Questions about lifetime replacement in FCP Euro

[HungerfordX5]

When I asked a question about my X5 in this site last year, I learned that you could by parts one time and get free replacements. So I bought an engine oil filter, a micro filter, and a cabin air filter from them. It is about a year now, and recently the X5 got engine oil service in the dealer, who told me to replace the engine air filter.

I read Lifetime Replacement Guarantee on this page

https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee

Here are my questions:

1. The website says "When you need a replacement", how does a car owner or the store determine the right time for a replacement?

2. The website says "Consumable items intended for single use are ineligible for warranty or LRG returns". Do engine oil filter, micro filter, and cabin air filter belong to the category of "single use"?

3. For the filters I bought, is one year of use long enough? I don't want to be considered as "Customers with an excessively high return rate or frequency" and disqualified for replacement.

4. The website says "You will receive a customer credit in the amount of your original order". Is this a store credit?

Sorry for my ignorance. Thanks for any info!

Best.

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by HungerfordX5

When I asked a question about my X5 in this site last year, I learned that you could by parts one time and get free replacements. So I bought an engine oil filter, a micro filter, and a cabin air filter from them. It is about a year now, and recently the X5 got engine oil service in the dealer, who told me to replace the engine air filter.

I read Lifetime Replacement Guarantee on this page

https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee

Here are my questions:

1. The website says "When you need a replacement", how does a car owner or the store determine the right time for a replacement?

2. The website says "Consumable items intended for single use are ineligible for warranty or LRG returns". Do engine oil filter, micro filter, and cabin air filter belong to the category of "single use"?

3. For the filters I bought, is one year of use long enough? I don't want to be considered as "Customers with an excessively high return rate or frequency" and disqualified for replacement.

4. The website says "You will receive a customer credit in the amount of your original order". Is this a store credit?

Sorry for my ignorance. Thanks for any info!

Best.

1. Whenever its service interval or replacement needed.
2.No this is for the items you can not return after use:

Consumable items intended for single use are ineligible for warranty or LRG returns. Examples include additives, cleaners, shop supplies, etc.

FAQ section says:

Yes, our lifetime replacement covers every single part we sell, including wear-and-tear items like brake pads, spark plugs, gaskets, rotors, filters, belts, wiper blades, etc. This covers every part across every brand, including OE, OEM, genuine, performance, aftermarket, and re-manufactured parts.

3. I would think so, if your air filter is dirty it makes sense to get it replaced.
4. Yes, customer credit for your account

[HungerfordX5]

RED_Y_

Thanks for your information!

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by HungerfordX5

RED_Y_

Thanks for your information!

Everything RED_Y_ said. Except 4 can also be a credit back to you card.

During my last LRG return they were able to credit my CC used. They said they don't automatically do that anymore (instead doing store credit) because they were running into issues where cards were no longer active. So you do have a choice, unless that has changed since my last return (~10 months ago).

[Dking078]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Everything RED_Y_ said. Except 4 can also be a credit back to you card.

During my last LRG return they were able to credit my CC used. They said they don't automatically do that anymore (instead doing store credit) because they were running into issues where cards were no longer active. So you do have a choice, unless that has changed since my last return (~10 months ago).

It depends on the ORIGINAL purchase date of prior (now worn) parts being returned. I think the cut off was all orders being used as reference for replacement before Nov-22???? Can be credited back to your CC if asked. All orders placed from that time forward and subsequent replacements resulting there in are account credits only.

Ie. You bought a oil kit in Oct-22. Then bought another oil kit in 2023 (and did an oil return against your Oct-22 order), you can get a credit to CC. But if you bought it in Dec-22, you only get account credits.

[shimmy23]

if you want the most accurate return/exchange policy you should call FCP and ask them directly

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Dking078

It depends on the ORIGINAL purchase date of prior (now worn) parts being returned. I think the cut off was all orders being used as reference for replacement before Nov-22???? Can be credited back to your CC if asked. All orders placed from that time forward and subsequent replacements resulting there in are account credits only.

Ie. You bought a oil kit in Oct-22. Then bought another oil kit in 2023 (and did an oil return against your Oct-22 order), you can get a credit to CC. But if you bought it in Dec-22, you only get account credits.

