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Are these the preferred parts suppliers for OEM (only) by price?

17K views 42 replies 22 participants last post by  jwwetzel 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm going crazy reading scores of confusing threads and everyone mixes in their OEM needs with their RACING needs. (I don't race but I realize most of you guys here do so it's natural for you.)

But I just want OEM or equivalent brake parts at a good price.

If I summarize below what I *think* are what you guys recommend (based on reading your threads) for OEM brake parts at a good price (shipped to San Jose, California) can you guys just let me know two things?

Given that?
1. Which of those below do you recommend?
2. Did I miss any really good ones?

BEST PRICE FOR OEM-QUALITY BMW E39 BRAKE PARTS:
Are these preferred suppliers in *price-lowest* for *stock OEM* parts?
Pelican (Southern CA) 888-280-7799 http://www.pelicanparts.com
BMAParts (Southern CA) 888-262-3911 http://www.bmaparts.com
Bavauto (NH) (800-535-2002) http://www.bavauto.com
OemBimmerParts (TX) (210-445-7090)http://www.oembimmerparts.com
Circle BMW (NJ) 732-440-1238 http://www.circlebmw.com
Crevier BMW (Southern CA) 800-309-2318 http://www.crevierbmw.com
Pacific BMW (Southern CA) 800-542-9634 http://www.pacificbmw.com
RealOEM (unknown location?) (phone?) http://www.realoem.com/bmw
BMWfans (unknown location?) (phone?) www.bmwfans.info
Zeckhausen (NJ) 800-222-8893 www.zeckhausen.com

Is this the right list for OEM quality (not racing!) by price?

Note: If better-than-OEM can be had at a equal-or-lower-than-OEM price, then that qualifies; but since better-than-OEM can always be had at a higher-than-OEM price, that is *not* what this thread is about.
 
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#2 ·
Crevier and Pacific (when they allowed internet orders) has had the lowest prices but shipping was high since I'm on the East coast. I've recently gone with Mileoneparts, as their prices are at least as competitive as Crevier and since they are in Maryland, shipping is a bit lower.
 
#3 ·
Order from BMAParts.com.

You can call and ask for Patrick and he will take care of you.

This is not rocket science. You're making both the brake job and the procurement of parts much more complicated than they need be.
 
#4 ·
Summary of the top

Crevier and Pacific had the lowest prices but shipping was high since I'm on the East coast. Mileonepartsprices are are in Maryland where shipping is lower for me.
Given I generally only call three or four places, I've added your suggestion and that from Wingspan (turner motorsports).

Please feel free to modify as the final list is what will have value ... not these interim attempts at coming up with a final list.

Here is what I'm hearing from you guys ......

Top 3 (go with one of these for OEM unless something is way off):
Crevier (Socal) 800-309-2318 http://www.crevierbmw.com
Pacific (Socal) 800-542-9634 http://www.pacificbmw.com
Turner (Massachusetts) 800-280-6966 http://www.turnermotorsport.com

Middle 3 (go with these if the OEM part can't be found above):

Pelican (Socal) 888-280-7799 http://www.pelicanparts.com
Mileone (Maryland) 443.872.0743 http://www.mileoneparts.com
Circle BMW (NJ) 732-440-1238 http://www.circlebmw.com

Bottom few (last stop auto for OEM brake parts):
Zeckhausen (NJ) 800-222-8893 www.zeckhausen.com
Bavauto (NH) (800-535-2002) http://www.bavauto.com
OemBimmerParts (TX) (210-445-7090) http://www.oembimmerparts.com

Others (apparently useful for part number lookups):
RealOEM (unknown location?) (phone?) http://www.realoem.com/bmw
BMWfans (unknown location?) (phone?) www.bmwfans.info
BMAParts (Socal) 888-262-3911 http://www.bmaparts.com

The value in this list is in the final tally; not the intermediate stages, so please fix. Tomorrow I will call those above and get prices on parts but I'm only going to call the top-recommended 3 or 4.
 
