Where is the best place to find parts online?

[GoodApollo]

As the title says, I'm looking for the most cost effective website to buy parts from. Any suggestions?

[jamin325i]

rockauto.com
no one else is even close.

[shadowpuck]

depends what you are looking for:

for actual BMW OE parts:
places like https://www.baronbmwparts.com/ or https://www.bmwdirectparts.com/

for BMW OEM and aftermarket parts:
https://www.fcpeuro.com
https://www.rmeuropean.com
https://www.pelicanparts.com

i've bought some commodity items from rockauto (things like wiper blades and such), but, i'd rather have the actual BMW parts.
sensors and electrical items i always use BMW OE with one exception - i've had great luck over the years with Bosch O2 sensors (the exact fit line, i think its called). Starters and Alternators i've done well with the OEM as long as its a true OEM part - and that's hard to distinguish. That is one area where i've sometimes been able to use Rockauto - for example, buying a Bosch starter for an e46. I can get the Bosch Pro Reman or New for a bit less at someplace like Rockauto. But, that takes some diligence and research. Actually, I've found some of the best deals on those types of parts on Amazon, of all places - namely because I've been able to buy without a core charge.

[DGMe46]

Thanks

[shadowpuck]

depends what you are looking for:

for actual BMW OE parts:
places like https://www.baronbmwparts.com/ or https://www.bmwdirectparts.com/

for BMW OEM and aftermarket parts:
https://www.fcpeuro.com
https://www.rmeuropean.com
https://www.pelicanparts.com

i've bought some commodity items from rockauto (things like wiper blades and such), but, i'd rather have the actual BMW parts.
sensors and electrical items i always use BMW OE with one exception - i've had great luck over the years with Bosch O2 sensors (the exact fit line, i think its called). Starters and Alternators i've done well with the OEM as long as its a true OEM part - and that's hard to distinguish. That is one area where i've sometimes been able to use Rockauto - for example, buying a Bosch starter for an e46. I can get the Bosch Pro Reman or New for a bit less at someplace like Rockauto. But, that takes some diligence and research. Actually, I've found some of the best deals on those types of parts on Amazon, of all places - namely because I've been able to buy without a core charge.

another thought - i spent a lot of time for awhile tracking and researching parts pricing - there was even a great app i donated to that made it easier, but, it appears to no longer work.
anyway, eventually what i found myself doing was buying most of the time from places i knew would be there and would help me if i had a problem with the order, the part, etc. so, in the end i've ended up buying most parts from a bmw dealer, fcp euro, or a few others like turner, bimmerworld, etc. that's just been my experience.
i've done some selective buying on rockauto and its been fine, but, i just prefer the others.......

lots of choices out there, so, do your homework. know the difference between OE, OEM, and Aftermarket. Price doesn't always mean the part is better, or worse - but, at least for me, i want the right part the first time.

[MarcoZandrini]

A poster names SilberVogel has created a PC app that provides the price of a part number from a wide range of sources including dealers, vendors and others. It’s called BMW PNPC v3.1.0. Try www.bmwpnpc.com.

[shadowpuck]

That’s the app I was speaking of - last time I tried it wasn’t pulling pricing from many sites anymore. I suspect this is because their search parameters/url have changed and the app hasn’t been updated. I really liked it when it worked.

For real bmw oe parts - the two dealers I listed were routinely the best deal on a wide variety of parts.
Parts pricing changes all the time and fluctuates so be warned.

[328 Power 04]

www.getbmwparts.com is another great one. It's BMW of Silver Spring.

They've even shipped large crates for me, with free shipping.

Also
https://www.bmwoffairfax.com/order-parts-online.htm

[GoodApollo]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm fixing up my E46 325ci, as far as the mechanical goes (engine and trans) its pretty sound. However its an R title (recovered from being stolen) so locks are picked out and its missing odd end things or they're just broken so I'll be frequenting this forum quite a lot.

[ross1]

rockauto.com
no one else is even close.

They have low prices on a lot of things but watch the brands as they carry all the crappy stuff and the price is tempting.
If there is a mistake in their catalog (I've had this twice) heaven help you.
There is NO way to speak to anyone and their "customer service" e-mail will always respond with something to effect of NO, we are right you are wrong, F off.
They will NOT communicate beyond telling you to sod off twice.
Want your money back? You'll need to put in a beef with your credit card company.
There are much better sources that appreciate your business and will even stoop to speaking with a paying customer.
Rock Auto can SMD

[jamin325i]

They have low prices on a lot of things but watch the brands as they carry all the crappy stuff and the price is tempting.
If there is a mistake in their catalog (I've had this twice) heaven help you.
There is NO way to speak to anyone and their "customer service" e-mail will always respond with something to effect of NO, we are right you are wrong, F off.
They will NOT communicate beyond telling you to sod off twice.
Want your money back? You'll need to put in a beef with your credit card company.
There are much better sources that appreciate your business and will even stoop to speaking with a paying customer.
Rock Auto can SMD

thanks for heads up.
my comment could have been longer- as i was referring to price only within each quality category.
have not had the misfortune you discuss. have had more than dozen orders. anyhow, as far as quality they offer up to 3 quality categories.
last week ordered hella behr radiator for $123. no one should order the lowest quality parts and also should know best oem suppliers for bmw.
depending on part i might order oe bmw at times but do not remember if they offer bmw .

