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Posted: Sep 13, 2013 1:40 PM
by Mike W.
What about Schmiedmann? Not cheap but it looks like they are used to shipping to the US.
http://www.schmiedmann.com/6_series/E24 ... -parts.htm
Posted: Sep 13, 2013 2:46 PM
by alabbasi
Unlikely as it's showing back order. Here's the deal. I've been able to order the part on multiple occasion, but then when they try to get it, they end up cancelling because they can't actually get it. Shipping from Europe is a waste of money. I'd rather go with an aftermarket performance system like a magnaflow or maybe use a 635csi / 535i system if feasible. It's not the perfect solution but that's my options.
I'm not going to spend a $1000 for a $350 part because BMW does not think that I should be allowed to buy it.
Posted: Sep 13, 2013 3:06 PM
by rmiddendorf
alabbasi wrote:
Unlikely as it's showing back order. Here's the deal. I've been able to order the part on multiple occasion, but then when they try to get it, they end up cancelling because they can't actually get it. Shipping from Europe is a waste of money. I'd rather go with an aftermarket performance system like a magnaflow or maybe use a 635csi / 535i system if feasible. It's not the perfect solution but that's my options.
I'm not going to spend a $1000 for a $350 part because BMW does not think that I should be allowed to buy it.
I'd start a discussion thread on this topic. There are plenty of members here who have Euro cars and I've not heard of this problem being unsolvable.
Posted: Sep 13, 2013 3:40 PM
by Mark 88/M5 Houston
alabbasi wrote:
Unlikely as it's showing back order. Here's the deal. I've been able to order the part on multiple occasion, but then when they try to get it, they end up cancelling because they can't actually get it. Shipping from Europe is a waste of money. I'd rather go with an aftermarket performance system like a magnaflow or maybe use a 635csi / 535i system if feasible. It's not the perfect solution but that's my options.
I'm not going to spend a $1000 for a $350 part because BMW does not think that I should be allowed to buy it.
How about Maximillian Importing Company? I haven't used them in years but they are an authorized Mobile traditions parts source I believe.
http://bmwmobiletradition-onlinecom.x-shops.com/store/
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 7:59 AM
by w0014170
alabbasi wrote:Apparently not, after talking to the BMW dealer, I decided to call the customer relations number of BMW USA and seek an explanation. They confirmed the policy but refused to give an explanation.
It's a warranty liability issue & Federal compliance issue. The manufacturer has to warranty the part for a period of time against failure in this country. When parts are not sold through the US intended for use in this country the warranty remains in the country of origin. This would produce yet another level of part warranty procedure for the US distributor and spare parts warranty processor which would include routine overseas shipping. The manufacturer will not do this based on small volume and high cost. The federal safety, EPA and consumer agencies have a hand in all specifications of parts. Many times the euro parts do not meet or exceed the bullshit requirements the nanny government here requires if they did the Grey market would have never been an issue.
It's short sighted, as a fixed ops director I allowed the repair of these cars under a few specific conditions, some accepted some did not, it was exceptionally profitable as we had no parts cost, absorption rate on grey cars held steady @ 122% which is unheard of in the business. Learned this from my mentor @ Porsche. In the 80's there were grey 930's everywhere, we made a fortune maintaining them, a few M1's and lots of Rolls.
It's all about business sense.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 10:35 AM
by alabbasi
w0014170 wrote:It's a warranty liability issue & Federal compliance issue.
While, all good reasoning,I doubt that many would apply today. Logistically, systems can tell you where your inventory anywhere in the world, and there are going to be planes and ships full of parts going from Germany to the US every day in order to replenish stock. So finding it, getting it and returning it should not be a problem.
There may be quality, regulatory issues around parts like headlights and tail lights etc. But at the same time, have you seen the aftermarket crap that comes out of China?
As I mentioned earlier, I own a bunch of Mercedes, eight of those cars are Euro cars and some did not have a US equivalent, yet I've had no problems ordering parts for any of them. They may not carry the part, but are usually able to get it from Germany within 10 days. I don't even have issues with Euro spec headlights. If MB can do it and BMW refuses to, then it's got nothing to to with regulation. It's corporate policy and we can speculate as to why?
I suspect that this is a blanket policy in order to protect their market, and that they are not willing to adjust it for owners of 30 year old BMW's because that's not an important market segment for them. In many cases, the arguments for such policy are usually afterthoughts and are put together in order to support the protectionism.
