I have to say, I feel like a moron for spending a bit over $200 on this piece. That's like $1,200 bucks taken from retirement accounts if I can compound it annually at 8% (x-inflation). I can see how people really like it as it does look cool. I mean, I'll happily pay a few hundred bucks an hour extra for a lay flat business class seat on an overnight flight as I take those probably 10 to 15 nights in an average year and a night of sleep is worth that. But $200 bucks for looking at this thing is going to bother me every time I look at it. And, it is still not even on yet....
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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Popped the old doughnuts off my stock price and onto my new carbon oeice and it connects perfectly.
I asked the company I bought this from to sell me the whole engine bay and they said they don't have it but if I send them my engine bay pieces they will make a mold and send back my pieces plus the new carbon ones. Tha
![Motor vehicle Hood Automotive design Automotive tire Automotive exterior]()
t seems pretty ridiculous.
I really do now see why people like carbon fiber. It just looks a lot better and really makes the car "pop" a bit.
I asked the company I bought this from to sell me the whole engine bay and they said they don't have it but if I send them my engine bay pieces they will make a mold and send back my pieces plus the new carbon ones. Tha
I really do now see why people like carbon fiber. It just looks a lot better and really makes the car "pop" a bit.
81 - 96 of 96 Posts
