DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Tried that...it never comes out of the grommets. I am going to go and try and disconnect the hose and vfad connection and see if I can get the front of the airbox out. Maybe it will be easier to get the bottom ones out then.

RK

iTrader: (1)

I honestly can't remember how I did it with mine but I think it was just a matter of strength. I just pushed really, really, really hard and then lifted it up.

You should make Brian do it.

Danc

iTrader: (1)

Just grab the back of the box and pull forward and up and it comes right out, there is almost no way to damage the box. So muscle it a bit.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

I'm living the dream my friends! You can just give the license plate frame to Ryan or John, or Jon, Or Steve. I live right around the corner from Boneyard. They all know where. Any one of those very nice, kind individuals will be nice enough to help out. PM me your address and I'll mail you a check for it. (Or leave the check in my trunk for say a year or so.......)

Shinka_MJR

wasnt going to charge for the frame... i got it free. wouldnt feel right charging you for it.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Don't worry Doc, if you'd like, I can charge a delivery and processing fee, plus sales tax, and I am still loyal to England, so I have to give the Queen her share... etc.

John - if you break anything, both Ryan and I have our stock airboxes. Besides, if you do break something, that's a perfect reason to be buy a new intake!

Speaking of buying things... I broke down and ordered the AP catback. I just couldn't say no to the price from fluid.

Anyone want a previously enjoyed racing beat exhaust?

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

That bastard! I shall punch him when I see him in Indy. He promised me he wouldn't let you buy it. :P

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Oh man, that was you? Thanks! He said someone didn't want me to get the AP, so he gave me a bigger discount to upset them... it was you huh... lol. Melted shrouds, here I come!

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

ROFL...he and I were talking while Pat and Mike did the coilover install. twuz funny times.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

When+where was this? Where is fluid based out of that you guys were talking? I just got really confused...

Between this and how Jon has Charles Hill on speed dial, you guys are buttering up the vendors quite a bit.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Brice works out of Orlando. Pat and Mike had a webcam of the coilover install that we were watching and it included a chat.

RK

iTrader: (1)

They were doing an install via the InterWebZ a few days ago.

Silly to go with the AP via Fluid and not wait a day to get a price from BHR for their sale but I doubt you woulda saved that much. But I'm happy you went with the AP. This makes me even MORE unique and increases the number of local people who will want to buy my exhaust shrouds when I get my MS Kit.

Although I think the one guy from the Westside who drops in every once in a while has a Borla...

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

BHR's wholesaler dropped Agency Power completely. I PMed them both, but since BHR didn't have anything really under the $650 range that I was looking at - it made it pretty easy.

I was reading about these "spats" that fluid and BHR keep having. It happened in the clutch pedal thread, and now on the thread about the BHR sales ideas. . . I haven't taken a stance on it yet...

Shinka_MJR

sounds like nothing but drama...

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Well, yeah, it is drama, but its more than that...

it would effect who you would buy your parts from. I mean, I just ordered a new exhaust from fluid, but did he simply undercut BHR to try to drive out the smaller operation? I mean, there are business ethics questions here. Plus fluid implied that BHR might not be selling their products at cost+shipping like they say... you have to be really careful when you throw accusations like that around. Is fluid just being more aggressive and because they have better pricing (and they know it) they're getting a bad rap? I don't know yet, tune it tonight for our exciting conclusion.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Those spats pop up everywhere. I have seen them in pretty much every section on the site. Those two groups really hate each other. Personally I don't care who does what as long as they are good to me. Brice has treated me well and seems like a genuinely good guy. I think the main problem is that BHR saw an opportunity to have a monopoly for a little while and Brice is cutting into it. Right now the attitude that they both have is bad for everyone.

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

Steve, shoot me a pm about the exhaust with what you want for it and all that good ****, I may pick it up off you.

tony_673

I'm interested too, depending on how much you want for it.......

RK

iTrader: (1)

It's a mix of both.

Fluid has some competitive business practices that targets other vendors. Early on he used quotes from Charles to sell his nitrous w/o Charles' permission. He has ties to Mazsport so that carries over as well (ties that he spends a lot of time keeping from appearing on the boards) including selling some Mazsport stuff that he says he purchased right before they got booted as vendors.

He also doesn't have a full grasp of a lot of the products he sells (ie. which brand is better than another or which brand fits a specific application better). He's much more of a distributor/reseller. My personal experience backs this up with my gauge orders and needing additional grounds and me looking for help on how to install my water temp adapter.

Now I don't consider the latter part to be any indication that Fluid is a bad vendor. Most vendors are like that and I never blame someone else for my failing to research/understand something I'm buying. And in terms of shipping, pricing, and seller communication Brice has been nothing but top notch and has been a standup vendor. That is not true with a lot of othe vendors here I've bought from who may be good guys but who obviously don't care much about customer satisfaction.

The only thing that I've seen that has really been bad by Fluid was him putting the Fluid ignition solution out there. He clearly ripped off all of the effort made by BHR to create a good aftermarket ignition solution for the RX8. Not only is that shady - it's also stupid. There are plenty of projects people would love to see for the RX8. Putting one out there that completely rips off another vendor is pretty lame. BHR has a patent pending on that solution anyway so that will probably work itself out to the detriment of Fluid.

That all being said BHR has their share of issues as well. Some of the folks sporting the BHR logo are a little abrasive in threads and tend to go over top in their defense of BHR. The 'gang' mentality they tend to form in defense of their product or members is definitely something I don't appreciate on the forums. Charles occasionally emotes a little too much in defense of his livelihood which is understandable but still takes away from the forums. Charles also has a significantly different viewpoint on what vendors should be - mainly that they should be more than just aftermarket parts sellers and contribute to improving the car through the community.

While that's a laudable concept it's not one I think is realistic. Some people just want name-brand parts quickly and cheaply.

Both vendors are good and I'll continue to do business with both. Both ship quickly and communicate well. Both have good stock and seemingly good 'custom' parts although Fluid's gotten some flak on some of the powdercoating and custom kit things he's sold. I think overall I'd rather do business with Charles but I really don't have any beef with Brice who I'm pretty much always going to look for aftermarket parts from.

I do really, really, really wish that BHR had a website and a vendor forum. I think both those things would help alleviate some of the drama threads that appear. But I can't have everything or else I'd be driving around in a 400whp supercharged RX8 with no lag and no issues.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

PMed both of you.


Ryan - honestly, and I'm not being sarcastic, but that was one well-written, well thought out response. I read through it thinking I'd have something to reply to, but you pretty much covered each aspect of what has been going on. So... umm, jobwelldone!

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

I agree with Steve. You covered it all very well. In the end none of the BS that appears to be going on would stop me from buying from either. I just wish they went elseware to hash it all out.

tony_673

Ughhh. You guys are tempting me to get back into the parts selling business again.

RK

iTrader: (1)

Do it! Then we can test stuff out for you.

Simic90

I think I might be joining this group soon :P, found the RX-8 I want, hopefully will have it all done this weekend. If you guys see a 04' Silver RX-8 (all stock) around the mentor/willoughby area sometime this weekend, that's me!

oh btw, cruising around in my 95 millenia a few days ago I seen a few 8s around! maybe it was one of you guys? intersection at 91 and euclid avenue, saw a red 8 passing by. Same day a few hours later saw a white one near 306 and mentor avenue. Any chance that was one of you guys?

RK

iTrader: (1)

Grats! If you want someone to check it out with you to make sure it's all good to go just say the word. Somebody will surely stop in.