#5 ·
Bluebee,

I have a feeling that you do not have a grasp of the differences between "OE" and "OEM" parts.

Please read the following:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3019503&postcount=6

Now, to expand on that above post:

"OE" parts (i.e. those purchased through a BMW dealership) are going to be more expensive than "OEM" parts (i.e. those purchased through OEMBimmerParts or BMAParts or Pelican Parts). When you talk about "calling those above to get prices", you need to understand that calling dealerships like Pacific BMW, Circle BMW, etc., will generally reveal higher prices than the "OEM" parts suppliers listed above.

That is a simple fact of life. If a part is "OE" (meaning it has come from the factory with a BMW logo stamped/molded into it) it will be significantly more expensive than an "OEM" part. The trick is to understand that "OEM" parts generally come from the exact same factories (and even the exact same molds!), but the BMW logo has been filled in/ground off or simply not molded into the part in the first place.

Does this mean you are getting an inferior part? Not necessarily. What it means is that the supplier does not have any sort of exclusive contract with BMW and thus can sell the exact same part, sans the BMW logo, to 3rd party parts distributors.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Yeah, go with OEM parts for your brake job since BMW OE is going to be a lot more $$$. Do a search on here and you'll find some good alternatives to OE rotors and pads.

edit: Here you go... http://www.europartsdirect.com/epc-items.asp These guys used to have the absolute best prices around for certain parts. Free shipping >$50 to boot.
 
#8 ·
The cost difference between recommended suppliers is more than 2x!

Specwar was right.

I started late in the day so most of the right coast went home but here is a quick survey of the suggested parts suppliers for front and rear brakes by company. Notice the cost difference is more than 2x between the suppliers for essentially the same parts.



Key:
CR = Crevier BMW
SC = Stevenscreek BMW
PA = Pacific BMW
PP = Pelican Parts
BA = Bavauto Parts
BM = BMAParts
EP = EuroParts Direct
AE = AllEuro
etc.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Are you sure your chart is correct? I am getting different numbers then your chart is getting?

Take BA for example 54.95+54.95+54.95+11.95=176.80 yours totals 221.80
Pads Rotor Rotor sensor

What model are you buying parts for? Going by europarts direct a brake parts for a 2001 525i is $420.00 that is with front and rear brembos,pagid pads and sensors
 
#10 · (Edited)
Are you sure your chart is correct? I am getting different numbers then your chart is getting (for EP)?
Thanks for asking. This is an imprecise science in that, I don't generally wish to call more than two or three (four at most) preferred suppliers for parts quotes as it's a waste of time for all of us.

But, I could not find a similar price comparison anywhere so I did it myself (as part of my brake job this week). The differences were astounding.

As for EP (Europarts Direct), here are my notes for EP for the fronts:
"No Axxis pads." "Front pads $57.38 PBR Ultimates, ceramic", "Front rotor, $67.88 Brembo", "Front sensor 13.72, only diff. is shorter wires than rear sensor", "no tax, no shipping".

Here are my notes for EP for the rears (I may not be spelling brands right):
"No Axxis", "Rear pads $37.28 Miley", "Rear rotor $60.74 Brembo", "Rear sensor $15.41, longer than front", "no tax, no shipping".

BTW, after I posted that chart showing Crevier (CR) even worse than the local San Jose dealership, they wrote back to me, after my phone call to them yesterday, providing a huge difference in price. When I asked why, they said mail inquiries get a better price than phone. Hmmmm... what a pain. I think I'll knock Crevier off my list altogether. I hate it when I don't get the same answer twice.

