F IE!

#1

So, I’ve never experienced the legendary crap service from Ireland Engineering, but then again any parts of theirs I’ve ordered I’ve gotten through Bimmerworld (they’re cheaper–go figure). Anyway, I just installed the IE motor mounts. The nuts on these suckers are English. WTF? My car was made in Germany with the damn metric system, which kicks ass. Now I’ve got to carry one stupid English socket in case something happens to my motor mounts. One more strike against IE. Incidentally, I also replaced my tranny mounts with Rogue Engineering mounts. Not only did they use metric nuts (thank you), they also included an instruction sheet complete with appropriate torques. Yeh RE! Boo IE!

Sasha

#2

Make sure you have a heat shield on the exhaust side.

This is what happened to mine.

#3

I have been done doing business with IE for almost a year now… feels great to be free!

#4

Matt Russell wrote:

Dig this, I called back last month to order some parts and was to get back to them with some specifics on what I wanted. I went ahead and gave them my credit card number (dumb, I know, no additional comments needed) but then we went another direction on the parts.

So my CC bill shows up and, WOW also $800 of stuff charged to IE. I call, speak to the big boss and he says, "No way, we don’t run them until we ship. You better check to make sure no parts were delivered!". Not the nices, warmest guy. Now, Tom and I aren’t the brightest blubs in the closet, but they would have been delieverd to his home. So I call Tom, no parts ever. I call IE back and the guy I speak to checks and, yes you guessed it, they never shipped them!

Granted they backed the charges out right away and the new guy (not the boss) was nice, but…

#5

Ok…my experiances…hate to pile on…

Yep, I did that to my engine mount also, but that is my fault I guess, but no instructions to retain heat shield and thus idioyproof.

The camber plates, were sent with total junk washers intended to make coil over units suitable for stock spring upper plates. Washers squished out thus allowing for spring plate and camber plater bearing to get beat up, eventually scored the strut shaft and this ended up breaking. Big Boss was sure it was my fault for improper torque and also wear and tear. Sold me replacement bearings for $20+ but they were good quality as far as I can tell. I machined suitable spacers out of head bolt washers to go between camber plate and spring plate.

Camber plates took 6 months to arrive also…

I think he knew there was a problem with them, he sorta jumped my case when I questioned him about them so I dont think I will ever be calling…

Al

#6

Rev. Alonzo Graham Taylor III Esq.etc… wrote:

[quote]Ok…my experiances…hate to pile on…

I think he knew there was a problem with them, he sorta jumped my case when I questioned him about them so I dont think I will ever be calling…

Al[/quote]

Exactly the same. He told me "You must be mistaken" because his system… He knew it was his end and I’m sure he didn’t need to give me that attitude!

Good thing their are more/better options available these days.

#7

Some of IE’s offerings (sways, crank scraper, exhaust) are good stuff. But their customer service leaves a bit to be desired, which is why I always buy through Bimmerworld.

#8

Yep sounds just like the bad experiences that I had when dealing directly with Ireland.

#9

I just wanted to add my two cents here…First about whether it is American or metric, does it really matter, you should carry both anyways…Second, about their customer service, I have had nothing but top notch service from them…I broke one of their sway bars, and they sent me a new one and a box for the old one without a qualm. I had paid cash for the bars, and was not in their books, but they treated me much better than expected. I will continue to support them and give them my repeat business, and I hope you will too…

#10

Brenden Selvig wrote:

You are the first person that I have heard stand up in support of IE. Most people are quick to point out their bad experiences with them and there seem to be a lot of them. I bought a bunch of parts from them 2 years ago and they shipped incomplete orders, wrong parts, etc. and none of the parts come with installation instructions. I called about the camber plates and got zero help. They faxed an illustration for installing them on a totally different car. The parts might be good but the customer service is severely lacking. I probably won’t spend any more of my money with IE when there are so many other quality companies who appreciate my business.

#11

Brenden Selvig wrote:

I see the difference here! Brenden is a Cali guy and the guys at IE are afraid he would show up at their door and be pissed. Not the case with us east coast guy’s. We get screwed! You left coast guys will do whatever you can to screw the normal people on the east coast! (Just kidding Brendan, but how close are you to IE operation?)

#12

IE was fine when you had no other choice. Now it is a little different.

You can still make it work if you adjust your expectations.

A) Go through a dealer and don’t deal direct

B) Expect to get a random bag of hardware that may or may not belong to your car

C) Think of installation as a learning experience while you try to engineer your own solution using the parts provided.

#13

Well, as somebody who sells IE stuff, I’m not going to pile on here, but I think many of you have already figured out that IE parts are generally pretty good, but their customer service leaves something to be desired.

Buying through a third party like Bimmerworld or Factory 3 is not a bad way to get the product and some assistance along the way, while reducing the disadvantages of dealing direct.

#14

Based on what I’m hearing I have one question…

Should I be buying IE products (NOT direct) or should I be looking at other brands?

I’m just starting my build process and was looking at some of the IE stuff, but there are certainly other alternatives.

Obviously the customer service is a little shoddy, but how are the goods?

Matt

#15

Wow, Chuck… you were posting my answer as I was typing the question!

Scary!

#16

I just got off of the phone with IE. Had some questions about their camber plates. After reading these posts I was a little concerned that getting some help was going to be a goatscrew. But they turned out to be very nice and helpful.

#17

just FYI I believe that KO Performance Is now Carrying IE parts, they have the best prices and I have had nothing but positive experiences with them. I recently purchased the largest quantity part order from them they have ever recieved and they were sure to make sure every little bit got in there and was correctly labeled. There is a guy that works there with the same name as me "Erick" and he is in the E30 scene as he runs an E30 drift car. talk to him, he is really easy to work with. hope this helps for anyone not wanting to Deal Directly WIth IE.

#18

If you can, buy from Factory 3! Chuck is a great guy, a great SpecE30 racer and a great supporter of Spec E30. Plus he hosted the crazy race everyone enjoyed so much.

BUY FROM FACTORY 3!!! He’s one of us!

#19

Jeff Hall wrote:

[quote]Brenden Selvig wrote:

I see the difference here! Brenden is a Cali guy and the guys at IE are afraid he would show up at their door and be pissed. Not the case with us east coast guy’s. We get screwed! You left coast guys will do whatever you can to screw the normal people on the east coast! (Just kidding Brendan, but how close are you to IE operation?)[/quote]

Well, I am a good six hours from their shop, down in southern California. I purchased my original set of 25mm/22mm bars from them, when the car was a daily driver when I was on a trip to LA to see a drift event. I paid cash under the table…When I called about the problem, I was prepared to purchase a new bar, but they completely stood behind their product. Again, Nice guys when I needed help with camber plates that they didn’t even sell me. I would suggest calling them to order, instead of online orders…

#20

[size=4]+1[/size]

If you’re racing an e30 and on the east coast you should support the guys that are supporting us.