[kellenbenz]

I have no life, so browsing the web for consumable parts. I found that a timing chain O ring from a BMW 540 I car is the same as the drain plug O ring on the R1200RT final drive.

Take a look at the price difference:

540 I = $.22

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_product=1262333&ukey_assembly=261792

R1200RT = $1.67

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0388&mospid=51560&btnr=33_1224&hg=33&fg=05

Perhaps we should check the BMW car dealers for parts.

Ron

 

[Kornholio]

The company I work for sells on and off-road versions of our products which are identical except for the software that runs them. Anyway, we do the same thing in a way...on-road products are cheaper than off-road. Why? It has to do with recouping our warranty expenses. We get more warranty claims for off-road systems than on-road and so the cost for parts is higher even though it's the exact same part.

 

[DanDiver]

Years ago I needed a belt for a Volvo out-drive Bayliner boat engine. Belt was around $15.00. Seemed high so I checked at local auto parts and was able to get two of the same identical belts for about $7.00. That same belt in a helicopter would have probably for $150.00.

 

[four12]

That same belt in a helicopter would have probably for $150.00.

Exactly. Many years ago, I was replacing an alternator on an airplane. It was an AC-Delco brand alternator with a part number like "A-123456" that the aircraft parts store wanted $300 for.

If you took the "A-" off the part number and went over to the NAPA auto parts store, it was $50.

I'm not saying which part we went with, but it was in Bush Alaska...

Yes, the "A-" indicated that the specific model had been tested and approved for aeronautical use and should an accident occur that was related to the electrical system the FAA/NTSB would say "well, that is the cause of the crash"...

 

[6speedTi]

Years ago I needed a belt for a Volvo out-drive Bayliner boat engine. Belt was around $15.00. Seemed high so I checked at local auto parts and was able to get two of the same identical belts for about $7.00. That same belt in a helicopter would have probably for $150.00.

Yea but the helicopter belt is FAA/PMA approved. That right there makes it worth paying $150.00. :histerica

 

[hopz]

I agree... I had a BMW 540i... trust me, they get their markup... in other ways.

OBTW the best (favorite) car I have ever owned.