http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=87

 

EBay if it's expensive and can be a used part or RM Euro. RM has a loyalty points thing going on so that's nice.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Bimmerfest mobile app

 

DO you order parts thru the local place like a AutoZone or O'Reilly's or is there a good parts place online for BMW parts. I need a side view mirror cover and a few other misc parts.

Thanks in advance!

I recommend learning how to use the BMW online part database sites (if you don't already)...then look up the correct 11 digit BMW part nbr based on your VIN (this usually will help eliminate ending up with the incorrect part for a BMW model that has the same nomenclature but from a different generation...or if there's a change in part nbr during the production run).

Once you have the correct 11 digit part nbr based on your VIN and how your car is optioned (see the supplemental info column in the the part nbr index)...you can then type BMW xx xx x xxx xxx (where x=the bmw part nbr) into a google search box and find thousands of results of vendors selling the part. Or you can input the part nbr info on a vendors site if they have a part nbr search feature...and you can also check with your local BMW dealership for a price quote...sometimes they can be competitive for some parts. Don't forget the forum sponsors (see link Ridin Dirty posted above), too.

Here's a few of the pretty stable/dependable part databases:

• http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do (e38s & e39s are now under CLASSIC side of database)
• http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog
• https://www.etkbmw.com/

For example, you can see in the diagram below that there are TWO different mirror covers (#3 & #4). If you input your VIN...or if you select the correct info like date/model/build date/etc...the part nbr below the diagram will most times not give you the info for parts in the diagram that don't apply. I don't have your VIN...but you do have that your e39 is a 2000 model...so mirror cover # 4 is the only one that shows up in the part nbr index. Not pulling up the correct part nbrs based on your VIN is how you could incorrectly end up buying #3 in the diagram if you shop generically for an e39 mirror cover:

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E39-Sedan/USA/540i-M62/2000/browse/vehicle_trim/outside_mirror_2/

 

This is how I go about finding parts as well. However, I pop that 11 digit part number into furiousmethod.com (make sure the pop ups are allowed) and let it do the searching for me. Then I go through the tabs and close them out if they return no results or I find a cheaper price on the next tab. I've ordered from Turner, Pelican, eBay and a few others but my #1 go to for most of my orders has been autohausaz.com ....huge selection, great prices, quick shipping, and great customer service. :thumbup:

Honestly, furiousmethod.com could use a little refresher on some of the websites (add a few new ones, remove a few old ones) but it has been an incredible resource for me. When combined with realoem.com it is the most efficient way of tracking down good prices for BMW parts. It makes Autozone and O'Reilly prices look like stealership prices, and since they usually have to order the parts too, it's just as efficient on shipping.

Anyway, if there's a realoem.com / furiousmethod.com combo for any other car type, especially Ford or Audi, I'm extremely interested in the url's. Let me know! :bigpimp:

 

Unless I need the parts today lll order online. If I need critical oem parts Turner/ECS, bavauto, fcp euro, pelican etc are the best. For anything cheap I'll search partsgeek, rockauto, eBay or Amazon for a good deal.

If I need a parts today I'll go to O'Reilly's, advance, AutoZone, or federated. And if they don't have it I'll hit the local pick and pull

 

Realoem.com does other makes as well. Just need to start at very top level.

For Audi parts pricing do a google search for Audi PNPC

 

beautiful...thank you!

Is there a furiousmethod type site for other makes?

 

fcpeuro.com has OEM and lifetime warranty
getbmwparts.com is Ticsher BMW online store that's local to me so i can pick up if it's in stock

HTH

John

 

- I have done this for 20 years, so here you go....

- Go to realoem.com to look up PNs.

- Stick to quality names: Bosch, Male, Mann, Bremi, NGK etc. etc. Search forum for advices.

- Websites:
* rmeuropean.com
* autohausaz.com
* FCPeuro
* eeuroparts

- Ebay is an interesting place:
* Junk and aftermarket,...be careful
* OEM BMW, Siemens parts are there too, look for them.

- Try to gather a whole bunch of stuff together so the amount is > let's say $75 to get free shipping. Be organized...I usually order stuff twice a year (air filters, wiper blades, oil filters etc. etc.).

 

I typically use either oembimmerparts or pelican parts.
Some suppliers sell through Amazon, so that's worth checking as well.

Harder to find things I will suck it up and go to a dealer:
* I call local dealers, but they are often overpriced to the point of hilarity
* getBMWparts
* Amazon - some dealerships sell parts through amazon.

Ebay if used is low risk.

 

Dealers in the San Francisco bay area have a huge mark-up on parts. I was used to buying from Tischer, where ordering online got a 15-20% discount. from list price. Which still seemed expensive.

