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Posted by: Part Pricer Jun 11 2003, 02:24 PM

Last night, when I was leaving the PCA meeting, I noticed that my car seemed a bit loud. When I got home, my wife said that she thought that my car was louder than usual. Today, I got under it to take a look and...my Bursch exhaust has given up the ghost. One of the pipes has completely rusted through at the flange where it attaches to the heat exchanger.

Now, here is the first of my questions. I really like the sound of the Bursch and I am planning on installing another. However, is there anything that I can do to treat the new unit to help fend off rust this time? Would a good high temperture paint help? Or, should I seek out some more elaborate protection?

Now, the next item isn't really a question just an observation that I thought that I would share with everyone. After I discovered that I needed a new exhaust, I started shopping around online at the usual suspects. Being the comparison shopper that I am, I wanted to see the total price to me for the exhaust, 2 gaskets and shipping.

Based on the price of the exhaust alone, I thought that it was going to be a close race between two of the vendors. After everything was totaled, it did wind up being a close race, but it was for last place. (and one of them even had free shipping)

My findings are below. FYI, the prices show a 6% discount on purchases from Performance because of an online buying group that I belong to.

Isn't it amazing how people pad their margins with shipping?


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Posted by: Jeff Krieger Jun 11 2003, 02:36 PM

Yup! I've learned to get the final cost up front. What total do you get with http://www.tweeks.com ?

Posted by: Part Pricer Jun 11 2003, 03:18 PM

Tweeks was the highest. $248.00 to my door.

Posted by: Jeff Krieger Jun 11 2003, 03:25 PM

That's what I figured.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Jun 11 2003, 03:30 PM

I have always bought them for 189.00 (179.00 10 years ago)

Zims sells them for 189.00 also.

B

Posted by: Schnell944 Jun 11 2003, 03:35 PM

wish you posted that sooner, i jsut ordered mine from peilcan...
oh, and what's the site address for GPR? thnx

Posted by: seanery Jun 11 2003, 03:49 PM

http://www.gprparts.com/

Posted by: Part Pricer Jun 11 2003, 05:28 PM

Ok. I have just experienced the extremes of reason all within the last half hour. Armed with the information that I posted above, I decided to call a couple of the finalists. I wanted find out if the items I needed were in stock and also to give the runners up the opportunity to match or beat prices. Actually, this is something I abhor. Vendors should be fighting to earn my business. I should not be fighting to earn my discount.

Anyway, I called one of the vendors on the list and explained that I would like to give them the business, but their total package price delivered to my door was out of line. I also explained that the real problem was their inflated shipping number. The sales person on the other end of the phone sighed. It was immediately obvious that he was aware of why they were priced higher. To his credit, he did what he could. He sliced here and there. But, it was clear that he could not venture into the sacred land of profit derived from shipping charges. I thanked him and hung up the phone.

Then, I called the low price leader on my list to see if they had the items in stock and to verify the pricing that I got from the website. Not only are the items going out to me tonight, the rep said, "Since you took the time to give us a call, let me take the order from you over the phone. This way, I'll guarantee that it goes tonight and I'll see if I can shave a couple of bucks off the order". Wow! That made me feel so good that I almost wished that I could have ordered something else from him.

Here is the final tally of my adventure today.

Posted by: Part Pricer Jun 11 2003, 05:30 PM

Ooops...here it is.


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Posted by: Jeff Krieger Jun 11 2003, 05:37 PM

I am amazed that Tweeks would only charge you US $22 to ship an exhaust system when they charged me US $18 to ship, basically, a couple of key blanks.

Posted by: Rob Ways Jun 11 2003, 05:41 PM

Always ask for discounts and free shipping. I've gotten free shipping out of GPR before. The other funny thing was that I ordered and paid for a part from GPR- it shipped from Performance Products.

Thanks for the thread!!!

Posted by: Brad Roberts Jun 11 2003, 05:47 PM

I really should "chat" with Dave Shepard about a 914club discount.

