Ah, you're a stone roses fan. I suppose somebody has to be. Sorry Luna were wrecking your thread. Hope you get the turbo problem sorted without scrapping the car and keep us informed how it's going.
Hi, I've had a better day today and have been in touch with STK Turbo Technik in Germany who can send me a new turbo for £740 including postage and VAT. My garage can fit it so fingers crossed I should be back on the road before Christmas but will keep you posted. Thanks for all your help and support.
Asked the wife and she knew. That's good news Luna. That's far a better price then some of the silly money I've seen quoted for replacing a turbo.From what I've read swapping it isn't difficult so hopefully your garage won't make a hash of it. How much were you quoted from UK companies?
Bad news! Oh dear, after thinking I'd got everything sorted and that the turbo would be on it's way from Germany today they emailed to say that they don't have one in stock! Just waiting to hear when they are likely to get one in but my hopes of being back on the road before 2013 are looking slight :-(( Another company - www.Turbo-Motors.de emailed to say the following (I've google translated it!): Its turbocharger we can overtake. The costs for this will depend on the extent of the damage. A standard overhaul including new bearings and seals, cleaning (ultrasonic / glass bead blasting) and forward / Fine balancing of the rotor assembly and a concluding test run of the truncated group at rated speed is priced at fixed price 250 euros net when turbine, compressor, actuator and housing are not damaged . If other components need to be replaced to make you an offer for the course in advance repair or in the worst case for a complete replacement charger (in this case for 905 euros net). Sequence is i.d.R. follows: You send us the turbocharger well packaged with a short cover letter (defect description, address, phone, email) by mail or parcel service. Once that arrives here, it will be disassembled, checked and we'll prepare a repair quote (via e-mail with photos, fax or phone). This service is free for you. After short-term appointment, you can come in person with the upgraded turbocharger and wait for the damage assessment. Return shipping is i.d.R. no later than 24 hours after placing your order in advance. If you do not like our offer, we will send the turbocharger also reinstalled freely refund the shipping cost back to you. Could any of you advise as to whether or not you think that sounds like a sensible option please? I also heard back from Universal Turbos in Hampshire but they can't repair or replace the turbo as they can't get hold of parts at the moment. I'll have another search for other repair companies in the UK but on some of the other threads I think I read that the turbo couldn't be refurbished because it's a sealed unit, is that right? Thanks, Luna
I also read that the turbo couldn't be refurbished. I think It depends on part availabilty at the refurbishers. If it was me, I would order the turbo from ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261142252790?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Ask the seller to mark the package at a lesser value (your risk if it gets lost) so that you won't pay any import tax. You'll get a new turbo for £580. It won't arrive until the new year though.
STK Turbo Technik also offers overhauls, so it should be possible. May I buy from Japan through you then, Adam? Over here customs is very strict and fastidious. Even open ALL the parcels to check content against declared value. Andreas
Thanks Adam, you're a star. I've ordered the turbo off of Ebay and will wait patiently for it to arrive. It's a great price compared to some of them and I even get loads of nectar card points! I'll update you when it arrives and hopefully I'll be back on the road early January. Thanks, Luna
Don't forget as this parcel comes from Japan, if it's marked up as the correct value you will be charged import tax. I'm not sure how much it will cost you.
I read in an article that import duty isn't that high but they charge VAT on the item and it's shipping cost, plus the courier charges you an admin fee. What a scam, eh.
Hi, I worked out the customs costs before I ordered so if the parcel is labelled at full cost inc postage the breakdown would be: Total customs value: £604.00 - Duty: £13.29 - VAT: £123.46 Total import duty & taxes due: £136.75 Total landed cost: £740.75 That's if the duty calculator is correct! - http://www.dutycalculator.com Well, the turbo has been dispatched so we'll see what my final costs are when it arrives! After I had ordered it though I had any email from Midland Turbo who I'd contacted to see if they refurbished or sold new turbos: We can only supply you with a new unit, the price for a new unit is £685.00+V.A.T (£822), The turbo will be with you the next working day, you will also get a twelve month warranty with unlimited mileage. We look forward to hearing from you. Midland Turbo 0115 9752458 Visit our website www.midlandturbo.com That might be an option for you Scooty if the import costs from Japan into Germany are high.
If its being sent by courier, the courier puts another charge on. Royal mail don't add this charge though.
Fortunately I am not in need of a new turbo (knock on wood, 50000 miles and going). Import costs are even a little less in Germany (only 19% VAT, import duty is the same for all EU countries). Just refered to the chance of having to pay import duty and VAT by customs. Sounded like in the UK some parcels get through without being charged? Looking forward to hear more when you received the turbo. Andreas
Good luck hope you don't get stung. The fee that courier charges on "our behalf" is a real grumble. You never get asked.
Hooray! I am back on the road! The turbo took a while to get through customs over Christmas but I was able to collect i this week and it has been fitted and is perfect. What's more I only have to pay £43 in total when I collected it from Parcelforce. I am so happy and had it not been pouring down today would have driven it back from the garage with the roof down! Thank you all for all of your help, without the forum I think I may have been convinced that I should cut my loses and would have sold my lovely DC before repair and been forced to buy a boring sensible car instead! Luna
Nice one Luna. Looks like customs didn't pick on you and the £43 was the courier charge. Does anybody know why couriers put a charge on parcels from outside the EU? Surely they get their fees for the delivery from the delivery charge paid by the sender.
