Brakes

[JCL]

When I worked in an independent shop, we would install the customer's own parts, but we strongly discouraged it. It was just more trouble than it was worth. Any problems afterwards, and the customer wanted warranty. We would write 'customer parts, labour warranty only' on the work order and sometimes the customer would be upset, and ask why we wouldn't stand behind his parts. When you got the vehicle apart and found that the parts didn't fit (not an uncommon occurence), and you had to either put it back together or tie up a bay, we either charged for the trouble or just ate it and swore we would never do it again.

For parts, we charged the same price the dealer did, and just made the margin our discount allowed, for OEM parts. We would also offer non-OEM alternatives, it was the customer's choice. We made recommendations if asked. I installed a lot of Repco-PBR pads (now called Axxis in the US) If the customer wanted, we would save the old parts and give them to him in the OEM boxes. We always saved them in case they asked to see them. Frankly, if he was doing it because he didn't trust us we got a little ticked off, as we were booked weeks in advance and just didn't need the hassle, we had plenty of regular customers and turned away work most weeks.

There was no freight charge that went to the customer, unless we were bringing in specialty parts from outside the country, as we had parts delivered every day on a scheduled run (for which we ate the freight ourselves, as a business overhead) and also had the dealer deliver at no charge.

The experiences I have recounted here may not be entirely typical. There are lots of shops that don't work as we did. At the same time, there are many that do. What you need is a shop you can trust. If you don't know one, ask around and get some recommendations. Trust is more important than BMW experience. If we worked on a specialty car and didn't know something unique to that vehicle, it was our problem and not the customer's. There is nothing about X5 brakes that would have stopped us from doing the job and standing behind it. I occasionally need to find a shop these days as it is a long drive back to the shop I worked at, and I don't have full facilities at home. I go into a local shop and talk to the manager, asking questions, and see what kinds of answers I get. I can usually get a sense of whether it is the type of place that I want to give my business to.

Hope this helps.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

My indy mechanic is very good and lets me bring my own parts. He even tells me if I can do better on ebay or wherever. My mechanic says he makes at most 10% on parts.

If I was an independent mechanic and only made 10% on parts I would find a new parts supplier. Sounds like he is a hobbyist and not a business.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by HBSRA10

Thanks!

Does anyone know how many miles I can go without damaging anything, after the brake light turns yellow?

No, because we don't know how much each pad is worn. The sensors are only on two wheels (front left and right rear). I have driven several hundred kilometers (150 miles) with the light on, but I have also seen cases where the RF pads are worn completely before the light comes on on the LF.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by HBSRA10

Question: I know indys usually order the parts. When I pay, am I paying the shipping expense as well? If they don't charge me shipping, say they have it there in stock, it might be more practical to pay them to 10% mark up, since I'll pay ~$60 for shipping it seems.

You know I'm not sure but I don't think they usually charge for the shipping and you're probably right as far as saving on shipping.

Again, I have a very very good relationship with my indy mech. So, he tells me everything - what he can get them for, what he recommends and why. Then he lets me see if I can get a better price, especially dealer parts, because they don't get a big discount contrary to what people would think. At least I know where, when and what I can save money on.

Basically, he lets me choose everything. I realize this is not the norm but its really not that difficult if you just make nice and try to be friends! Not only do you get a new friend but you save a bunch of mulah too!

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by JCL

If I was an independent mechanic and only made 10% on parts I would find a new parts supplier. Sounds like he is a hobbyist and not a business.

This is not a one person shop. They have several mechanics and specialize on imports and have been around awhile. I just happen to be friends with the two brothers who are mechanics and just happen to be the owners too. It helped me get along with them as they are big F1 and Ayrton Senna fans like me.

I respect your opinion but want to let you know my experience. Also, majority of their business is repeat/word of mouth.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

This is not a one person shop. They have several mechanics and specialize on imports and have been around awhile.

Fair enough

All I am saying is that it seems he is willing to build a relationship with his customers, which is a good thing. If he did the same with his suppliers, and managed his purchases (supply chain) as well as he did his shop, he could likely establish several key suppliers that let him make a reasonable markup on parts. As a customer, you would benefit from that. He sounds like a good mechanic, but management of a small business is more than pulling wrenches. That is just my experience from years in the business. The economics in your city/state may be different.