The key, by the way, is below. Consider this a work in progress as I just started yesterday because this is my new blue B's first repair (a brake job).
------
Note: -t=no tax; +t=taxed; -s=no shipping;+s=shipping charged
------
BA Bavauto (NH)-t-s 800-535-2002 http://www.bavauto.com
EP EuroParts (NY)-t-s 800-871-3619 http://www.europartsdirect.com
MO Mileone (MD)?t?s 443.872.0743 http://www.mileoneparts.com
TM Turner (MA)?t?s 800-280-6966 http://www.turnermotorsport.com
CB Circle (NJ)?t?s 732-440-1238 http://www.circlebmw.com
ZH Zeckhausen (NJ)?t?s 800-222-8893 http://www.zeckhausen.com
AE AllEuro (NV)?t?s 866-286-2051 http://www.alleuropeanautoparts.com
------
PA Pacific (CA)+t+s 800-542-9634 http://www.pacificbmw.com
SC StevensCr (CA)?t?s 888-648-3446 http://stevenscreekbmw2-px.avxtrk.com
CR Crevier (CA)+t?s 800-309-2318 http://www.crevierbmw.com
PP Pelican (CA)?t?s 888-280-7799 http://www.pelicanparts.com
OB OemBimmer (TX)?t?s 210-445-7090 http://www.oembimmerparts.com
RO RealOEM (??)?t?s ???-???-???? http://www.realoem.com/bmw
BM BMAParts (CA)?t?s 888-262-3911 http://www.bmaparts.com
AO AllOem (??)?t?s 800-230-5754 http://www.alloembmwparts.com
------
TA TecaAccess (??)?t?s 925-485-4559 http://www.tecaccessories.com
BP Bimmerpart (??)?t?s 888-810-9223 http://www.bimmerpartswholesale.com
AP AutoParts (??)?t?s 800-859-0923 http://www.autopartswarehouse.com
ON OverNight (??)?t?s 800-267-1845 http://www.overnightautoparts.com
AH AutoHaus (??)?t?s 800-240-4620 http://www.autohausaz.com
AB AutoBody (??)?t?s 800-364-3005 http://www.bmwautobodypartstore.com
TP PartsBin (??)?t?s 888-628-3247 http://www.thepartsbin.com
BF BMWfans (??)?t?s ???-???-???? http://www.bmwfans.info
 
#11 ·
What model are you buying parts for?
------
FRONT:
Brake disc, 296x22, ventilated P/N 34-11-6-767-061
Inner hex bolt, M8x14, P/N 34-21-1-161-806
Repair kit, brake pads asbestos-free JURID 187 shape, P/N 34-11-6-761-280
Brake pad wear sensor, P/N 34-35-2-229-018
Never seez compound, 100grams, P/N 83-23-9-407-830
------
REAR:
Brake pad wear sensor, P/N 34-35-1-163-066
Repair kit, brake pads, asbestos-free, TEXTAR T4071, P/N 34-21-6-761-281
Brake disc, ventilated, 298x20, P/N 34-21-6-767-060
Inner hex bolt, M8x14, P/N 34-21-1-161-806
------
 
#12 ·
I'm going to throw the boys at KOPerformance (www.koperformance.com) into the mix for you. They have a large mix of suppliers. Here's a couple of examples for you. The back rotors on your car have 5 suppliers. They range in price from $43.39 - $84.83. The Brembos are $56.46 and the BMWs are $78.69.

The company headquarters is in FL, but most of the stuff I've bought from them comes out of San Francisco.

Good luck with your decison and brake job.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the help with the best BMW parts suppliers

I'm going to throw the boys at KOPerformance (www.koperformance.com) into the mix for you.
I bought 'em from KO.
Thanks.
All done and put together and I'll be writing up the DIY now that all the questions were answered.

Fluids:
bimmerfest - BMW Forums > BMW Model Discussions > 5-Series > E39 (1997 - 2003) What fluids (only) should be used in a typical E39 brake job?
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3135850&postcount=65

Brakes:
Bimmerfest: BMW Forums > BMW Model Discussions > 5-Series > E39 (1997 - 2003) How to check & replace your BMW front disc brakes and rotors
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=266819
 
#14 ·
It would be nice to have a good list of suppliers and contacts for total efficiency

I bought 'em from KO.
In another thread, someone asked where we recommend one get parts so I referred him to this thread and upated the list below with my records.