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

Store credit is much less appealing for the LRG. At least IMO, might have to re-evaluate my purchasing.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

Store credit is much less appealing for the LRG. At least IMO, might have to re-evaluate my purchasing.

IMO, it doesn't matter much considering you're replenshing/buying from them again. whats the difference?

[HungerfordX5]

crystalworks orks
Dking078
shimmy23

Thanks for chiming in! Your info is helpful.
Best.

[Monkeypoop]

Does that include oil? Just asking but I am gonna reach out to them..

TIA

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by Monkeypoop

Does that include oil? Just asking but I am gonna reach out to them..

TIA

yes. like 80% of what they sell qaulifies. if you also shop their store and put things in your cart, it tells you if its part of their warranty. Now, that being said... the cost of shipping has increased significantly in the past couple of years. ask yourself if its worth saving $40 to repackage your oil and send it out.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

IMO, it doesn't matter much considering you're replenshing/buying from them again. whats the difference?

If you're only using it for maintenance items... for sure. But if I am ordering another complete suspension for a car ($1200) or other expensive replacement parts, I want it credited to my card.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

If you're only using it for maintenance items... for sure. But if I am ordering another complete suspension for a car ($1200) or other expensive replacement parts, I want it credited to my card.

and ship all that back? lol. to each their own. i understand what ya mean tho. cash back is always best

[Maverik259]

Just returned my oil a couple months ago and got the credit. Cost me like $25 to return if I recall. Forgot the darn oil filter as it was trashed. Oh well. Worth it for sure for stuff like this. Or the wishbones that need to be replaced every couple years. Lol

[srybicki]

3 BMWs in the garage it's damn worth it. Sitting on 500 in store credit.

[JamesInSJ]

It takes a *little* work, but if you have multiple BMWs (I've got 3 like srybicki) you can roll your credits into each car parts. You just have to pace what parts you're replacing. So I bought parts for my X5, returned the worn stuff, then used the credits to buy parts for my X3, returned the worn stuff, and on to my other car, or back and forth, whatever you need.

They no longer do returns for refund back to credit card unless it's within 3 months on new parts only. Lifetime guarantee returns are good for store credit only. Sadly, that means the suspension replacement crystalworks mentioned is really tough to process through the lifetime guarantee. Might have to do it in phases to not suck up a ton of cash into credits.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by JamesInSJ

They no longer do returns for refund back to credit card unless it's within 3 months on new parts only. Lifetime guarantee returns are good for store credit only. Sadly, that means the suspension replacement crystalworks mentioned is really tough to process through the lifetime guarantee. Might have to do it in phases to not suck up a ton of cash into credits.

Thanks for that. Yeah, that does change my buying habits a bit. LoL, I was fine paying the 5-10% premium FCP charges but if the LRG becomes "work" to rotate credits/parts... it might change where I spend my $5-10k/yr.

Everything good comes to an end I guess. IE Best Buy Rewards program. Is what it is I suppose.

[HungerfordX5]

Surprised to see the conversation continues after I got my answers. Thanks to the experienced BMW customers for sharing your thoughts and experience. I learn from you.
Best.

[zero2sixtyZ]

Still a huge fan of FCP's lifetime guarantee, however I started noticing some parts being pulled from their catalog or renumbered. I still save a ton of money with their credit system.

FYI, ECS started a lifetime guarantee model on some parts as well (post 6/1/23 purchases only): https://www.ecstuning.com/LifetimeReplacement/

[BDO]

Not in the US but it sounds you guys have it very good with this company… am I understanding right - you buy a part once, and when it needs replacement for wear and tear you send it back and they give you credit to buy a new one?

[JamesInSJ]

Originally Posted by BDO

Not in the US but it sounds you guys have it very good with this company… am I understanding right - you buy a part once, and when it needs replacement for wear and tear you send it back and they give you credit to buy a new one?

Yes. Even oil. Just things that can't be separated, like an additive (LiquiMoly MOS2, for example) are excluded.

ECStuning started a similar service that doesn't include oil / fluids.

[smyles]

No, you buy a replacement, and send the old part back referencing the replacement order for a store credit (used to be $$ refund until last year).