Bekkers Imports in Florida is often heralded as the one-stop for BMW and Mercedes lighting, but they also have a wide range of performance parts for both marques. In addition to BMW lighting, Bekkers is known for a big selection of SACHS high performance clutch parts. They also have a supply of those cool red BMW Motorsport seat belts for the E36. www.bekkers.com
The BMW Car Club of America has 66,319 members as of this writing, with local chapters throughout the United States sponsoring driving schools at racetracks, technical events and social meetings. BMW CCA also has an ownership loyalty program in conjunction with BMW of North America, offering new vehicle discounts to members affiliated for one year or more. Membership also brings Roundel magazine, BMW CCA's premier independent monthly publication dedicated entirely to BMWs. www.bmwcca.org
BMW of North America actually has a very interesting website that allows you to build your fantasy-or reality-new Bimmer, and join an Owner's Circle for inside news and online information. You can also link to an online BMW store that sells all manner of BMW regalia and accessories. If you want the meaty stuff, visit the BMW International website at www.bmw.com. www.bmwusa.com
BMP Design is located in Tyler Texas, and has long been a resource for aftermarket performance parts as well as original BMW parts, innovating a number of breakthroughs along the way, such as multiple-throttle body fuel injection systems for the M42 and M50 engine families that vastly enhance throttle response and power potential. We also love BMP's adjustable fuel pressure regulators, the ones with the integral VDO fuel pressure gauge. BMP Design has a a VDO gauge and console setup for just about every BMW ever made including the E23 7 Series (1977-1987) and the E28 5 Series (1982-1988), and every 3 Series. They also carry Supersprint exhaust systems for the E21 and 2002, and unique polyurethane bushings for E21 steering racks and older BMW alternators. www.bmpd.com
Koala Motorsport is located in Canton, Ohio, and run by BMW technician extraordinaire Brett Anderson. KMS is known for race car preparation and fabrication, engine swaps, and has become the premier Quaife automatic torque biasing differential builder for the E39 5 Series (1996-2003). Anderson also rebuilds other differentials and BMW gearboxes, and wrote an excellent E30 M3 Repair Manual CD, available through the website, which also contains free technical advice. www.bmpd.com
Korman Autoworks in North Carolina was performance tuning Bimmers before Jimmy Carter's brother brewed the first can of Billy Beer. Ray Korman himself was racing BMWs in 1964, when even your crusty old author was but a gleam in Pappy's eye. They are known for powerful engine rebuilds and performance suspension tuning. Korman has a wealth of knowledge, especially with the older models. Today, they also orchestrate ground-up restorations on vintage Bimmers of all sorts. www.kormanfastbmw.com
Metric Mechanic has been rebuilding BMW manual gearboxes and differentials for about 30 years-it's safe to say they probably know more about the topic than your dealership. They also originated the short shift kit way back when, having since passed that business on to www.autosolutions.com. Metric Mechanic also makes wonderful lightweight flywheels and modified close-ratio overdrive gearboxes for the 320i and 2002, along with blueprinted oil pumps and high-flow water pumps for the single camshaft four cylinder engines. www.metricmechanic.com
Pelican Parts Specializes in original equipment replacement parts for BMW and Porsche, together with a wonderful collection of free technical articles. They also have shop tools and equipment and some performance parts. www.pelicanparts.com
Performance Automotive in Connecticut is a small shop that has become the name of the game for Ferodo brake pads for BMWs, a name long associated with motorcycles and European racing, presently gaining a strong following in the United States. They also sell a plethora of car covers and have a close relationship with the somewhat elusive Stahl header company, creator of the best BMW headers in the world, in my humble opinion. www.perfauto.com
Top End Performance of California is noted for continuing research and development on 2002 and 320i performance, and wonderful ignition upgrades and Weber carburetor kits. Top End also carries full suspension upgrade kits, original equipment parts, and some E30 3 Series (1984-1991) parts. www.2002performance.com
Turner Motorsport has more experience racing, breaking, fixing, and modifying E36 (1992-1998) and E46 (1999-2005) 3 Series BMWs than any parts house we know of. This vast experience and knowledge makes Turner a great source for performance parts. They're also a noted source of Conforti chips and software, Bilstein shocks, and innovative chassis reinforcements for 3 Series cars that address the weak spots. www.turnermotorsport.com
UUC Motorwerks in New Jersey is famous for massively overbuilt performance parts, such as StrutBarbarian(tm) strut braces, sway bars, short shift kits, flywheel and clutch kits, and a cool little bushing kit that elegantly solves the pesky E36 3 Series squeaky clutch pedal problem BMW could never solve. Big brakes and engine performance parts have been added recently, including a very nice E36 and E46 exhaust system. Massively overbuilt is cool. www.uucmotorwerks.com