If you see a mistake or have additional decent parts suppliers, post 'em here so we can benefit from the efficiency.

AllEuro (NV)?t?s 866-286-2051 http://www.alleuropeanautoparts.com
AllOem (??)?t?s 800-230-5754 http://www.alloembmwparts.com
Apex (PA)-t-s 866-505-2739 http://www.apexperformance.net
AutoBody (??)?t?s 800-364-3005 http://www.bmwautobodypartstore.com
AutoHaus (AZ)-t-s 800-240-4620 http://www.autohausaz.com (no ship>50)
AutoParts (??)?t?s 800-859-0923 http://www.autopartswarehouse.com
Bavauto (NH)-t-s 800-535-2002 http://www.bavauto.com
Bimmerpart (??)?t?s 888-810-9223 http://www.bimmerpartswholesale.com
BMAParts (CA)?t?s 888-262-3911 http://www.bmaparts.com
BMWfans (??)?t?s ???-???-???? http://www.bmwfans.info
Circle (NJ)?t?s 732-440-1238 http://www.circlebmw.com
Crevier (CA)+t?s 800-309-2318 http://www.crevierbmw.com
Crown (NC)?t+s 866-756-1437 http://www.crownbmw.com
ElAuto (FL)?t-s 954-316-1022 http://www.elautoparts.com
EuroParts (NY)-t-s 800-871-3619 http://www.europartsdirect.com
KOPerf (FL)?t?s 888-581-1035 http://www.koperformance.com
Mileone (MD)?t+s 443-872-0743 http://www.mileoneparts.com
OemBimmer (TX)?t?s 210-445-7090 http://www.oembimmerparts.com
OverNight (??)?t?s 800-267-1845 http://www.overnightautoparts.com
Pacific (CA)+t+s 800-542-9634 http://www.pacificbmw.com
PartsBin (??)?t?s 888-628-3247 http://www.thepartsbin.com
Pelican (CA)?t?s 888-280-7799 http://www.pelicanparts.com
RealOEM (WB)?t?s ???-???-???? http://www.realoem.com/bmw
StevensCr (CA)?t?s 888-648-3446 http://stevenscreekbmw2-px.avxtrk.com
TecaAccess (??)?t?s 925-485-4559 http://www.tecaccessories.com
Turner (MA)?t?s 800-280-6966 http://www.turnermotorsport.com
Zeckhausen (NJ)?t?s 800-222-8893 http://www.zeckhausen.com

NOTE:
The key is: +t means they add California tax, -t means they don't.
The +s means no shipping charges (often for orders over about 50 bucks); -s means they charge shipping.
The question mark means I don't know yet as I only look stuff up when I need to.
And the states are listed 'cuz it is relevant to taxes and shipping.
 
#15 ·
out of that whole list I see 1 or 2 sellers that support the forums. Sad.

maybe you ought to re-write your list to reflect businesses who cater to the community rather than those just offering slash and burn pricing? I can probably beat or at least match any of those prices. EAC and the other vendors here support the BMW forums so that you guys have a place to discuss your cars. just food for thought.
 
#22 ·
+1 EACTuning.... Supprised they are not on the list...
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
After a couple of years of BMW, with posts on all the parts I've needed to buy, not once has EACTuning been recommended, until now (AFAIK).

I'm happy to add Mark's company to the list, as the whole point is to come up with the short list of user-recommended "best" suppliers to call for general DIY parts needs.

Over time, any one person would likely whittle their personal sublist down to fewer than a handful (since we don't all have the time nor inclination like I did to call every single one of them to get a price-comparison shipping-tax-comparison for my original thread on best supplier.

