$12 Bolt ?!?!

[kronga]

After getting my '99 *almost* all the way back together after a 36k maintenance teardown, I found I had somehow misplaced one of the small chromed bolts that hold the turn signal lenses on. Stopped by the dealership to pick one up & was told the price was $12.00 !!

The parts guy seemed incredulous as well. He was nice enough to find a couple of suitable replacements which he gave me for free. Anybody know if that's a misprint -- is it supposed to be $1.20?

Luckily I found the original in the garage when I returned home. I will now guard it more closely!

Ron Aikins
Pacific Grove, CA

[BkrK12]

You can get it from Max BMW for only $9.70 - a rare bargain.

[Rotor]

When I purchased parts for a 12,000 mile service. I all so purchased a lower skirt retaining screw that I had lost. When I got home I reviewed my receipt. The screw only cost $3.86. Glad I only lost one!
I don't mind the dealer making a profit, but get real!!!!!!!!!!!

[JQFAST]

I lost the little plastic tip to one of my antennas which cost me $4.40 for a 5 cent part. Welcome to the world of BMW.

[gunny]

I lost the little plastic tip to one of my antennas which cost me $4.40 for a 5 cent part. Welcome to the world of BMW.

I lost BOTH of mine and I don't plan on replacing them, ever.

[mjordans2000]

It can be a shock. More than once I have ordered a couple of bolts without asking about price (what could a little bolt cost anyway) only to have my jaw drop when I studied the invoice later.

[astuber]

I have to agree on the sticker shock for BMW parts. A few years ago I went in to purchase the front and rear brake pads and nearly fell over when the guy at the counter told me they were almost $225. He got really huffy when I questioned the cost. I bought a full set of pads from EBC for about $65.

[Ron_Kendall]

Last week I had the front tire changed...I asked them to change the valve stem, $1.50 item at auto parts store....A BMW made in Germany valve stem $6.00:crazy:

[hallzee]

I learned my lesson early on with my LT. First time I took the tupperware off myself, I noticed taht some of the screws that hold it all on were missing (up to this point, only dealer had worked on it, but that's for another thread).

Needed 2 or 3, so went to the dealer, and got an assortment (long and short) of 10, I wanted extras just in case. Ended up being over $30.00 for 10 screws. I was a bit surprised... But then again - they are painted black! :D

[ChasnRacin]

I I was a bit surprised... But then again - they are painted black! :D

:histerica :bowdown: :bmw:

[Voyager]

Last week I had the front tire changed...I asked them to change the valve stem, $1.50 item at auto parts store....A BMW made in Germany valve stem $6.00:crazy:

My 07 had a slow leak in the rear tire from the day it was new. Not a serious leak, but it would lose 4 or so psi a week. I tried soap and water and could never find it, but I had to replace the rear tire last year and had a local tire shop do the change. They assured me they could do so without scratcing my rim (the owner showed me his "no contact" machine and it looked impressive) and they did. I was somewhat chagrined though when I got home and saw that my nice metal valve stem cap had been replaced with a plain old plastic cap on the new valve stem.

However, I stopped fretting when I found that the rear tire now loses less than 4 psi during the entire winter storage of nearly 4 months! So, I think I will stick with the "cheap" valve stems and caps.

[bmwbubba]

Almost any bolt or screw you will need you can find at Ace Hardware. They even have stainless or chrome if you wish.

[gglove]

Whenever I pay for work at the dealer I use a credit card and KY it just makes it so much less painful. :D

[JimH]

Ya know, UPS Ground shipping is $5-$10 even if the box is empty. If the dealer has to order replacement screws, the shipping costs a lot more than the part. Nothing is free, and not much is inexpensive.

[PHILBERT40]

Most of the metric thread nuts & bolts used on an LT can be found at ACE Hardware for more realistic prices. The only ones that I still have to buy buy from BMW (break my wallet) is the tupperware screws.

[Tom1200]

Even the hardware store is no longer cheap. I have been buying some lately for other projects at the hardware store and I just bought a stainless steel nut the other date for 85 cents. But hold that inventory and all the selection has to cost something.