02 model year parts availability

[smartr1407]

Hi all,
I popped into my local BMW main dealer the other day to order a new O ring seal for the power steering reservoir cap. Thankfully a minor part for a car that’s running faultlessly. Was advised by the parts department that it is no longer in production.
Thankfully I was able to source the part on EBay no problem but it did make me wonder that if I needed a more significant genuine spare would BMW still be producing them.
Has anyone had a similar experience with an 02 model year regarding genuine BMW parts availability?

 

[ChrisD]

Hi all,
I popped into my local BMW main dealer the other day to order a new O ring seal for the power steering reservoir cap. Thankfully a minor part for a car that’s running faultlessly. Was advised by the parts department that it is no longer in production.
Thankfully I was able to source the part on EBay no problem but it did make me wonder that if I needed a more significant genuine spare would BMW still be producing them.
Has anyone had a similar experience with an 02 model year regarding genuine BMW parts availability?

Vehicle manufacturers plan for parts availability from their suppliers for around 10 to 15 years after production. At this point it really is pot luck if your required part is still available from a dealership.

 

[Pingu]

It's an EU legal directive that parts are available for 10 years after the end of production.

I know that Mercedes Benz will supply parts on any of their models - yes ANY of their models, but that is through goodwill, not because they have to. They really appreciate the longevity of their brand, and are very proud to support it.

O-rings are easy to find if you have the measurements. Life will get much more difficult when unique items start becoming unavailable. Diff mounting bushes, for instance, have become VERY expensive, because BMW made a special low volume purchase a few years ago. It's unlikely they will buy any more.

 

[AntStark]

The demise of dealer supplied parts does usually see an upturn in aftermarket suppliers filling the gap, at least for the more consumable items. I think we are at a stage now where many zeds are end of life so there are loads being broken .. stock up on those hard to find parts and trim bits whilst you can!

 

[smartr1407]

Thanks for the replies all.
Thankfully with just 48,000 miles on the clock and a lovely 3.0 straight six it’s proved bullet proof over my 13 years of ownership. As the parts guy at BMW said, it’s hardly run in yet . But very interesting to see how different manufacturers approach parts for past production models.

 

[Stevo7682]

Unfortunately as others have said the list of NLA parts for our zeds is growing all the time.
Even some of the aftermarket parts are becoming more difficult to obtain.
But this is generally the case with older cars as the demand falls the less common used parts start disappearing.

Stephen.

 

[Ade33]

I'm going to chip in here (as a fellow 2002 Z3 owner).. When I bought my Triumph TR6 in the late 80's it was difficult to get some of the parts to keep it going..Things like indicator lenses were virtually unobtainable new as dealer stocks of OEM were exhausted. The prime source of parts were cars being broken at the time. There were fields full of the cars being broken for parts and parts could be obtained cheaply..Wings, bonnets, doors etc. Triumph produced around 95,000 TR6's its most successful TR by far...

BMW produced 300,000 Z3s a massive production run. Cars are being broken daily for parts meaning fewer exist..However its quite possible that residuals have probably reached their lowest..Which is good as it makes them affordable for the enthusiast.. Its now being talked of as "an emerging classic" and it certainly can be worked on by the amateur mechanic.. Given 3D printing and the new technologies its quite possible the pattern car parts makers will step in to provide parts if the genuine BMW source dries up

 

[Pingu]

I'll just throw this little thought in there...

It will get more difficult BECAUSE there are too many cars left.

BMW Z3 - How Many Left?

Statistics for BMW Z3.. See how many cars of any make and model are left on Britain's roads.

www.howmanyleft.co.uk

Production ended in 2002 with 17,000 on the road. It's 18 years later and there are still nearly 12,000 left. Unless people start scrapping cars that are still in an ok condition there will be none in the scrap yards. Cars don't die of rust like they used to. They only really die because they get smashed up.

It may be that cars will be worth more in parts than whole, and if you have the space to "do an Andy" will be the sensible thing to do. Don't sell it for £5k, scrap it and sell the bits for £7k.

 

[Stevo7682]

The one part that may start to become pivotal in all this is the rear trailing arms .
I checked with Bmw last year for a zed 3 that failed an Mot on holed and corroded rear arms yes they were still available special order but your into £1600 quid thats bare ( no backplate, bearing, hub, bushes etc)
As time goes on decent 2nd hand ones will start to climb in price there have never been a copy part always a dealer bit.

Stephen

 

[AntStark]

You are right ..the trailing arms are pivotal ..that’s how they work

I get your point though Steve

 

[Stevo7682]

You are right ..the trailing arms are pivotal ..that’s how they work

I get your point though Steve

 

[ExMX5owner]

You are right ..the trailing arms are pivotal ..that’s how they work

I get your point though Steve