I’m actually pretty interested in how this CF adventure unfolds. Not so much the rest of this potential dumpster fire. 
My Alibaba Carbon Fiber Journey
Ok, so I've joked for 2 years about Alibaba and how great it is. A lot of people talk badly about China, but I am of the belief that Chinese product can be just as good as anything made in Germany or elsewhere. I should say, I don't really like Carbon Fiber all that much and the only reason I'm doing this is to see how it turns out. I was going to give the piece to the guy rebuilding the salt water flood car, but when I googled 2014 R8 V8 carbon fiber on alibaba.com I didnt realize that his car was older, so that fell through. I guess now I will either use it on my car unless he can make it fit on his and still wants it. Or, it may never show up.
So, the reason I went with the Alibaba vendor that I went with is because they have a video and they responded quickly to my email. I also wanted to test if they were going to rip me off, so I paid them via paypal (not on the alibaba site) and I even sent the money before they gave me the PO. Its only a $132 plus shipping for the engine cover part and I guess will kind of look ridiculous when the rest is the black plastic, but this is really all about entertainment for me so I rolled the dice.
Here is how it went, I found them on Alibaba in about 5 minutes sent them a message at about 8pm chicago time (10am China time) and they responded in good english with a catalog of parts within 30 minutes. I told them I wanted the piece and then sent the money via paypal. They said it will arrive in 4 to 6 weeks but we will see. Lots of cultures view time differently than American's so I don't know what they really mean by 4 to 6 weeks. If I hear that in Latin America, it means about 6 months and I'm ok with that. If I hear that in Germany, I am shocked they didnt give me an exact date and time and if I hear that in the USA I think it will be here in 4 to 6 weeks.
It appears this thing costs $1,400 OEM, I'm sure less from R8crap and probably there are other vendors who sell it non OEM for 500 or 800 bucks or something. I still dont know my landed price as I may get a high shipping bill and I may get customs charges.
The company I am buying from is OYA CARBONCO., LIMITED and this PO:
![Rectangle Font Parallel Brand Electric blue]()
![Rectangle Font Parallel Brand Electric blue]()
Here is the link to the OEM one I saw: Audi R8 Engine cover. 4.2 LITER AUTO TRANS. 5.2 - 420103926J | Audi Columbus, Columbus OH
So, its Feb 16th and we will see when it arrives.
So, the reason I went with the Alibaba vendor that I went with is because they have a video and they responded quickly to my email. I also wanted to test if they were going to rip me off, so I paid them via paypal (not on the alibaba site) and I even sent the money before they gave me the PO. Its only a $132 plus shipping for the engine cover part and I guess will kind of look ridiculous when the rest is the black plastic, but this is really all about entertainment for me so I rolled the dice.
Here is how it went, I found them on Alibaba in about 5 minutes sent them a message at about 8pm chicago time (10am China time) and they responded in good english with a catalog of parts within 30 minutes. I told them I wanted the piece and then sent the money via paypal. They said it will arrive in 4 to 6 weeks but we will see. Lots of cultures view time differently than American's so I don't know what they really mean by 4 to 6 weeks. If I hear that in Latin America, it means about 6 months and I'm ok with that. If I hear that in Germany, I am shocked they didnt give me an exact date and time and if I hear that in the USA I think it will be here in 4 to 6 weeks.
It appears this thing costs $1,400 OEM, I'm sure less from R8crap and probably there are other vendors who sell it non OEM for 500 or 800 bucks or something. I still dont know my landed price as I may get a high shipping bill and I may get customs charges.
The company I am buying from is OYA CARBONCO., LIMITED and this PO:
Here is the link to the OEM one I saw: Audi R8 Engine cover. 4.2 LITER AUTO TRANS. 5.2 - 420103926J | Audi Columbus, Columbus OH
So, its Feb 16th and we will see when it arrives.
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True that. Like a good friend said about our dogs - the entertainment factor is worth the price of feed!
I think you'll find it a good read. I haven't read "On Combat", but I'll check it out. Thanks for the recommendation. "Left of Bang" was recommended by my carry instructor. I haven't been in combat, but I've been on the wrong end of a barrel, so this is very real to me.I love books like that, I just bought that one
Have you ever read "On Combat"? by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman? It was recommended to me by Ron Donvito (Marine Corps. combatives instructor/program founder of L.I.N.E.) Excellent book and if you've been in combat situations (whether in the military/law enforcement or just in real street fights with people trying to kill you) you'll immediately resonate with what he's saying.
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