We hear the same thing from Pharmaceuticals today on why the same drug costs so much more in the US then in another country.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 11:08 AM
by wkohler
All that's required if people won't just order it for you is a copy of your drivers license and your registration for the vehicle. If your dealer won't do that, use a different dealer.
It's really not that hard.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 2:48 PM
by w0014170
alabbasi wrote:w0014170 wrote:It's a warranty liability issue & Federal compliance issue.
While, all good reasoning,I doubt that many would apply today. Logistically, systems can tell you where your inventory anywhere in the world, and there are going to be planes and ships full of parts going from Germany to the US every day in order to replenish stock. So finding it, getting it and returning it should not be a problem.
There may be quality, regulatory issues around parts like headlights and tail lights etc. But at the same time, have you seen the aftermarket crap that comes out of China?
As I mentioned earlier, I own a bunch of Mercedes, eight of those cars are Euro cars and some did not have a US equivalent, yet I've had no problems ordering parts for any of them. They may not carry the part, but are usually able to get it from Germany within 10 days. I don't even have issues with Euro spec headlights. If MB can do it and BMW refuses to, then it's got nothing to to with regulation. It's corporate policy and we can speculate as to why?
I suspect that this is a blanket policy in order to protect their market, and that they are not willing to adjust it for owners of 30 year old BMW's because that's not an important market segment for them. In many cases, the arguments for such policy are usually afterthoughts and are put together in order to support the protectionism.
We hear the same thing from Pharmaceuticals today on why the same drug costs so much more in the US then in another country.
I have some of the same cars. And while you can get grey parts from Mercedes you can't get them to warranty the part if there is an issue with it. Hence the warranty problem.
Logistically you are correct but this is a segment where the retail sales annually exceed $821 million. It's not a profitability or small market situation it's a federal regulatory situation. 30 yr old cars have no protection of markets from country to country but they have regulatory requirements differing by market & this would be why some parts are available while many are not. It's a shame, I buy parts from a friend in Germany for my cars. There are certain parts that when declared will not ship to this country because of federal regulations barring them.
So we do what we can do and the dealer network stays un-involved not because of a lack of profitability but to circumvent further intrusion of the fed into their business. It sucks.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 8:15 PM
by alabbasi
Thanks my next door neighbors kid works at the local BMW dealer so I'm going to make one more run at this. Failing that, I'll adapt a 635csi system.
Today, I worked mainly on my 69 Mercedes Benz 300SEL 6.3. I've been trying to get it running but it's been a challange which I established is either a problem with the neutral safety switch or the ignition switch. I got the starter to spin the motor by jumping it but the fuel pump is locked up so the next step is to dismantle the fuel pump and clean it (new ones are $1000 so we try to fix them). I feel like it's somewhat of a win as it's been such a challenge to get it running.
Progress is also being made to my 70 280SL project which has a propensity for eating $1000 bills. Most of the body work is now complete and it will soon be ready for primer. The guy who's doing the bodywork is pretty amazing and needed a car so we did a deal and he bought an infinity QX4 that I was planning to flip. It was hit in the front , but easily fixable so we worked out a deal where I we exchanged work for the truck.
This makes me happy as I now have one less car and did not have to pay him.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 8:17 PM
by wkohler
wkohler wrote:All that's required if people won't just order it for you is a copy of your drivers license and your registration for the vehicle. If your dealer won't do that, use a different dealer.
It's really not that hard.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 8:30 PM
by alabbasi
wkohler wrote:wkohler wrote:All that's required if people won't just order it for you is a copy of your drivers license and your registration for the vehicle. If your dealer won't do that, use a different dealer.
It's really not that hard.
It kind of is if one dealer is selling for $350 and the other for $650? Besides, after speaking to BMW USA's customer relationship dept who verified policy, I'm not sure if it's that easy, even if I spent mindlessly.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 8:34 PM
by wkohler
That's how it goes. You can't give up.
Posted: Sep 14, 2013 8:50 PM
by alabbasi
wkohler wrote:That's how it goes. You can't give up.
I'm not giving up, but I can choose to take my business somewhere else and have a muffler made. If BMW doesn't want it, there's always plenty of other people who'll take your money
Realistically, If my neighbor does not come through, I can get an ANSA 635csi system for $250 locally and install it myself. It wont be 100% correct but it will fit pretty well and allow me to patiently wait until I can find someone parting an M5 or M6. I did this with my Porsche 928 S4 and scored a perfect OE muffler for $250.
Posted: Sep 15, 2013 1:58 AM
by 1st 5er
Finally...
