I recently installed a Milltek exhaust (very satisfied, BTW) on my 2005 MCS. In the process, I badly messed up the two inner hangers in the back, the ones by the battery box. I went down to my local dealer (Niello MINI of Sacramento) to get replacements.

I considered ordering them from Classic, to get the 20% NAM discount, but figured they'd only be about $15 each and it wouldn't be worth it with time and shipping.

I was shocked when Niello quoted $30 (I'm rounding to the nearest dollar) apiece for them.

I went home and called Classic. They quoted $20 each, or $16 with the NAM discount. With shipping, but no sales tax, I still ended up saving over $20.

But I'm still wondering why they were 50% higher at my local dealer. Are they just gouging their customers? Do dealers get to set their own prices? Should I complain to MINI-USA? (I'll admit that it's possible they parts guy was looking at the wrong part. I didn't see what he had pulled up on his screen, and I didn't get a part number.)

I've heard lots of complaints from locals about their experiences with Niello. So far, I haven't had any problems. But this seems to be a major rip-off, especially if they're marking up other, more expensive items!

 

I think youre right... Niello marks up their cars, so why not do the same for replacement parts?

stoopid niello!

oh and the AZ stealership does the same thing... although their markup is SUPER high!! (like 2-3x normal price from what I hear)

 

BMW will suggest a retail price but each dealership is independant and can raise or lower their price as they see fit. It's all about what the market will bare. If you have several of the same dealership in a given area, they have to compete with each other for the business, but if your dealer is the only one of it's kind in your area, you're SOL.

 

I'm in pretty good with my MINI parts dept. I checked a set of wheels that I want to put on my black car, Classic said $180 each plus shipping. My dealer said $190 each. For $10 per wheel and no shipping, I'll drive 45 minutes to get them.