I'm looking for a hood release cable and rear doorhandles for my '87 4000s. If you have these, please drop me a line.

OR, even better... Does anyone know of a good (cheap) yard in the Albany, NY area that has Audis (most interested in 4000's and 80/90's)

Thanks,

-- tom

 

Shokan in NY. 1800 ALLAUDI.

 

In my opinion, these are the type of people I would least like to deal with.

For example, I ordered a new hood release cable from Adirondack Auto (www.germanautoparts.com) for $9.75. Shokan's price? $24.00. My dealer's price? $10.50.

I wish I had written the prices down that they quoted me on the power steering pump hoses, But, I was too busy informing them that I wasn't some ignorant schlepp that they can financially rape.

People like this are going to keep on overcharging for parts as long as we, the audi owners, let them.

I have no patience for used parts suppliers who believe they are dealing in gold. I own a 15-year old car. If I get a used part from another 15-year-old car, I am probably getting a 15-year-old part. I don't think that I should pay anywhere near new parts prices for 15-year-old parts.

In the future, I plan on telling these parts people exactly what I think of their pricing, and what other places are offering the same parts for. Shop around. Don't support those who overcharge.

-- tom

'87 4ks
'88 80q

PS If anyone is parting out a 4000 and is willing to sell the power steering hoses and a couple of door handles, please drop an email to:

npnoonan@aol.com


(I can pay immediately through Paypal for the right deal.)

 

I only use them for hard to find parts, like center consoles etc. My car got broken into 3 years ago and they destroyed the interior. I had the option of either having someone fix the car for me, or get a nice big fat check and do it myself, which I did. Sure, if you can find new parts cheaper, go for it...but I guarantee you won't find most Audi parts new, and these cars aren't exactly prolific in the u-pullit yards.

 

What I was looking for was not a "hard to find part". I would imagine that the hood release cable is still functioning on 75% to 80% of all 4000s and CGTs in junkyards. Power steering hoses? Probably present in 60% to 70% of all 4000s in yards. Doorhandles are another matter, but can be purchased new for around $22 (Adirondack Auto and many others). About 35% more through Shokan.

The fact is, Shokan came in at over TWICE what the DEALER price was for a hood release cable, and their prices for used power steering pump hoses were sky-high. Were they less than what the dealer would charge for the same hoses? Absolutely. But, we are also talking about 15-year-old hoses, as compared to new hoses from a dealer.

How did Shokan compare to the other parts places I called? Well, they were the most expensive place for the hoses, hood release cable and door handles. I've called them for other items in the past, and I have not purchased anything from them. The most likely reason for this is that their parts are over-priced as compared to the other vendors.

My opinion is not based on one casual phone call. It is the result of several price quotes over the past couple of years.

I am happy that things worked out for you and that you were satisfied with the deal you got. However, I prefer to shop around and, as such, I don't foresee buying anything from them or any other vendor with similar pricing policies.

-- Tom

 

Were those "good" door handles, or the cheap ones that people are peddling these days?