Are you guys hoarding parts?

[tnord]

Things are going to keep getting harder, yes. But I think we're going to get better at refurbishing parts rather than replacing them. 3D printing all these plastics obviously could be a big part of it.

I guess this could be why people value the vin matched engines, original paint, all original vintage cars so highly. It just gets so hard to maintain that originality over time those examples become very rare.

Lucky for me I don't really care about that, I just want shit to work.

[Obioban]

Things are going to keep getting harder, yes. But I think we're going to get better at refurbishing parts rather than replacing them. 3D printing all these plastics obviously could be a big part of it.

I guess this could be why people value the vin matched engines, original paint, all original vintage cars so highly. It just gets so hard to maintain that originality over time those examples become very rare.

Lucky for me I don't really care about that, I just want shit to work.

I think the metal 3d printing becoming commonplace is equally important. Good example of where the pricing is these days, already:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/member-build-journals/13854-heinzboehmer-s-2002-topaz-6mt-coupe?p=344149#post344149

[tnord]

metal 3d printing is something I haven't even wrapped my head around yet.

[tnord]

I think we're going to have to change our mindset from replacing parts to refurbishing parts whenever possible.

I'm trying to clean things up in the wheel wells during my ohlins install, and noticed these brackets are kinda crusty. No big deal, they should be like $5ea or something right? Nope. $25 ea side for a tiny stamped sheet metal bracket. wtf. I guess I'll be sanding and painting this instead. Maybe I'll do somethings silly like paint it gold to match the strut body.

[ATB88]

FFS: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ve-11617833212 lol

[tnord]

I don’t even know what that is for but I’m going to conclude you don’t need it

[ATB88]

It's the hose and solenoid that go from the brake booster sucking jet pump lines to the side port of the stock airbox. It's replaced by a similar but differently shaped part on CSL airbox conversions.

A lot of people probably throw it out when they convert to a CSL box figuring they could just buy another one if they ever really needed to go back to stock. Easy enough to make one from your old CSL one if you need to, but just in terms of what this part is, that price is absolutely hilarious.

Even funnier: the CSL version of the part is still $180 https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...hut-off-valve/ ... for now

[Keith_MN]

I went through the orders on my FCP account the other day and ended up comparing current vs ordered prices. I bought a lot of parts from them late '24 through mid '25, the bulk of those are up 20-30% vs today's prices.

You call it hoarding, I call it a retirement plan.

[jayjaya29]

Even funnier: the CSL version of the part is still $180 https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...hut-off-valve/ ... for now

Its frozen at $180 because its NLA.

[tnord]

so in the case of that air valve there’s really only 1 maybe 2 important components. the valve itself, which I’m guessing is a standard part used on a bunch of different cars, then the connector. the connector could hopefully be salvaged, the valve could hopefully be purchased individually, then standard vacuum hosed used to make a new part?

I dunno, there just has to be a better way than buying $30 parts for $500.

[Slideways]

so in the case of that air valve there’s really only 1 maybe 2 important components. the valve itself, which I’m guessing is a standard part used on a bunch of different cars, then the connector. the connector could hopefully be salvaged, the valve could hopefully be purchased individually, then standard vacuum hosed used to make a new part?

I dunno, there just has to be a better way than buying $30 parts for $500.

Could always convert the non-CSL line to CSL. It should then work with both standard and CSL intake manifolds:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/classifieds/members-parts-for-sale-wtb/e46/68866-csl-airbox-m-power-sticker-decal-airbox-hardware

I believe the same valve is used on crankcase breather on post 04 cars and other BMW models. That and BMW made 80k+ M3s with the stock shut-off valve line, so there should plenty of those available used.

[ATB88]

so in the case of that air valve there’s really only 1 maybe 2 important components. the valve itself, which I’m guessing is a standard part used on a bunch of different cars, then the connector. the connector could hopefully be salvaged, the valve could hopefully be purchased individually, then standard vacuum hosed used to make a new part?

I dunno, there just has to be a better way than buying $30 parts for $500.

Could always convert the non-CSL line to CSL. It should then work with both standard and CSL intake manifolds:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/classifieds/members-parts-for-sale-wtb/e46/68866-csl-airbox-m-power-sticker-decal-airbox-hardware

I believe the same valve is used on crankcase breather on post 04 cars and other BMW models. That and BMW made 80k+ M3s with the stock shut-off valve line, so there should plenty of those available used.

I mean yeah, agree completely, this won't be stopping anyone from running their car. But the fact that this part is being priced where it is feels more egregious than anything else I've seen so far. A ZCP rotor costing this much? That sucks but sure, I guess. But this shitty hose with a solenoid valve?!

[tnord]

I completely agree with you. I'm suggesting we need to change our mindset of buying and replacing to refurbishment. Whether it's the 4 nuts and one strut tower centering cap I just paid $40 for at the dealership, the $50 brackets I posted, or that absurd air hose. People clearly don't want to make these parts/assemblies anymore and we shouldn't pay them.

[PSUEng]

FFS: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ve-11617833212 lol

That part was on closeout for a while for under $200 if I recall. They must have had 1 and someone bought it triggering a price jump. I saw that happen when I bought a washer fluid bottle neck for like $75 last year.

[tnord]

since my job is not intellectually challenging in the least, I've been thinking about this more and more.

what are E30 people doing to keep their cars running? What about E9 people? part of me thinks we're in a transition period of losing manufacturer support but haven't had enough time for the aftermarket to find solutions?