I have a new to me 2014 Countryman and I need some parts. I Googled and got 2 sources - one in Rhode Island and the other in New Jersey (Shop OEM Mini Parts & Mini Parts Express, respectively). The parts plus shipping were as follows:

• Shop OEM Mini Parts: $43.68 + $301.13
• Mini Parts Express: $46.28 + $742.99

I live in Texas, and this is the cheapest shipping and handling option they have!! I cannot believe that both of these vendors have shopping cart issues at the same time!

What is going on and does anyone have an online source that has regular prices? If I wanted a laugh or to cuss I would go to the dealer ...

Incidentally the parts are the left and right foam Side Seals under the hood (parts 51-48-9-803-490 & 51-48-9-803-489). Item 11 in the image attached.

 

I found a 3rd vendor - Mini Parts Direct and it was cheaper!!

Subtotal $44.80 + Shipping $291.31 !!!

So this is "normal" I guess ...

 

For MINI parts I tend to use either Outmotoring, ECS Tuning or FCP Euro. ECS will price match normally and shipping is free if the order is above $50. Outmotoring is my favorite because if I have a question I can call directly and speak with Aaron before I place the order to get valuable insight on what I want to purchase. Other options are Way Motor Work and Detroit Tuned but they don’t really give any discounts on shipping but they are both based around the MINI community and their cars while offering quality products and insight if you seek it. I’ve been fortunate in the past to even be able to use rock auto and get good prices on parts with very fast shipping to my door in GA within two days

 

All those dealer parts sites use the same stupid shipping calculators. I have my Mini and a Mazda, and even the Mazda dealers use the same calculator. Stupid.

I understand the appeal of online shopping, but these websites make it a complete sh*t show. If you have a dealer nearby, stop in and talk to the parts counter. Most will work with you pricing, and try to price match those online shops. Also, failing that, maybe try calling those online shops to see if they can work with you on shipping costs.

ECS and FCP are good resources for OEM parts too. Sometimes, however, there might be a little delay while waiting for availability.

 

Good point on using MINI dealers and the parts department. I’ve been in situations where I’m in the middle of project in the garage and need a last minute part I forgot to order. Unfortunately for me I have to drive 2 hours to Jacksonville to get it same day or pay $27 to have it shipped. Living in Savannah, GA, my MINI dealers are both 2 hours away in opposite directions (Charleston or Jacksonville). However, I’ve had good fortune with my local BMW dealer for some parts I’ve needed immediately but it’s rare. That’s the positive of the MINI & BMW connection.

 

Thanks for the leads. I will check them and see what their prices are like.

 

I do have a Mini dealership fairly close by and will give their parts department a try, but they have a link to online shipping and that appears to use the same BS shipping estimator. That said it was the cheapest at $176!! 🤨

 

We can match and then if you have a question about a part or what you actually get (sometimes MINI pics dont match up with what included), I can help. Also we run sales on Genuine MINI times to time. Like now https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-mini-parts/

I also can check via PM on part availability if something is messed up at the dealers portal. Sometimes they show NLA when really its not (BMW group is not the best on data). Special springs i can find and also items that are NOT on MINI ETK or Realoem as I have my ways to find warranty parts and crazy supersessions.

I have MINI dealers call us all the time and ask about parts and performance part fitment.

 

Thanks for the reply and info. I will PM you. For now the parts I’m interested in are in the first post in this thread.

 

Those are $31.95 each at OutMotoring and shipping should be about $11-12 via USPS and maybe $14-18 with UPS to most US locations.

Hood Seal: Left
Our price:$31.95


Hood Seal: Right
Our price:$31.95

 

Here's another option to put on your list to use. They specialize In MINI used parts but I've used them countless times and the shipping prices are reasonable. They often have sales around each holiday too with promotions for free shipping. Located in Tampa

AllMag Auto Parts
https://www.allmagautoparts.com/

 

Thanks for the reply. At least on your site regular ground is $14.37 which is acceptable. I did manage to get it online for less cost per unit and free shipping. But thanks anyway. Good to know that OutMotoring does not use the same shipping client as the other online vendors! I am sure that you will benefit as a result.

 

Thanks, but they do not have the part so I could not even test their S&H. No worries.

 

So, to close out this thread I have an update.

I made a purchase through an online vendor who happens to frequent this forum. Their price for the actual items was not the lowest but was not far off either, and their S&H was FREE - total $57 for both. They got my business and will be top of mind in the future.

Just for ***** and grins I went to the MINI dealership since I was close by and got a quote for the parts. Each part cost what the two I purchased cost, BUT there was no S&H. Total to me would have been like $125 for the two pieces of foam. 😒 BUT still that was better than even the online store that same dealership linked to in their Parts Department web page. The parts guy was surprised when I told him that. He was very shocked when I told him that their linked vendor was the cheapest at $176 S&H and that the most expensive was over $700.

To their credit only one I contacted has got back to be asking about what I was trying to buy and what the shipping was. They replied thus:
"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. There is an error on shipping dimensions from the computer, that needs to be corrected."

It is very weird that 3 different online vendors got it so wrong, all at the same time. Maybe they were all charging for the whole hood! Anyway, they are losing business because of this.

Thanks to all who replied. This is now resolved.