Wrecker sells parts at 1/2 price of OEM

[PetesHelga]

I went to a wrecker and found some small odds and ends for Helga (Bosch wiper blades with wind deflector, alternator cooling tube). The guy says he will sell me these things for half of the price listed at the dealer! These are tiny parts that I offered him $20 for and hes calling the dealer to find prices. What an idiot, I almost broke out in laughter in front of him. He paid $500 for a beat up 535i at an auction and thinks hes doing me a favor with prices at 1/2 of OEM. I mean some of the NEW items at BMW aren't worth it at half for what they sell them for. Needless to say, the guy was an idiot and I thought I would share the story. He wanted $50 bucks for the parts listed, but he settled for $20 after I told him its not worth my time.

[David325e]

Haha congrats man. I thought you were going to pay him half dealer price for those. I have a receipt somewhere for a $600 Behr radiator in 1997 USD. I got one from Autohaus for 184

[PetesHelga]

Ya, The BMW Stealers are horrible. I have a friend who has owned an e46 for about 1 year and has spent TONS of money on it (ie $1900 for water pump, belt, pulley at dealer). He says hes done with BMWs and selling the car to buy something different. I offered repeatedly to find cheap parts for him but he never listened...

[David325e]

I know what you mean. I know a guy that sold an E30 his parents had spent thousands on because it needed a master cylinder and he got quoted 800 for it. Thought I hated that guy so it doesn't matter.

I used to get angry at people like that but now I figure theres a good chance the new owner is a guy like us. The receipts I have for the 540 show that the first owners spent $19809.13 on it between 1994 and 2005. And I'm missing everything between 1994 and 1998. But I guess there were at least a few $160 oil changes in there haha.

[p1zz4guy]

I used to get angry at people like that but now I figure theres a good chance the new owner is a guy like us. The receipts I have for the 540 show that the first owners spent $19809.13 on it between 1994 and 2005. And I'm missing everything between 1994 and 1998. But I guess there were at least a few $160 oil changes in there haha.
:eyecrazy:eyecrazy:eyecrazy:eyecrazy

[attack eagle]

I went to a wrecker and found some small odds and ends for Helga (Bosch wiper blades with wind deflector, alternator cooling tube). The guy says he will sell me these things for half of the price listed at the dealer! He wanted $50 bucks for the parts listed, but he settled for $20 after I told him its not worth my time.

I just told the local stealyard that I generally paid 1/2 of list at the dealer or over the net for new OEM parts... either make it worth my time, or they wasted theirs pulling the parts off.

[BlueCrabMafia]

I normally pull all my own parts and don't pay over $20 for anything that is minor. If I don't like the price, I just leave it on the counter. They hate stuff sitting there so they usually will catch me before I walk out the door and give it to me for what I want.

[bmwwheelman]

You didnt by chance see what color the 535 was? I need a drivers door with no rust and a rear bumper!!

Btw great to see another fellow British Columbian! Yay!


I went to a wrecker and found some small odds and ends for Helga (Bosch wiper blades with wind deflector, alternator cooling tube). The guy says he will sell me these things for half of the price listed at the dealer! These are tiny parts that I offered him $20 for and hes calling the dealer to find prices. What an idiot, I almost broke out in laughter in front of him. He paid $500 for a beat up 535i at an auction and thinks hes doing me a favor with prices at 1/2 of OEM. I mean some of the NEW items at BMW aren't worth it at half for what they sell them for. Needless to say, the guy was an idiot and I thought I would share the story. He wanted $50 bucks for the parts listed, but he settled for $20 after I told him its not worth my time.

[PetesHelga]

The guy had three 535i's. Maroon, Black, and white.

Ya, I've noticed a few guys on these boards that are local, which is nice.

Why don't you PM me and tell me what colour door/bumper you need and If i ever see one being parted out I can get those for you. Let me know.

[Black0ut07]

I normally pull all my own parts and don't pay over $20 for anything that is minor. If I don't like the price, I just leave it on the counter. They hate stuff sitting there so they usually will catch me before I walk out the door and give it to me for what I want.

What place did you go to? I also live in MD and am looking for a nearby place with E34s