Main and rod bearings for S38/B38

kupkake · 23rd July 2011, 01:44

Having great difficulty sourcing main and rod bearings for my 3.8 rebuild in the US.Who might I contact in the UK for these parts? Greatly appreciated.
Vic

mottati · 23rd July 2011, 01:57

i've attached a form that "should" allow any bmw dealership to order these euro parts. If you have no luck you may want to try my source, imbmparts.com as they have been sucessful in getting euro parts ordered into the US. That said, they do tell me it's harder to get euro stuff, but if a car is legally imported into the country, it's usually doable.

kupkake · 23rd July 2011, 05:56

Thanks Mike.Do the US dealers know this?They don't ever mention it.

mottati · 23rd July 2011, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by kupkake

Thanks Mike.Do the US dealers know this?They don't ever mention it.

a lot of dealerships seem to work with their heads buried in the sand. I'm lucky to have some enthusiasts at my local dealer parts counter, who go out of their way to find parts. Same kind of guys who like to search at swap meets and wrecking yards for elusive parts. I try to push business in their direction, so their management will see that it is worthwhile to have them do what they do.

Honestly, from a business point of view, they probably make more money selling floormats to the new car purchaser than spending time searching the pars films for a part from a car that is technically not supported in the US system. But the theory is, for a legitimate federalized euro import, bmw will stand behind the product and get the needed parts to keep it on the road.

kupkake · 23rd July 2011, 18:51

Thanks again,Mike.I hear what you're saying and in the future I'll go to your parts guys.My engine builder just located some rod bearings in the US so,for now,I think we're good.I do plan to keep this car for along while;no doubt I'll need parts!
Take care,
Vic

Gerg · 24th July 2011, 05:46

Mike's parts guy is awesome. He got me a clutch for my '93 3.8 for a very competitive price. I just had to fill out a form that shows my car is federalized. In fact, since it's registered in The United Republic of California made it easier. BMWNA figured if it was registered here it had to be a legal import.