Variance in Part Prices

[granit_silber]

I just got off the phone with the parts departments at two local dealers. The dealers are seperated by maybe 20 -25 miles. Here's what I asked for and their prices.


Part no. Dealer 1 Dealer 2

================================================== ========
12 131 703 359 (ignition coil) 108.88 87.94

11 129 070 530 (Valve cover gasket) 45.31 36.98

BMWCCA Parts Discount 10% 15%


Why is there so much range in the prices of the same parts?

-ashley

[uscharalph]

Here's your alternative from BMA Parts:

BMA Part # BSH005491 - BOSCH COIL - 58.55
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMA Part # BMW046871 - BREMI IGNITION COIL - 46.02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMA Part # BMW085025 - MEYLE IGNITION COIL - 36.63

I've found there's a fairly big difference in prices from different online parts companys. Usually if you shop around you can get free shipping and no sales tax also.

[granit_silber]

Here's your alternative from BMA Parts:

BMA Part # BSH005491 - BOSCH COIL - 58.55
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMA Part # BMW046871 - BREMI IGNITION COIL - 46.02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMA Part # BMW085025 - MEYLE IGNITION COIL - 36.63

I've found there's a fairly big difference in prices from different online parts companys. Usually if you shop around you can get free shipping and no sales tax also.

Ralph,

Thanks!
I had just finished ordering the parts from Patrick at BMA. I was calling the dealers because I was afraid to wait for shipping. My whole order was less than the price of the coil from the dealer down the street! BMA all the way!

My orginal question remains. Why the large difference in prices between two factory dealerships less than 25 miles apart?

-ashley

[bfd]

Ralph,

My orginal question remains. Why the large difference in prices between two factory dealerships less than 25 miles apart?

-ashley

Independent dealers. I believe BMWNA has a "standard" retail price for all parts, which btw has supposedly gone up 30% since March 2005 due to the weakness of the dollar - way to go Bush!!!! However, because each dealership in independently owned and operated, they can mark up the price to whatever they want.

[uscharalph]

The great thing about BMA, is that I receive my parts the next day, shipped free (Over $50.00)!

[Kalevera]

The dealer has a "BMW recommended" and a matrix price. They get to choose what to charge, and from what to offer a "discount".

Best, whit

[SRR2]

from AutohausAZ

12 131 703 359 Bosch Coil -- 41.23
11 12 1 735 720 525 valve cover gasket -- 13.61 (M50 through 8/92)

I do not understand the slavish devotion to BMA on this web site. I have yet to find a single part that's cheaper there than at Autohaus. AutohausAZ has given me consistently good service and pricing. Not to mention that their parts availability is much better than BMA's.

And no, I have no connection to them.

[shogun]

I do not often buy in USA. But last order was from Autohausaz too and I was quite happy.
Ordered 6 OEM Bosch oxy sensors at each 63.10 $ whereas retail price is 163.00.
In addition as order was more than 250 $, I got additional 2% discount.
Here in Japan they cost 300 $/pc, most of the others in USA were between 80-120 $ for the same Part Number 13 231 Bosch.
Qick delivert by USPS instead of DHL (much cheaper outside USA, although it takes some days to arrive), no problem at all.
I would recommend for all people outside USA to order by USPS. Takes some days more, but much cheaper than the express companies like FedEx, DHL etc.
You can check the prices to your country on their URL
http://www.USPS.com/

In general, check around and compare all the different offers. Often there is a special sales action by someone which no one can beat. I do not stick to one only.

[Kalevera]

Have you ever called BMA? The selection and pricing on their web site is not indicative of what you can actually buy and what it will cost.


best, whit

[Ted K]

anyone have the link to Autohausaz or a phone number?

