What happens to parts dealers take off?

[Simon Syddall]

What happens to parts dealers remove, to fit things like Aero Kit, wheels or JCW kits?

All of the above are charged at full price - no exchange arrangement.

I have it from BMW/Mini Customer Services that, legally, the parts are the property of the owner of the car.

I have now dealt with two dealers (not naming just yet), on JCW (JCW210 on an MCS and Sound Kit on a MC), Aero Kit and JCW R105s.

I was too naive to ask on the first and second occasions for my surplus parts, but asked on the wheels and on the body work. It was greeted with slight "huffiness". When I finally got the wheels, they were fine, but, according to "authorities" on this site, worth less than new tyres alone, but the bumpers/skirts (no grille - allegedly damages them removing) were very clearly from a less than new car. In fact, they were from an April 2006 build car, mine being June 2006 and were scratched to b***ery. Again, I am told removing them scratches them (I assume a hammer and bolster is used, then).

The inaccurate statements which have been made, cause me to think that there is a thriving grey market, with the tacit blessing of Mini and (some) dealers, in these items and this makes me very angry indeed. Such items should be controlled and on an exchange basis, when the new parts are fitted pre delivery of a new car. The issue of how grossly overpriced Mini (warranty approved) parts are has been debated elsewhere. To take the p*** like this, rubs salt in the wound.

My dealer has been given until Monday lunchtime to get their story accurate and a little more plausible, or I will be going public here, Car, Top Gear and anywhere else I can think of, that will listen, to blow this scheme.

In the interests of fair play (for all) does anyone out there have any insight, facts or experience to share (or, better still, the inside line)?

[GR33NIE]

Doesn't sound good, When I got the aero kit fitted on my car the first thing they asked was do I want the original bumpers to sell on elsewhere

Then again it was my mate working in parts, otherwise I probably would of have to asked and got a snotty response

[LMB]

The only thing I have ever had fitted by a dealer was my Works Kit. And I got ALL my replaced parts back, Cylinder Head, Supercharger and the Exhaust.

[Matt R]

I know of 2 dealers (non-mini, Lotus) that have eBay accounts regularly selling removed parts from non savvy owners cars.

Bit of an area where they hope that you'll not mention it, cos they certainly won't

[Redwytch]

My dealers actually delivered my 'old' (11000 miles and 10 months old) exhaust to my home (20 miles away) for free after they fitted my JCW Sound Kit, they just asked me when would be convenient, I was very impressed!!

[herbie hind]

Quote: Originally Posted by Redwytch

My dealers actually delivered my 'old' (11000 miles and 10 months old) exhaust to my home (20 miles away) for free after they fitted my JCW Sound Kit, they just asked me when would be convenient, I was very impressed!!

now that is impressive!!peoples' pre disposition and capasity for greed never ceases to amaze me .

[SteveM3]

I've recently had shocks fitted outside the BMW network at Regal Autosport and a JCW
steering wheel fitted at Woodmans. In both cases they were very friendly and took the
time to package my old parts for me. Brownie points for both .

[xx_emma_x_x]

I had my aero kit fitted at bowkers in preston

I asked to have all the parts they take off given back to me, they were fine about this, at first. i arranged to pick up the parts the week after, and i was told that they would be kept for me and that they were boxed up safely. however when i did go to pick up the parts, i was greeted with a snotty woman at the parts desk, who claimed that they could not find my bumpers and side skirts!! they did, after a while find the front bumer, outside, on the floor, in the rain...not boxed up as i was originally told. and my back bumper and side skirts were nowhere to be seen!!

I argued that i want my missing parts, and that i wasnt prepared to come back to the dealers, and that they would have to be delivered. i had much trouble with this also....anyway when the parts eventually arrived....i got a battered bumper and a 1 cooper side step and 1 cooper s side step.

i will not be using bowkers again!!

[MarkW19]

It seems they're all like this - I asked them before I picked up my car to keep the original parts...I went back a week later and again they huffed and puffed and didn't look happy...and eventually came out and said they don't have my rear bumper, but they have my front one. But they gave me a dark silver rear one instead God knows what's happened to my rear bumper

[ONED]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19 (original)

God knows what's happened to my rear bumper

...some spotty wee apprentice has em on Ebay!

[MarkW19]

I don't doubt it for a second!! Muppets.

[Root Ginger]

I would of kicked up a fuss and got them to spray it. A pair of black bumpers is worth more than two bumpers in separate colours.

I would of done it just to prove a point to them.

[Root Ginger]

I would of kicked up a fuss and got them to spray it. A pair of black bumpers is worth more than two bumpers in separate colours.

I would of done it just to prove a point to them. Not giving you back your bumper is technically theft.

[KostaLot]

When i ordered my car from Bowkers in Preston, the sales guy specifically asked me if i wanted my bumpers back. I'm not arsed about the side skirts as they're worth nothing for a Cooper. He marked on my invoice to leave me my bumpers etc. So, time will tell when i pick them up if they are still there!

[dakini]

Funny, I was thinking of this thread when I went to my dealer's for service this week.

All I needed to have removed was the old wiper blades. One of the pices of paper I had to sign before the service commenced was something allowing them to dispose of the old parts. I was told I had a right to keep the parts if I so chose.