BMW(GB) are looking into supplying parts for "Heritage Models" at heavily discounted prices.

They already do this for their cars and are going to begin with brake discs and pads to test the market reasoning that they sell hardly any of these because their prices are far too high.

Apparently they've looked at the various specialists and believe that they can compete with them on price.

I suppose that not having a BMW dealership on your doorstep will affect where you buy parts; if it costs more to travel and collect than the postage, the only advantages will be the warranty and possibly having receipts for "genuine" parts (I know that genuine parts are available from the various specialists but a BMW invoice seems to be more attractive to some prospective owners).

That's pretty good news... Especially when you look at the price that they do charge for what are almost consumable items.... like brake disks particularly the ABS variety... When you look at what the competition charge for parts which are made to the same spec as the originals you wonder why they have such a premium on the products...

What would be a step in the right direction would be to allow online ordering of parts so you can see the price that it's going to cost. As they have 1 main distribution depot in the UK it wouldn't be that difficult for them to be able to do it.

I know that the service can vary enormously around the various dealers and that might work against them when the likes of Motobins, Motorworks and Sherlock have been around long enough to have an established reputation for good service.

Speaking for myself, I am often torn between the specialists and Ocean. The latter will often match the prices or be very near. I use the on-line fiche to get the part number, then phone for their best price and availability. I have usually priced the item from the others before phoning to make a comparison.

If they weren't on the doorstep, I might not bother though.

A couple of weeks ago I needed a new battery for my LT and as my local BMW dealer, Balderstone, is only 10 miles away I thought the little extra they will charge will be offset by not having to pay postage. Would you believe £145!! Motobins got my business £54. John

As you say Mike limited unless you have a dealer close by. Unless they compete directly with Motorworks et al by mailing parts out there is no advantage to me as the nearest Motorad dealer is two hours away.

Cheers
Dave

Dave - is Clarks in Aberdeen your nearest dealer? if yes are there any official BMW car dealers nearer? For a long time there was no Motorrad dealer in the south east of Scotland but I found out from BMW UK head office that the car dealer network also has the Parts fiche for bikes. Call in and see them and Company policy is that they will get parts for you.

Hope this helps

k100virgin wrote:A couple of weeks ago I needed a new battery for my LT and as my local BMW dealer, Balderstone, is only 10 miles away I thought the little extra they will charge will be offset by not having to pay postage. Would you believe £145!! Motobins got my business £54. John

I left the UK to live in France in 2004. At that time Balderstone was also my local dealer. I rode past his door to go and buy our new bikes from Northampton! We used to say of the owner, "Robin by name and Robbing by nature". Nice to see that they have not changed.

You know when its a true BMW dealer they rob you blind. Some things never change.