Parts Cost Observation

[mcdonnell]

I had the balancer campaign done on my '99 ML320 by a dealer today, and then bought some oil filters, plus washers for the '99. Since the dealer sold/serviced BMW's, I got filters and washers also for my '06 325i. The MB parts were about 3X's over the cost for the BMW! The copper washers were .60 v. .20, and the filters were 21.00 v. 8.60. Why is that? (Inaddition, BMW Parts would not sell me the oil filter wrench to R/R the filter cap Why is that,again?)