Getting your BMW fixed when the need arises entails finances and finding the right parts.
If you bought your vehicle brand new and some parts need repair or replacement, then it's a good time to study your car's manufacturer warranty.
What are genuine BMW parts?
These are parts manufactured by the BMW Company. They are the same parts used to produce the vehicle you got from the dealership at the time of purchase.
These parts speak of originality, quality and class. They are quite rare to come by and even when you find them, they tend to be on the pricey side. They were produced in the highest standards and stringently tested to endure various conditions. They were designed for your vehicle and made by the automaker. They come with the BMW logo, and that plus all the qualities mentioned make them expensive.
Genuine BMW parts are the same as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. The only difference is that the OEM doesn't have the brand logo attached to the components, probably meaning BMW outsourced the production of the elements.
The approved third-party company here is a trusted, usually young, company. These companies bid for the contract, and whoever secures the bidding takes up the job. So your OEM parts are probably manufactured by the likes of Bosch, ATE or Sachs.
A warranty accompanies genuine BMW parts. The validity period for BMW parts is usually 12 months. If getting the part supplied and fitted at a BMW dealership is an inconvenience, it assures that warranties will be honoured and bad workmanship can't be blamed if the part fails within its warranty period.
What are aftermarket BMW parts?
These are parts that are neither manufactured by BMW nor outsourced to other companies. They are produced by uninvited third parties to meet market demands.
These BMW aftermarket parts abound in number and come at a giveaway price. Some could be expensive too depending on the source. When they are incredibly cheap, then you better tread with caution and seek advice. This extremely low-end price should alert you and is a reason to be suspicious.
Fake parts are always cheap. Also, the BMW aftermarket parts come in different ways due to the different companies doing the production. The brake pad that you were told suits your BMW 1 Series might need to be slightly altered so it will suit your late Toyota Aurion. They are sometimes made to cross from one brand to another. This practice poses a risk because the aftermarket part might not work in synergy with the other original parts of your BMW car.
The good thing about aftermarket parts is that some manufacturers upgrade the components for optimal performance.
Furthermore, the variety of the BMW parts out there leaves you with an avalanche of options and prices to choose from. If you're fortunate, you could get yourself a high-quality BMW aftermarket part that might rival the original one and even outperform it due to modifications. The disadvantage of this non-genuine part is that they rarely come along with warranties like their genuine parts.
To help you search for spares to your BMW, you can use some handy tools like car parts finder websites. You simply log in and send a request for the parts you need. You will need to fill in a form with the details of the parts you're looking for. After a few hours, you may start receiving quotes from suppliers who have the item you need. So instead of you calling and emailing suppliers, it's the other way around. Try this method now, it sure beats scouring the Yellow Pages!