Here's the user-recommended list so far (please continue to hone):

AllEuro,(NV),?t?s,866-286-2051,http://www.alleuropeanautoparts.com
AllOem,(??),?t?s,800-230-5754,http://www.alloembmwparts.com
Apex,(PA),-t-s,866-505-2739,http://www.apexperformance.net
AutoBody,(??),?t?s,800-364-3005,http://www.bmwautobodypartstore.com
AutoHaus,(AZ),-t-s,800-240-4620,http://www.autohausaz.com,(no,ship>50)
AutoParts,(??),?t?s,800-859-0923,http://www.******************.com
Bavauto,(NH),-t-s,800-535-2002,http://www.bavauto.com
Bimmerpart,(??),?t?s,888-810-9223,http://www.bimmerpartswholesale.com
BMAParts,(CA),?t?s,888-262-3911,http://www.bmaparts.com
BMWfans,(??),?t?s,???-???-????,http://www.bmwfans.info
Circle,(NJ),?t?s,732-440-1238,http://www.circlebmw.com
Crevier,(CA),+t?s,800-309-2318,http://www.crevierbmw.com
EACTuning,(OH),?t?s,877.322.5757,http://www.eactuning.com,
ElAuto,(FL),?t-s,954-316-1022,http://www.elautoparts.com
EuroParts,(NY),-t-s,800-871-3619,http://www.europartsdirect.com
KOPerf,(FL),?t?s,888-581-1035,http://www.koperformance.com
Mileone,(MD),?t+s,443-872-0743,http://www.mileoneparts.com
OemBimmer,(TX),?t?s,210-445-7090,http://www.oembimmerparts.com
OverNight,(??),?t?s,800-267-1845,http://www.overnightautoparts.com
Pacific,(CA),+t+s,800-542-9634,http://www.pacificbmw.com
PartsBin,(??),?t?s,888-628-3247,http://www.***********.com
Pelican,(CA),?t?s,888-280-7799,http://www.pelicanparts.com
RealOEM,(WB),?t?s,???-???-????,http://www.realoem.com/bmw
TecaAccess,(??),?t?s,925-485-4559,http://www.tecaccessories.com
Turner,(MA),?t?s,800-280-6966,http://www.turnermotorsport.com
Zeckhausen,(NJ),?t?s,800-222-8893,http://www.zeckhausen.com

Note: This is in comma-separated-value (csv) format for easy import into an Excel spreadsheet so you can add quoted prices, shipping, taxes, and service, so you can then easily sort as I did based on criteria you care about.

PS: I might buy the $18 BMW roundel from Mark at EAC Tuning for example, which I noticed simply by visiting their web site to get their contact information (I'll do a short survey on that separately). Plus, while I was at his site, I searched for wiper refills which I recently researched, and his prices seem reasonable (but the description was very confusing because they were too short at 10" to 20" but I hope that's just the web page being wrong). So I recommended him on my wiper refill thread.
 
#25 ·
#26 ·
Actually, for reccomended supplier I would put EAC at the top. Not only are they sponsors, they also helped the mebers of the forum(s). Also, they are very knowledgeable people and will advise which is the best part for your car (that will last). Also, if you have install problems, you can contact them and they will help you out - they also have a shop, if I'm not mistaken.
As far as the price goes, they are quite competitive, very close to the "best" price.
To get the "best" price if you need more parts, you will have to actually shop 2-3 different suppliers, and what you would save (2-3 bux) on 2-3 different suppliers, you would waste more on shipping. If you contact Mark, he will give a very decent price and a good shipping quote. At the end you are actually ahead, you save money and have great supprt. His face is on the forum also if you need help. How many of those other suppliers show up if things start to go sour?
So far I had a good experience with EAC and I am looking forward to doing business with them in the future.
 
