Sunglass Tray Fix/Replacement Suggestions

[nmulax]

Last weekend, the small clip that holds the sunglass tray shut broke.

A search of RealOEM shows that the entire tray is a single unit, and pricing for this part (#4, Part 51-44-3-427-240) is roughly $55. Ok, great, I'll order the new tray and be on my way… not exactly.
I contacted the usual part sources, and the pricing (for the black tray) has shot up to $215-300!

Yep, the exact same part is now four-times more expensive if ordered in black vs. beige or gray. The general consensus is "that's the way BMW does stuff". I contacted BMW-NA to explain my frustration… and received a generic reply thanking me for my input, which is important as they're continually working to improve their customer service.

Just venting… and wondering if anyone has any thoughts/suggestions at how to acquire this part at a more down-to-earth price?

[inTgr8r]

wow... that sucks.
I think I'd MacGyver something instead of buying one.

[elerner61]

Hit up some of the BMW recyclers. Or maybe someone who tracks their MC has gutted their interior and has one lying around.

[thekurgan]

I got mine from penskeparts recently, it was $50 something. If it has gone up, I would just use some velcro on the outside to hold it shut. It's really a shitty design. When you pull the thing out of the headliner, you'll laugh at how it "stays" up there

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I got mine from penskeparts recently, it was $50 something. If it has gone up, I would just use some velcro on the outside to hold it shut. It's really a shitty design. When you pull the thing out of the headliner, you'll laugh at how it "stays" up there

or a magnet

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

or a magnet

may I suggest the rere earth magnets. Tiny yet powerful!

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by shakib

may I suggest the rere earth magnets. Tiny yet powerful!

^that's what I use to hold my front plate on

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by shakib

may I suggest the rere earth magnets. Tiny yet powerful!

Sounds like the Wife!

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

^that's what I use to hold my front plate on

while driving?

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

wow... that sucks.
I think I'd MacGyver something instead of buying one.

Originally Posted by elerner61

Hit up some of the BMW recyclers. Or maybe someone who tracks their MC has gutted their interior and has one lying around.

Yeah, my first thought was a magnet, velcro, or finding a totaled Z4M and buying that piece from a salvage yard. All good options.

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I got mine from penskeparts recently, it was $50 something. If it has gone up, I would just use some velcro on the outside to hold it shut. It's really a shitty design. When you pull the thing out of the headliner, you'll laugh at how it "stays" up there

Thanks a ton! Just ordered from Penske Parts, $58 + shipping. But until the order is processed, I won't know that they'll honor that price.



I also spoke to someone at BMW Customer Relations… totally not helpful. She stated that "each dealer is privately owned/operated, so they set their pricing" (umm, but their pricing is determined by MSRP - which BMW-NA and BMW-AG establish); then she directed me to shopbmwusa.com (which sells accessories and apparel). The 'we don't care' attitude of BMW is disappointing.

EDIT:
Just got an email from Penske Parts; they cancelled the order because the pricing has changed. The cheapest they can sell it for is $200.

[thekurgan]

^^^ damn, just a crummy piece of molded plastic with a really bad lock design. I must have jammed mine so many times before I ordered a new one.

[Blind32]

You don't see the answer here? I do.

Time to gut it and make it a track car!

[Merlin93]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

^^^ damn, just a crummy piece of molded plastic with a really bad lock design. I must have jammed mine so many times before I ordered a new one.

I have yet to figure out how to open mine... it appears to be jammed as well, and was like that when I bought the car a few weeks ago. Been afraid to pull on it too hard in fear of breaking it.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by shakib

while driving?

yes

[DataStream18]

$58.03 here

http://www.eurocarautoparts.com/sale...part27051.html

[MHeavNC]

215+ at getBMWparts.com!! WTF! It better come with a pair of nice Ray Ban's!

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

yes

could you post some pics for me. thanks

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by shakib

could you post some pics for me. thanks

[nmulax]

Tried purchasing through a few different sites that had it listed in the $50-75 range; all the orders were cancelled due to the pricing change.

Sent another email off to BMW-NA expressing my dissatisfaction, and was given the name/number of an employee who is "researching the issue and will be in contact shortly". We'll see if anything comes of that.
Also, just checked online… pricing for each color has been adjusted and is in-line; at $265.

Originally Posted by Blind32

You don't see the answer here? I do.

Time to gut it and make it a track car!

Haha… maybe down the road, but not yet.

[Merlin93]

Since my eyeglasses compartment is still stuck and I don't want to worry about replacing it if it breaks when trying to force it open, I've just decided to ignore it and keep my sunglasses in the center console between the seats. Not as convenient, but it works, and won't cost me $265.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Merlin93

Since my eyeglasses compartment is still stuck and I don't want to worry about replacing it if it breaks when trying to force it open, I've just decided to ignore it and keep my sunglasses in the center console between the seats. Not as convenient, but it works, and won't cost me $265.

...in a roadster?

[Merlin93]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

...in a roadster?

Yep.