HELP with Bilsteins!!!
#256
03-23-2010 | 08:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,027
From: Houston
Rep Power: 200
Well, I received a call today from the Eastern Regional Manager of Bilstein. They are keenly aware of my situation and have volunteered to do the following:
1.) Send me an ENTIRE, new set of coilovers (yes, that's 4 complete units)
2.) Offered me a FULL refund of my original costs in ADDITION to sending me the complete, new set
3.) They want all four of my original shocks; they will be sending my drivers side, front shock to a metallurgist for evaluation; I am not to install the four, new units until they receive their report back from the metallurgist
Needless to say, I am quite satisfied with their offer. I will anxiously be awaiting their report from the metallurgist. Also, many of you who have been following this thread may recall I questioned where their steel rods are fabricated (I was guessing China) and have been reassured they're fabricated in Germany. Bilstein is a "ThyssenKrupp" company and is technically known as "ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America." This company is apparently quite involved in steel and steel fabrication. Anyways, I told the manager I wasn't looking for a "free lunch" and there was no need to reimburse me my original purchase price IN ADDITION to four new units. I did tell him I'd be happy to accept reimbursement for the additional unit I bought from AWE and the additional installation costs I will incur (which I am assuming he'll agree to...haven't heard from him yet regarding this). I've spoken with my Porsche tech and informed him I'll be using a tuner in Houston to do this next install (he and I have become friends since all of this...he's also a member of 6speed) and he completely understands...we've come to conclude there is simply "bad karma" with this whole deal! He still has my full confidence and will be doing my exhaust and tune in the future. So, that's it in a nutshell! Many thanks to the 6speed family for your support, insight, suggestions, and everything else! I will definitely let you guys know what the metallurgist report reveals! Take care.
1.) Send me an ENTIRE, new set of coilovers (yes, that's 4 complete units)
2.) Offered me a FULL refund of my original costs in ADDITION to sending me the complete, new set
3.) They want all four of my original shocks; they will be sending my drivers side, front shock to a metallurgist for evaluation; I am not to install the four, new units until they receive their report back from the metallurgist
Needless to say, I am quite satisfied with their offer. I will anxiously be awaiting their report from the metallurgist. Also, many of you who have been following this thread may recall I questioned where their steel rods are fabricated (I was guessing China) and have been reassured they're fabricated in Germany. Bilstein is a "ThyssenKrupp" company and is technically known as "ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America." This company is apparently quite involved in steel and steel fabrication. Anyways, I told the manager I wasn't looking for a "free lunch" and there was no need to reimburse me my original purchase price IN ADDITION to four new units. I did tell him I'd be happy to accept reimbursement for the additional unit I bought from AWE and the additional installation costs I will incur (which I am assuming he'll agree to...haven't heard from him yet regarding this). I've spoken with my Porsche tech and informed him I'll be using a tuner in Houston to do this next install (he and I have become friends since all of this...he's also a member of 6speed) and he completely understands...we've come to conclude there is simply "bad karma" with this whole deal! He still has my full confidence and will be doing my exhaust and tune in the future. So, that's it in a nutshell! Many thanks to the 6speed family for your support, insight, suggestions, and everything else! I will definitely let you guys know what the metallurgist report reveals! Take care.
#260
03-23-2010 | 10:52 PM
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,319
From: Fastlane USA
Rep Power: 245
I'm glad the old proverb "all good things come to those who wait" was a realization for you. Bilstein has restored much confidence and good faith.
#263
03-24-2010 | 01:21 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,185
From: FL West Coast
Rep Power: 115
The Krupp part of ThyssenKrupp was at one time one of the largest and best steel companies in the world. The have been around for almost 200 years.
#266
04-03-2010 | 11:25 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 177
From: Baton Rouge
Rep Power: 26
(Posted this on another thread, figured I'd do it here as well)...
Larry is one of the more logical members of this group and I agree 100% here...the vendor is INCREDIBLY important in the customer service experience! For what it's worth to you guys, here are the facts concerning my situation as of today:
1. AWE has been outstanding with their customer service (not perfect, mind you, but outstanding)...they were not the cheapest, but they have stood by me 100%...
2. Phone vs. email...in my opinion, communication with your vendor should take place via email...that way, you can always document when you first sent an email and can prove that your vendor isn't responding in a timely fashion...phone calls/voice mail simply take too long to get routed to the appropriate person these days...most people have their emails forwarded directly to their cell phones and can respond immediately to you...