#29 ·
Some of the BMW dealers listed seem to require that you to call them or order off of some ancient mail order type form but the getbmwparts.com website is apparently run by a BMW dealer in Maryland and allows part look-ups using the realoem part numbers. The prices are good for a BMW place but may be no better than you can get from your local dealer if you ask for a discount (but without the added hassle or need to compare). My understanding is that if you use a BMW branded part, BMW covers the part for a year. Pelican and getbmwparts.com are my two favorites.
 
#31 ·
the getbmwparts.com website is apparently run by a BMW dealer in Maryland and allows part look-ups
In the bestlinks, we already have the following BMW dealer part lookups:

BMWfans phantom diagrams (1) & Realoem nominal prices by part number (1) & EACTuning actual prices by part number (1) & BMW of South Atlanta actual prices by part number (1) & Maxmillian BMW prices by part number (1) & the most often recommended parts suppliers (1) & what BMW E39 parts & supplies are best to buy OEM (1)& joining BMWCCA to lower parts costs (1) (2) & what parts to always get OEM (1) which BMW dealers match prices (1) & in situ pictures of common parts of the M54 engine (1)

So, I tried getbmwparts.com to see if I should add it to the list above.

It does do what you said - but it's a bit cumbersome. At least for me it didn't show diagrams. It just showed descriptions, part numbers and prices.



Zeckhausen has centric products which are just as good if not better than oem
Apparently Centric doesn't 'really' exist. Well, it 'does' exist, but, it's not what it says it is. Centric, according to Axxis/PBR marketing, is simply rebranded 'other stuff', some of which are the very same Axxis pads we use every day.

Details here:
- Why so hard to price Axxis Deluxe Advanced brake pads on the Internet?

Since Centric doesn't really exist (as it's own stuff anyway), in order to compare, we have to figure out 'what' Centric is.

For example, in post #91, jason5driver asked:
I find question #5 interesting...
Could the new Stop Tech Street Performance pads be the same as the Axxis Ultimates?
http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/E39.htm
 

Attachments

#30 ·
Zeckhausen has centric products which are just as good if not better than oem for only a few bux more than oem. I just got some slotted rotors (awaiting the second set which should arrive monday) and they look nice. They are still centric rotors...the guys who make stoptech
 
#33 ·
I'd be interested to know if the sites listed offer some type deal for shipping. Brakes are heavy and very expensive to ship at full price.

I know http://www.bavauto.com/ will not ship rotors under their spend $200+ dollar = free shipping discount.

Where as the site I normally order from offers free shipping and ships out orders same day as late as 3pm.

So when you got the chart out, and are listing prices that lowest price might have a 50 dollar shipping bill hidden.
 
#34 ·
I'd be interested to know if the sites listed offer some type deal for shipping
Shipping & tax (in California anyway, which is nearly 10%) can be appreciable, I agree!

You'll notice that the chart in post #8 above covered both tax & shipping for the heavy "pads & rotors" shipments.

And, you'll notice the list in post #10 made an attempt at defining who charged tax & shipping, specifically to California (where you and I reside).

You'll also notice that I very often quote true price (taxed and shipped to my doorstep) in many of my posts.

Of course, having said that it's important, it 'is' a bit difficult to maintain a listing of all this information in a single short list, especially with 50 states involved (not all of which charge sales tax, of course) and various policies on what qualifies for free shipping.

Still - if anyone has ideas how to maintain such a listing ... I'd be glad to see it!
 
#36 ·
For the crosslinked record, cn90 has a similar thread that I just found out about over here:
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > Online Parts Vendors, what is everyone buying from?

- Online Parts Vendors, what is everyone buying from?
- Please comments on price and service.

I buy parts from:
- Eactuning.com
- Autohausaz.com
- eeuroparts.com
- rmeuropean.com
- FCP groton (but I have to be careful re what brand, they sometimes carry junks like Hamburg Technic)
- "Crown BMW" (dealer ship on East Coast) for hard-to-find parts and dealer-only parts. They are pretty good about it.
 
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