[JM2]

Hola -

First, I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for all of the helpful info posted. This is my first post unfortunately, but the knowledge I've gathered lurking over the last six months has been invaluable during the ordering process.

Onto my issue - I've been going back and forth with my SA in Southern California on options, but haven't been able to get my car spec'd right. I have a 2018 AW LCI (Week 51) build reserved, for reference. I've asked my SA to add the M Performance Coilovers, CF Rear Diffuser, M Performance Alcantara/Leather Steering Wheel (no race lights), Black Kidney Grilles and Black Side Grilles. He was able to add both grilles and the alcantara race wheel (he couldn't find the analog wheel), but said that the coilovers and rear diffuser can't be added in North America for the 2018 model year. He also claims he spoke with his "parts guy" and called BMW NA headquarters, both of which told him that those options couldn't be added as port-installed options.

Has anyone had a similar experience? My gut tells me that this guy is either a terrible SA who doesn't know his stuff, or is outright lying about speaking with BMW NA. Seems as though everyone on these forums has been able to spec their cars as desired, and all of the options I'd like to add should be available as port-installed options (with the exception of the steering wheel).

If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great. This particular dealership is giving me MSRP, so I'm disinclined to shop around, but will do so if it comes to that. I'm also located in Northern California, so a trip down to SoCal isn't in the cards at the moment, unfortunately. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks again, ya'll.

- JM2

[S1monQc]

They are right... Dealer installed options, not port installed.

[JM2]

Originally Posted by S1monQc

They are right... Dealer installed options, not port installed.

Interesting. Based on the other threads I've read, I was under the assumption that the rear diffuser and coilovers were port-installed options stateside. Maybe they're dealer-only in Canada?

[SM2]

When my dad ordered his 2017 m2 and got it in April. They couldn't install the carbon diffuser because they didn't have the diffuser in stock. After trying 3 different carbon diffusers from BMW, were taking it to IND to get it installed.

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by JM2

Interesting. Based on the other threads I've read, I was under the assumption that the rear diffuser and coilovers were port-installed options stateside. Maybe they're dealer-only in Canada?

Canadian cars are having only MPE port installed. Other than that, all other MP accessories including coil over and interior add-ons are dealer installed. Knowing that some people may worry about the quality of installation at "dealer" and prefer to have them "port" equipped, I would say not too worry and that is the beauty of having "OEM" parts and you will be covered with warranty.

I recommend you to find at least those dealers that are big enought and have their own installation workshop rather than those small dealers have third party "god knows who does the job" contracted body shop.

Of course, make sure you do a great deal negotiated when it comes to having those "dealer installed" parts as they can blow you out with their labour charge..

[S1monQc]

I'm super anal about my cars and when I ordered the M parts for the M2, I sat with my CA and I made it clear that I wanted their best guy doing the work on my car and he said he was going to have a chat with the car preparation/detailing manager to make sure they be super cautious about my car.

The work came back flawless so it is mostly a matter of how you ask about it

[JM2]

Originally Posted by alscks0414

Canadian cars are having only MPE port installed. Other than that, all other MP accessories including coil over and interior add-ons are dealer installed. Knowing that some people may worry about the quality of installation at "dealer" and prefer to have them "port" equipped, I would say not too worry and that is the beauty of having "OEM" parts and you will be covered with warranty.

I recommend you to find at least those dealers that are big enought and have their own installation workshop rather than those small dealers have third party "god knows who does the job" contracted body shop.

Of course, make sure you do a great deal negotiated when it comes to having those "dealer installed" parts as they can blow you out with their labour charge..

Thanks. I was hoping we could have these added to the build sheet and port-installed stateside, primarily to save on labor costs. Not the end of the world if I need to have them installed at my indy.

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by JM2

Thanks. I was hoping we could have these added to the build sheet and port-installed stateside, primarily to save on labor costs. Not the end of the world if I need to have them installed at my indy.

Make sure you keep the stock parts after your installation

[JM2]

Originally Posted by S1monQc

I'm super anal about my cars and when I ordered the M parts for the M2, I sat with my CA and I made it clear that I wanted their best guy doing the work on my car and he said he was going to have a chat with the car preparation/detailing manager to make sure they be super cautious about my car.

The work came back flawless so it is mostly a matter of how you ask about it

Yeah, my concern is less about the quality of work and more about the cost of installation. Helpful advice nonetheless - thank you.

