NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Riverside, CA, United States, 2013/03/15 - The aftermarket auto parts market is finally catching up to the demand for late model car parts especially for specialty brands like BMW - AutoBahnBMWParts.com.

More and more manufactures are beginning to release a wider selection of parts for BMW as well as other imported cars. German manufacturers are increasing their exports for some of the hard to find parts such as engine and suspension components. Current part coverage is quite good, maybe 65-70% but many commonly replaced items such as computer modules and window regulators will still need to be sourced from the dealership.

Local German car specialist AutoBahn German Parts has began stocking many of these newly released parts and continues to develop its online catalog to offer its clients the latest released parts to BMW enthusiasts. The highlight of the current flood of new parts are the ones for the E90 E91 E92 E93 series BMW's. These are chassis codes representing 3-series models from 2006-2012. The numbered codes with the “E” prefix symbolize the sedan, coupe convertible and wagon respectively. Up until early last year, many parts for these autos were unavailable except through local new car dealers and prices for many parts were sky high.

The automotive aftermarket has scrambled to bring these items to market over the past several months. In order to get these items on the shelves of retailers, each part number must be cataloged and photographed. This is no easy task and can take many months to complete a catalog. AutoBahn German Parts says the latest additions to its catalog have taken 6 months with new parts for a dozen different new models. Each item can take quite some time before it is visible online. Photos have to be taken, cropped, formatted and photo-shopped. Descriptions have to be added to every item. Most of the parts fit more than one model so determining proper fitment is the most important aspect to having an accurate catalog. Managing the database and getting all of this to work in sync is a technological marvel and causes many sleepless nights for those charged with undertaking this task.

Many of these parts are what is referred to as OEM. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer and it is a company that actually sells to the auto factorys. Most automobile makers do not make all of their own parts and source them out for fiscal reasons. The aftermarket industry has capitalized on this and developed relationships with these companies. This helps online parts houses source and sell at a much lower price than what the dealer offers. This way, online retailers can offer the same quality your local dealer can at a fraction of the cost.

There is another type of part that is beginning to trickle into warehouse stock and that is the Aftermarket part. An aftermarket part is made by a third party and can often be a good value but lesser quality. Aftermarket parts do have one advantage though. Often times, some OEM parts will continually fail due to a design flaw. Some manufacturers of aftermarket parts have recognized these failures and re-designed the component to out last the original.

Whether it is an OEM or Aftermarket part, it is now available to all. As retailers will start getting the word out to the community that these parts are available and it is no longer necessary to visit the local dealer just to pay too much.

Agency / Source: AutoBahn German Parts, Inc.

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