Sourcing new parts (for my bike, oi!)

[EmBe]

Sooo, asking my fav local bike store to order a part for me even though they're not a bmw dealership...is that a done thing?

There's oil leaking from my oil pressure sensor so I'm trying to hunt one down but haven't found one in NZ so I'm looking at moto-bins and motorworks in the UK. If new parts are needed for ya bike what do you guys do, request the part at your bike shop or order it yourself online?

Just feels odd asking the store to do my dirty work; 'your parts arrived', 'hey, thanks for that,see ya' .....but then, they're less likely to order the wrong thing and might have secret sources, or get faster delivery. Are bike shops/workshops happy to track down parts that aren't going to be installed or assembled by them?

Such a noob, i've brought spark plugs, air filters, oil etc but this is the first time i've needed something bike specific that can't just be found on a shop shelf down the road so appreciate your response :scratch:

[unstuck]

We have a very limited selection of bike shops down this way, mostly farm bikes and the like. So I find myself relying on the interwebs more and more to get me some bits.:2thumbsup

[HenryDorsetCase]

Sooo, asking my fav local bike store to order a part for me even though they're not a bmw dealership...is that a done thing?

There's oil leaking from my oil pressure sensor so I'm trying to hunt one down but haven't found one in NZ so I'm looking at moto-bins and motorworks in the UK. If new parts are needed for ya bike what do you guys do, request the part at your bike shop or order it yourself online?

Just feels odd asking the store to do my dirty work; 'your parts arrived', 'hey, thanks for that,see ya' .....but then, they're less likely to order the wrong thing and might have secret sources, or get faster delivery. Are bike shops/workshops happy to track down parts that aren't going to be installed or assembled by them?

Such a noob, i've brought spark plugs, air filters, oil etc but this is the first time i've needed something bike specific that can't just be found on a shop shelf down the road so appreciate your response :scratch:

If you are VERY specific with your online ordering (year, make model number - some even ask for your VIN so they dont get a cockup like (for example) a J model but it was registered in 1997 and the actual 1997 model is the K model. Hope that makes sense.

Anyway if you are specific enough and its a reputable online outfit you should be fine. Plus in the event of a fuckup (it happens - I ordered the wrong fricking engine cover for my bike.....) it is small enough to send it back.

Most retailers out of the UK will send via Her Majesty's mail, which is WAY cheaper and usually about a week door to door. I've never bought BMW parts but I have bought a fair few Honda bits from the UK based purveyors of same.

Good luck. If you get a bad vibe from them, shop elsewhere.

I love shopping on the internets. One word of caution: perhaps try a local dealer. BMW might be different from the very average parts support enjoyed by riders of most other brands. Ask Mr Hitcher about his experiences, he will give you glowing reviews. Glowing.

In my opinion it is completely unreasonable for a customer to wait more than ten days for a part from any supplier. If the local chump can't supply it, I dont care about their stupid business model I will shop online. You have the power!

[pete-blen]

In 45 years of riding I have ordered 100s of parts from bike shops...
Not one shop has installed any off them... other than tyres when
I can't be bothered to do it myself..
so ordering parts from a shop to install your self is no issue..

[R650R]

there wont be an issue, they'll still have a profitable markup on what ever spares they sell you. Completely normal activity.

You don't really need that part anyway, just blank off the hole where it was with some quickmetal epoxy and short or break the wires.
By the time most oil pressure lights come on shes all over anyway...

[Hobbyhorse]

Go into Motobins site and the spares are set out in model specific folders. Select the one for your bike and order from there and the chances of getting the wrong part are pretty remote. ....the pricing is also very good.

[Ulsterkiwi]

In Wellington, the BMW dealer is Motomart. That can be a variable experience. I have had simple requests take a VERY long and painful journey with lots of nagging on my part to resolve and also had pretty smooth service as well. I have found it depended on which individual was looking after things for me.

I have been able to source parts from other retailers and I don't think the make of your bike matters, either they can get you the part or they cant.

Thats just my limited experience, others will have a different story I am sure.

[matrox02]

Sooo, asking my fav local bike store to order a part for me even though they're not a bmw dealership...is that a done thing?

There's oil leaking from my oil pressure sensor so I'm trying to hunt one down but haven't found one in NZ so I'm looking at moto-bins and motorworks in the UK. If new parts are needed for ya bike what do you guys do, request the part at your bike shop or order it yourself online?

Just feels odd asking the store to do my dirty work; 'your parts arrived', 'hey, thanks for that,see ya' .....but then, they're less likely to order the wrong thing and might have secret sources, or get faster delivery. Are bike shops/workshops happy to track down parts that aren't going to be installed or assembled by them?

Such a noob, i've brought spark plugs, air filters, oil etc but this is the first time i've needed something bike specific that can't just be found on a shop shelf down the road so appreciate your response :scratch:


unless they are some fan dangle design, you should be able to put a universal one in so long as its the same thread and pressure sensitivity?? I know when I rebuilt a Aprilia sxv450 I used a universal one because its "genuine" part spat the dummy at 3000 kms, and that seemed ok?

[pritch]

BMWs are now imported by the same guy that brings in Aprilia and Triumph. As has been suggested, ask Hitcher. :whistle:

I've bought various bits and pieces that were unobtainable locally from the inter web. No bad experiences, just use normal levels of discretion.
Where I worked Trademe was blocked, but they hadn't blocked EBay so I could shop 'til I dropped - or ran out of the folding stuff.

If you can get website recommendations from here you should be fine.

[Banditbandit]

I've used net stores for BMW parts in the past - they are a fuck of a lot cheaper. And I';ve had no hassles with the parts - they arrived, they fitted.

If you are getting them through a shop which is NOT a BMW dealer, the shop can often put on their cut to the price - which can end up more expensive than buying from the dealer ...

[Katman]

If you are getting them through a shop which is NOT a BMW dealer, the shop can often put on their cut to the price - which can end up more expensive than buying from the dealer ...

That would surprise me. I think you'll find that when a workshop orders something through a dealer the dealer usually gives the workshop a discount - and that becomes the workshop's cut out of the deal.

That's certainly the case with my business.

[Banditbandit]

That would surprise me. I think you'll find that when a workshop orders something through a dealer the dealer usually gives the workshop a discount - and that becomes the workshop's cut out of the deal.

That's certainly the case with my business.

Yeah - there's a range - but I have been hit that way a couple of times by shops. I stopped getting parts that way.

[geoffm]

Back when I had my K100RS-16v, I ordered a fair bit form Motoworks and never had isses. Landed price was around 2/3 the NZ price and took 7-10 days, instead of 6 weeks through the NZ Stealership

Parts fiche is at http://www.ascycles.com/BMW-Motorcycle-Parts-Fiche.aspx so you can look up the part numbers yourself.