VW parts distributors advice

Gunthner · Post by **Gunthner** » Wed Nov 20, 2002 8:42 pm

We lost our main man for VW parts and we are unhappy with those we have been trying to order from. Its been a couple of weeks since a couple of carb kits and CV joints have been ordered and still no parts. What are we supposed to be doing on nights and weekends besides smoking cigars and drinking beer? We need parts in order to keep that oil and gas odor in our skin. Heck, its getting so bad even the beerman called me and wanted to know if I was okay; he said his income had dropped 20% because he heard that I had not received my VW parts and consumption was down - he even wanted to know if he could make a call on my behalf.

I need some excellent recommendations (and personal testimonials wouldn't hurt either) on where others are buying VW parts and are happy with the quality (based on price), and service. Any and all recommendations are welcome. I don't need the cheapest or most expensive, but I do appreciate parts shipped within 24 hours.

Gunthner

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 1:13 pm

BusBoys.com & OldVolks.com

Both usually will say if the stuff is in stock and tell you when you will get it.

Bus Depot has good prices, but are a little low on shipping speed.

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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino" - FS
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"

JC-ATL · Post by **JC-ATL** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 1:48 pm

For bay window stuff, I like bustedbus.com

silkvw · Post by **silkvw** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 5:28 am

Bug-E-Warehouse in San Antonio TX has been great for me, 800-733-8056, open on Sat. AM too.

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 10:05 am

I thought Busted Bus only did used stuff?

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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino" - FS
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"

vwbusman215 · Post by **vwbusman215** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 3:34 pm

I have used most of the vendors listed above, but have found my best bet to be Rocky Mountain Motorworks (www.motorworks.com). They are a bit pricey on some items. You just have to check around, but for me they have always been there. They give a limited lifetime warranty on all their stuff. I have sent back 2 or three of the GT sports style exhausts just because they rusted and started leaking or a pipe broke and they just send me a new one and I send the old one back. They have been great with that sort of thing. Also I am in Lubbock, TX and when I order from them 99.9% of the time I get the goods in 3 days. That's not bad! Busdepot has pretty darn good prices, no warranty, and b/c of my location, and the fact they usually don't ship same day, it takes every bit of 2wks for me to get my stuff. Also, my personal experience with them is whenever I order I always have had at least 1-2 items that are backordered and take another 2-4wks. Even if I ask them if it is or isn't in stock I have still had items not shipped that was told were in stock. I am not bashing them, just giving my experience. I will say that they do have some of the best prices and if time isn't an issue then I usually order from them. Also for engine stuff and some other things there is www.aircooled.net. John is a really good and easy guy to deal with! Hope this helps.

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Casey
www.angelfire.com/tx5/76vwbus

Gunthner · Post by **Gunthner** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 9:15 pm

Tried Rocky Mountain and their help stinks - or at least don't know anything about VW's. We have called, ordered parts, received the wrong part and then returns are awful. Maybe they were having a bad day - we all do sometimes. But it was a simple item - a clutch cable.

Appreciated everyones comments. Seems most of us without a local VW store must find someone long distance and we will try some of the suggestions. happy thanksgiving.

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Wed Nov 27, 2002 9:47 am

Interesting, usually Rocky Mountain is pretty good on shipping quality and speed with a pretty good staff.

... I think you might have been unlucky on that order. My experiences have been good with them.

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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino" - FS
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Fri Nov 29, 2002 11:12 pm

Hiya Gunther,

When I shop online or by mail I am always looking at two factors......quality and service. I have found a two companies which are top-rate in my book. Wolfsburg West and Aircooled.net.

Wolfsburg West carries primo finish parts. I redid my 70 Bus to stock specs with their rubber and chrome. I couldn't be happier with the results. For my bus-specific needs I always look to WW first. Aircooled.net is the source for anything that is "generically" VW. Engine parts - yes! I bought one of John's SVDA distributors. I can't say enough good things about it. And both of these businesses will go out of their way to insure that you get the right part. Delivery has been very prompt.

"Second Tier" suppliers are The Bus Depot (Ron Salmon, the owner, is quite possibly the single best source of bus part information around), The Bus Company, Bus Boys, and Busted Bus. Excellent parts (Company and Busted specialize in used parts) from each one. Service quality may vary from time to time, but all are honest and upstanding businesses. Good places to shop.

Generally I would advise against going to the lowest price advertised. Glitzy ads do not a good source make. Doing just what you are doing right now (asking others) is one of the best ways to find a good source of parts for you.

Steve@pelicanparts.com · Sun Dec 01, 2002 9:24 am

Send me an e-mail with your needs we can supply your VW parts need. Steve