2017 Vantage V8S - Bilstein suspension, free to a good home
Discussion
Hi team
I'm offering near-new Bilstein Comfort dampers free to a good home. I can't find anywhere on Pistonheads to advertise parts , so hopefully tabling the no-cost offer in the forum is allowable.
Some of you may recall my tale with my near-new Vantage V8S manual - purchased used at 2,500 miles from Aston Martin Nottingham in January 2020, with a full-house BR upgrade before shipping home to Auckland, New Zealand, arriving in pandemic in May 2020.
BR replaced all 4 Bilstein original equipment dampers (just 2,500 miles from new) in the upgrade with switchable setting BR-modified Bilsteins, and so the original equipment units were wrapped and placed in the boot and shipped home to me here in Auckland, never to be used.
The original specification is Comfort suspension, and the dampers are in pristine condition, without any wear, and with rear units complete with springs. I understand these units fit all Vantage V8 models, and are rebuildable. The photo below shows them still with the UK dust, as removed and packaged by BR in January 2020.
I checked out pricing on AstonBits and these units in used state are in the Stg600-900 range per corner.
I'm simply not interested in selling the units, as my preference is to gift them to a worthy Vantage V8 or V8S enthusiast - most probably somewhere in Australia or New Zealand, shipped to you at your cost. Pick up in Auckland is of course an option.
If you have any interest, please DM me directly.
I'm offering near-new Bilstein Comfort dampers free to a good home. I can't find anywhere on Pistonheads to advertise parts , so hopefully tabling the no-cost offer in the forum is allowable.
Some of you may recall my tale with my near-new Vantage V8S manual - purchased used at 2,500 miles from Aston Martin Nottingham in January 2020, with a full-house BR upgrade before shipping home to Auckland, New Zealand, arriving in pandemic in May 2020.
BR replaced all 4 Bilstein original equipment dampers (just 2,500 miles from new) in the upgrade with switchable setting BR-modified Bilsteins, and so the original equipment units were wrapped and placed in the boot and shipped home to me here in Auckland, never to be used.
The original specification is Comfort suspension, and the dampers are in pristine condition, without any wear, and with rear units complete with springs. I understand these units fit all Vantage V8 models, and are rebuildable. The photo below shows them still with the UK dust, as removed and packaged by BR in January 2020.
I checked out pricing on AstonBits and these units in used state are in the Stg600-900 range per corner.
I'm simply not interested in selling the units, as my preference is to gift them to a worthy Vantage V8 or V8S enthusiast - most probably somewhere in Australia or New Zealand, shipped to you at your cost. Pick up in Auckland is of course an option.
If you have any interest, please DM me directly.
Edited by Seakingsam on Wednesday 9th April 00:12
Edited by Seakingsam on Wednesday 9th April 00:16
Nigel_O said:
And I wish this had happened 18 months ago - would have saved me £4k on Nitrons…
I would urge any 4.3 owner still on OE suspension to take OP’s hand off and get them shipped to the UK. I also suggest OP should receive some beer tokens for his generosity
^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^I would urge any 4.3 owner still on OE suspension to take OP’s hand off and get them shipped to the UK. I also suggest OP should receive some beer tokens for his generosity
A very generous offer indeed and well worth anyone with a 4.3 getting your hand on these.
Hi Team
Thank you for all the members who DM'ed me regarding these used Bilsteins.
The very first DM last evening (early morning in the UK) was from a well-known member of the community who is demonstrably a true enthusiast, and well worth supporting with the "free" units. Happy to oblige. Several others DM'ed me also, all 4.3 V8V except for one V8VS, and all resident in the UK.
With many wanting the units, I trust you will forgive me for not replying personally to each DM, and will accept this post as an appropriate and adequate response. Thank you all.
This morning I contacted the guys who pack and ship stuff internationally for me, and gave them the dimensions, weight, the background, and asked them to quote both options of air freight and sea freight to the UK, with nil Customs value as used units.
The shipper has subsequently confirmed that, under their regulations, they are considered dangerous (not controlled, I suspect) goods, and I would need to source the original MSDS (the Material Safety Data Sheet) for the units from Aston Martin and/or Bilstein, and then purge the units of all gas and oil, and then certificate the purge has occurred through an independent authoritative third party certifier, before shipper could accept the used items for shipping. That process would also mean the units would have to be rebuilt in the UK post-arrival.
Who knew ?
Suddenly, these "free" units started to look awfully expensive.
In discussion with the shipper, I pointed out the very same units are sitting new as built-up units on Aston Martin and Bilstein’s shelves in New Zealand, and had presumably been shipped as same, and that these exact units had been shipped to NZ from the UK as used, in the boot of my Aston, in 2020.
The point simply didn’t register - if you want them shipped, this is the required process.
Accordingly, I conclude I can only realistically gift them to a NZ-resident Vantage owner. Moreover, I’ll happily hand deliver them so I can give the beastie a thoroughly good run.
My apologies to all for not doing my homework before my original post - Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa
Thank you for all the members who DM'ed me regarding these used Bilsteins.
The very first DM last evening (early morning in the UK) was from a well-known member of the community who is demonstrably a true enthusiast, and well worth supporting with the "free" units. Happy to oblige. Several others DM'ed me also, all 4.3 V8V except for one V8VS, and all resident in the UK.
With many wanting the units, I trust you will forgive me for not replying personally to each DM, and will accept this post as an appropriate and adequate response. Thank you all.
This morning I contacted the guys who pack and ship stuff internationally for me, and gave them the dimensions, weight, the background, and asked them to quote both options of air freight and sea freight to the UK, with nil Customs value as used units.
