Swift wrote:scott wrote:The only problem with BMW's is the high maintenance costs and the cost of parts.
That's the whole problem with them!!
This is just a crap excuse for a crappy parts supply chain that only Australia seems to be affected by. The other problem is people seem to think European makes are particularly 'special' compared to other cars and are willing to fork out for 'specialists' to service their cars (Not speaking of the exotic marques with this statement).
Now onto the parts... I can purchase BMW parts from anywhere else in the world, be it the U.K., the U.S.A. and so on, and despite the value of the Aussie dollar at present (plus shipping & gouging), come out with at least double the money compared to buying the parts locally. One of the most criminal examples to date was a small metal flange that attaches to the back of the cylinder head for a heater hose. Of the local European Parts "Specialists" one wanted $80 for it, whereas others apparently had to source the part... A genuine part ordered from the U.S.A. cost $17.20 with shipping, the total was $24.
That sort of markup is completely unjustifiable in my books. It's continually beaten into us to support local businesses, but with this sort of behaviour running rife across many retail sectors, it's little wonder people are voting with their feet and choosing to shop online nowadays.
