PDA

View Full Version : UK Subaru specialist looking to dive into an 818



Midland_scooby_services
09-04-2016, 05:56 AM
Hi guys, thought i'd introduce myself and give a quick post on what I'm looking to do.

I'm Stuart from Midland Scooby Services in the UK, we are a Subaru parts, service, modification, repair specialist. I've been in the Jap car scene for over 10 years and Subaru's for 6 years, in which time I've built up a huge base of trusted tradesmen (engine, paint, turbos etc) and have a 30 year time served mechanic who takes care of the spanners.

We've recently finished building my own 2 door Impreza Type R that we bought as a non runner in 2014. The car was stripped to a bare shell then rebuilt using parts from donor vehicles as well as some bespoke 1 off items. She is currently running a forged 2.5, 6 speed uk box, hybrid ceramic FP Green, 740cc injectors, Alcatek management with toucan touchscreen, Brembos front/rear and a huge amount of other non-standard Type R parts.

The car currently runs a 1/4 mile of 11.8 @ 121 but there is potential for an 11.5 in the car we believe.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t109/aa_aerials/20160307_123339_zpsmudz2d9k.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/aa_aerials/media/20160307_123339_zpsmudz2d9k.jpg.html)

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t109/aa_aerials/20151116_173936_zpssxhx9awx.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/aa_aerials/media/20151116_173936_zpssxhx9awx.jpg.html)

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t109/aa_aerials/20160526_173646_zpsrk3j5kcc.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/aa_aerials/media/20160526_173646_zpsrk3j5kcc.jpg.html)

This now leads me on to why I'm here.

Having spent 18 months building the car I feel that I'm not going to take it to the "next level" as financially it doesnt make sense and as a road car she performs well. I recently discovered the 818 kit online after talking to a customer of ours and my 1st impressions were that its a perfect kit for us as I literally have half the donor parts already on the shelf.

Having seen the 818 with the body off I was immediately excited as it basically looks like a weeks work for someone like us, well the major mechanical side of things anyway. I understand theres some bespoke parts required like exhaust etc but these wont be an issue.

Now to the not so good bit. After researching the price of the kit I found its a bit of a grey area. I was then pleased to find that Factory Five have a European supplier in Holland, jackpot I thought! Not so it appears. I sent them an email explaining who we were and what we did and that a price list etc would be most useful to be told that if I want a "quote" I would have to pay 50 euro's, which would be returned IF I was to order a kit. All I wanted was a ballpark figure for the entry level kit, delivered to the uk to get an idea of wether we thought it was within budget but alas I am still none the wiser.

At this point I am starting to think it would be easier to import the kit direct from the U.S, so would be hugely excited if theres anyone else from the UK on here that has done this that could give me some pointers? ANY help would be appreciated, preferably that I dont have to pay for!

This is something that we are genuinely excited about, but feel like we've been slapped at the 1st hurdle. I'm not one to give up tho so hopefully with the help of the FF community we can get an idea of what we're looking at to get started. As I've said previously, sourcing a donor vehicle/parts is no issue to us, we have a facebook group page with 2600+ members and a network of suppliers etc.

Look forward to chatting to people and getting this project started :)

turbomacncheese
09-04-2016, 07:08 PM
Wow, I can't imagine a company in the US charging for a price list. Heck, we can get the ballpark prices right on Factory Five's website. I'm sure that there are contracts governing behavior and that Factory Five may not have a lot of influence on that side, but as the manufacturer I'd be surprised if they didn't, especially considering that the export market was a huge driver for using Subaru parts in the first place. Might be worth an email to Factory Five, but I don't know how much I'd hope for. Certainly don't think it could hurt. Good luck!

UnhipPopano
09-04-2016, 08:23 PM
Based on a rough calculation for the exchange rate and your propensity for high end parts, in the end you should be looking at anything from 20K to 40k pounds. But it could end up costing more. I suggest if you are interested, that you figure out the options you are interested in, such as right hand drive, and then figure on shipping and handling to be considerable. from what you are saying, most of the other parts you will need are a sunk cost and therefore should not be considered in your decision.

Any idea of how the exchange rate will change from now till you pay for the car?

Martin
09-05-2016, 11:37 AM
I bought mine directly into the UK (MK4 Roadster). Shipping costs were remarkably cheap given the 20ft container it came in - assume about £2000. Import duty was 4% (must be listed as parts), and was the usual VAT rate on top of that. Given the GBP has crashed against the USD, it won't be that cheap when all is said and done.

So with the $1000 off deal at the moment, the basic car is $8990. At $1.32/£1:
£6800 for the kit.
£2000 for shipping.
+ 4% customs/import duty
then add 20% VAT on top of the kit+shipping+customs
you are looking at £11,000.

Hope that helps.

Martin

Midland_scooby_services
09-06-2016, 04:00 AM
Wow, I can't imagine a company in the US charging for a price list. Heck, we can get the ballpark prices right on Factory Five's website. I'm sure that there are contracts governing behavior and that Factory Five may not have a lot of influence on that side, but as the manufacturer I'd be surprised if they didn't, especially considering that the export market was a huge driver for using Subaru parts in the first place. Might be worth an email to Factory Five, but I don't know how much I'd hope for. Certainly don't think it could hurt. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies guys, I woke up this morning to find yet another email from their Dutch supplier, this time a little more concerning.

Let me just remind people, I sent them an email explaining who I was, what we did and asked if I could have a guideline price on the basic kit shipped to the uk. Thats all I wanted. Since then I've had 3 messages and it now appears I'm being stalked as Freek Hammink is now following me on Google and sending emails like this.

You will see that basically theyre saying they wont supply a price list unless you commit 50 Euros "in case" you decide to place an order.

Freek Hammink <freek@hamminkperformance.nl> Today at 8:29
To aa_aerials@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you for your kind post on the FFR forum.

Again we are not charging money for the price list, its for the entire process from orientating, to the kit being delivered at your door.
(and in the case you order through us that money will be credited back to you as well)

Met vriendelijke groet / Best regards / Mit freundlichen Grüssen,

Freek Hammink
Technical manager

Hammink Performance

Lets just say my initial journey into a Factory Five hasnt exactly been smooth BUT I'm not going to let that put me off as I feel like theres an opportunity for us here in the u.k, I just need to work it all out and possibly wait til the exchange rate is a little more favourable.