Ordering NSX service parts from the US
Discussion
I priced up parts for a timing belt/clutch/water pump change between ebay/Amazon/US/Japan online parts retailers that deliver to the UK.
Honda dealer here: £2,335
US online: £1,925 including shipping, duty, VAT. Basic rule of thumb was $ price x 90% gave £ equivalent.
Japan online / bundled ebay sellers: approx. £2,000, I forgot to save the total.
In the end I asked my Honda dealer here for a discount and they gave me approx -13% if I picked up the parts. It's near quarter end so maybe they had a target to hit. I didn't think it was worth saving another £200 to import from the US when the dealer is close to the garage doing the work.
For anybody who is curious, all OEM:
Timing belt: £120. Cheaper aftermarket are available but apparently OEM NSX timing belts are near bullet-proof.
Timing belt adjuster: £150 (£80 from Japan).
Oil filter: £12
Fuel strainer: £52
Air filter: £41
Water pump: £400. This really takes the piss when aftermarket ones cost £150 and are probably just as good.
Clutch kit (pressure, friction, flywheel) £1300. The big one.
Release bearing £60
Prices are approximate because I only saw the discount over the total amount. It's a lot to spend on parts, and I think I could have saved another £500 going aftermarket on everything, but the Honda parts receipt will pay for itself if I ever want to sell the car, which has cost me as much as a Honda Civic to service over the past ten years.
Honda dealer here: £2,335
US online: £1,925 including shipping, duty, VAT. Basic rule of thumb was $ price x 90% gave £ equivalent.
Japan online / bundled ebay sellers: approx. £2,000, I forgot to save the total.
In the end I asked my Honda dealer here for a discount and they gave me approx -13% if I picked up the parts. It's near quarter end so maybe they had a target to hit. I didn't think it was worth saving another £200 to import from the US when the dealer is close to the garage doing the work.
For anybody who is curious, all OEM:
Timing belt: £120. Cheaper aftermarket are available but apparently OEM NSX timing belts are near bullet-proof.
Timing belt adjuster: £150 (£80 from Japan).
Oil filter: £12
Fuel strainer: £52
Air filter: £41
Water pump: £400. This really takes the piss when aftermarket ones cost £150 and are probably just as good.
Clutch kit (pressure, friction, flywheel) £1300. The big one.
Release bearing £60
Prices are approximate because I only saw the discount over the total amount. It's a lot to spend on parts, and I think I could have saved another £500 going aftermarket on everything, but the Honda parts receipt will pay for itself if I ever want to sell the car, which has cost me as much as a Honda Civic to service over the past ten years.
I'd definitely use OEM parts - for the extra few hundred quid, the peace of mind you'll get plus as you say the peace of mind a buyer will get will pay for itself quickly...
The overseas prices sound high, but sterling has tanked a little recently, so may be correct.
HUK prices - are a joke - 13% discount to me says they're still making a profit but you won't get much better from a main dealer.
Alternatively, try these places for parts - independents with a (very) good rep:-
- VTECDirect
- DC Performance
USA - that's where a lot of owners get their parts from, couple of reputable vendors to use...if you're using eBay you're probably paying over the odds.
Japan - try JP-carparts.com - I've used them a couple of times.
The overseas prices sound high, but sterling has tanked a little recently, so may be correct.
HUK prices - are a joke - 13% discount to me says they're still making a profit but you won't get much better from a main dealer.
Alternatively, try these places for parts - independents with a (very) good rep:-
- VTECDirect
- DC Performance
USA - that's where a lot of owners get their parts from, couple of reputable vendors to use...if you're using eBay you're probably paying over the odds.
Japan - try JP-carparts.com - I've used them a couple of times.
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