Cheapest OEM Supplier

[Lee in MD]

Over the last few years I've mostly used BavAuto, BMA and Pelican, but lately I've been using getbmwparts.com (Tischer BMW in Silver Spring, MD). Initially, I made the switch because I finally realized that they are only 12 minutes from where I work which allows me to use their pick-up window to save a few bucks on shipping. However, lately I've also noticed how much cheaper their parts are compared to anyone else, so I thought I would clue everyone in with a couple of randomly selected examples. Draw your own conclusions.

Door Lock with Key Left Front (51 21 1 900 871 ):
BMA - $73.00
Pelican - $69.75
BavAuto - $61.95
AutohausAZ - $58.42
getbmwparts - $41.95

Window Motor Left Front ( 51 33 1 375 403 )
BavAuto - $361.95
Pelican - $342.25
AutohausAZ - (part not found)
BMA - (non-stocking part #, call for special order)
getbmwparts - $304.65

Shifter Selector Rod (25 11 1 220 910)
BavAuto - $149.95
Pelican - $149.25
AutohausAZ - (part not found)
BMA - (non-stocking part #, call for special order)
getbmwparts - $119.32

[ilikemybike]

I've seen both door locks and window motors on ebay. Not sure of any active at the moment.

[misha]

thanks for the heads up. I will try them out next time I am looking for something. Always nice to have another source for parts.

[ilikemybike]

It's always hit or miss. Lots of interior parts that nobody even bids on. Saw someone selling a used headlight switch for $80, right next to ones for $20.

I got a hood roundel for 4.50, new.

[Geerhed]

I find my best price on the internet, then go into BavAuto and Mike Bailey at the counter does his best to price match.

I get it then, I get good parts, and I pay the lowest price.

Win, win, and win.

[BDK]

yeah,
I like Tischer and have been using their prices to work on my local dealer, sometimes he matches them, sometimes he doesn't....but Tischer has good prices....
Tischer will run e30 specials too and post them on R3V...

[junkyard_sal]

Tischer is the best. I need to tell them to post their e30 special on S14.net

Thanks for the heads up on r3v

[Blue Shadow]

Tischer is selling BMW parts, not the OEM stuff that may not be as good. Worth it to spend less for the quality of the BMW part in my opinion.

[Mike W.]

I am concerned about quality, but not if it's exact OE or not. Tischer is sometimes very good on prices, other times not so good. Pelican the same. I have nothing bad at all to say about Tischer, so don't take it that way, but I have had very good customer service at Pelican, so between free shipping and good history, if it's close I'm going there. YMMV.

[CSBolger]

I'm gonna have to try Tischer when I need some parts that I can't get through AutohausAZ. I always go through Autohaus because they're closest, and I usually get my parts in 2-3 days with free shipping.

[wkohler]

If it's a part that any of the suppliers have to get from BMW, it's Tischer hands down. Autohaus for everything else. I get the 1-day shipping, in spite of having to pay tax.

[1st 5er]

It's time I give them a try...

[Coldswede]

I'm with Mike on Pelican. Even when they have to get something from Germany the shipping is cheap and communications is excellent. They offer the choice of sending your order separately, for no additional cost, if part of the order has to come from Germany. Their prices are very reasonable also.

To me though, the communications is the deal maker.

[Lee in MD]

I'm with Mike on Pelican. Even when they have to get something from Germany the shipping is cheap and communications is excellent. They offer the choice of sending your order separately, for no additional cost, if part of the order has to come from Germany. Their prices are very reasonable also.

To me though, the communications is the deal maker.

I agree that Pelican has the best communications. I really like how their site juxtaposes equivalent OEM and aftermarket parts and lets you know whether the part is in stock before you actually place the order. I've also been astounded at how fast in-stock parts arrive at my doorstep just using their regular shipping.