We have gotten along very well in the past.


B

Posted by: Bleyseng Jun 11 2003, 05:57 PM

'bout effin time, Brad. Then we wouldn't have to hound you for deals. Plus I am always posting their site address anywho for parts.





Geoff

Posted by: maf914 Jun 12 2003, 07:33 AM

Interesting pricing info.

For rust prevention, the best choice, but pricey, is to get it Jet Hot coated inside and out. Second choice is a good high-temp paint. That has to be better than the cheap paint that comes on the Bursch. I have used a Bursch and have no real complaints, except for the paint.

mike

Posted by: Part Pricer Jun 12 2003, 08:10 AM

Mike,

Thanks for responding to my paint question.

I'm considering this from PJ1:


The manufacturer's site states:

• Withstands extreme exhaust temperatures of up to
  1500°F
• Factory-like smooth finish
• Prevents rust & corrosion
• For all 4-stroke and 2-stroke exhaust systems
• Originally designed for NASA. In use today on the Space Shuttle and B-2 Bomber.
• MSRP $8.15

It prevents rust and they use it on the B-2 Bomber. It may be good enough to use on my 914. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

Posted by: tod914 Jun 12 2003, 08:18 AM

Paul,

Just off subject here. Im looking to do my brakes.
Rotors and pads. wheel bearings too. Where would you suggest getting the parts? I remember you saying you did yours when we met at that fun run.
Is there a special kit for the bearings? and what else should I do while im in there. The calipers seem fine. I have a new MS and SS lines.

Posted by: Part Pricer Jun 12 2003, 09:40 AM

Hey Tod!

How's that beautiful little car doing?

If you're going in to put on new rotors, you should do it all. (rotors, bearings, pads)

Now, these parts are normal maintenance parts. All OEM type equipment. They don't differ from place to place. And, there is a good chance that they will be coming from the same place anyway.

I put together a list of what you would need along with some of the places you could purchase it online. I've listed out a couple of the usual places.

In addition, I've listed the best price that comes up from one of the WorldPac resellers. This is after an automated analysis of over 100 sites. EAS came up with the best overall price. Other than price, who you buy from really doesn't matter. The parts are going to be shipped from Edison, NJ anyway.

Here is the info:


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Posted by: Qarl Jun 12 2003, 10:03 AM

Yeah, Brad needs to negotiate some discounts from some 914 parts vendors. It's about time we get some sort of benefit from our membership dues we pay him!

Ha!

Posted by: tod914 Jun 12 2003, 10:11 AM

there is a membership dues? lol didnt even realize that. when im able to get back to work i'll be happy to anti up. btw, thanks paul. car is doing fine. in the process of removing the old undercoating on the wheel wells. been using ps-21 total auto wash. stuff really works well. would be a nice product for degreasing the engine too! i tried that castrol product and was very unhappy with it. It is too strong and will tarnish the aluminum. also been helping a friend sort out his 75 i found for him for $800.00 we are redoing the whole fuel system on it - almost finished. car is probally worth around 2500. very solid pans etc, with a 1/2 decent earl snipe paint job. good car for the price.

Posted by: Jeff Krieger Jun 12 2003, 11:22 AM

Paul,

What is this "EAS" you speak of?

Posted by: Part Pricer Jun 12 2003, 01:29 PM

Sorry,

http://www.europeanautomotive.com/

They are located in Albuquerque. Yet, since they use WorldPac for fulfillment, the parts will ship from the closest of one of five warehouses. It looks like they buy at the highest discount from WorldPac and live on relatively slim margins. Whenever, I run a search they have the lowest, or one of the lowest, prices. I've purchased from them as well. Parts have always arrived the next day even when I just pay for normal UPS ground.

There are other good ones out there as well when you are looking for general OEM parts.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Jun 12 2003, 01:34 PM

We really need a vendor page..

Thanks for helping out Paul...


B