Fudman - I hear you loud and clear. I'm very skeptical about buying thru ebay too... And your right about the suspension components. I don't like to go there. However I research where the parts are being made and shipped from... I NEVER buy anything that says "shipped from china", and I also see where the part has originated from. If I'm not convinced, then I keep searching. I bought my Bilsteins and Vogtand springs thru ebay, and 3 yrs later, they work great. Pretty much I go to the dealer to buy electrical parts. Those I'm very scared to buy after-market. BUT, if they are Bosch, Bremi, or other German brands, and I can find them on ebay cheaper, and "new"? - Well guess what? I'm there... I bought a Bosch 140amp alternator, on ebay, for 210 USD... The same EXACT alternator at the dealer costs over 350 bucks. Check this out. If possible, be-friend a BMW dealer parts specialist. I did. You will be amazed on how many parts are after-market parts, and that BMW endorses or "stamps" their name on it and double charge you for that. BMW does not make their "genuine parts", - Bosch, Bremi, and other companies do. I just found out that the BMW cars here in the USA are using GM/Chevy transmissions, if you were to replace the factory OEM. lol I dont know if that is exactly true, but this came from a lead BMW tech that i know... I'm telling you. The thing is, dont get too caught up on the whole "BMW genuine parts" thing. You'll just end up wasting money.
The coolant system parts that Bluebee needs to replace, - I have already replaced on my car - aftermarket. I bought everything from ebay, except the fan shroud; and only bcuz i didnt know better at that time. Till this day, "knocking on wood", I haven't had a problem with my cooling system.
Bluebee - I forgot to mention, dont forget to bleed your cooling system once you complete your work, and before you drive off in your car. You dont want to blow a brand new hose, or radiator!!!!