The shipper has subsequently confirmed that, under their regulations, they are considered dangerous (not controlled, I suspect) goods, and I would need to source the original MSDS (the Material Safety Data Sheet) for the units from Aston Martin and/or Bilstein, and then purge the units of all gas and oil, and then certificate the purge has occurred through an independent authoritative third party certifier, before shipper could accept the used items for shipping. That process would also mean the units would have to be rebuilt in the UK post-arrival.
Who knew ?
Suddenly, these "free" units started to look awfully expensive.
In discussion with the shipper, I pointed out the very same units are sitting new as built-up units on Aston Martin and Bilstein’s shelves in New Zealand, and had presumably been shipped as same, and that these exact units had been shipped to NZ from the UK as used, in the boot of my Aston, in 2020.
The point simply didn’t register - if you want them shipped, this is the required process.
Accordingly, I conclude I can only realistically gift them to a NZ-resident Vantage owner. Moreover, I’ll happily hand deliver them so I can give the beastie a thoroughly good run.
My apologies to all for not doing my homework before my original post - Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa
Yeah absolutely gutted, I was the lucky first one, Gareth tried hard to ship them as I am happy with sea freight but they are classed as dangerous goods!!
So before I give up all hope has anyone had any experience of shipping dangerous goods successfully or any recommendations of any specialist couriers that can help that would be brilliant.
Obviously degasing them isn't an option as that would render them useless.
Thanks
Paul.
So before I give up all hope has anyone had any experience of shipping dangerous goods successfully or any recommendations of any specialist couriers that can help that would be brilliant.
Obviously degasing them isn't an option as that would render them useless.
Thanks
Paul.
leerandle said:
Might still be cheaper to fly out to New Zealand and put them in hand luggage than pay for a new set off Aston. I couldnt have been far behind the first 'unsuccesful' bidder.
Er, nope - https://www.aviation.govt.nz/passenger-information...paulrog1 said:
Yeah absolutely gutted, I was the lucky first one, Gareth tried hard to ship them as I am happy with sea freight but they are classed as dangerous goods!!
So before I give up all hope has anyone had any experience of shipping dangerous goods successfully or any recommendations of any specialist couriers that can help that would be brilliant.
Obviously degasing them isn't an option as that would render them useless.
Thanks
Paul.
Why don't you contact DHL and ask them if they could collect and import them to you? If anyone knows about shipping car parts around the world they will, as they are the F1 Logistics partner.So before I give up all hope has anyone had any experience of shipping dangerous goods successfully or any recommendations of any specialist couriers that can help that would be brilliant.
Obviously degasing them isn't an option as that would render them useless.
Thanks
Paul.
typo fixed
Edited by LTP on Thursday 10th April 12:22
A quick google suggests that pressurised vessels are a complete no-no for airfreight, but you may get it on sea freight without too much hassle.
Regardless, I’d suggest that OP shouldn’t be doing any more legwork here. If a UK owner is interested, they should be contacting some shipping agents and asking the appropriate questions.
The only thing for OP to do is find a very sturdy box to put the shocks in and then allow a shipping agent to collect from him
Regardless, I’d suggest that OP shouldn’t be doing any more legwork here. If a UK owner is interested, they should be contacting some shipping agents and asking the appropriate questions.
The only thing for OP to do is find a very sturdy box to put the shocks in and then allow a shipping agent to collect from him
leerandle said:
Out of interest, how do the Saudi's fly their cars from the Middle East to London then ? Assume they just put the car in the plane cargo bay (Exactly where the dampers would go !?!) Is it just a case of money ?
Good point and a quick Google search throws this up ....While there isn't one specific cargo company exclusively used by Saudis to fly cars to the UK, companies like Yes2Ship, Al Arabia Cargo, DocShipper, and Emirates SkyCargo (via Emirates Wheels), Autoshippers, and DFS Worldwide offer services for car shipping between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Here's a breakdown of some options:
Yes2Ship:
Offers comprehensive services for both imports and exports, specializing in vehicles, motorcycles, and bikes to and from Saudi Arabia.
Al Arabia Cargo:
Specializes in managing exports and imports, with expertise in the UK and Middle East cargo solutions.
DocShipper:
Focuses on door-to-door shipping between the UK and Saudi Arabia, managing everything from packing to customs clearance.
Emirates SkyCargo (via Emirates Wheels):
Provides comprehensive car transportation services for safe, efficient, and timely delivery worldwide.
Autoshippers:
Offers car shipping services direct from the UK to the ports of Jeddah and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, with container and RoRo services.
DFS Worldwide:
Specializes on Middle East shipping, particularly air and sea freight to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
Ergo, there must be companies willing to ship 4 dampers to the UK from NZ.
Yeah all this is correct but.....
Courier companies ship dangerous goods but you need to be a company and ship it in a specialist container or box.
This all about the nitrogen gas inside the dampers leaking and creating a risk, although nitrogen is not explosive it is an asphyxiant.
Interestingly I work as an electrical engineer in hazardous areas.
So I'm trying to find a courier company that will do this, plus probably put them in a specialist box for shipping.
Courier companies ship dangerous goods but you need to be a company and ship it in a specialist container or box.
This all about the nitrogen gas inside the dampers leaking and creating a risk, although nitrogen is not explosive it is an asphyxiant.
Interestingly I work as an electrical engineer in hazardous areas.
So I'm trying to find a courier company that will do this, plus probably put them in a specialist box for shipping.
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