[Kalevera]

Erich -- the only problem with shipping USPS internationally is that it's not guaranteed or trackable, and it can't be insured unless it's registered, which is mucho money.

best, whit

[araine901]

I do the Autohausaz thing to but I get to will call, But I have to pay tax:(

[shogun]

do not know if USPS is not insured.
But I do the same when I order in Germany by German Postal Services. In Germany there is a good calculator available. German Postal parcels are also insured.
Here a good example. 5 kg to USA.
Postpaket International = Postal Services
Time: 10-12 days
EURO 32.00

For 47 EURO they ship it in 6-7 days to USA.

FedEx
1 day
190.00 EURO!!!!!!!!

For that difference I do not even mind if sometines a parcel is lost.
Here the top 10
http://www.posttip.de/besttarif.asp?content=paket&Gewicht=5&zone=USA&laenge=35&Breite=25&Hoehe=15&format=diagramm&go2.x=8&go2.y=10

Keep that link, nice to check the cost from Germany when you order there.

[jhsmd666]

My car is approaching 100K and I've been doing needed maintenance and parts replacement over the last 3-4 months. I made a list of parts needed and then did on online search of numerous online parts suppliers for BMW - incl. BMA, Bavarian Auto, Pelican, Importec, EAP4PARTS.COM, Autoparts.com, StopShopandDrive.com, Import Specialists, AllOemAutoparts.com, Bimmerzone, a couple of others, and the local stealership. AutohausAZ has received hundreds of dollars of my business because of their overall prices, selection, and customer service. Customer service has responded to questions the same day and shipping (ground) is free with $50 purchase. I cannot be more pleased. I use EAP4PARTS.COM for suspension parts because they carry Lemforder at the lowest prices I could find. I purchased a Sachs kit from Patrick at BMA - he was knowledgeable, provided good service, and responded by e-mail within a day. I purchased the Peake FCX II reset tool and a Bentleys manual at Bimmerzone (thru EBAY). Lastly, I've used Bavarian Autosports for a few "cosmetic" parts (hood emblem, glovebox latch) - service was excellent. I only use the local stealership for nuts, bolts, fasteners, clips, etc. because we're talking minimal costs, no shipping, and I get the parts immediately or within 2 days.

I hope this helps someone.

jhsmd666
1995 BMW 540iA
92000 mi

[SRR2]

Why do I need to dick around calling anyone? Why can't they just post their best pricing? Besides, the last couple of projects I've done, Autohaus has had every part, and BMA has had about 2/3 of what I needed. So tell me again why I should waste my time on them? Their prices are higher and they don't have the stock.

[632 Regal]

I have a doobie to smoke...anyone commin over?

[SRR2]

Yeah. www.autohausaz.com Their online catalog is MUCH nicer than BMA's. You can store your car models and look up parts with just a couple of clicks. Plus, they have references to job groupings, and associated parts for individual items. For example, when I bought the valve cover gasket for my M20 motor, they referenced me to the rubber plugs that cover the cutouts in the casting where the rocker arm shafts go in. Turns out that in all the dealer servicing that this car has had they NEVER replaced these plugs and they were rock hard and leaking. Replacing them FINALLY stopped the chronic dripping this engine was doing. And they were about $0.20 each. I would have never thought about them had they not linked them off the gasket. Try THAT on the BMA site! I'm sorry, BMA is just not up to the standard set by AutohausAZ. Not even close.

[Kalevera]

Why do I need to dick around calling anyone? Why can't they just post their best pricing? Besides, the last couple of projects I've done, Autohaus has had every part, and BMA has had about 2/3 of what I needed. So tell me again why I should waste my time on them? Their prices are higher and they don't have the stock.
Hahaha. Personally, I prefer calling people instead of "dicking around" on a web site. My point is that I don't think it's a good idea to write off the company without calling them; I'd rather have them give me better prices over the phone than charge me more money so they can pay their web guy.

Regardless, I think I'm going to try out Autohaus next time I have the occasion to do so -- My 3 month old BMA exhaust figure 8's are cracked out/sagging/dry rotted, and I'm a bit concerned with the quality of some of the other parts I've received in the past from them, as well.

best, whit

[632 Regal]

Lemforder parts?

