Bilstein PSS9s from the US...Am I missing something here???

hamish71 · Postby **hamish71** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:11 pm

Right, it says PSS9s, front and rear, for $USD1283 or $AUD1450.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/Susp ... y=CoilOver

Plus, lets call it $200 for freight, and 10%GST - make it $AUD1800.
And its a similar story here:

http://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-PSS9-Coi ... B0007M3PTY

except that its CHEAPER still! Am i missing something?

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:24 pm

Not sure what Bilstein's are worth new, but I guess it's comparable to prices of Tein's.
You can get top-of-the range Tein Flex for $1,400USD new, so why not Bilsteins.

I've spotted second-hand PS9's that went for $600-$800USD

Other Japanese brand names like Apexi and HKS are even cheaper, below $1,000USD, but from what I gather, these are pretty generic and just rebadged items from one big factory in Korea or Taiwan that make G4, Megan, K-sport, etc

hamish71 · Postby **hamish71** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:34 pm

I have two quotes for PSS9s here in Melbourne, fitted, for $2800

AB7 · Postby **AB7** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:37 pm

That Amazon discount is bullshit. If you search on EBAY US, you will find the price is around $1.2 - $1.3 K anyway.

BTW shipping is closer to $300, I had enquire about it before from one of the seller in US.

Yes, its a lot cheaper than anyone selling in OZ. Here you are looking at $2.6 K at least.

hamish71 · Postby **hamish71** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:51 pm

I wouldnt have gone the amazon seller anyway. Would go with Tire Rack, as they are an established business, with \"bricks and mortar\" to track them down with.

SPy vs. SPy · Postby **SPy vs. SPy** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:58 pm

I was hunting down this path several months ago . . .

There is next to zero info on spring rates etc, and questions this side of the ditch led me nowhere quickly.

The same follows with the damper settings.

Ergo, If you really want them, chase down someone here with a set that work how you want them to and send the specs to tire rack. if they can supply same then press buy.

Otherwise get a set of aussie spec Tiens, that are a known solution, get your 12 months warranty and get the car set up by locals who can tune the suspension to your needs.

my paltry 2c

AB7 · Postby **AB7** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:04 am

I did ask Quadrant Suspension about PSS9 before, they reckon there's no difference between overseas version and local.

I know Fulcrum did their own thing with Tein, but I do believe PSS9 is the same.

If you worry about warranty, then get it locally...but the saving is quite significant buying them from US.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:16 pm

Shipping is always higher than you estimate.

There should be more duty. It is the item cost plus shipping (a % of duty is applied to this - not sure of the rate), then GST is applied on top of that.

hamish71 · Postby **hamish71** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:41 am

actually, it depends on where the bilstein is made. If it is made in th USA, then, under the Free Trade GAreement, ther is no duty. Thus it is (cost + shipping) + GST.

If all Bilstein are made in Germany, then shipped to the US, then reshipped here, then there is a duty on top of that, normally another 10% on top of that above.

SO, given quote is: GM5.8609.H0 MAZDA BILSTEIN PSS9 COIL-OVER $1,283.00
FEDEX INT'L ECONOMY $ 172.77
Total $1,455.77
or $1662.56 Aud Dollars

+ 10% duty - $1828.82
+ 10% GST - $2011.70
So....all up we are still talking a saving of about 30%!

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:03 pm

Why did you slap GST onto it?

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:19 pm

because everything apart from a few things which are exempt (nothing in the automotive industry)have GST on it.

pepejesus · Postby **pepejesus** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:26 pm

SPy vs. SPy wrote:I was hunting down this path several months ago . . .

There is next to zero info on spring rates etc

I'm pretty sure the spring rates are 324 lb/in front and rear, which is about 6 kg/mm.

Mactype · Postby **Mactype** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:54 pm

Worth looking at shipping them over as pairs say a month apart.

You'll get away with both duty and GST as they'll be under the magic $1000 mark per order - just factor in the extra shipping costs beforehand to make sure its worthwhile.

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:23 am

Mactype wrote:Worth looking at shipping them over as pairs say a month apart.

You'll get away with both duty and GST as they'll be under the magic $1000 mark per order - just factor in the extra shipping costs beforehand to make sure its worthwhile.

Great idea,otherwise you need to add heaps for duty, 15% and GST 10% so REAL cost = Cost of goods AND freight Plus 15% Plus 10% on that total.

Yes you pay GST on the duty and the freight, talk about double taxing!!!

Peter

marcusus · Postby **marcusus** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:23 pm

Mactype wrote:Worth looking at shipping them over as pairs say a month apart.

You'll get away with both duty and GST as they'll be under the magic $1000 mark per order - just factor in the extra shipping costs beforehand to make sure its worthwhile.

Good idea indeed.

Perhaps a more timely option would be to just use two addresses and credit cards if it's possible.