Anyone from the good ol' US of A have an opinion on the matter? Would be nice to get a local perspective, all things considered.

Danke.

[JM2]

Originally Posted by alscks0414

Make sure you keep the stock parts after your installation

Is there even a market for OEM diffusers, shocks, exhausts, etc.? Don't often see them up for sale in the classifieds subforum.

[alscks0414]

Originally Posted by JM2

Is there even a market for OEM diffusers, shocks, exhausts, etc.? Don't often see them up for sale in the classifieds subforum.

I guess not often. But you still can keep it just in case you want it to be installed back for resale/ when you need new parts in case you are in accidents.

For those drives with stock parts and in accident will definitely buy stock parts if they require one to be replaced. (Unless you offer price higher than normal dealers will charge)

[OGM2]

Originally Posted by JM2

Yeah, my concern is less about the quality of work and more about the cost of installation. Helpful advice nonetheless - thank you.

Anyone from the good ol' US of A have an opinion on the matter? Would be nice to get a local perspective, all things considered.

Danke.

I'm from Seattle. I will give you an example of the "room" to negotiate based on some parts I purchased and had installed at the dealer. The internet is your best friend, I shopped the cheapest dealership suppliers according to this very forum and then asked my dealers parts dept. if they would match. They didn't match verbatim on everything but came damn close and I didn't have to worry about potential shipping charges. An example would be the MPerformance suspension. They came within $30 of the best advertised price from another dealer. They installed it for $1000 less than BMW's recommended charge ($2500-2600 if I recall). I shopped it with Indy suspension specialists and it ranged from $800-1500 so I went with the dealer to keep the warranty intact. Hope this helps.

[JM2]

Originally Posted by alscks0414

I guess not often. But you still can keep it just in case you want it to be installed back for resale/ when you need new parts in case you are in accidents.

For those drives with stock parts and in accident will definitely buy stock parts if they require one to be replaced. (Unless you offer price higher than normal dealers will charge)

Makes sense. Thanks.

Originally Posted by BMWMTWO

I'm from Seattle. I will give you an example of the "room" to negotiate based on some parts I purchased and had installed at the dealer. The internet is your best friend, I shopped the cheapest dealership suppliers according to this very forum and then asked my dealers parts dept. if they would match. They didn't match verbatim on everything but came damn close and I didn't have to worry about potential shipping charges. An example would be the MPerformance suspension. They came within $30 of the best advertised price from another dealer. They installed it for $1000 less than BMW's recommended charge ($2500-2600 if I recall). I shopped it with Indy suspension specialists and it ranged from $800-1500 so I went with the dealer to keep the warranty intact. Hope this helps.

That's good to hear. Did you negotiate/speak directly with your dealer's parts department? Reason I ask is that I've been speaking with my sales associate exclusively, but it would be great if I could somehow go straight to the parts guy (I have a feeling he/she knows the parts catalog better, and would be easier to deal with).

Also, I had no idea a coilover install costed that much on these cars. Last I remember (granted, it's been a while), labor was somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 hours. Good to have an updated point of reference, though. Thanks.

[OGM2]

Originally Posted by JM2

Makes sense. Thanks.



That's good to hear. Did you negotiate/speak directly with your dealer's parts department? Reason I ask is that I've been speaking with my sales associate exclusively, but it would be great if I could somehow go straight to the parts guy (I have a feeling he/she knows the parts catalog better, and would be easier to deal with).

Also, I had no idea a coilover install costed that much on these cars. Last I remember (granted, it's been a while), labor was somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 hours. Good to have an updated point of reference, though. Thanks.

I didn't start negotiating until the car was on a ship to California. My plea was I paid full price for the car at least save me on parts and labor. I started with the Sales rep by asking if they would match the price of the MP suspension I found online at another dealership that included free shipping. This dealer (search this forum as I don't want to hurt this dealerships online parts sales) had M performance parts discounted from list price across the board. He then called over to the parts department and they came close enough for me to take the deal. The pleasant surprise was that after that I went over to the parts guy myself and he ended up quoting all the parts from suspension, grills, floor mats, etc. I wanted at about the same price as the previously mentioned dealership so I ended buying everything from him. He seemed to know the prices out there online so decided to make less off me instead nothing off me. The install was negotiated by the sales rep directly with their shop foreman. Worse case scenario you can just buy it online from the other dealer. (there's more than 1 when you search and with positive feedback). Caution though, not all parts include free shipping, it will specify if it is. Hope this helps.