i have had a bit of a "tiff" with my local dealership, is it true that to order any parts at all for a subaru you need a chassis number??

or are the local numptys compleatly brain dead?
i need 2 front strut top mounts for my new shocks and would like to give them money, but theres no way of them getting the details on screen without a uk chassis number, to me it sounds likeaload of tosh and i told him so, i mean i might not even own a subaru at all, i might just need the top mounts for sumthing??

"do you have a jap import sir?"
"that doesnt matter, i want sum uk spec top mounts"
"we cant sell them"

WTF!!!!!!!!!

 

I had this too when ordering a MAF (I'd asked for one from an MY00 uk turbo), insisting on having a chassis number.

Me:
"How comes you need a chassis number, they're all the same for that year"

Parts man:
"Not an import is it sir?"

Me:
"Err, yes"

Parts man:
"Ha, ha, ha"

Me:
"Ummm, but I've also got a UK turbo, I've taken the MAF off that and it's fine, so I need to replace it."

Parts man:
"Oh right, it's seventy something quid and we got 4 in stock"


Suddenly he didn't need the chassis number. Before I sell the UK turbo I'm gonna make a note of the chassis number so that I can use it if I need to order parts.

 

the point of having the chassis number is that it relates to the exact model that you are buying parts for, i used to work in a parts dealership and its amazing the amount of difference there can be in the same model range, i don't think the dealer is trying to be a pain it's just the way the system is nowadays, having said that i'm sure the dealer could find the top mounts if he tried.

 

i have a jap import, told them the jap chassis number and still got the parts, they just wanted to make sure with im that the parts were the same, uk and import, they dont mind selling stuff for imports in my experience

 

Just wanted to add, I can sorta understand them getting arsey about supplying parts for cars imported from say Holland where people are trying to get the same car but cheaper, after all the sales department is where the money is made.

But when it comes to the Japanesse market it's a different story, it's a performance issue. I've got a Type RA STi, there is no uk spec car that can come close. Even the P1 isn't as fast as the Type R's and RA's.

I'd never buy a uk turbo again (though I may reasses that on the new age models), and this isn't my doing, trying to find a cheap bargain outside of the uk Subaru dealer network, this is Subaru's doing for not supplying the uk market with an equal performance choice to the Japanesse market.

 

Micky if you need a UK chassis number just give me a ring

 

You have to remember that these guys don't make the rules, they might have a computerised ordering system which checks against a chassis number, they will also probably get into trouble if they don't get one.

At the risk of annoying a few customers, it's probably one of those rare cases where it really is more than their job's worth.

 

steve i orderd 2 from grade a subaru, there deliverd on tuesday

 

They can do it off your reg no, plenty on Autotrader or Subaru.co.uk if you've a JDM car

D

 

Micky, was that CD Bramell? As they wanted my chassis number as well just for a set of wipers
Told them it was an import then said they could not help me so go to Gilesgate instead for my bits.

 

yeah it was CD brammel

it was the 2nd time ive ever dealt with them
sheck bought sum headlamp protectors and i wanted sum, i went in and they said they needed a chassis number, i argued with them for about 10 mins telling them to stop being daft and that i didnt want to order any jap spec bits, ffs there an aftermarket part that you sell from your fackin showroom, he then said "well i can order them but if they dont fit you cant return them" WTF!!

i told him to give me the price and they shoved an extra £10 on top of shecks price
so i told them to **** right off

wonder if i was allowed to order a sti 8, even i drove onto the lot with a JDM wrx???
"sorry sir you cant order one because you have a jap car"
"**** off you pleb-ends"

 

quality answer!!
will come in usefull no doubt
give them a jap part number and a uk car reg and play dumb "well you lot built the fooken thing not me"

 

lol

 

they do need you chassis number to make sure that you get the correct parts

But also my local dealer, has a few VIN's they use if you dont have yours to hand

Alternatlively get the software they use (like I have) put your vin in, and find the parts you want, and just go to your dealer with the part number

 

ive got the vauxhall software but havnet seen the scooby software yet lol

pm me

 

Is that the stuff that is always on eBay for £15?!

 

not supposed to say this but what the hell, dealers can get hold of jdm parts i.m are changing their minds about imports where parts are concerned so all the dealer has to do is supply i.m with chassis no. and they ring back with the part no. and can order it as well.
they don't want it shouted out so you didn't hear it from me

 

doesnt seam to be the case with my local dealer

 

I work for a dealership and we always ask for a chassis. It doesn't matter if its an import or UK.

If you order a part for a car that has had a change during production(which is common)
and get the wrong part because you did not have the chassis no the garage is liable to a surcharge on returning the part to subaru.
We turn over 1 million of parts a year, a 1% return rate would cost us £2,000 in returns
Why should we have to pay that because you are to lazy to get a chassis no to make sure we get the correct part for you.
You moan quick enough when we get the wrong part!!!

 

hear hear silver knight

 

Our local dealer is quite happy to supply parts to those of us with any imported car. OK you get a little hassle off the guy on the parts counter (like asking me for a chassis number for wiper arms!) but generally they'll get what you want.

 

Hey Mickey.

Totally agree with you about CD BRAMMAL. The problem with that garage is they are totally not interested. To be totally honest with everybody you could go in there with a Genuine Subaru part number and know exactly what you wanted and they would still ask for the chassis Number. I got my headlight protectors from Dennis Common for £32.00 and they are the Carbon effect ones.

Tried ringing CD BRAMAL and all you get is can I have your chassis number and when I said excactly what you said its option part he said he couldn`t access the computer without a chassis Number. Divvy or what? I mean one phone call to Dennis Common or Gilesgate those guys can even get complicated bits without chassis numbers.

Us Jap owners are all to well aware of "If it doesn`t fit that we can`t bring them back" We accept it and I know what you guys are saying about asking for chassis numbers on parts that could be different but some garages take it a bit to far and CD BRAMAL is one oif them.