When I moved here I was surprised to learn that the BMWCCA "discount" was 150% of list price. Walk-up parts were 1.8 to 2.5x over list price. And they never had them in stock -- I would have to return to pick them up.

On the plus side, several of the online parts stores drop-ship from here and some parts arrive the next day.

 

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I typically buy from ECS Tuning or FCP Euro. FCP Euro has the lifetime parts guarantee which is really nice.

 

I recently have been using FCP Euro, and ECS Tuning.
You can't beat the prices of OEM parts on ECS' website.

 

For me it's a no brainer - FCPEURO.COM for all parts purchases, after market or original BMW parts. Why? Because you get lifetime replacement warranty! And if they don't have the part, they will source it for you at the same terms. And if you happened not to install the part and later decide you don't need it, return it and get a store credit if over 3 months, otherwise get your money back. There was a time I returned a part that's been sitting in my garage for 2 years. Try that with other vendors.

 

I agree...FCPeuro is a reliable reputable vendor. But there are others as well with whom I had a good experience buying BMW oem parts such as
AutohausAZ, Pelicanparts, eEuroparts...

 

FCP Euro for the big warranty and expensive parts for me I don't want to pay for again. That and windshield wipers because duhhhhhh. Also, for reman OEM parts I like BAVAuto.

 

https://bimmergazm.com <-- Check My Store. For this forum members i will give 15% off entire order with CODE: BIMMERFEST

 

There's a supplier in Lithuania who is very cheap for older parts (use RealOEM and search Google on the part number). I'm not sure about any savings on new car parts, though.

I'd buy 100% genuine for safety critical or electrical components, but gaskets and seals should be OK from uncontrolled sources.

---------------
https://boodmo.com

 

I have a 2011 z4 30i w M sport suspension. I need new front shocks. Where is the best place to get them besides bmw? Bmw just said it would be 1250 for front right and 1250 for front left not including labor. Help

 

Depends on what city you live in. If you are looking for installation, there are usually some reputable independent Asian speed shops that know Euro cars and stock Bilstein parts in house. Just keep in mind, a legit car suspension shop will have at least 1 dedicated wheel alignment bay and the techs won't be lifting your car with floor jacks to change the shocks.

 

GetBMWparts.com is a BMW dealership in Silver Spring, MD with discount prices on genuine BMW parts, which is a good idea for suspension items like shocks and front STRUTS (not shocks): Front Suspension for 2011 BMW Z4 | getBMWparts
Check the struts ending with numbers 439 and 440; There's $615 for the pair without labor. Check around at some other sites for genuine BMW parts, like FCP Euro and ECS Tuning. RockAuto has some Sachs struts, which are OEM, but none to fit your particular Z4 model.

 

Also, check out AutoHausAZ and PelicanParts dot com. See if they have what you are looking for. But I had a great experience / price buying BMW oem parts thru them.

 

I am in the Midwest but some other family members live in San Jose CA area.

I usually order from one of these:

• FCPEuro (based in CT)
• Autohausaz.com (based in Phoenix AZ)
• Rmeuropean (Web-based only, operating out of CO)

My question is specific about the Bay Area (San Francisco etc)... are there any good Euro parts supplier in that area?

 

Those are my top three as well. Good news FCP Euro announced they will open a new West Coast warehouse in AZ at the end of 2023. I'm in the pacific NW and standard ground can take a week or more to arrive.

A new supplier I have used with sharp pricing is bimmers.com I recommend everyone check them out. They have a rewards program too.

But FCP Euro is hard to beat with their lifetime warranty program, which I have used occasionally.

 

I had a very good experience with ShopBMWUSA.com | Shop Original BMW Parts, Accessories and Apparel They are a dealer but sell parts
at BMW MSRP. My dealer adds a 30% premium above BMW MSRP. If you can wait for the part, shop around a little. These dealers with excessive pricing need to see their bottom line hit for these tactics. I saved $600 off the price of a M performance exhaust, and they threw in free shipping.

 

Spoke to SSF (the main importer of Euro parts) based in Bay area, they recommend autohausaz or Rmeuropean bc once you place an order, it is dtrop-shipped from SSF warehouse anyway.

So, yes, despite the huge market for Euro parts in the Bay area, no online retailer is based in the Bay area.

 

Depends on the parts....I still get packages arriving from AZ and CO from them respectively. I ordered a bunch of different Bosch relays from RM European...all arrived from CO

 

Yeah,

I have noticed lately that only FCPEuro carries most of the items themselves with a few heavy stuff like Lesjofors coil springs or some rotors drop-shipped to me.

Next is autohausaz...they have a sizeable warehouse, with some heavy items drop-shipped.

Rmeuropean...I think they are mostly drop-ship company, they only carry light stuff like relays or spark plugs, which are easy to store. Other than that, it is coming as drop-ship from other distributors.