Discussion
I'd have to say that I have never had *any* trouble getting parts for American vehicles; there are a number of routes you can go as well:
- you could go through the full OEM route and get parts from Bauer Millett, Claremont Corvette and OCW (ACDelco)... typically you'd have no more than a week's wait for a part... Prices are generally £ for $, i.e. a $9.99 part will cost you £9.99, and typically use full GM list price for the $ part...
- there are a number of superior after-market bits+bobs anyway, e.g. for brake components and the like: these may be similar or cheaper in price to OEM from the above sources
- if you want OEM-equivalent (i.e. as good or better as OEM, just not sold as OEM), then there's a number of sources; I've found Keith at Eurovettes absolutely fantastic in this respect. Delivery can be quick, or can be up to perhaps 4-6 weeks, but Keith always gives you the option if you want it sooner but willing to pay more, so you can get it probably within a week.
- for fluids you can probably get OEM through Bauer-Millett and the like, but you can usually source these yourself (if you do your own servicing) from places like Halfords believe it or not; I use their 5.1 brake fluid, Comma anti-freeze, their power steering fluid etc.
- if you want other bits, Mid-America-Corvette is exhaustive for all sorts of miscellaneous stuff.
And last but not least, a quick summary of where I get my serviceable items:
- Oil/Fuel Filters: get these ACDelco from OCW
- Oil: get this as Mobil 1 10W-30 from Eurovettes
- Air Filter: K&N (does it make any difference???)
- Gearbox oil: Redline, got this from Redline UK
- Brake Pads: ECB Green (don't like them, but still)
Hope this gives you some pointers!
*** Edited to add: lots of parts are in stock, probably *most* of the "common" bits you'd need, so you're talking next day for this!!
I'd probably say that mostly you'll get parts for your C5 quicker than some of the cars built in Blighty!!
>> Edited by c4koh on Tuesday 30th November 20:45
- you could go through the full OEM route and get parts from Bauer Millett, Claremont Corvette and OCW (ACDelco)... typically you'd have no more than a week's wait for a part... Prices are generally £ for $, i.e. a $9.99 part will cost you £9.99, and typically use full GM list price for the $ part...
- there are a number of superior after-market bits+bobs anyway, e.g. for brake components and the like: these may be similar or cheaper in price to OEM from the above sources
- if you want OEM-equivalent (i.e. as good or better as OEM, just not sold as OEM), then there's a number of sources; I've found Keith at Eurovettes absolutely fantastic in this respect. Delivery can be quick, or can be up to perhaps 4-6 weeks, but Keith always gives you the option if you want it sooner but willing to pay more, so you can get it probably within a week.
- for fluids you can probably get OEM through Bauer-Millett and the like, but you can usually source these yourself (if you do your own servicing) from places like Halfords believe it or not; I use their 5.1 brake fluid, Comma anti-freeze, their power steering fluid etc.
- if you want other bits, Mid-America-Corvette is exhaustive for all sorts of miscellaneous stuff.
And last but not least, a quick summary of where I get my serviceable items:
- Oil/Fuel Filters: get these ACDelco from OCW
- Oil: get this as Mobil 1 10W-30 from Eurovettes
- Air Filter: K&N (does it make any difference???)
- Gearbox oil: Redline, got this from Redline UK
- Brake Pads: ECB Green (don't like them, but still)
Hope this gives you some pointers!
*** Edited to add: lots of parts are in stock, probably *most* of the "common" bits you'd need, so you're talking next day for this!!
I'd probably say that mostly you'll get parts for your C5 quicker than some of the cars built in Blighty!!
>> Edited by c4koh on Tuesday 30th November 20:45
I generally use US Automotive or Peter Cooper for most service parts and they arrive next day. Alternatively North Hants Tyres generally have most parts in stock. Claremont are useful for stuff too.
Go to the local Vauxhall dealer and ask for a part for an Astra and it's "7 days...?".
Whatever you want, the UK places can get but have to include a mark-up and a profit but it's still often cheaper than stuff for a Mondeo.
Have a look at places like MidAmerica Motorworks at www.madvet.com. I think I paid $50 for a full set of Bosch +4 platinum plugs. You pay a lot more than that in the UK and stuff from the US is here in 7 days. Plan ahead and you can order half a dozen oil filters, a rechargable K&N filter and a set of plugs and that'll keep you going for a while.
Go to the local Vauxhall dealer and ask for a part for an Astra and it's "7 days...?".
Whatever you want, the UK places can get but have to include a mark-up and a profit but it's still often cheaper than stuff for a Mondeo.
Have a look at places like MidAmerica Motorworks at www.madvet.com. I think I paid $50 for a full set of Bosch +4 platinum plugs. You pay a lot more than that in the UK and stuff from the US is here in 7 days. Plan ahead and you can order half a dozen oil filters, a rechargable K&N filter and a set of plugs and that'll keep you going for a while.
c4koh said:
- Gearbox oil: Redline, got this from Redline UK
- Brake Pads: ECB Green (don't like them, but still)
>> Edited by c4koh on Tuesday 30th November 20:45
C5 gearbox oil, ON A MANUAL, is a non servicable item.
