Does anyone have experience with importing car parts into Strayia? If so, which companies did you use? How expensive were the shipping costs? How long did it take? Did you have to pay import duty etc.

Thanks for your help.

Roger

Hi Roger,

My Volvo owning mates and I have imported quite a bit of gear into Australia from the U.S. We refuse to pay Bosch and Volvo Australia's outrageous asking prices. There are many examples...$170 Aussie dollars for a 940/740 heater core from FCP Groton. Volvo Australia's asking price ..$520. I ended up getting a discount and paid $400. The U.S heater core is identical apart from the placement of the firewall plumbing.

The saving on components like fuel pressure regulators,heater valves,distributor caps, rotors, O2 sensors etc is substantial, even after paying freight costs to have them shipped in about 7 days. A fuel pressure regulator weighs aout 6 ounces.This includes packing. You can calculate your shipping costs by going to USPS web site. They have an international rate calculator.

Nick at FCP Groton comes with high recommendation from many Brickboarders. I have found him good to do business with. Email him for gear not found at their online site or for any info. I place my final order by phone and pay with Visa.The cost using phonecall cost using Telstra is surprisingly inexpensive.

We have also bought many used items such as several cruise controls, turbo hosing, even a wheel, and had no problems.

The only problem experienced is the heater core I recently had shipped. Our right hand drive has resulted in minor differences. Sadly I couldn't modify it so FCP Groton have agreed to take it back. I will have to pay return freight.

As for outlets in Sydney, we have used A Class at Revesby. However they are expensive on non used items. Locally we have an ex dealer who can sometimes get good prices for items such as brake rotors, pads master cylinders etc.

Hope this helps.
Take care,
John H from Downunder

Have you tried IMPORT ADVANTAGE P/L BRISBANE 1800 777 612

EXCELLENT SERVICE AND PRICES. MOSTLY OEM GEN MANUF PARTS
Al

It's not as cheap and easy as some think, and the postage costs would suprise you, air freight can be rather expensive making most things not worth it, and sea freight can almost make it worth it, but you can be waiting for a long time to get the part.

There are cheaper option here in australia, and it helps to shop around, genuine bosch parts can be a pain, but there are savings to be made, sometimes it's best to go to a place that is a direct importer and seller of fuel injection gear, their prices can be a lot lower.

Also specialised volvo stores have good prices, the few places I go to sell some good aftermarket parts at great prices, I've bought a whole heap of stuff for my 244 and not spent a lot of money.

James,
Can you give me an idea of locations for 'specialised volvo stores' if in Sydney. It would be appreciated. As you may have noticed I am looking for FPR, Maybe distributor, maybe ignition module, second hand is OK.
Thanks
Karl

I live in Brisbane so I'm not sure about whats in Sydney, but there is a fairly big place in Vic that is a used specialist - http://www.volvsaab.com.au/
Also for used there is - http://www.sunzine.net/volvo/welcome.html which is in Brisbane, and they deal in new stuff too.

For new bit and peices and scan-tech aftermarket parts, I go to Import Advantage (In Brisbane), they have tonns of stuff, lots of it is a lot cheaper than you would think, I got all my shocks and all sorts of parts there so far.

Import Advantage - (07) 3356 9644

Roger,
I inquired about it through fcpgroton and they had no real problems in sending parts down here but could not give me much of an idea of freight cost. Nick said that it would depend on the weight of the order. I will tell of one of my investigations for a fuel pressure regulator, new at volvo A$146, at spare parts place A$130 and my best price through contacts A$114. I believe at fcpgroton it is about $35 US which is about $65 aussie, I can not belive that freight would be much more than $10 US (about A$85 all up) but that remains to be proven. I do think I can get second hand better than A$85 however the question of used longevity remains. I would seriously consider it with a few more items.
Good Luck
Let me know if you try it.
Karl (Sydney)
86 245 189K Kms