Dismantlers / Pick your part source?

[swamp2]

Anyone know of a dismantler or "pick your part" source for used E9X BMW parts? I need a component of the seat belt extender arm that is not sold separately and costs a small fortune. Thanks in advance.

[grantmax]

Note to self: Do not break the seat belt butler.

@Edward, this goes for you too. Long live Brint and Meekus.

[kaleb]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Anyone know of a dismantler or "pick your part" source for used E9X BMW parts? I need a component of the seat belt extender arm that is not sold separately and costs a small fortune. Thanks in advance.

car-part.com makes it pretty easy to find a junkyard with the part you need nationwide.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Note to self: Do not break the seat belt butler.

@Edward, this goes for you too. Long live Brint and Meekus.

Yeah, I know. I watched some video and read about the DIY repair. Everything we smooth except this little plastic tab broke off on reinstall. Checking the assembly on the other side and all went perfect, no failure. c'est la vie...

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by kaleb

car-part.com makes it pretty easy to find a junkyard with the part you need nationwide.

Cool site/idea. I gave them my request and it distributes it to a whole bunch of potential suppliers. Thanks much!

[W///]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Note to self: Do not break the seat belt butler.

@Edward, this goes for you too. Long live Brint and Meekus.

I took the fuse for it out the second day I had my car.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by W///

I took the fuse for it out the second day I had my car.

Oh man. Might as well yank the engine out too. JK. But really, I love brint and meekus. I named my seatbelt butlers.

Having to reach over my shoulder to grab the seatbelt causes a minor f*** the world moment for me.

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by W///

I took the fuse for it out the second day I had my car.

Why would you do that? I bet you are the kind of person that also takes the stairs because it's "healthier".

How is your left oblique?

[W///]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Why would you do that? I bet you are the kind of person that also takes the stairs because it's "healthier".

How is your left oblique?

Yea and I leave my headlights off when it's dark out because I don't want to put load on the battery... If you enjoy fixing yours when, not if it'll break, then by all means.

To the rest, reach the seatbelt with your left hand, not right. It's much easier than you think.

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by W///

Yea and I leave my headlights off when it's dark out because I don't want to put load on the battery... If you enjoy fixing yours when, not if it'll break, then by all means.

To the rest, reach the seatbelt with your left hand, not right. It's much easier than you think.

Challenge accepted.

[rich22]

I own/operate a salvage yard that is part of the car-part.com network. It really is a great aggregate tool. One trick I would suggest - do not try to look up seat belts or visors. Try to look up major components such as quarter panels and trunk lids - find the salvage yard that has the E92 you are looking for, then call and ask them about the seat belt butler. Have a photo of what you need available to email them. They likely don't even know what you are talking about unless they are BMW junkies. Finding the car is most of the battle when trying to buy used parts.

Rich

Originally Posted by kaleb

car-part.com makes it pretty easy to find a junkyard with the part you need nationwide.

[kaleb]

Thanks Rich, that's a great tip!

Originally Posted by rich22

I own/operate a salvage yard that is part of the car-part.com network. It really is a great aggregate tool. One trick I would suggest - do not try to look up seat belts or visors. Try to look up major components such as quarter panels and trunk lids - find the salvage yard that has the E92 you are looking for, then call and ask them about the seat belt butler. Have a photo of what you need available to email them. They likely don't even know what you are talking about unless they are BMW junkies. Finding the car is most of the battle when trying to buy used parts.

Rich

[swamp2]

Thanks Rich, excellent idea and in the end it was part of my "needle in the haystack" solution where I found the right interior panel with the "butler" assembly attached but it has already been detached and was just laying in the car! One reason I likely got no reply from car-part.com folks is because indeed I selected seat belt parts...

Part obtained today in San Diego at Tapatio Auto Dismantling, 6507 Datsun St.

It is in a huge complex of dismantlers and "pick your part places". It cost me $40 which is their minimum purchase. They had 2 E92s for picking at. It is located near the Mexican border and you might swear you are actually in Mexico. This should be a good referral for some small common parts on the base E9X and M3 where you might not want to pay the new price.

http://goo.gl/maps/NOqrl