CBU and CKD

[Torneo]

Good day all.I've heard people saying grey import (CBU) units are not as good as local (CKD) units. In general I'd really appreciate if anyone can tell the main difference of the 2 type. Pros Cons....grateful for any opinion at all.1.In terms of servicing, can i get the CBU to AB or SA for service and maintenance? 2. Parts replacement and availability - are CBU parts harder to find? or do AB/SA carry them?3. Weather wise - some say CBU aren't built for tropical country like Msia. Would this be a myth or truth?Thanks for reading - Cheers:wink:

 

[B33mEr]

Good day all.

I've heard people saying grey import (CBU) units are not as good as local (CKD) units. In general I'd really appreciate if anyone can tell the main difference of the 2 type. Pros Cons....grateful for any opinion at all.

1.In terms of servicing, can i get the CBU to AB or SA for service and maintenance?
Yes you can ... they will gladly accept your car regardless whetehr it's CBU or CKD, whether you buy from official channel or from grey importers. But beware tho the price can be expensive but does carry a two year parts warranty
2. Parts replacement and availability - are CBU parts harder to find? or do AB/SA carry them?
Depends actually ... most parts are easy to source however soem CBU cars have winter package which includes heated seats, headlight washers and so on ... those parts are for cold weathered country's and finding parts for that may be difficult
3. Weather wise - some say CBU aren't built for tropical country like Msia. Would this be a myth or truth?
Yes it's the truth actually. Even CKD parts are sourced from BMW South Africa factory if i'm not mistaken lerr as SA is a hot country like us thus their parts are better suited for our climate

Thanks for reading - Cheers:wink:

Anwers in blue ...

 

[BimmerK]

from what i know, correct me if im wrong
example, its based on a CBU unit from London then imported to Msia and compared to a CKD unit.
of course the material used in the CBU unit was much better than the CKD unit, but the price is much more expensive.
On the other hand, CKD unit uses lower grade or quality materials (not cheap cheap ones) let say for the interior to lower the cost of the CKD units to be more affordable.
There are also some minor cosmetics difference too between both units.
There should be no problem with servicing a CBU unit in AB or SA or IA. Parts also wont be a problem too because both units share the same parts.
Weather wise, well, that im not so sure, but i can tell you that CBU units can stand places like Msia too because both CBU and CKD units are assembeled the same way in their factory, almost all the parts are the same, except the types of material used. Plus even before they officially launched a new model, BMW test their prototypes rigorously, driving through thunder storms, snowy alpine mountains, scorching heat of the Death Valley etc etc, it should be bullet-proof.
:cheers:

 

[Torneo]

Thanks for the info B33mEr and BimmerK.

From what i gathered so far, as long as it's got a blue & white propeller logo, it's a good buy!

I've seen a few CBU unit but could not tell much differences between Jap and UK Specs.

Things that i noticed was just the odometer, showing miles instead of kilometers.

Anyone could educate us if there are anything else?

 

[BimmerK]

Converting miles to kilometers just times by 1.6~
I'd prefer US spec than the Japanese spec, especially the ones from California. Hot dry weather mean no rust!~
What you've said, as long its the blue white logo, its the best you can get! =)

 

[pswchan]

Converting miles to kilometers just times by 1.6~
I'd prefer US spec than the Japanese spec, especially the ones from California. Hot dry weather mean no rust!~
What you've said, as long its the blue white logo, its the best you can get! =)

Yup, California great spec, especially the left hand drive !

 

[totoro]

am using a cbu e46 fr SA. only minor diff like steering wheel different etc. material more quality i think. and less problems. after 9 years , no major problem. (touch wood). : )