[waddsM3]

I find myself "in the same barrel" as GoodApollo above. Recently got back into the BMW world with a '95 M3 coupe, and I'm in need of some quality parts, in a reasonable period of time, and for a fair price. Too much to ask? I just placed an order with ECS Tuning, only to find a whole bunch of highly critical comments posted by former customers a bit further down my Google search. Sounds like ECS has acquired Turner Motorsports, Pelican Parts, and now Bavarian Auto? No wonder they may be going through some growing pains! Don't know if I should just immediately cancel my order and try someone else.

I did hear a positive plug for GetBMWParts today, but that was a single opinion. I did find their website harder to use, due to the lack of pics of parts. If you know the actual part number, it goes a lot faster. Also, it looked like shipping would take longer, and be more expensive. ECS/Turner (same company now??) offers free shipping on any decent sized order. If anyone has had solid experiences with ANYONE out there, please share with the rest of us.

[MarcoZandrini]

Wadds, definitely go the FCPEuro route. The vendor has great customer service, too. You can’t beat the lifetime warranty on everything, including oil (!!), it sells.

[jamin325i]

thanks for heads up.
my comment could have been longer- as i was referring to price only within each quality category.
have not had the misfortune you discuss. have had more than dozen orders. anyhow, as far as quality they offer up to 3 quality categories.
last week ordered hella behr radiator for $123. no one should order the lowest quality parts and also should know best oem suppliers for bmw.
depending on part i might order oe bmw at times but do not remember if they offer bmw .

followup, recently checked. rockauto does have oe bmw parts; waterpump, thermostat and housing. likely because these are common fails and most genuine is desired. noticed they have stewart radiator as i read some want this brand.

[shadowpuck]

i'm not sure i agree - an OE part is an Original Equipment part same as the factory used with a BMW logo and (typically) in a white BMW box.

i just looked for some parts from an e46 and did not find any OE parts. post a link to actual OE BMW parts on rock auto - i haven't found any......closest i've found was OEM in some instances....

[jamin325i]

i'm not sure i agree - an OE part is an Original Equipment part same as the factory used with a BMW logo and (typically) in a white BMW box.

i just looked for some parts from an e46 and did not find any OE parts. post a link to actual OE BMW parts on rock auto - i haven't found any......closest i've found was OEM in some instances....

just checked before my post , but mine in a '94 e36 and has 3 parts i mentioned. perhaps e36 demands more oe bmw parts than e46.

[shadowpuck]

Post a link.

[jamin325i]

Post a link.

you are not helpless. you go there. have a good day.

[shadowpuck]

i would like to see exactly what you are talking about - as, i've looked through the parts catalog fairly extensively and have not found any OE BMW parts. i've found some OEM, but not OE.
you are marking the assertion they exist - i was simply asking for an example so I could improve my searching.

no need to be a jerk about it - but, if that's how you need to be, then rock on......

seeing as how this is a thread where folks are asking about ordering parts, i thought you might educate us on this aspect....but, i suppose i was wrong....

so, thanks....i guess.

[ross1]

you are not helpless. you go there. have a good day.

WTF, man?
RA doesn't carry OE BMW parts. They may carry some of the OE brands, Bosch etc. but not Original Equipment BMW parts. One day you'll know the difference.

[ross1]

I find myself "in the same barrel" as GoodApollo above. Recently got back into the BMW world with a '95 M3 coupe, and I'm in need of some quality parts, in a reasonable period of time, and for a fair price. Too much to ask? I just placed an order with ECS Tuning, only to find a whole bunch of highly critical comments posted by former customers a bit further down my Google search. Sounds like ECS has acquired Turner Motorsports, Pelican Parts, and now Bavarian Auto? No wonder they may be going through some growing pains! Don't know if I should just immediately cancel my order and try someone else.

I did hear a positive plug for GetBMWParts today, but that was a single opinion. I did find their website harder to use, due to the lack of pics of parts. If you know the actual part number, it goes a lot faster. Also, it looked like shipping would take longer, and be more expensive. ECS/Turner (same company now??) offers free shipping on any decent sized order. If anyone has had solid experiences with ANYONE out there, please share with the rest of us.

I had good experiences with getbmw parts in the past. they were/are an authorized BMW dealership with an internet parts business.
I'm not sure if this is the same business I dealt with years ago as THAT dealership quit the internet parts business. It is currently BMW of Silver Spring which rings a bell, seems they have reconsidered the internet parts business.
FCP Euro is a good house and mostly offers the better brands and OE.
Your local dealer shouldn't be overlooked.