[liquidtiger720]

hmm. 3 day shipping (autohauz) compared to overnight (bma). Other than that...I see no reason why not to try autohaus.

[Mobius]

Why do I need to dick around calling anyone? Why can't they just post their best pricing? Besides, the last couple of projects I've done, Autohaus has had every part, and BMA has had about 2/3 of what I needed. So tell me again why I should waste my time on them? Their prices are higher and they don't have the stock.Because I can call BMA, say "Hey, I'm soandso calling for parts for my 1993 535i - I need x, x and x here as soon as possible" and I'm done. They've got all my account info on file, and they know their ****. Plus, even their ground shipping gets to my door in less than three days. :)

Dicking around with online parts catalogs tests my patience - especially since half of them don't associate with BMW part numbers. Given how easy it is to order from them, I couldn't care less about a little price difference.

[SRR2]

Well, I can understand why you wouldn't like fooling around with a web site when it's as badly designed and uninformative as BMA's. Autohaus's is very well done. You can store your car type and call up all parts for it by parts grouping or by job. You can also enter BMW part number and go directly to the part. They show application and supercession notes as applicable too. For most parts they show the manufacturer they're supplying. For many parts, like water pumps, they'll show several alternatives from different OEM or aftermarket suppliers. It's pretty convenient and fast. All that, and free ground shipping for any order over $50.

BTW, one way I've found really convenient to put together an order is to have the applicable pages from realoem.com open in Internet Explorer, and have one page from Autohaus open. You can quickly copy/paste part numbers from the IPL into the Autohaus search function and pull up their detail page in a matter of seconds.

As I said before, I have no connection to these guys, except as a very satisfied customer.

[shogun]

http://www.autohausaz.com/

As I said before, with autohaus I am satisfied, but that does not mean that I look at other places. And when it comes to used parts, shop around too. For example here
http://search.stores.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=E34&srchdesc=y&sid=143637604&store=DISCOVERY+BMW&colorid=-1&fp=0&st=2&fsoo=1&fsop=1&submit=Search

[Rigmaster]

A couple of things come to mind after reading this thread.

1- our local dealer (Leith BMW, Raleigh NC) offers a small discount to BMW CCA members on parts- but as I understand it, their "list" price is 10-15% above BMW CCA recommended list prices, so with the "discount", we get to pay what most other dealer parts customers pay anyway- SUCH A DEAL!!

2- I too cannot understand why BMA has higher prices listed on their website than over the phone- seems like they save time and money if folks order off the website because one of their sales folks does not have to spend any time on the phone answering questions and taking the order.....Maybe they are afraid that customers will use the low prices to get other places to price match and the would possibly lose business?? Still doesnt' make much sense.

Was there something else?? I forgot...... :)

Bret.

[uscharalph]

I use different sources for different types of parts.

[JonE]

I use different sources for different types of parts.
I hear ya, man! I just checked Autohauz for a couple of parts for my '89325iC and they didn't even list the correct (and more expensive) outside temperature sensor for my car. BMA lists the part and has it. For the cheaper one (which I McGyvered to fit) BMA lists it for $24.75, AutoHauz wants $29.37.
Next, I'm looking for the convertible top frame shock and BMA has it for $28.79 and AutoHauz wants $39.34. Now for the convertible top lid shock BMA wants $32.48 and AutoHauz wants $28.32.
So, I guess it does pay to "shop around". They both offer free shipping on $50 or more, now BMA does give me a "dotinfo" discount of 5%. Doesn't take long to ring up $50 plus, so either one will do, pretty much.
I find them both easy to use, so just one more supplier to check prior to buying, I guess!
I'll take that doobie now, Jeff!!