Are there any folks outside of MD who have used Tischer who would care to comment on their delivery performance? I don't know because I use their pick-up window, but I'm sure shipping will be a big factor for a lot people. If I was in the middle of the cornfields trying to fix my daily driver, Pelican's impressive shipping performance would be a big tick in their favor despite somewhat higher prices. However, Tischer's shipping performance may be pretty good too, I just don't know.

[Brian D]

However, Tischer's shipping performance may be pretty good too, I just don't know.

I order a lot from Autohaus because I'm in state, but Tischer has been very good also. They have better prices than AH on some items, and the communications and shipping were very good.

Pelican is also excellent. Between the 3, I haven't felt a need to use anyone else.

[1st 5er]

Had to stay with AutohausAZ for this meager order.

Part #-------------Autohaus--------Tischer
51211926305---10.17------------16.98
25111204422-----3.32--------------5.42
25111208580-----7.50-------------16.51
25111202842-----6.29-------------16.51
31129058817----39.11------------61.82

Total-----------------66.39----------117.24

[Lee in MD]

Had to stay with AutohausAZ for this meager order.

Part #-------------Autohaus--------Tischer
51211926305---10.17------------16.98
25111204422-----3.32--------------5.42
25111208580-----7.50-------------16.51
25111202842-----6.29-------------16.51
31129058817----39.11------------61.82

Total-----------------66.39----------117.24

I guess the moral of the story is always cross shop! Luckily since the advent of of tabbed panes in browsers it's gotten really easy to do so.

Hey, has anyone else ever felt a small twinge of guilt using one site to research your parts and then actually buying them from another? Maybe it's just me, because I'm a big softie! Seems like lately I've been using BavAuto for a lot of research because of their pictures, descriptions and ability to pre-filter for the exact car model and year. Unfortunately for them, when it comes to actually buying, I've been shying away lately because of their prices and their annoying habit of back-ordering stuff that I assumed was in stock.

[Karl Grau]

I think like Chris said, if you're buying something that has to come from BMW anyway, Tischer is probably best.

I just placed an order with AutohausAZ for $50.20. It qualifies for free shipping and there's no sales tax. I always receive the order within 48 hours too. The same parts from Tischer came to $93.57 before shipping.

I have had a few issues with Autohauz when ordering something unusual or oddball so I now use Pelican for stuff like that (and as always, any Porsche stuff).

[Mike W.]

I guess the moral of the story is always cross shop! Luckily since the advent of of tabbed panes in browsers it's gotten really easy to do so.

Hey, has anyone else ever felt a small twinge of guilt using one site to research your parts and then actually buying them from another? Maybe it's just me, because I'm a big softie!

Nope, no guilt at all. Since my usual source of info is Realoem, who of course doesn't even sell parts.

[1st 5er]

Corrected...

I guess the moral of the story is always cross shop! Luckily since the advent of of tabbed panes in browsers it's gotten really easy to do so.

Hey, has anyone else ever felt a small twinge of guilt using one site to research your parts and then actually buying them from another? Maybe it's just me, because I'm a big softie!

[wkohler]

Well, lessee. None of the items that Sherman ordered are things I'd think to get from my BMW dealer.

Also, Sherman, why would you order stock UCA bushings? I'd have contacted BluntTech and gotten a set of Meyle HD UCA bushings for about the same price.

[1st 5er]

Well, lessee. None of the items that Sherman ordered are things I'd think to get from my BMW dealer.

Also, Sherman, why would you order stock UCA bushings? I'd have contacted BluntTech and gotten a set of Meyle HD UCA bushings for about the same price.

Convenience, and I've gotten good service out of the Sachs-Boge bushings.
I'll possibly try the Meyle HD's in the future.
Are they that much better?

[rlomba8204]

Tischer is selling BMW parts, not the OEM stuff that may not be as good. Worth it to spend less for the quality of the BMW part in my opinion.

Yes, very true, and even if what Tischer sells is a few bucks more than Autohaus or others, remember that as noted, OEM is often not the same quality as what BMW uses.