BMW Performance Parts

Razor84

New member
Why can't BMW fit the performance accessories at the factory while the vehicle is being specced. It does not make sense to me that we are forced to buy these parts aftermarket from the OEM. The problem is say for example I buy the BMW performance springs, I will be left with a spare set of springs in my kitchen. Likewise for all the similar parts. I saw stealth135i advertising his M-steering etc for sale after buying the performance steering wheel. Why is BMW making things so difficult for us and inconveniencing us?

Not only is this a convenience issue but it would also reduces the cost of the parts. For example regarding the steering wheel, rather than paying the full price for it, they could just charge the price for upgrading to it at the factory. In other words just add the difference in cost which could have cost impact much less than 12k. The same can be said for the carbon fibre interior trim. That costs in the region of 15k but I wonder what it would cost as an upgrade option.

Another problem that I have is that the sales people don't have any knowledge about these products. I waited about two weeks for info from the salesman from a very popular jhb dealership. Eventually i had to go in personally to sit at the computer with the parts salesman and find the parts and prices. Two of the dealers had the excuse that they hadn't been trained on this. They also said that they do not sell a lot of these parts as they were too expensive, I disagree on this as the reason why they haven't been selling this is due to the salespeople not knowing about it to market it. These dealers were also not aware of the tii concept which i think is bad as it immediately tells me that I know more about the product they are selling than they do.

I cannot understand BMW's logic for handling the performance parts issue in this manner. They are BMW accessories so why can't it be handled in the standard manner as the other BMW options. Does anybody else out there share my views?
 

applehero

///Member
I agree with you there Razor84. It is perfectly plausible that one should be able to spec the parts when buying the car new. I think BMW doesn't offer this because the cost of incorporating it into the production line is too high. This is because of the relatively low number of vehicles fitted with them. That being said, they have provision for the individual models - although the number of individual packs versus performance packs are much higher.

There should even be a facility that if the car is brand new, the performance kit is fitted prior to delivery. Then they can sell the standard parts as new...
 

Raybimmer

New member
If memory serves me right the E36 Individual had choices of trim etc , this would mean waiting a bit longer for your car from the factory .:thumbsup:
Dealer fitted parts = stealership making moola:banghead:
Performance parts fitted by factory would be factory approved and I would be happier with this than the stealership fitting them .
 

babyboss

Active member
sales people know squat .. when called re 135 DCT the lady didn't know what i was talking about .. gues she must hav b'n xxx so she got the job :hammerhead:
 

Razor84

New member
I questioned the dealership and BMW SA on the performance parts issue. We went to the extent that production was halted on my car at the factory(possibly in germany) and the production manager was called in to answer the questions but the production guys have refused to do it which I guess is the end of the argument. I cant understand BMW's take on this, I don't want to add all these parts aftermarket and then end up with a car that costs more than the upcoming M coupe
 

George Smooth

///Member
The way they do it is win win for BMW in total. The factory sells the same part twice and the dealers make a margin and profit on the labor to fit. In South Africa the labor rates are low but in other markets there is a big off spin for the dealerships especially the way the markets are at the moment.
 

RhooD

New member
I took delivery of my 1M last year July. Since then I have gone from dealership to dealership in an attempt to fit a Performance Steering Wheel. On the local BMW system, it does not list this part as an option for my car, however it is available for the 135i. One of the dealerships even told me that this part is only for performance vehicles. I take it then my 1M is not a performance car! All other dealerships say that it is not possible to fit this part because of the non-listing on their system. Yet in the US and UK they are being fitted no problem! The after sales parts and knowledge of the OEM parts in SA is a joke to say the least. Me thinks my next car will be a VW!
 

moranor@axis

///Member
Official Advertiser
RhooD said:
I took delivery of my 1M last year July. Since then I have gone from dealership to dealership in an attempt to fit a Performance Steering Wheel. On the local BMW system, it does not list this part as an option for my car, however it is available for the 135i. One of the dealerships even told me that this part is only for performance vehicles. I take it then my 1M is not a performance car! All other dealerships say that it is not possible to fit this part because of the non-listing on their system. Yet in the US and UK they are being fitted no problem! The after sales parts and knowledge of the OEM parts in SA is a joke to say the least. Me thinks my next car will be a VW!

print out evidence... take it to them and tell them they idiots...
 

Twinz

Forum - Support
Staff member
I would buy the OEM performance parts abroad...if they dont stock it locally...and then ask the dealership to fit it.:thumbs:
 

P Smit

New member
Even better, fit the flippen performance parts yourself!! That is if you are technically minded. Any case, why spend the money on a steeringwheel, rather spend it where it matters, like better anti roll bars, better brakes which will also do proper braking on consecutive laps on the track.
 
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