| German cars have long been recognized as some | | | | luxury vehicles and in the US the company is well |
| of the best engineered and most luxurious cars in | | | | represented by a host of sedans, coupes, |
| the world. Two manufacturers, BMW and | | | | convertibles, tall wagons, SUVs, roadsters, and |
| Mercedes, rule the roost with offerings from Audi, | | | | other fine vehicles. |
| Porsche, and even Volkswagen getting some | | | | Owners of BMWs and Mercedes Benz do have |
| attention. Let's take a look at some current | | | | some things in common: vehicle maintenance. As |
| offerings from these Bavarian giants and see how | | | | high end vehicles, the automakers are noted for |
| they are impacting the auto industry. | | | | equipping their cars with only the finest OEM |
| BMW - Give BMW credit for moving outside of | | | | parts. Well represented manufacturers used by |
| the box by building a plant in South Carolina. | | | | both companies include: Bosch, Hella, Mahle, |
| Opened in 1994, the Spartanburg, SC plant has | | | | Textar, Brembo, Bilstein, Febi, SKF, and others. |
| produced the Z3 - now Z4 - roadster as well as | | | | Most are German born and bred and are |
| the X5 SAV. Seeking to become more of a world | | | | recognized the world over for producing the |
| player, BMW has also purchased controlling | | | | highest quality parts for auto manufacturers. |
| interest in other automakers including Rolls-Royce | | | | Replacement auto parts purchased through dealer |
| and Rover during the 1990s. Later, BMW sold off | | | | parts departments are priced at a premium. |
| the Rover and MG portions of Rover, but has | | | | When you take into consideration any tariffs, |
| kept the Mini brand. | | | | import fees, and third party mark ups, consumers |
| BMW vehicles are well represented in the US. | | | | can expect to pay a mint for each part. The |
| Coupes, sedans, convertibles, roadsters, and | | | | growing internet wholesale market has been |
| SUVs make up the American fleet with new cars | | | | changing the paradigm lately as companies such |
| at various stages of development being prepared | | | | as Car Parts Stuff are selling direct to consumers. |
| for release. | | | | The better online wholesalers have lowered costs |
| Mercedes Benz - As part of the Daimler Chrysler | | | | significantly as overhead is low and they buy |
| fold, Mercedes Benz has been producing high | | | | direct from leading manufacturers. This translates |
| quality automobiles for over a century. In 1998, | | | | into real savings for you, the consumer. |
| seeking to expand its reach, Daimler Chrysler | | | | When purchasing any parts for your luxury car, |
| [DCX] bought out the Chrysler Corporation. | | | | always determine that the parts you order meet |
| Names such as Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, | | | | or exceed OEM specifications. There are a lot of |
| and Mopar became part of the DCX fold, although | | | | counterfeit parts on the market; shop wisely and |
| Plymouth was discontinued a few years later. | | | | you will get premium parts at low prices. |
| The Mercedes Benz name is synonymous with | | | | |