[Bill R.]

found anything there at a better price than bma's. When i call up Patrick or Yves I usually have my parts list made up from my etk and give them the numbers, they already have my account info and its shipped here california overnight express. Orders as late a 3pm are here before 930 the next morning usually. Very rarely are any mistakes every made on their part. That and the fact that they can usually get parts for virtually any car i'm working on whether its mercedes ,volvo, lexus etc and very good prices of factory parts for these as well. And I don't shop BMA's website ever. I always call in person and the service is very prompt... as far as website catalogs go up until a couple of months ago autohausaz was one of the worst to navigate, it is much easer now than it was but i'll stick with my friends at Bma instead.

[Kalevera]

Internet Explorer!!! Aaaah!

Mozilla...now that's a fine browser. Or firefox, but I prefer mozilla. I've been spyware free ever since I decomissioned that worthless piece of junk known as IE.

Regardless, I agree with everything you've said, but I'll still prefer to call people and talk to them versus using a web site. That's just how it is for me. I think Mobius said a lot of what I find attractive about BMA -- Patrick has helped me out innumerable times when I *had* to have something. They know how to do the customer relationship thing over the phone very well. Either way, I'll probably try Autohaus next time I have the occasion to do so.

best, whit

[Jon K]

Independent dealers. I believe BMWNA has a "standard" retail price for all parts, which btw has supposedly gone up 30% since March 2005 due to the weakness of the dollar - way to go Bush!!!! However, because each dealership in independently owned and operated, they can mark up the price to whatever they want.


Did you seriously just fault the "weakness" of the dollar on bush?

[Bill R.]

latest which we haven't seen the price increases on yet... decoupling to yuan from the dollar which was done under pressure from the Bush admin.
(http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050722/BUSINESS/507220337/1092)





Did you seriously just fault the "weakness" of the dollar on bush?

[Jon K]

SRR2:

Let me see if I can clarify this for you. The reason we are "slaves" to BMA is VERY VERY simple. However, someone of your specific nature would NEVER understand. You see, years ago, before you existance on this forum, there were very few suppliers that stocked BMW parts affordably, and even fewer that were friendly and actualy cater to BMW enthusiasts. They would give us a discount even below their discounted price for simply putting "Bimmer.info" in their comments section or saying it to Patrick or Yves on the phone. If you like Autohaus, go ahead and deal with them. I just ordered a metal oil pan gasket from BMA, because I like Patrick and Yves, and I've probably spent 2 - 3 thousand dollars with them in the past three years. They know my name, they know my address, they know both of my cars. If I say "Hey patrick, I need a rear shock mount" he asked "Didn't you do that on the 525i not too long ago?" It's personal preference, and really, anyone on this forum who has actually CONTRIBUTED anything of worth, would probably agree that they'd rather see our business go to BMA. Their prices are good. I live locally to Bimmerparts.com (Zygmunts) and I don't shop their because BMA is ALWAYS cheaper. So, if that doesn't make sense to you, then I guess we're all idiots. Anyway, I hope you have good luck w/ AutohausAZ, but if you ever need service, BMA is waiting :)

[Jon K]

I think its funny that someone makes a comment like that in this forum on this topic. Blame bush all you want... but Bill clinton passed the internet privacy act, so thanks to him, I can pirate software privately and rip off large companies... then they can inflate their prices today, and you can fault Bush for "week dollar".

[Bill R.]

Internet privacy act? Don't you guys check anything.
(http://www.snopes.com/legal/privacy.htm)





I think its funny that someone makes a comment like that in this forum on this topic. Blame bush all you want... but Bill clinton passed the internet privacy act, so thanks to him, I can pirate software privately and rip off large companies... then they can inflate their prices today, and you can fault Bush for "week dollar".

[Mobius]

wordsNothing is faster than calling up BMA, saying who I am, and "I need x x and x parts" and hanging up the phone - I don't care how well their website is organized.

BMA is a large wholesale parts warehouse that deals primarily in providing parts to independent mechanics and such. I'm sure if they decided there was any benefit to going to all the trouble of cataloging anything more than their most common parts online, they'd do it. I see no benefit to this, really - not in their game.

There's no point arguing this, though - it would take an act of god to cause me to not use BMA for my next parts order. :)