Car enthusiasts are well aware that automakers often share components among models within the same group to optimize development and production costs. However, a recent revelation has ignited discussions within the automotive community about the hidden intricacies behind the service catalogs of luxury brands.
The focal point of this discourse emerged when the owner of a Rolls-Royce Wraith encountered a clockspring issue and was quoted a staggering $2,500 for a replacement at the service center. While such costs might not faze many Rolls-Royce clients, this particular owner embarked on a quest for a more budget-conscious solution, ultimately challenging the extravagance associated with luxury car maintenance.
In a surprising twist, the owner discovered that the clockspring from a BMW 6-Series, specifically from the F12 generation, perfectly matched the one in their Rolls-Royce, with the only requirement being a bit of stalk swapping. The result? A clockspring replacement with a price tag of $160, yielding significant savings of $2,340.
This revelation, complete with photographic evidence, found its way to a Reddit thread titled “Justrolledintotheshop,” courtesy of user Fixitsteven, and quickly gained viral status with hundreds of comments. Users applauded the resourceful Wraith owner for uncovering the compatibility and shared their own experiences with experimenting on various BMW parts for their Rolls-Royces.
The Wraith coupe, sharing its foundation with a modified version of the BMW 7-Series F01 architecture, signifies that numerous mechanical components and electronics are common with their BMW counterparts (7-Series and 6-Series). This presents a savvy option for Rolls-Royce owners who prioritize cost-effectiveness in maintenance and repairs, willing to engage in some hands-on work.
Even as the second-generation Ghost transitioned to the Rolls-Royce-specific Architecture of Luxury aluminum chassis, speculation remains about the continued use of BMW components concealed from view. The practice of drawing from a parent company’s parts inventory, especially for components out of sight and indistinguishable to the customer, isn’t unique to Rolls-Royce but extends to other luxury automakers under larger corporations, including Bentley, Maserati, and Maybach.
