Here in the UK, whenever I visit my local BMW dealer (for that obscure part) I feel like a second class citizen, in addition to this the parts are NEVER in stock and has to be ordered in. Also, the parts department (Ocean BMW Plymouth) is separate to the showroom and service area, I believe this arrangement is to keep the riff-raff, like myself, away from the more affluent 6 or 7 series owner. After all, why would these owners EVER be in the parts department, well maybe for a ski rack I hear you say, but no.....the accessories department is part of the showroom.

I have also noticed that the Mini's are also kept away from the BMW's as they are not nearly as expensive as the BMW'S.

Is the service like this where you are i.e. USA or OZ?
I hate going into the dealer for anything!

P.S. I have thought about whether this is just me and maybe my own personal insecurities arise as a direct result of being intimidated and feeling inferior to 'posh' people, i.e. I'm just too damn working class.