replacement parts in Oz?

[wintech]

hi all, querying the existence of replacement parts suppliers in Oz. I am in WA and Auto Classic and their self justified Grand larceny for parts seem to be the only source over here. surfed 12 pgs of gooogle and thought this may be a better option. 1989 E34 535i, front suspension control arms, up/low. Any input will be appreciated

[kennedy1989]

hi all, querying the existence of replacement parts suppliers in Oz. I am in WA and Auto Classic and their self justified Grand larceny for parts seem to be the only source over here. surfed 12 pgs of gooogle and thought this may be a better option. 1989 E34 535i, front suspension control arms, up/low. Any input will be appreciated

hi

im across in Sydney.
i had the same issue your having, with alot of trouble finding parts.

i find that if your in a hurry, you can normally get a mainstream auto partshop to order in your gear, over here i use Repco and Autobarn. however, they jack the prices through the roof.

for cheap, reliable parts, check the sponsors link up top right of this page.
all are american or german sites, but alot will post to Aussie.
my favs are Umnitza and PelicanParts.

[wintech]

Update>> I ended up buying a complete front end kit (suspension/steering) for the e34 off Ebay and it was shipped UPS on 18/02. Been tracking it with the shipping number, just arrived in Cologne, DE this morning/friday night 20th, due to arrive 23rd.

I contacted various BMW dealers in South Africa, but they are under agreement not to export.Fot a lot of years, all export Beemers were built in Rosslyn,SA. They can post to a SA address to forward on, but the COST!!! ZAR642:AUD$100(good exchange rate huh) the Upper Thrust arm (31121139999 ) was ZAR3244(AUD$505) EACH side! the Lower 1744(AUD$280). (I only paid a grand for the whole car)

BMA Parts(Calif.) gave me a quote for cost and shipping and was going to proceed with them, but trawled Ebay and came up with a coule of Euro parts specialists: DeutchpartsUSA & FCPGroton. The latter was who I used as marginally cheaper considering the AUD is currently $0.63USD. The cost from BMA Parts was going to be $850AUD, FCP Groton landed will be $624AUD( excluding any customs duty that may get levied)

As a comparison locally...ASV in Perth( widely acclaimed Euro parts "specialists") wanted to sell me a used upper control arm for $150(dodgy ball joints) and a new bush to suit for $78. They only had a listing for New OEM LHS lower control arm, bugger all else....hence the necessity to look elsewhere, got no replies from east coast parts suppliers/wreckers. The 9 pce kit I ordered has the E32 750i Upper Bushes, M5 alum lower control arm upgrade, tie rods, sway bar links complete and idler arm. I think its a bit of a shame that enthusiasts of any interest group are held to ransom in Aust by the apathy of businesses in a cornered market. I have also located quite few parts off Trademe.(http://www.trademe.co.nz/) as I have a brother in ChCh and the imported cars in NZ are dirt cheap and plentifull, so the wrecking out of which is also xtrmly competitive.ie: COMPLETE red leather interior for an E34in exlnt cond only reached $85NZ so the seller(BM spec wrecker) emailed all the watchers with a buy now offer of $600.

The argument; that Australia is too small to have open door imports, that it would destroy the local car industry, does not wash when compared to NZ and the size of population. Beemers are very cheap over there as you are probably aware.

i will repost when the parts arrive and give the final tally and any snags that may occur

[cavman]

You have to remember that there is no local car manufacturers there either, not like Australia with Holden and Ford.