buying some new parts from BMA, your thoughts are welcome

[mattyb]

hey guys, I have to get some new stuff as pieces need replacing, such as engine mounts. I notice BMA has 3 brands available all about the same price but is there any forum member experience with the following brands, Meyle, APA, CRP. they are all between $35 and 45 US. Next are drop arms (trailing arm connecting links), Meyle, APA and OCAP. between $24 and 30 US for the Meyle which seems to have the biggest discounts associated with it. Last car I did this on years ago the parts were all BMW from the stealer as I didn't know about BMA at the time. Looking forward to any feedback as Im gonna do this in the next week or so. many thanks from mattyb

[shogun]

I would assume the following ranking is o.k.
Lemfoerder>>>Meyle with the HD parts and then comes the rest with brand names and then the no names, TRW is also said to be alright.
OCAP is lower price/quality range. They produce in Italy, India and China.
Besides BMA also check FCP, they changed their policy, now have everything from BMW original, Lemfoerder, and the cheaper stuff.
FCP Euro (http://www.fcpeuro.com/)
I just bought from them a OEM front shock for my E36 M3 and they were the cheapest I could find for the same brand/type in the net.

[mattyb]

Thanks for responding Shogun, I have not seen the FCP site before but its very interesting and easy to view, makes me want to get the lemfeorder 18 piece kit and just start doing the whole lot.

[genphreak]

Hey Matty, FCP Groton are fine to deal with I just stopped using them as they always sent me crap unless I asked for LF or Meyle.

They have been severely bitten by this as they not only sold the cheapest crap that failed with alarming regularity, they even bought loads and branded it with FCPG. These parts had rubbers that perished in the packaging, lasted almost no time in service, etc.

FCPG is such a large company that they don't know the common part & brand combos that fail, so are probably still trying to market their way out of that previous blunder still. I find their service is fine, though prefer the consistency and provided by BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com), who also happily supply genuine parts (but its probably better to use Schmeidmann (http://www.schmiedmann.com/) in Europe).

BTW, You better order some side-mounting clamps (http://www.schmiedmann.com/51711938940/product-type/new/search-by-productnumber.aspx) (51-71-1-938-940) for your baby, the 'limo' only had 3 good ones and 1 broken. The rest were missing and I think each skirt needs about 8! If you do; feel free to get me some too, I bet the LE needs some too, so will need 18 myself! Good thing that they're only .82 each... and are available though.

[mattyb]

mate ill get the side mounting clips with my order

[genphreak]

Cool dude- thanks!

BTW, There are only 6 clamps on each side, not 8 as I indicated before.

I'll send you the details from BMA, this morning I found that these items are cheaper in the US than from Schmiedmann. So I asked them for a P&A on the following:

51-71-1-938-940 x18 Clamp M-tech. outer kick panel etc.
51-71-1-959-929 x18 Clamp M-tech. outer kick panel etc.
51-16-2-239-737 x8 Plug
51-16-1-881-149 x8 Clamp with lock pin (expanding rivet)
51-21-2-230-373 x1 COVERING Fr Left door
51-21-2-230-374 x1 COVERING Fr Right door
51-22-2-230-398 x2 COVERING L&R Rear door
51-47-9-410-838 x1 Trunk floor net, e34 TOURING
51-11-8-168-919 x2 Front Air duct, Left
51-11-8-168-920 x2 Front Air duct, Right
51-11-8-148-291 x2 Front Air duct Bracket, Left
51-11-8-148-292 x2 Front Air duct Bracket, Right
51-71-8-148-649 x2 Brake Duct Channel, Left
51-71-8-148-650 x2 Brake Duct Channel, Right

BTW The drug-dealer's car is steadily getting lighter. I've relocated the doors, the contents of the boot, the side skirts (that crushed one will get 'fixed up'- I can work wonders with Q-Bond plastic adhesive these days. The LE gets the rear trunk cover light garnish (which none of them had AFAIK).

The doors have gone on the bomb, as her trims were falling off, was fitted with the older e28 style mirrors and was lacking those filthy dark windows. I hope they clean up as they do not appear too clear.

The interesting bit is going to be retrofitting the wiring for the mirrors and the audio in the doors, as a '94 540i with 10-speaker hi-fi has an extra connector and loom in the front door harness (compared to the '90 525i M50 which is missing this entirely). The net result is that the heated mirrors, motors and door tweeters are yet to work. I tell you what though, I've gotten good at swapping doors on an e34, can do one in >10 mins I reckon- including adjustment! The power seats will go in the touring once I get some time to do a leather swap/bolster build-up weekend. I'm going to be having fun with the wiring... I've removed 3 wiring looms from an e34 in the last 2 years, and this one is the closest to the one I need- so will be coming out too. I'm boxing them up and one day, will lye them out to figure out what all the differences are... lol when that weekend comes I'm going to need several slabs on hand to just them all out, let alone get the replacement body harness for the LE prepped up.

[mattyb]

hey bro, I need the clips if possible from the bonnet struts. they connect the strut to the hinge assembly. I am missing 2

[genphreak]

No probs, I've got them here for you. Let me know what else you need, apart from the tranny.

BTW, Did the CCM I gave you work out/help at all?

[mattyb]

new is CCM is all good so far only put her in today but no dud messages so far

[632 Regal]

hey bro, I need the clips if possible from the bonnet struts. they connect the strut to the hinge assembly. I am missing 2

Matty, I use safety pins. The pin was posted at the 2006 (?) Bimmer meet but not sure if anyone saw that besides me. LOL, Still working.

[John B.]

BMW Parts - BMW Auto Parts Online Catalog (http://www.autohausaz.com/bmw-auto-parts/index.html?gclid=CN_e87_4-6YCFcNM4AodLBhLHA) is another good source for Bimmer parts. They offer parts from Lemfoerder & several other OEM suppliers.