Getting ripped off on parts by shops. list vs retail?

[1991 318is]

Markup.

It's no secret that some shops charge more for the same thing. There are usually ( in a fairly large city) independent shops that specialize in certain makes. They are cheaper than the dealerships. You have to ask around, especially other BMW owners.

[Maluco]

Do the work yourself, it is half the fun. That way you "bond" with your car.

Don't get me wrong I'll do things like change my own shocks and the shocks mounts and simple/quick shit like that but after removing the starter from my 84 318i one summer afternoon I decided to start paying for certain other things. Having this shop purchase and install the control arm was more of a matter of the car already being there for other reasons...

[JeffG]

don't cry about it being a hard one as that's the business and you got yourself into it. in the end: lesson learned and you know better for next time.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

Honda parts are WAY more expensive than BMW parts...

We have a '97 CR-V and the dealer wanted $108.25 per rotor for brakes! Just the part! The OE supplier is Aimco-Quay Morris. AutoZone had Aimco-branded rotors for $29.99 each. The markings are identical on the rotors...arrgh!

I got BMW rotors for under $40 at my dealer-nice warranty, too...

I own a bike shop, and at the end of the year, I end up getting to keep about $.03 from every dollar spent. That ain't much-and everyone from the government to the local charities has their hands out for a piece. I don't jack up my parts prices, but I do charge a fair rate for labor and I don't discount labor. "If you can't or won't do it yourself, then you shouldn't expect someone to do it for you for free" is the premise...

I guess this is why I do all my own work on my e30-I'm not willing to pay someone else $$ to do it because it needs little things so often. I find that my dealer, with CCA discount is often pretty close to internet, and it's nice to have easy return priviledges if I end up with a part that went unused...

You're comparing a 1997 Honda to a 1988 BMW.

Try comparing a 1997 Honda to a 1997 BMW. It's much closer in comparison.