Autozone is a joke now.

[ldsbeaker]

So, there I was, the VR1 was back in supply and still on sale, but that's not why I was there.

Looking for manual window winder handles that match up to the BMW design. All they had was GM/Ford crap. WTF?

Then, the guy behind the desk looks right at my car and asks if it is a 2002.

[turbodan]

You went to Autozone for trim pieces for a BMW? Is that right?

[mooseheadm5]

Whaddaya mean now?

[Motronic]

Autozone is good when you need loaner tools like spring compressors and other tools. Free is good.

[Nicke28]

Autozone is good when you need loaner tools like spring compressors and other tools. Free is good.

Loaner tools, shop towels, wax and soap. Other than that...

[jhall]

Autozone is good when you need loaner tools like spring compressors and other tools. Free is good.

Loaner tools, shop towels, wax and soap. Other than that...

... flashing led lights and chrome wire looms. Aw yeah.

[tsmall07]

Autozone is good when you need loaner tools like spring compressors and other tools. Free is good.

Loaner tools, shop towels, wax and soap. Other than that...

... flashing led lights and chrome wire looms. Aw yeah.

Don't forget adhesive backed hood scoops, brake vents, flames, etc!

[Mike W.]

So, there I was, the VR1 was back in supply and still on sale, but that's not why I was there.

Looking for manual window winder handles that match up to the BMW design. All they had was GM/Ford crap. WTF?

Then, the guy behind the desk looks right at my car and asks if it is a 2002.

You went to Autozone for BMW parts???

[stuartinmn]

April 1 was two days ago.

[Nanajoth]

You went to Autozone for trim pieces for a BMW? Is that right?

[ldsbeaker]

You went to Autozone for trim pieces for a BMW? Is that right?

I was hoping that winder winders was winder winders...

Now I know.

[Kyle in NO]

I was hoping that winder winders was winder winders...

This part was the real joke to me...lolz.

[Shawn D.]

You went to Autozone for trim pieces for a BMW? Is that right?

I was hoping that winder winders was winder winders...

Now I know.

First off, how many BMWs sold in the US in the last 30 years had them? Second, what did you think you were going to put them on (a US E28 with no place to install them)?

[ldsbeaker]

First off, how many BMWs sold in the US in the last 30 years had them? Second, what did you think you were going to put them on (a US E28 with no place to install them)?

1) I dunno, do you?

2) Yes

[Mark in Toronto]

Maybe the OP should go to RadioShack.

[Greg E34]

Autozone is the sorriest excuse for a retail store on the planet. I would buy BMW parts at Wal-Mart before I darken the door at another AZ hellhole.

[Jeremy]

First off, how many BMWs sold in the US in the last 30 years had them? Second, what did you think you were going to put them on (a US E28 with no place to install them)?

1) I dunno, do you?

I'll give you a hint. It's a really round number. As in, it's circular in shape. That's how many BMW models with crank windows BMW NA has imported and sold in the US in the last 30 years.

And yes, I'm pretty sure Shawn knows that. Now you do too.

[booker]

April 1 was two days ago.

That's what I'm thinking...

[shagrath]

Adam has crank window regulators. I know. I sold them to him.

Autozone blows a monkeys ass.

[ldsbeaker]

First off, how many BMWs sold in the US in the last 30 years had them? Second, what did you think you were going to put them on (a US E28 with no place to install them)?

1) I dunno, do you?

I'll give you a hint. It's a really round number. As in, it's circular in shape. That's how many BMW models with crank windows BMW NA has imported and sold in the US in the last 30 years.

And yes, I'm pretty sure Shawn knows that. Now you do too.

Really?

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-BMW ... 692wt_1025

Here's a hint: Build date 4/82.
I guess that would mean that it was imported and sold in the US within the last 30 years, wouldn't it?

I would venture to say that most of the e21s built during 1982 and sent to the US had some winder winders, too.

[Jeremy]

e21s don't count. Lousy car, particularly the US models.

I'll admit I forgot that car, but that's the only one. Everything contemporary with it in the BMW lineup plus everything that came after had power windows only, standard, in the US market. The basic question stands though, why in the world would you look for a rather obscure BMW trim piece at Autozone and get peeved when they didn't have it? Would you also be upset to find out that they don't stock the fresh air intake covers or the ash trays that clip into the door sills? Here's a shocker, they don't keep the winder for the mechanical sunroof mechanism on the shelf either!

[ldsbeaker]

e21s don't count. Lousy car, particularly the US models.

Normally I would agree. But this one time...

The basic question stands though, why in the world would you look for a rather obscure BMW trim piece at Autozone and get peeved when they didn't have it?

I knew the one design with the little doohickey* was common for like ALL GM/Ford crank windows, but in my constant search for something worthwhile at Autozone, I've noticed that they have like three different handles. I thought MAYBE there would be different designs, and MAYBE one of them would fit. There was like 1% hope, and besides, it was on the way to the sale price VR1!!

*That's a technical nomenclature.

[oldskool]

I think I know where he is coming from. . .but don't let me get in the way of a good ROAST!!
THAT man so crazy that one time he heard it was chilli outside so he ran and got a bowl!

[ldsbeaker]

Adam has crank window regulators. I know. I sold them to him.

Let's get this straight, buddy. You sold me REARS.
... and that was how long ago? 3 years? I've been looking for fronts SINCE THEN. I think I could have maybe bought new manual regulator assemblies from BMW, but I never went down that rabbit hole.
Now I FINALLY found some fronts, but the winders are blue. I'll probably end up getting the black winders from BMW, and run the blue ones in the rear for now.

YOU DID THIS TO ME!! YOU DID!!!

[Crazy_Canuck]

Just paint them with a product like SEM untill you find real black ones.

And stay away from my my 518 ( all my window winders are black)

[al525i]

i've seen a few early e30 318i cars with manual windows that were U.S. Spec too.

not that an e30 318 should actually count as a bmw, but more a dressed up honda.

otherwise, you are perfectly correct in there being virtually no market for auto zone, advance auto, or napa to stock manual window crank handles for bmw's.

Its kinda like stocking e28 headlight wiper parts... sounds great to most of us on the board, but not such a good idea to most anyone else.

[djazz]

I really enjoyed this thread. The action was vivid; the emotions raw. Could have used some sex scenes. But considering the cast, I'll pass.

[ldsbeaker]

And stay away from my my 518 ( all my window winders are black)

Target Acquired...

I may check my e24 manual winders ( I know, I'm sick in the head) for fitment, although realoem says that they only cross to the e21s...

[shagrath]

Adam has crank window regulators. I know. I sold them to him.

Let's get this straight, buddy. You sold me REARS.
... and that was how long ago? 3 years? I've been looking for fronts SINCE THEN. I think I could have maybe bought new manual regulator assemblies from BMW, but I never went down that rabbit hole.
Now I FINALLY found some fronts, but the winders are blue. I'll probably end up getting the black winders from BMW, and run the blue ones in the rear for now.

YOU DID THIS TO ME!! YOU DID!!!

I know! teehee

[tsmall07]

I may check my e24 manual winders ( I know, I'm sick in the head) for fitment, although realoem says that they only cross to the e21s...

I prolly woulda done that before going to Auto Zone looking for them.