3. A couple of points with my situation...I am supposed to mail back my old Bilsteins directly to Bilstein when they send me a UPS shipping thingy...I have been emailing them since this past Wed. and have not heard anything from them yet...probably has something to do with Easter holiday. They are then going to send them to a metallurgist for evaluation (they have NOT determined that the failures were do to 100% installation error at this point...even though, I'm sure, in most folks minds, the failures WERE due to installer error). Once they have their report back from the metallurgist, they are sending me 4 new units that I will have installed. They are also paying for the new install (they volunteered to refund me 100% of my purchase price in ADDITION to the 4 new units). Obviously, their metallurgist is exactly that..THEIR metallurgist of choice...I was EXTREMELY tempted to use my own guy, but after speaking with Bilstein, I TRULY believe they want to know for absolute certain that there were no hickups with their steel rods that are used in these units...
4. My car just came back to me this past week...I haven't had it since mid December! So, some of you guys that haven't had your cars for 1 or 2 weeks??? Put yourselves in my shoes! Ha!
5. I TRULY believe Bilstein is taking care of me for the following reasons: a.) the power of 6speedonline, b.) AWE and their excellent customer service, c.) Bilstein will have many positive comments (aka "advertising") for taking care of me...it was simply a good business move on their part.
6. My only complaint in this whole thing is the time frame...mid-December is an EXTREMELY long time and my guess is that I will NOT have my new units by May 1st. I'm betting it will be June before they arrive...
7. The 911 ride with the stock suspension vs. the PSS10's was like night and day to me (I have always believed that "modding" a car really didn't yield bang-for-the-buck...I was wrong with this mod)! The PSS10's absolutely transform the feel of the car...the "happy ***" stock ride is now completely gone! I can't wait to get that feeling back with my car!
Larry is one of the more logical members of this group and I agree 100% here...the vendor is INCREDIBLY important in the customer service experience! For what it's worth to you guys, here are the facts concerning my situation as of today:
1. AWE has been outstanding with their customer service (not perfect, mind you, but outstanding)...they were not the cheapest, but they have stood by me 100%...
2. Phone vs. email...in my opinion, communication with your vendor should take place via email...that way, you can always document when you first sent an email and can prove that your vendor isn't responding in a timely fashion...phone calls/voice mail simply take too long to get routed to the appropriate person these days...most people have their emails forwarded directly to their cell phones and can respond immediately to you...
3. A couple of points with my situation...I am supposed to mail back my old Bilsteins directly to Bilstein when they send me a UPS shipping thingy...I have been emailing them since this past Wed. and have not heard anything from them yet...probably has something to do with Easter holiday. They are then going to send them to a metallurgist for evaluation (they have NOT determined that the failures were do to 100% installation error at this point...even though, I'm sure, in most folks minds, the failures WERE due to installer error). Once they have their report back from the metallurgist, they are sending me 4 new units that I will have installed. They are also paying for the new install (they volunteered to refund me 100% of my purchase price in ADDITION to the 4 new units). Obviously, their metallurgist is exactly that..THEIR metallurgist of choice...I was EXTREMELY tempted to use my own guy, but after speaking with Bilstein, I TRULY believe they want to know for absolute certain that there were no hickups with their steel rods that are used in these units...
4. My car just came back to me this past week...I haven't had it since mid December! So, some of you guys that haven't had your cars for 1 or 2 weeks??? Put yourselves in my shoes! Ha!
5. I TRULY believe Bilstein is taking care of me for the following reasons: a.) the power of 6speedonline, b.) AWE and their excellent customer service, c.) Bilstein will have many positive comments (aka "advertising") for taking care of me...it was simply a good business move on their part.
6. My only complaint in this whole thing is the time frame...mid-December is an EXTREMELY long time and my guess is that I will NOT have my new units by May 1st. I'm betting it will be June before they arrive...
7. The 911 ride with the stock suspension vs. the PSS10's was like night and day to me (I have always believed that "modding" a car really didn't yield bang-for-the-buck...I was wrong with this mod)! The PSS10's absolutely transform the feel of the car...the "happy ***" stock ride is now completely gone! I can't wait to get that feeling back with my car!
#267
05-02-2010 | 03:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 177
From: Baton Rouge
Rep Power: 26
Final update!
Well, received the new PSS10's a couple of weeks ago and just got the car back two days ago...have missed my car! Forgot how much fun it was to drive! Had the front lowered 23mm and rear 20mm. It is the perfect height for me! No need to review, since this has been done extensively by other members. Had my Europipe installed as well and all I can say is WOW! Cheers!
Just bring the car in rear first or something.
#269
09-29-2010 | 01:44 PM
very informative thread, thanks all.
#270
09-29-2010 | 10:22 PM
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Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 177
From: Baton Rouge
Rep Power: 26
Can, I actually back the car out straight now, no turning the wheel as I go! Ha! I'm glad this thread was helpful to you guys! I am attaching the metallurgy report...no idea what it means, but apparently the steel was to spec. Take care all!