BMW Main Dealer 'porkies' regarding E30 Parts

[George]

Or rather their availability.

Following on from the end of this thread it was clear I needed a new water hose.



Item 12, BMW part number: 11531289257

My dad works near a BMW Main Dealer and Euro Car Parts. I urged him to try the main dealer first as I prefer OE parts and even if parts are only in Germany, they can be shipped over for next day.

You can imagine my surprised when it was stated that it would take 1 WEEK to get the hose. "It's an old car Sir, these parts are difficult to get".

WTF!?

Gave ECP a bell, quoted the hose part number I needed. They informed my that they have one in Wembley and can get it over to the local ECP near where my dad works for 3pm.

WIN. Another victory for ECP.

1 week to get a water hose? Bollocks as far as I'm concerned. Not impressed.

[daimlerman]

I have found that parts held at BMW UK are usually next day,bits from Germany can take up to three days,a week is taking the piss for a part in stock.

But bear in mind that r/h front brake shields are seemingly being re-manufactured as I type,so BMW do care about their elderly models.

Seem to remember reading that manufacturers are only obliged to supply parts for upto 7 years from the build date,so if being realistic,BMW do very well on this sort of thing.

[DanThe]

The week wait is because they dont know you from Adam, if you were a local buisiness or regular you could have it in about 3 days as daimlerman stated. They are not getting much benefit by using expensive shipping for regular punters, especially as theres a chance you may never come back for it when it arrives

[gooner1]

Think next day delivery, from Germany, is a touch unrealistic, George.
Even for BMW.

[polsta]

if it was in germany- ive always been quoted "up to a week" but never waited that long, uk parts next day, germany parts 3 days, the odd bits been 4 or 5 days , which concidering even for say a few 50 pence clips or a bit of hose for a 20/25 year old car, to come from germany to you with no courrier charge, in a few days, is still fantastic in my book, try getting that sort of service from ford etc for 80s cars

[George]

The week wait is because they dont know you from Adam, if you were a local buisiness or regular you could have it in about 3 days as daimlerman stated. They are not getting much benefit by using expensive shipping for regular punters, especially as theres a chance you may never come back for it when it arrives

I'd be surprised if they didn't have a water hose in the whole of the UK (even if the E30 is a million years old). If they did, I would expect it next day.

Secondly, I'd pay there and then (as usual) and pick up once in.

@ Gooner - You may be right mate. I am sure in the past I've been there in the morning, they've given me the 'in Germany spiel' and I have been able to pick up the part late afternoon the next day. Was quite surprised.

Either way, I don't feel this a particularly rare part and I certainly wouldn't expect to wait a week. We'll see if ECP manage to get the correct item!

[Andyboy]

A week is not unusual - it may be on back order like a lot of old BMW bits such as M30 timing chain tensioner blades.

You try getting that same part for a 1988 Sierra and see how far you get.

[Kos]

if the part is at GB in bracknell and i order by mid day i get it by 3pm

if its in germany i have it in about 24 hours if i'm luck

all depends on the dealers

[pony]

Genuine BMW Parts
Modern BMWs manufactured over the last 10years tend to have the majority of parts either in stock or at BMW in Bracknell though sometimes they are in Germany. Often when I have bought parts for the BMW E30 sometimes i have to wait even if it is an oil filter as they tend not to stock these parts. Usually it is just a few days or at most up to a week.

Unless you use your particular car every day it should not be a problem. Anyway public transport will not hurt for a few days.

[kieran325]

I've always been impressed with my dealer regarding stock levels, the only thing I've had to wait for is my M3 grille badge, it took 4mths.

[Ajsingh]

Parts from germany do take a long time! I work for bmw as a tech and when we order parts for newer cars from germany it can take 4-5 days, maybe a week posibly longer.....

[Cloggy Saint]

My dealer in Amsterdam doesn't carry ANY E30 parts! Everything has to come from Germany which usually takes 2-3 days. I always have to pay up front too.

[Ajsingh]

I ordered a scuttle panel wiring loom plastic cover.. I ordered it today and theres 3 in the uk but it still arriving at work on saturday morning.. don't understand how it works tho.. Maybe the staff at bmw parts dispatch centre don't like us e30 owners! Loll its a long shot but hey

[sh55123]

I have just ordered a throttle cable and an oil filter housing gasket kit (m20b25), and it all came next day. Well impressed for a 25 year old car!!

[ajay]

Last year i waited 6 months for a cab roof corner rubber that was on back order,it cost £68 +vat and paid in advance. It did eventually turn up, and now i need one for the other side! what should i do? Lol

[dibs]

My dealer in Amsterdam doesn't carry ANY E30 parts! Everything has to come from Germany which usually takes 2-3 days. I always have to pay up front too.

It used to be like that for me too - but considering I've been "shopping" with them for almost 20yrs and most of the staff are still the same - they don't ask me to pay up front any more.

The fact that the parts manager is willing to haggle on the discount too - makes it just about acceptable.

Dibs

p.s. As most have said - next day for stuff from Bracknell and 3 days from Germany.

[Cloggy Saint]

I've been a regular customer for 12 years and I still have to pay up front

[kieran325]

Get an account, it's easier

[bimanut]

I`ve been in this afternoon for a carbon brush for my steering wheel/horn.
£4.47 and i can pick it up any time after 9am tomorrow and pay for it then

[MattTheHat325]

I've always been quite impressed with my dealer to be fair, they are all really enthusiastic about the e30, it causes a stir when i take it there! The parts guys are all really friendly and pretty knowledgeable and its never taken more than 3 days for me to get anything. They always ring and text when my parts are in too and i don't have to pay upfront.
As has been mentioned earlier in the thread, you think i have this service when i go to Ford for parts for my sapphire cosworth? Laughable. Last time i went to them was about 3 years ago for a gear selector rod. You would have thought i was asking for a brontasaurus' thigh bone the way they reacted.