Several months ago I purchased a TMI door panel kit from BFY Obsolete in California. When I took delivery, I found that the front trims were too narrow for my beetle. They are definitely beetle door trims but they do not fit any model of bug so it is not a case of ordering the wrong kit. The guy restoring my car was gob-smacked as me.
Ever since then I have been trying to arrange an exchange but BFY maintain that TMI are not supplying trim kits. Can anyone confirm this or has anyone else had similar/recent problems with BFY and/or TMI.
This is the first time I have had any difficuties with BFY and I need some help please.
When you say narrow do you mean top to bottom or front to back?
Problem with dealing with overseas Companies.
Where a simple changeover turns into a large problem...
My window rubbers I purchased from CIP1 last year, when I went to install the rear glass.... the Larger Rubber for 71> Beetles was in the kit instead of the correct rubber for My 68 Beetle.... Luckily I had a spare set of rubbers I bought many years ago....
You need a bit of GOOD LUCK when ordering from overseas...
Lee Noonan -- 68AutoBug --
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
They are approx 22mm too narrow (side to side). Height is okay.
In US they had different changeover years for different panels. Lee this is your bit. What years were the body shapes changed from early to later big window?
What year is your bug? I have gotten TMI doorpanels locally from George at ClassicVeeDub, I got the American 65-67 ones which was slightly different in height from what I remember as well as the pattern of the mounting holes. I just exchanged it for the correct ones (American 58-64) which is equivalent to our 58-67 - they fit like a glove. Very impressed with the quality. I think it pays to buy locally sometimes for things like this as well.
Jon
My beetle is a '67. So I bought door trims for a 58-64 US bug. The guy who restored my car tried them on all model years and in all cases they would not fit. Can only presume a production fault.
I have dealt with BFY on many occasions before and never had a problem. BFY say that TMI have been unable to supply a replacement and despite several emails from me to TMI, I cannot get a response.
I'm not sure what else you can do short of getting on the phone to them, or seeing whether any of our US mates on the forum can attend in person.
So long as we keep this issue on topic, and do not slag off the supplier, this topic will be able to stay. I'm sure it is a mix up and that nothing underhanded has occurred.
Totally agree. I dont have an issue with BFY as my dealings with them have always been good. If anyone has a contact either planning to visit California or on the ground in the US, please let me know.
your better off ring BFY direct and talking with them n explaining the problem over the phone
i presume yr talking on internet ???
I was in BFY in early june and the guys are very helpfull
