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If you haven't yet purchased the bearings then you're in an even stronger position, talk to an indy and ask them if they might procure the aftermarket parts you want on your behalf, they probably already have relationships with many parts places (locally and internationally).

Just to add some extra thoughts for buying parts locally from the dealer vs overseas, with the assumption you're a personal (not trade) customer, when you buy from your local dealer the price includes GST, any import duties they have to pay etc, which the overseas store doesn't charge. Your local dealer also has to warranty the parts. When buying parts from overseas I feel like I'm accepting the warranty risk as it's highly unlikely I'm going to be able to return it at a reasonable cost. I once took the same weight and dimensions of a care package I received from an overseas parts store that shipped with FedEx for <$100 in freight costs , and the same package doing the reverse journey to the original sender was quoted by the FedEx NZ website at $1200 NZD. I know there is NZ Post but they also aren't necessarily economically sensible compared to the cost of the part being returned. I've tried aftermarket parts before, for example I purchased a "Rein" brand coolant hose because it was cheaper than a genuine one, but it didn't last long. I ended up going down to the local dealer and buying a genuine one and muttered to myself it would have been cheaper in the long run to just buy the genuine one to start with. I echo what @Eagle said, if there was a web site where I could see prices and stock, assuming the price was reasonable I would order from the local dealer more. They are always nice to me when I ring so this is about me not them, but I feel like ringing and taking someone's time up to find that information out when I'm not necessarily going to purchase from them is an inconvenience to them and I don't want to be an inconvenience so I avoid doing so and stick to web browsing.

I ordered tires this evening. After much research I decided to go with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport. I had been planning to take the well-trod route of Michelin PS4S's, however they're not available in New Zealand (and importing tires was just going to be too expensive to make sense) in any of the sizes remotely close to what I need (I confirmed this with Michelin NZ directly), this was a surprise especially given I'd checked on their NZ website that those sizes were available here 👎 This meant I then needed to figure out alternative options. In Michelins that meant PSS's or PS5's (no Cup options available in NZ in the sizes I need). The PSS's are too old, and the PS5's while by all accounts very good had me a bit concerned about the softer tire wall than the PS4S. The RE050A's that I'm running currently, are fairly stiff in the sidewall department and while objectively terrible compared to modern options I am used to the stiffer sidewall. By moving to 18's I'm already introducing more compliance for a better ride and road stickability (that's the technical term 🙃), and I was a little concerned about also moving to an even softer sidewall as well. I then looked wider, and after a bunch of research, looking at what is available in NZ, settled on the Potenza Sport. The Potenza Race would be an even better option I think, but they're not available in 18in options. The RE71-RS's while the stickiness would have been giggle-worthy, don't give the same degree of feedback and would be impractical in wet conditions, so the Sport it is. TireReviews.com have a good review of it and on dry handling it's very close to the PS4S, slightly better in the wet, and ranks worse on comfort (due to the firmer sidewall), slightly worse on noise and worse on wear. The wear doesn't bother me as I won't do enough km's anyway, the firmer sidewall I'm okay with and the noise will still be a lot better than the RE050A's anyway. This is all splitting hairs of course, but might as well get the best option I can. Big shout out to @Palazzo for suggesting Costco. Bridgestone NZ direct have the best price out of the rest due to a special deal currently which comes to only $2376.32 NZD for all 4 tires fitted. Costco, for exactly the same thing, is $1379.94, plus in addition you get a $360 store credit as well. Given we regularly shop at Costco for essentials this means the end cost for the tires comes to $1020. Which is quite astonishing to me. That's significantly less than I paid for new performance tires for my 318i in 2007!

Not sure I fully understand this comment. I have been to shops that have installed a new part (from whatever supplier they use). Part has crapped out shortly after. Yes they have replaced the part but they still charge you labour to do it so no difference.

I fix and install most parts on my BMW's myself. But as a parent my time is limited and sometimes it is easier to pay someone to do a job rather than put in the time myself. Recently I purchased a few parts off FCP to refresh my E36. All genuine or OE. I looked around for some indys nearby who could do the work (searched around BOP). Found one and listed the parts I ordered off FCP and asked if they could install them. Got a response saying they don't install customer supplied parts. I'll probably just find the time to install myself. Not a big deal. But it did make me wonder why. Has anyone else come across this? Why would it matter if I supply the parts? Can't be a quality assurance thing as I provided links to the items and they are all geunine BMW or OE. Is this something to do with the suply chain? Is there some kind of arrangement going on with parts suppliers at these workshops? Like I mentioned already. It's not a big deal. Just curious about why a workshop would turn down a days work just because a customer wants to supply parts.

