It’s a well known truth amongst automotive fans that mechanically associated fashions from totally different automakers inside the similar group typically share quite a few parts to optimize improvement and manufacturing prices. Nevertheless, whenever you come throughout Rolls-Royce charging $2,500 for a clockspring that might be swapped with an almost similar $160 half from BMW, it raises questions, you may’t assist however surprise what else is hidden behind the dear service catalogs of luxurious manufacturers.
A clockspring, also called a spiral cable, is a coiled wire inside a automotive’s steering column that allows electrical connections between the stationary half (steering column) and the rotating half (steering wheel) in a automotive. It’s a significant element for capabilities just like the horn, airbag, and different steering wheel-mounted controls.
Our story started when the proprietor of a shiny and opulent Rolls-Royce Wraith encountered a difficulty with the clockspring, and the service heart quoted him an eye-watering $2,500 for a alternative. Whereas most Rolls-Royce shoppers would fork over the money with out a lot as a raised eyebrow, this savvy proprietor had different plans. They launched into a daring quest to uncover a extra budget-conscious resolution, cheekily thumbing their nostril on the extravagance of all of it.
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The Wraith proprietor stumbled upon an interesting, albeit not solely stunning revelation: the clockspring from a BMW 6-Sequence, seemingly from the F12 era, completely matched the one residing of their Rolls-Royce, supplied they engaged in some stalk swapping. The online end result? This element got here with a price ticket of $160, delivering outstanding financial savings of $2,340.
The story, full with photographic proof of the interchangeable elements, made its method to a Reddit thread dubbed “Justrolledintotheshop,” courtesy of consumer Fixitsteven. Predictably, the put up achieved viral standing, garnering a whole bunch of feedback. Many customers applauded the resourceful Wraith proprietor for uncovering the element compatibility and sharing their expertise, whereas some confessed to comparable escapades with their Rolls-Royces, experimenting with numerous BMW elements.
The Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe, which has now been discontinued, shared its basis with a modified model of the BMW 7-Sequence F01 structure, akin to the intently associated Daybreak convertible and the prior-generation Ghost. Which means quite a few mechanical parts and electronics have been frequent with their BMW counterparts (7-Sequence and 6-Sequence), presenting a intelligent possibility for Rolls-Royce house owners who worth thriftiness in upkeep and repairs and are unafraid to have interaction in some hands-on work.
Even because the all-new second-generation Ghost transitioned to the Rolls-Royce-specific Structure of Luxurious aluminum chassis, now we have each purpose to consider that many BMW parts stay cleverly hid from sight.
In any case, there’s little level in reinventing the wheel when an automaker can draw from its guardian firm’s elements stock, particularly when these parts are out of view and indistinguishable to the client. This observe isn’t distinctive to Rolls-Royce; it extends to rival choices from Bentley (inside the VW Group), Maserati (Stellantis) and Maybach (beneath Mercedes-Benz), as few luxurious automakers exist with out the monetary and technological help of a bigger company.