ECB UK distributor recommended the ECB reds on a C5 to me. Why don't you like the greens (I was planning to get the reds)?
www.GMDIRECT.COM is an internet source also
[quote]
I changed my 'box oil as I'd had a new clutch, and prior had a bit of gear-teeth gnashing, so decided to drain, flush and refill in case there were any bits of metal... I didn't see any, but since it's a bit of a pain for the home mechanic (moi) to change the gearbox oil, I put the best I could find. Makes a difference too, cleaner shifting...
ECB Greens: don't like them, was using carbon-metallic (from mid-america) prior:
The Greens
(a) don't stop particularly well, never crisp and unless really heavy-footed, a bit soggy (brake fluid age excluded) in their application imho
(b) Virtually no brake dust*........... Er... not on my car - there's loads of brake dust!!
I think next time I'll go back to the Carbon Metallic pads, else perhaps give the ECB Reds a try... Anyway, I'm too tight and too lazy (especially given the season!) to swap out the Greens just now...
* I can recommend a thing called "Alloy Wax" (that's what it's called too, I think): with this applied to the wheels, the brake dust collects as normal, but doesn't stick - and can be wiped off with a damp cloth... saves scrubbing and nasty things like "wonder wheel" etc.
c4koh said:
C5 gearbox oil, ON A MANUAL, is a non servicable item.
ECB UK distributor recommended the ECB reds on a C5 to me. Why don't you like the greens (I was planning to get the reds)?
www.GMDIRECT.COM is an internet source also
I changed my 'box oil as I'd had a new clutch, and prior had a bit of gear-teeth gnashing, so decided to drain, flush and refill in case there were any bits of metal... I didn't see any, but since it's a bit of a pain for the home mechanic (moi) to change the gearbox oil, I put the best I could find. Makes a difference too, cleaner shifting...
ECB Greens: don't like them, was using carbon-metallic (from mid-america) prior:
The Greens
(a) don't stop particularly well, never crisp and unless really heavy-footed, a bit soggy (brake fluid age excluded) in their application imho
(b) Virtually no brake dust*........... Er... not on my car - there's loads of brake dust!!
I think next time I'll go back to the Carbon Metallic pads, else perhaps give the ECB Reds a try... Anyway, I'm too tight and too lazy (especially given the season!) to swap out the Greens just now...
* I can recommend a thing called "Alloy Wax" (that's what it's called too, I think): with this applied to the wheels, the brake dust collects as normal, but doesn't stick - and can be wiped off with a damp cloth... saves scrubbing and nasty things like "wonder wheel" etc.
Not sure about body panels but I've had a set of aftermarket Boyd Coddington 18x9 wheels for my Z28 which were $1100 plus about $400 shipping plus import and VAT. Still miles cheaper than a UK set of wheels and still here within 7 days.
Same with suspension stuff for the Z28. I've had a strut tower brace, full-length subframe connectors, uprated sway bar, springs, shocks, control arms and a panhard bar, a ful set of brake rotors and pads - again all within 7 days from the US.
So far as body panels go, if you're talking about a C5, your insurers will repair it if it's pranged.
Same with suspension stuff for the Z28. I've had a strut tower brace, full-length subframe connectors, uprated sway bar, springs, shocks, control arms and a panhard bar, a ful set of brake rotors and pads - again all within 7 days from the US.
So far as body panels go, if you're talking about a C5, your insurers will repair it if it's pranged.
[quote]Thanks, The reason I ask is that I have access to a lot of late C5 stock and am testing the market before I decide to invest. It may be worth sending me a pm if it's a pricey part.
Boosted.[/quote]
Mike
If you are looking at stuff in the States, please call us and we will happily price the freight, duty and VAT for you before you buy to enable you to compare with UK pricing.
Apologies to everyone for the selling job
Steve - Moving Parts - www.moving-parts.com
Boosted.[/quote]
Mike
If you are looking at stuff in the States, please call us and we will happily price the freight, duty and VAT for you before you buy to enable you to compare with UK pricing.
Apologies to everyone for the selling job
Steve - Moving Parts - www.moving-parts.com
eric the brave said:
[quote]Thanks, The reason I ask is that I have access to a lot of late C5 stock and am testing the market before I decide to invest. It may be worth sending me a pm if it's a pricey part.
Boosted.
Mike
If you are looking at stuff in the States, please call us and we will happily price the freight, duty and VAT for you before you buy to enable you to compare with UK pricing.
Apologies to everyone for the selling job
Steve - Moving Parts - www.moving-parts.com[/quote]
Thanks Steve and I've just ordered a collection this morning, doh!! I'll have some more to fetch in a while so shall shout you then
Boosted.
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