7 Tips for Buying BMW Parts Online
Are you the proud owner of a BMW? If so, you're driving one of the world's premier car brands.
But even a Beamer needs an upgrade every now and then. Sometimes parts wear out, or maybe you'd like to add a spoiler or fancy new hood ornament. Either way, quality performance parts can make all the difference.
Finding the right BMW parts is the trick. This is where you have to display some serious online shopping skills. Fortunately for you, we're here to give you a hand.
Keep reading to learn some great tips to help you in your online search for quality BMW performance parts.
1. Do Your Homework
When you're looking for BMW parts online, it's important to do your research.
In other words, don't just jump in and purchase the first BMW OEM parts you find. Luckily, you have options. Check out different automobile magazines and online articles to learn a little more about the components you intend to buy.
BMW performance parts are expensive, so you don't want to be too hasty when making an online purchase. Read reviews of the sites that offer the parts you need, and understand what their policies are and whether they offer any deals or discounts.
And remember, it might be worthwhile to check with your local auto shop to see what they recommend before making a purchase.
2. Identify the VIN
This is another important step to take before you purchase BMW performance parts.
Take the time to find and record your BMW's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Every car has its own unique VIN, which is kind of like a fingerprint stamped upon each new car. This code tells you everything you need to know about your vehicle—from its make and model, to when it was manufactured, to even what color it is.
The seventeen characters of this alphanumeric code are critical to finding the right BMW parts for your car. Armed with this code, you should have no trouble finding a component that's a good fit for your BMW.
3. Make Sure You Have the Right Part
It's always a good idea to get a second opinion before buying BMW parts wholesale or otherwise.
If you have a trusted mechanic that you've worked with before, consult with them before you make the purchase. A mechanic or auto shop should be able to check the part's serial number and determine if it's a good fit.
It helps to double-check with the online seller as well, and assure yourself that the performance part and serial number really do match up. If there's no picture available for the part you wish to buy, don't make the purchase. This is an obvious red flag. Move on and find another seller.
4. Contact Your Auto Shop
Whether you're looking for BMW motorcycle parts, or you want to improve the performance of an i8 Roadster, you need to contact your auto shop.
The reason is that you need to know if they're willing to install parts in your vehicle that you've supplied to them. Not all auto shops are willing to do this, and it would be an awful waste of time and money to get the part but not have anyone willing to install it.
You still have options, though, even if your auto shop won't do the job. Contact other local auto shops to see if they're willing, or you can ask a trusted mechanic to see if they can find a BMW performance part on their own. Here's the point: you don't want to pull the trigger on an expensive online purchase and then find out later on no one will install it for you.
5. Check Out the Return Policy
Assuming you've lined up an auto shop, it's time to purchase that performance part.
But first, take a look at the site's return policy. BMW parts are expensive, and it's important to know what your return options are in case you've ordered an incorrect component. Most of the time, online shops will have very generous policies. Even so, you might have to pay for return shipping.
6. Investigate Different Payment Options
Don't forget to look into different payment options before buying BMW parts online. For one thing, there's the standard free shipping with a minimum purchase amount, a policy you should always take advantage of. And some sites will allow you to pay for your performance parts in smaller installments over time.
Performance parts can be pricey, so there's nothing wrong with finding ways to lower your up-front costs.
7. Keep a Record of Parts Numbers
Finally, once you've received your BMW parts, it makes a lot of sense to jot down the part number and keep a record of it. This is especially true for spare and performance parts that need to be replaced often. That way, when it's time to replace it, you can find the part you need as quickly as possible.
Find the Best BMW Parts for Your Car
If you have a BMW, you're the proud owner of one of the most sophisticated and well-designed vehicles on the planet.
But that doesn't mean it's not worth it to invest in an upgrade from time to time. Buying BMW parts online is sometimes the only way to find what you need. It's always a little dicey when ordering anything online, especially high-quality performance parts.
At UroTuning, we're a one-stop online store for the very best OEM and performance parts for BMWs. Go ahead and contact us today to see what we can do for you.
