[vgame64]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/b...rcedes-others/

I know I posted a few weeks earlier about Mercedes and BMW doing joint development, but this seems bigger. Also with BMW and Daimler sharing hybrid technology, BMW and Fiat sharing work on the Isetta/Topolino, and BMW working on an open source platform for all car manufacturers (http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-make...ectronics.html)it seems like the BMW love is going to spread far beyond the typical marques. -vgame64

BMW, the Munich-based German automaker, is reportedly in discussion with other automakers -- rivals in some cases -- to sell their engines and transmissions. Klaus Draeger, BMW's head of development, told Auto Motor und Sport that the automaker is in advanced talks with Mercedes-Benz about licensing engines to its Stuttgart-based competitor.

Specifics have not been announced, but one likely candidate would be BMW's new V-12, set to debut in the new 7 Series and baby Rolls-Royce sedan. Mercedes would drop it under the hood of their flagship S-Class and Maybach. There was no mention about the possibility of BMW's twin-turbo inline-six finding itself under the hood of a Mercedes (while BMW continues to refine their award-winning inline-six powerplant, Mercedes dropped their popular straight-six in the mid-1990's and replaced it with a V6), but Draeger did hint that other automakers have approached the company about diesel engine technology. Engine and transmission sharing isn't uncommon in the industry, but such a move would be a first for the two companies, each longstanding rivals with products selling in the identical segments.

[Source: Autocar]

[Deda]

this is first info for me.

[vgame64]

Yeah, kinda shocking to me. I would not want BMW engines in any car who's maker was not owned by BMW.

[iamwiz82]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

BMW, in a Merc? Com'on... this is worse than the credit crisis.

Why? BMW has used other OEMs for such things as transmissions for years. Heck, the e9x auto is a GM transmission.

[Blake]

i'd love to see a headline like "amg calls uncle, buy engines from BMW's M division"

[lyndon_h]

Originally Posted by iamwiz82

Why? BMW has used other OEMs for such things as transmissions for years. Heck, the e9x auto is a GM transmission.

The transmission that BMW uses is not a GM transmission, but a transmission that is shared by other cars including some GM cars (particularly Caddy). Somebody correct me if i'm wrong here.

I'm ok with sharing somethings, but the engine is the soul of the car. Thats like sharing your girlfriend or wife with your best friend.

[Crimson92]

this is very odd considering that the merc v12 is stronger than bmws