The last time I checked, part of the development of any new car is to test it in all whether extremes. Death Valley in the US, which is amongst the hottest places on earth, is a favourite testing ground. I am driving my third turbo car and have never had issues with the turbo. Admittedly I trade them in before the motorplan expires.I have no expeience with turbo diesels though, which apparently are more prone to blowing.

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Agree with TCool. BMW make the best engines in the world - especially the silky smooth 3.0L straight six as found in the 330i. But also have to take note what Garageman says. The SA hot climate is a turbo's worst enemy as well as heat dust and pot hole vibration are an ECU's worst enemy. In December when going on holiday South African's drive their vehicles under huge dynamic loads - heavily loaded often pulling a trailer or more; high speeds; hot dry and dusty weather. Temperatures under the bonnet often resemble that of a blacksmith fire with bellows (turbos) despite the intercoolers. And as the owners of a fleet we see that our turbos "pop" more often in the daytime between Bloemfontein and Touws River - in the karoo at temperaures plus 35 degrees. That's why we often schedule night travel when it's cooler to save the turbos. I think what a lot of South African's don't understand is that most of the vehicles they buy are European designed - where climates are moderate and cool and turbos (and ECUs) perform best in these conditions. The Aussies for example on roadtrains do not use turbo's nor fancy electronics - and when it comes to cars they like to build and design their own often normally aspirated and distributor type ignition systems to aid reliability and durability in the vast distances and hot conditions. Like the Chevs, Fords and Holdens. If you follow the Dakar Rally from and engine perspective it's the turbos and ECU's which are replaced at most stops followed by suspension and transmission drive parts. The move to turbos may be driven by efficiency but at what cost reliability and durability. And ECU and turbo replacement is expensive especially when you are out of motorplan.

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@Anonymous, what's wrong with BMW turbo charging it's vehicles? Yoou should blame it to the environmentalists. By the way BMW is known for building the best engines, that will not be changed by just adding a Turbo.

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The biggest selling spares item by garages in the karoo on the N1 in the summer months peaking with the December holiday traffic? Replacement of blown turbo chargers followed by fuel pumps and computer control units.

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All well and good. And what about reliability and how long will they last? Thinking about BMW reliability from next year it seems customers will not be able to buy a BMW in SA that is not turbo charged - or twin turbo charged. BMW are also going into the music industry and their new release "POP GOES THE TURBO" is forecast to be the SA hit of the year in 2012!!!

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