Friends got tyres direct from importer last year. A set of 4 was about 20% more than 1 from a (cheap) retailer. So somewhere between the importers margin and the retailers margin is a healthy number.

You really make no sense unfortunately. If you can't understand what I was asking, respectfully you should move along. I asked a simple question & some members have answered my question. You seem to want to make a mountain out of a molehill. I think maybe you're the one that "plays alone".

OP Here lies within one reason why workshops reject owner supplied parts 1) insurance, If the workshop should make a claim for total loss on your car for failure due to a service provided .. it will be inevitably rejected on the premise of owner supplied parts

Meeee-reow 🤣

PS5’s came to $1775.94. The fronts (245/40R18) were cheaper than the Potenza Sports, but the rears (255/40R18) were significantly more for whatever reason.

I recently looked at those for my S55 as they were the only good in my sizes along with the PS5's (both around $1900 trade). Upon reading reviews they didnt have the characteristics i was after for the car so i went with the PS5's. That pricing is insane in this day and age though, buying power that good or tyre shops got big markup, maybe both. Would of been interesting to see what the PS5 cost in the same sizing. May have to drive to Auckland for future tires.

Hey Everyone, I've been patiently waiting for a good condition E90 330i to come up on the market for some time now and recently i managed to snag this 2005, Japanese import with only 70,000km for a pretty good price. Within a week of owning it I've already gone done a full fluid service including a trans service and replaced as many gaskets as i can. Just waiting for my Mr12volt and reverse camera to arrive now!

Turned out to be the relay! Thanks everyone for your help, not just with the relay but also for pointing out missing screws😅 I'll be back soon with more things broken in my lovely leaker

Couple of updates: 1: The wheels arrived today 🎉 Mandatory photo, although we all already know what ARC8's look like 🙃 2: The male MAF sensor connectors arrived. I don't actually have need of these for myself, but I finally came across them and thought I'd order some to confirm they're a match and if so share the details with everyone as saves having to pay Turner money for their relocation harnesses. These things appear to be the exact same item Turner are using and they come with the pins and seals. I ordered 5 of these for the princely sum of $9.58USD total including shipping. per-unit price is $1.24USD. You can purchase your own (you can order singles) here: https://www.hdconnectorstore.com/productdetail/32496.html

I'd call the site sponsors, @HELLBM, and have a chat with them. I'm not them so can't confirm their stance on you particular need but I'm sure they'll hear you out at the very least. Edit: @HowieD72

Have you checked Costco? They can order in all sorts.

My main issue when ordering bulk vehicle parts in NZ(more so as retail customer) is the lack of online ordering systems. Ordering from overseas is so much efficient for anyone accustomed it. Sending big parts lists to the dealership for pricing\availability creates too many issues unless you dont care about pricing and\or delivery schedules, not to mention extra work for the parts guy.

Thanks for that. My car is going in to Greg soon. Nice to know I've found someone I can trust with my BMW's.

Greg's our go-to mechanic as well. Top bloke. Does everything from the classics to modern stuff. Coombes Johnson BMW in Hamilton told me they send the cars they can't fix to Greg.

Greg was always good to us when we were in the area. E46, E36, F30 - all went through his workshop at one time or another. He was our go-to.

Just got off the phone with Greg from Greg Hantz Autos in Hamilton. Booked in with them. Was happy for me to supply parts. Super friendly. Thanks @gjm for the recommendation. Tracked down an old post last year where I was asking for recommendations for local BMW specialists around my way. You recommended Greg.

I think it's much easier to get across the line if you have a prior relationship with the mechanic, and are fully willing to take responsibility for your ordering snafu's if you get it wrong. It's probably also easier if they're "not" a specialist marque workshop and are willing to work on all sorts of cars - if you can supply parts / diagrams / torque specs its going to make their life a lot easier, as they might not have the same access to parts discounts when ordering from the dealer or OE supplier.

That makes sense. Lines up with what I'm thinking. Upside is I'm able to do the work myself. But would be nice to have a backup option. At least I'll be able to buy some more parts with the money I save 😁

Bellars Auckland North shore is the same - sign on the wall. I have a local mechanic that does my work and they will use parts I supply but when I first asked they weren't exactly keen 🙂 I've always imagined a profit margin in the parts dept right - they buy at a discount but charge customer full ticket so they would be missing that component perhaps.