Wow BMW OEM parts are really expensive

Oxide™ · 15 May 2010 at 14:47

So I want to upgrade my MKIII Nav CD unit to the MKIV DVD unit and second hand (in working condition) the cheapest I have seen is like £450 (apparently £1600 new from BMW)

Now I don't want a whole retrofit with wiring loom and screen, just the dvd unit and £450 for a straight swap is kinda taking the mick :eek:

Anyway I'm on the lookout for one if any are going for sale or you know where they are reasonably priced

Would breakers sell these cheap?

NickXX · 15 May 2010 at 14:53

Mk4 computers have been £400 for years. You'd be lucky to find one anywhere for much less. You should get £100 for your mk3 though.

[TW]Fox · 15 May 2010 at 15:00

BMW parts are not expensive but for some inexplicable reason anything to do with the navigation system is ridiculously expensive.

Want a 2004-2005ish nav system for a VW or Audi? £450 on Ebay buys you an all in one unit containing everything you need.

Want an older, more dated system for your BMW? Welcome to the world of ridiculous costs. Everything is ridiculous money. 10 year old navigation screen? £250. 7 year old Mk4 computer? £400. Radio module that simply... receives radio signals and provides audio £300.

It's completely bonkers. The cost of the bits together added up isn't far off the cost of the original option new, which is unprecedented given how old the cars are now.

jamoor · 15 May 2010 at 15:29

I got mine for £300 2 years back.

[TW]Fox · 15 May 2010 at 15:29

jamoor said:
I got mine for £300 2 years back.

Unless you plan on giving us a time machine, so what?

iaind · 15 May 2010 at 15:32

I knew someone who paid £600 to replace the standard CD player in his 11 year old Volvo C70

- so it's not just BMW!

Duke · 15 May 2010 at 15:33

They are crazy prices but worth doing if you want to keep the car for a few years. I got the cost back on mine when selling it (separate from the car).

jamoor · 15 May 2010 at 15:38

[TW]Fox;16560358 said:
Unless you plan on giving us a time machine, so what?

Well, should give him an idea of the going rate.

[TW]Fox · 15 May 2010 at 15:38

jamoor said:
Well, should give him an idea of the going rate.

It should give him the idea of the going rate 2 years ago, you mean.

PhillyDee · 15 May 2010 at 15:49

[TW]Fox;16560358 said:
Unless you plan on giving us a time machine, so what?

Wicksta · 15 May 2010 at 15:52

Mine cost me £64 quid from ebay, although with a broken DVD mechanism. A brand new Mechanism cost me £80.

The one before that in my 325ci was £250 from Lithuania, but this was in 2006 so it would be stupid for me to even mention it.

Oxide™ · 15 May 2010 at 16:24

As much as I want the latest nav unit for my car, I can't justify spending £300 (including selling my mkIII) for the mkIV

There are other things I want to sort out on the car first (ie mp3 ability, refurbish alloys, fix notchy gear changes, detail, replace blower resistor, repair a rust spot) but this will bug me until I eventually get around to it.

Don't suppose anyone can recommend a BMW service specialist around the south London/Surrey area? I have been recommended Barkers in Haslemere which isn't very close and convenient. Is it normal to travel miles and miles to your specialist?

Mattitude · 15 May 2010 at 16:54

Its nice having buddies work for BMW

Wicksta · 15 May 2010 at 17:06

Don't forget you can sell your mk3 for a fairly high price Oxide.

Mattitude, even someone working at BMW wouldn't be able to get a mk4 nav computer for anywhere near less than £400.

Slackworth · 15 May 2010 at 17:10

[TW]Fox;16560209 said:
BMW parts are not expensive but for some inexplicable reason anything to do with the navigation system is ridiculously expensive.

Want a 2004-2005ish nav system for a VW or Audi? £450 on Ebay buys you an all in one unit containing everything you need.

Want an older, more dated system for your BMW? Welcome to the world of ridiculous costs. Everything is ridiculous money. 10 year old navigation screen? £250. 7 year old Mk4 computer? £400. Radio module that simply... receives radio signals and provides audio £300.

It's completely bonkers. The cost of the bits together added up isn't far off the cost of the original option new, which is unprecedented given how old the cars are now.

Audi system also much easier to install. Have to buy the retrofit harness for the BMW which is a pain in the rear to install as well.

Joshy · 15 May 2010 at 17:28

Wicksta said:
Mattitude, even someone working at BMW wouldn't be able to get a mk4 nav computer for anywhere near less than £400.

It seems the most discount you can expect from a BMW parts department is 10% - 15%, at least in my experience.

Oxide™ · 15 May 2010 at 17:54

Wicksta said:
Don't forget you can sell your mk3 for a fairly high price Oxide.

Mattitude, even someone working at BMW wouldn't be able to get a mk4 nav computer for anywhere near less than £400.

How much you reckon for the mk3, £200 perhaps?

Wicksta · 15 May 2010 at 20:35

Oxide™ said:
How much you reckon for the mk3, £200 perhaps?

That was about the going rate when I got my Mk4 6 months or so ago - you might even get more to be honest. Check out some completed auctions on ebay, it might be worth a £100 upgrade if you can find a mk4 for £350 which is probably doable.