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Last quarter I quit my job at one of the world's largest automakers and for twelve years I've had a small business on the side that serves specialist mechanics

by kw71 8y ago

Last quarter I quit my job at one of the world's largest automakers and for twelve years I've had a small business on the side that serves specialist mechanics of all kinds, so I talk to dealership and indy mechanics all the time. I think you need a lot more experience with automobiles before you are qualified to say such things. I have a 22 year old 3 and a 26 year old 5. Neither have ever been in the shop for anything but tires. It's not fair or accurate to lump this in the same bucket as vw or mbz. I have bought quite a few parts from the dealer that cost less than $1, like plastic rivets or clips that I broke in the process of getting to something else. Toyota and VW want almost ten bucks for these sometimes. GM won't sell them to you. But my coolant is cheapest at the mbz dealer. Unlike japanese makes, for anything that people have a need to replace, the original parts are sold on the aftermarket at fair prices. For my toyota, if I want a ball joint, I have to pay three times what it should cost at the dealer parts desk, or deal with junk from the aftermarket - and it's all junk. Datsuns, honda, same boat. Mazda, you're lucky if they even support your car anymore.

thucydidesofusa 8y ago
How do you know about parts costs on your BWM if they haven't been in the shop for anything more than tires? The parent comment may have been a little loose with the language but adage is that Japanese cars tend to be the cheapest to keep running. I'm shocked to hear that a 5 series and a 3 series went over 22 years with minimal service, you must have replaced at least a cooling system? Conversely, if someone tells us they're driving a 90s Camry, it's very plausible they're telling you the truth. Your Toyota's ball joints may cost more at the dealer service desk, but you can pretty routinely find a huge discount buying from a dealer online. There used to be a Lexus dealer that did this (Sewell Lexus in Texas IIRC) but Toyota dealers sell Lexus parts on eBay. Additionally a lot of the wear items and longer-lifespan wear items (e.g. alternators, timing belts, wheel bearings) can be purchased from the O.E.M with a bit of research. There's a reason that it's much easier to get old European car parts, and it's easy to source American car parts in America but in the rest of the world they probably have the same problems.

by kw71 8y ago

thucydidesofusa 8y ago

How do you know about parts costs on your BWM if they haven't been in the shop for anything more than tires? The parent comment may have been a little loose with the language but adage is that Japanese cars tend to be the cheapest to keep running. I'm shocked to hear that a 5 series and a 3 series went over 22 years with minimal service, you must have replaced at least a cooling system? Conversely, if someone tells us they're driving a 90s Camry, it's very plausible they're telling you the truth. Your Toyota's ball joints may cost more at the dealer service desk, but you can pretty routinely find a huge discount buying from a dealer online. There used to be a Lexus dealer that did this (Sewell Lexus in Texas IIRC) but Toyota dealers sell Lexus parts on eBay. Additionally a lot of the wear items and longer-lifespan wear items (e.g. alternators, timing belts, wheel bearings) can be purchased from the O.E.M with a bit of research. There's a reason that it's much easier to get old European car parts, and it's easy to source American car parts in America but in the rest of the world they probably have the same problems.