Photo credit to Pavel.
Bumpers credit to Pavel.
Label credit to myself, Pavel, Luis, and Clint.
Posted: Sep 15, 2013 11:29 AM
by w0014170
1st 5er wrote:Finally...
Photo credit to Pavel.
Bumpers credit to Pavel.
Label credit to myself, Pavel, Luis, and Clint.
YEOW! That car is sweet....good job!
Posted: Sep 15, 2013 11:35 AM
by 1st 5er
Thanks.
Think I'll run outside and make sure it's not a dream.
Posted: Sep 15, 2013 4:39 PM
by OcCoupe
1st 5er wrote:Finally...
Photo credit to Pavel.
Bumpers credit to Pavel.
Label credit to myself, Pavel, Luis, and Clint.
Mmmm mmmm yummy!
Posted: Sep 15, 2013 5:04 PM
by 1st 5er
Maybe one day she'll present that well in the flesh.
Posted: Sep 15, 2013 6:01 PM
by djazz
Wow...
Smooth and dish...
Those mirrors just complete that car.
Congrats.
Posted: Sep 15, 2013 7:52 PM
by Mike in Seattle
alabbasi wrote:wkohler wrote:That's how it goes. You can't give up.
I'm not giving up, but I can choose to take my business somewhere else and have a muffler made. If BMW doesn't want it, there's always plenty of other people who'll take your money
Realistically, If my neighbor does not come through, I can get an ANSA 635csi system for $250 locally and install it myself. It wont be 100% correct but it will fit pretty well and allow me to patiently wait until I can find someone parting an M5 or M6. I did this with my Porsche 928 S4 and scored a perfect OE muffler for $250.
I would try to order with Maximillian or Tischer. I don't own a euro car, but have ordered numerous euro parts from both in the last year with no problems whatsoever.
Maximillian
https://bmwmobiletradition-onlinecom.x- ... g=18&fg=20
Tischer
http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/index. ... eid=214672
Posted: Sep 17, 2013 2:18 AM
by cddallara
After my very worn sumitomo shredded yesterday, I got two hankook ventus v12s put on the rear. When the staggered set shows up, they'll get rotated to the front and a matching set will go on the 9s.
Posted: Sep 17, 2013 10:44 PM
by wkohler
Blew the shit out of a tire.
Posted: Sep 17, 2013 11:55 PM
by cddallara
wkohler wrote:Blew the shit out of a tire.
I know the feeling.
Posted: Sep 18, 2013 12:37 AM
by 1st 5er
cddallara wrote:wkohler wrote:Blew the shit out of a tire.
I know the feeling.
Yep! BTDT and got the T-Shirt, though no pic, so maybe it never happened.
Posted: Sep 18, 2013 1:01 AM
by wkohler
Sad part is that this tire had like 80% tread left. I also seem to have no other car.
Posted: Sep 18, 2013 10:10 AM
by 1st 5er
I feel your pain, at times.
Posted: Sep 18, 2013 11:30 AM
by unt0uchable
Replaced the end links on the wifes Saab - Poly. Yum.
Next up - sway bar bushings, and front strut mounts. Hoping these parts cure the noises we are hearing up front.
Posted: Sep 19, 2013 7:36 AM
by w0014170
New Recaro Ortho in Rhonda's car.
Posted: Sep 19, 2013 10:01 AM
by davintosh
Dried off the seats, dash, door panels, and storage cubbies in the e32 this morning; left the driver's side window open last night, and woke up to a thundershower. Hate it when I do that.
Posted: Sep 27, 2013 1:02 AM
by davintosh
The last two evenings have been spent inside the doors of two cars. The driver's side window regulator on my daughter's 318ti got all funky last week, so I ordered some parts & have been trying to wrestle things into place. The window doesn't want to line up properly and I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Grrr. No more e36s.
Then the outside lock cylinder on the X5 decided to take a dump at about the same time the battery in my wife's remote died. Couldn't lock/unlock the car with a key in the door, and there was about a 10% chance the remote would work when you pushed a button. The wife tried going somewhere today, but found she couldn't get into it. So this evening started with some plastic wedges and a long piece of wire trying to reach the lock button on the center console. In the end, a stray click on the remote unlocked everything. Then I pulled the door card off before figuring out what the real problem was, and that I could get the lock cylinder out by removing a grommet on the outside of the door to get at the single screw holding the lock cylinder in place. Then forgot to connect the lock actuator wiring before putting the door card back on... I'm getting pretty good at that job.
