Unique 1 series parts

[NorthernDancer]

I tend to keep my BMW's for a long time. With that in mind, I'd like to come up with a small list of parts unique to the 1 series, parts that will be hard if not impossible to come by in the future. Remember that this car was not produced in huge numbers. Now, a lot of stuff is common to the E90. A lot of stuff can come from wrecked cars in the junk yard. So I'll start this off by listing the 3rd brake light. Only 1 series and anything in wrecking yards will likely be already gone or broken. Window glass and the whole dash board comes to mind also. Your thoughts?

[HyeWarrior]

Dashboard and rubber door/window seals.

Definitely on my list of parts to pick up in the next 3-5 years just to keep in storage

[Bimmer TV]

Great thread idea!

[WDE82]

Windows break so those are continuously made, especially windshields.

Definitely the window seals as someone already state. Also window trim. On the E46, new window trim is extremely expensive. There's a small strip below the rear coupe window that's over $100. Also the main strip that goes all around is over $400 for shadowline E46. I expect the same of this car.

Shit actually ours is already ridiculously expensive.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/51132996901/

[ShocknAwe]

There aren't any aftermarket options for this shit?

[swagon]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

I tend to keep my BMW's for a long time. With that in mind, I'd like to come up with a small list of parts unique to the 1 series, parts that will be hard if not impossible to come by in the future. Remember that this car was not produced in huge numbers. Now, a lot of stuff is common to the E90. A lot of stuff can come from wrecked cars in the junk yard. So I'll start this off by listing the 3rd brake light. Only 1 series and anything in wrecking yards will likely be already gone or broken. Window glass and the whole dash board comes to mind also. Your thoughts?

You can now buy brand new OEM stuff from BMW Classic for old vehicles, going back to the 70's (E9, E21, etc.). So, I guess that in a few years time, our cars will be included as well.

Just had a quick look - brand new OEM M Technic bumper for an E30 costs 450 Euros.

[desertman123]

Most accessories are already next to impossible to find. I'm referring to all OEM pieces here.

- Mud flaps
- Sun shades
- Dashboard storage tray

Other pieces that I imagine will slowly fade out of existence:
- Rubber trunk liner
- 3rd brake light (I just replaced mine!)
- Random interior trim pieces

Also I always wonder in the back of my head how long I have until I can't buy Active Autowerke headers new anymore.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by desertman123

- Mud flaps

I KNEW you were going to comment this LOL

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

I KNEW you were going to comment this LOL

Not only that, but it's the very 1st part I listed

[vinylengraver]

I agree about genuine OEM accessories - they are usually first to get discontinued in case of any car no longer in production. Spare parts should be available for a while still.

1series have specific wheel offset specs, so I guess stock or OEM optional wheels in new condition may be worth something in the future in case someone is looking to bring the car back to stock... or mint sport seats - although they are interchangeable with the 3series, they are already hard to find in flawless shape...
Also the stock exhaust, as it is unique as well (and used it is dirt cheap right now).

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by vinylengraver

1series have specific wheel offset specs, so I guess stock or OEM optional wheels in new condition may be worth something in the future in case someone is looking to bring the car back to stock.
Same with the exhaust, as it is unique as well (and used it is dirt cheap right now).

It may be worth using these "dirt cheap" prices to get some N55 midpipes (no secondaries, hehehe).

My input:
-3rd Brake Light (Ridiculous As-Is)
-BMW Performance Aero Stuff (Less Aggressive than 1M Reps. and OEM Stuff)
-BMW Performance Exhaust (Amazing Ratings and Highly Desirable)

[mr.fabulous]

I drove an E36 for 15 years and one of the things I found towards the end of my time with it was increasing difficulty with bushings and other rubber parts. Stuff is available, but quality can be suspect (I refuse to put a Meyle part in my car). Not that I'm hording bushings, but that was the experience with my E36.

Door, trunk, and hood gaskets might be a good thing to have around... although with my E36 I found some in decent shape from an old friend on UUCdigest.

The brakes in these cars are unique and so I already have another set of Cool Carbon pads.

In general, though, there are so few E8x cars compared to, say, E36 and E46 that I have to imagine part availability might become an issue down the road?

[HyeWarrior]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

I drove an E36 for 15 years and one of the things I found towards the end of my time with it was increasing difficulty with bushings and other rubber parts. Stuff is available, but quality can be suspect (I refuse to put a Meyle part in my car). Not that I'm hording bushings, but that was the experience with my E36.

Door, trunk, and hood gaskets might be a good thing to have around... although with my E36 I found some in decent shape from an old friend on UUCdigest.

The brakes in these cars are unique and so I already have another set of Cool Carbon pads.

In general, though, there are so few E8x cars compared to, say, E36 and E46 that I have to imagine part availability might become an issue down the road?

Why don’t you like Meyle products? They’re one of the few OEM ish parts that I haven’t seen negative reviews about.

[kaputt]

I always thought that the Germans were really good at supporting their cars. My dad still owns his '82 Mercedes 240D, and is still able to get genuine Mercedes parts. Its more expensive than the aftermarket stuff, but Mercedes still supports their car. I think BMW does the same?

[mackeroni]

I plan to keep my car a long time. However, if my 135i increases in value in the future, someone will be making parts for it. Witness the aftermarket that supplies parts for Ford Model T's, 1960's Muscle Cars, British two-seaters and so on. We could debate the value of original new old stock versus new OEM replacements. But frequently, new OEM parts are improved over the original NOS parts.

On the other hand, if my 135i depreciates below collector value, than I will be glad I didn't spend too much on a complete set of rubber gaskets for all the doors, windows, trunk, and hood, as well as a complete exhaust system, brake lights, trunk liners, brake pads and yes... even mud flaps.

Peace... Mack

[a4nut]

Great thread. I just bought the trunk liner. Now maybe I should install my grocery bag holder.

[desertman123]

RETROFIT KITS!!

I'm about to buy the Homelink mirror retrofit kit before it goes AWOL (like the dash storage)

[BoosTonian]

Not sure if this has been said, but the shadowline trim is something to keep handy. starts to wear due to exposure to the elements. will be hard to come by since it's shape is unique to the 1 series.

not required to keep the car running, but good to have if you want the car looking good for the future

[ilikebmxbikes]

I'm not too worried about most of the parts you guys suggesting. I bought a set of oem door seals, trim and a ton of parts from Bmw for my 1974 2002. My e82's will weather a lot better than my 02's and were produced in significantly higher numbers.

[tock172]

There are several things I've got on my list. I don't know if I'd actually consider stock piling them, though I did make a solid profit selling extremely rare and long NLA E36 LTW parts. I don't expect 1 Series parts to ever offer those levels of return, however.

Things I think are cool that are gone, going NLA or partially NLA:

1. Sunshade screens for the rear windows and glass - I have the main one, but no carrying case for it
2. BMW Performance parts like carbon fiber trim, mirror caps, pretty soon the exhaust, etc.
3. Blackline Tail Lights?

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by HyeWarrior

Why don’t you like Meyle products? They’re one of the few OEM ish parts that I haven’t seen negative reviews about.

I had a very bad experience with RSMs. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? No. Meyle. Parts. Ever. Again.

[Olgeezer1]

Not stockpiling parts yet, but you're probably right about decreasing availability down the road. For now, heated winter storage, car cover at home and work. Hoping BMW keeps parts available well into the future as mentioned above, although I expect pretty serious sticker shock.