Hi! Bro, I normally get my new parts from the following suppliers; Bavaria Auto, Munich Auto & First Division all around Segambut area. However I usually leave that to Albert although I know mechanics do make a mark up on the price. It's ok with me as long as the mark up is only marginal and not excessive. This is where the mechanic essentially develops trust with his customers besides the good analytical & repairing skills that he has. He should be one who looks for long term relationship and referral business.
From my experience with so many workshops, it's really not much difference between buying our own parts or just let the workshop do the shopping.
Here is my rationale;
1. If we buy the parts and it turns out to be defective then we pay for labour cost twice
2. If mechanic source the parts and yet it's defective then additional labour is his responsibility
3. They are the expert and they can detect a fake from the original or OEM
4. They deal with their parts supplier on a daily basis. As such the parts supplier would not want to mess with them if the workshop are good paymaster
5. I have come across suppliers who stock both OEM and fake parts. As walk-in customers who knows little but likes to negotiate prices they will just sell those fake ones to us by quoting slightly cheaper than the OEM parts price. Some mechanic will just fit them and charge you the labour. Others may educate us on the fake parts. We end up running back to the part supplier trying to get back our money. Wasted time and running cost.
You have a higher chance of buying original parts from the chop shops. Of course always be wise on the type of second hand parts that are safe to be used.
There are too many chop shops around and you don't know if they have the parts that you are looking for. In my early days of BMW ownership especially those E23 & E28 days, I have done all my running around for parts. You really need a lot of enthusiasm, energy and time. E.g. your search for a certain part could make you run from Batu Caves, Selayang, Sungai Buluh, Subang, Puchong and maybe as far as Kajang. Trust me, I have covered such distances and chop chops in one day. From all these experiences I have got to know this guy Ah Meng who used to work for a chop shop but now runs a small outfit. He has 20 years experience in this business and he helps a lot of workshops search for parts. Nowadays, I just ask Ah Meng to find my parts.
Hope that helps.
Mabel;464026 said:
Vince, thanks for sharing. This is one of the most interesting thread I've read on owner's experience on aquisition and what they do the car after the aquisition.
I'm pretty new to this UDM. Mind sharing where you normally get your parts?
I believe alot of members here as well as new comer like me are interested to know..TIA..:wink:
