I'm in Chile now, not India. Not sure about VPN. I'm use half a dozen wifi networks a day as I travel.
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.
61 - 80 of 96 Posts
Does anyone know of a decent and relatively cheap place to test carbon fiber? My piece is apparently being sent and I'd like it lab analyzed.
I sent these people a message asking price, but I have no idea what I'm doing.
![Font Screenshot Electronic device Multimedia Clock]()
I sent these people a message asking price, but I have no idea what I'm doing.
I am dying to you your guys feedback on this piece of carbon fiber. It looks fantastic from the top and is extremely light. Im shocked how light it is.
But then i turned it over..... and i have no idea whats going on. I still have not tried in on the car yet so dont know if it fits, but the holds look good.
![Luggage and bags Bag Rectangle Gas Automotive lighting]()
![Grille Light Automotive lighting Mesh Automotive design]()
extremely light.
But then i turned it over..... and i have no idea whats going on. I still have not tried in on the car yet so dont know if it fits, but the holds look good.
Now for the bottom. It looks like a budget Chinese special on the bottom. I can clearly see some lip type lines on the bottom. Like if you wrap a hockey stick blade and one piece of tape goes over the last one you put down.
Is this how carbon fiber pieces look on the side that doesn't show? Or is this just fake, fake, fake???
Is this how carbon fiber pieces look on the side that doesn't show? Or is this just fake, fake, fake???
Attachments
This is another bottom side image. Looks extremely budget. But no one sees the bottom side.
![Sleeve Grey Bag Rectangle Fashion accessory]()
Ok, so I took it out to my car to hook it up and there is an issue. The new piece does not have the little connectors installed. I called audi parts and they only sell a new engine cover for $347 and the new cover has the doughnuts in it. They don't sell just the doughnuts.
So, I guess I'm going to try to pry off the doughnuts that are on my current engine cover and put them on my new carbon fiber piece.
Below is an image of what it looks like as well as when I just laid it on top. It actually doesn't look ridiculous and I may use it.
Do you thin
![Automotive tire Hood Grey Automotive design Grille]()
![Vehicle Hood Motor vehicle Automotive design Car]()
k I can pry off the doughnuts and use them on my carbon fiber piece?
![Motor vehicle Hood Automotive design Automotive tire Automotive exterior]()
So, I guess I'm going to try to pry off the doughnuts that are on my current engine cover and put them on my new carbon fiber piece.
Below is an image of what it looks like as well as when I just laid it on top. It actually doesn't look ridiculous and I may use it.
Do you thin
@JuddS i'm pretty sure you can make your own - buy some silicon plugs one at a similar size and just cut some slits into it.
shop.bodyjewellery.co.uk
Don't use a butt one...
Silicone Plug 4-20mm
Softer ear flesh plugs made from Silicon (silicone). Ideal for comfort. In 10 sizes from 4mm up to 20mm and in 7 colours (Black, White, Pink, Red, Blue, Green and Beige colour).
shop.bodyjewellery.co.uk
Don't use a butt one...
61 - 80 of 96 Posts
