Non-returnable
Parts
FUNDAMENTALS
FOR
THEDO-ITYOURSELF
OWNER
010-
7
Many
independent
repair
shops
make
a
point
of
using
genu-
Original
body
paneis
and
other
large
components
are
identi-
ine
BMW
parts,
even
though
they
may
at
times
be
more
expen-
fied
by
a
label
bearing
the
VINand
two
BMW
roundellogos
.
Re-
sive
.
Theyknow
the
value
of
doing
thejob
right
with
the
right
placement
parts
have
a
similar
label,
bearing
one
BMW
roundel
parts
.
Parts
from
other
sources
can
beas
good,
particularly
if
logo
and
the
letters
DOT-R
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
Parts
or
assemblies
manufactured
by
one
of
BMWs
original
equipment
suppliers,
bearing
the
label
arethe
engine,
transmission,
front
and
rear
but
it
is
often
difficult
to
know
.
bumpers,
front
fenders,
rear
quarter
paneis,
hood,
trunk
lid
and
doors
.
These
labels
shouldnot
be
removed
as
they
will
tear
BMW
is
constantly
updating
and
improving
their
cars,
often
apart
.
making
improvements
during
a
given
model
year
.
BMW
may
recommend
a
newer,
improved
part
as
a
replacement,
and
your
authorized
dealer's
parts
department
will
know
about
it
and
provide
it
.
The
BMW
parts
organization
is
best
equipped
to
deal
with
any
BMW
parts
needs
.
Some
parts
cannot
be
returned
for
credit,
even
if
they
arethe
wrong
parts
forthe
car
.
The
best
example
is
electrical
parts,
which
are
almost
universally
considered
non-returnable
be-
,
..
cause
they
are
so
easily
damaged
internally
.
Buy
electrícal
parts
carefully,
and
beas
sure
as
possible
that
P-
DOT~
R
a
replacement
is
needed,
especially
for
expensive
parts
such
as
electronic
control
units
.
It
may
bewise
to
let
an
authorized
B328FUN
BMW
dealeror
other
qualified
shop
confirm
your
diagnosisbe-
fore
replacing
an
expensive
part
that
cannot
be
retuned
.
Fig
.
6
.
Labels
used
to
identiy
parts
.
Original
equipment
labelwith
VIN
number
and
roundel
logos
(top)
and
replacement
part
la-
bel
with
one
roundel
logos
Information
You
Need
to
Know
Engine
.
3-Seriescars
covered
in
this
manualare
powered
Model
.
When
ordering
parts
it
is
important
that
you
know
the
by
either
a
4-or
6-cylinder
engine
.
For
information
-
on
engine
correct
model
designation
for
your
car
.
Models
covered
in
this
codes
and
engine
applications,
see100
Engine-General
.
manual
are
E36
3
Series
in
both
4-
and
6-cylinderconfigura-
tions
.
Transmission
.
The
transmissiontype
with
its
identifying
code
may
be
important
when
buying
clutch
parts,
seals,
gas
Moda¡
Year
.
This
is
not
necessarily
the
same
as
date
of
kets,
and
othertransmission-relatedparts
.
For
information
on
manufacture
or
date
of
sale
.
A
1997
model
may
havebeen
transmission
codes
and
applications,
see200
Transmission
manufactured
in
late
1996,
and
perhaps
not
sold
until
early
General
.
1997
.
It
is
still
a1997
model
.
Model
years
covered
by
this
man-
ual
are
1992
to
1998
.
SERVICE
Date
of
Manufacture
.
This
information
is
helpful
when
or-
dering
replacement
parts
or
determining
if
any
of
the
warranty
BMW
dealers
are
uniquely
qualified
to
provide
service
for
recalls
are
applicable
to
your
car
.
The
label
on
the
driver's
door
BMW
cars
.
Their
authorized
relationship
with
the
large
BMW
below
the
door
latch
will
specify
the
month
and
year
that
the
car
serviceorganization
means
that
they
are
constantly
receiving
was
built
.
new
tools
and
equipment,
together
with
the
latest
and
most
ac-
curate
repair
information
.
Vehicle
Identification
Number
(VIN)
.
This
is
a
combination
of
letters
and
numbers
that
identify
the
particular
car
.
TheVIN
appears
on
the
state
registration
document,
and
on
thecar
it-
self
.
One
location
isin
the
rear
of
the
engine
compartment,
en-
other
in
the
lower
left
comer
of
the
windshield
.
The
National
Highway
Traffic
Safety
Administration
(NHT-
SA)
requires
passenger
cars
with
a
high
theftrateto
have
the
VINmarked
on
specific
parts
of
thecar
when
manufactured
.
On
BMW
cars,
these
parts
are
identified
byan
adhesive
label
.
)WBADK00000000
0
000
0
The
BMW
dealers
service
technicians
are
highlytrained
and
very
capable
.
Unfke
most
independent
repair
shops,
autho-
rized
BMW
dealers
are
intensely
committed
tosupporting
the
BMW
product
.
They
share
the
owners
interest
in
BMW
value,
performance,
and
reliability
.
On
the
other
hand,
there
are
many
independent
shops
that
specialize
in
BMW
service
and
are
ca-
pable
of
doing
high
quality
repair
work
.
Checking
with
other
BMW
owners
for
recommendations
on
service
facilitiesis
a
good
way
to
leam
of
reputable
BMW
shops
in
yourarea
.
SERVICE
