the reason given was perception. Instead of telling the public that they cost less. This tells you all you need to know about the modern police force.
Absolutely correct. Same happened here. BMW wanted pretty much the whole police market and were willing to do some amazing deals to get it.Also, when the firearms units did tests on a new vehicle, the Porsche Cayenne came out top over the Q7, X5, XC90 etc and our fleet dept got a very good price/ deal. Went upstairs and they said no way were the Police going to be seen by the public driving Porsches!!
efcgriswold said:
JulianHJ said:
The issue is apparently specific to police spec BMWs, and is being addressed.
BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
A relative is an officer and says they were offered bmw 1 series as response vehicles for less than Ford/vaux/Peugeot/Hyundai and again the reason given was perception. Instead of telling the public that they cost less. This tells you all you need to know about the modern police force. BMW have an emergency services division that supplies the vehicles; they win contracts because the whole life cost is better that the competition. I expect Police fleet managers are no different to commercial fleet managers - ultimately they will buy and run whatever is the most economical solution. That said, I'm told the only reason UK forces don't buy the lower BMW models for response work is 'public image', much the same as why forces don't issue iPhones and iPads. No idea how accurate that is.
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