Not sure if this the right section but anyway, what are the thoughts on ordering parts from local or overseas suppliers? Mainly resto parts like body rubbers, interior items, window rubbers, seat covers, exterior trim.
Places like Wolfsburg West seem well priced but cost alot to bring back into country (fed ex) am i better off buying from an aussie supplier
Any thoughts?

Buy yourself the VW Magazine Australia.Many suppliers listed.I found Wolfsburg Automotive very good. 03 9370 3100

Bit hard to return an incorrect or faulty item to an international company too.

Buy them locally

The rubbers from CIP1 are very good and very inexpensive

but getting the parts to Australia by the cheapest method is best, but I've found many companies in the US just do the same thing.... Air post freight or air courier....
which makes it just too expensive....

Many parts from CIP1 are from Brazil....

Parts actually made in the USA are generally good...
but then so are parts made in Europe....
but the European parts are usually very expensive....

I have spoken to many people who import their own parts all the time, including alloy wheel rims etc....
so, they don't mind paying the very high freight charges.

You do Have to be careful not to buy anything that will ONLY fit a Left Hand Drive VW.... easily done...!!

It does seem that there are good Brazillian made VW parts available, and they are NOT always from the VW do Brazil factory either....

From what I've seen and heard, Mexican parts are crap...
although the last Beetles looked OK....

I bought a window rubber kit from CIP1 and the rear window rubber was for a SuperBug....
so, Its impractical to return or swap it.....

If only We had a list of all the good companies in Brazil making VW parts.....

You can buy clutch and accelerator cables in the USA that are unbreakable....
but that company doesn't deal outside the USA.....

Lee

[ Edited on 26-7-2006 by 68AutoBug ]

I just had delivered a car bra yesterday from CIP1. I only ordered it on the 17th....so it was a good turnaround time. I landed it for under $200....try buying a car bra in Australia for that amount.

yeah buying from overseas to save $5 doesn't always make sense - the potential for hassle isn't worth it

You can also end up with a bill from Customs too....

Pardon my ignorance but what is CIP!?



From the research and parts importing i have done i think that it is cheaper to buy from overseas and import them,
I brought 2 inner rear quarter panels for my oval (where bumperbar and apron secure to) for $A68 plus another A$94 to import from mid america motorworks in Illinois,
Dunno what they would be worth to buy here.

http://www.cip1.com 

California Import Parts