[frans-c]

Hi guys!

I'm getting my power window motors, switches and regulators that I ordered from Autohaus AZ on Monday.

The only thing left is to get proper wire for the installation, which I'm going to do myself within the foreseeable future. Now, I've done the wiring for the crappy 'Made in China'-kit I currently have installed, but now I want to do it properly. I managed to purchase exactly the same type of PVC sleeving used in my car and I'll get the switch connectors from a junk yard. I also have a complete wiring diagram of my car, showing the correct colour and wire diameter for each connection. This is how I want to do the installation: correct wire colour and diameter.

Unfortunately local retailers only have about five or six different colours (although they do have all the required diameters); I need 23 different colours (a combination of single and multi-coloured wires). I doubt if I'm going to get helped in South Africa.

I did manage to find this UK site, with all the necessary wire: Vehicle Wiring Products. All the wire that I need will amount to about $70. It's a lot, but I'll pay it if it's the only place I can get it.

Do any of you know an online US retailer that sells automotive wire? I'm almost certain I'll be able to get it cheaper in the US.

 

[JamieK]

This company is popular with all the US hot rodders...

Painless Performance: Web Catalog

Or do it the cheap but time consuming way by dissecting old wiring harnesses. It may take all day to remove the harness and seperate the wiring out, but you won't have much money in it.

Jamie

 

[79Mercy]

Hi guys!

I'm getting my power window motors, switches and regulators that I ordered from Autohaus AZ on Monday.[/QUOTE/]


The switches you order will light up green not the same color as the rest of the lights. I know this because Karugs ordered them.

 

[frans-c]

JamieK, thanks a lot! Now I just need to filter through all the online retailers that they list on their site. Hopefully one of them might ship internationally.

79Mercy, yeah, unfortunately the switches don't look at all like to ones Autohaus shows on their website - I'm a little disappointed...

Unfortunately new OEMs will have me coughing up about $350...gulp! I'll just have to live with them, won't I?

 

[79Mercy]

$350 for new switches?

 

[79Mercy]

here are some: Sunvalley New Mercedes Parts

 

[frans-c]

$350 for new switches?

Yes, after I opened up my box (I had to pay $147 customs, I almost wet myself) to look at all the stuff, I went to the dealers to find out how much new switches would cost me.

Front switch without the rear window bypass switch is $80.
Front switch with rear window bypass switch is $140.
One rear switch approximately $50.

My bank account did the talking, so I just got up and left!

 

[79Mercy]

What do you mean $147 customs?

 

[frans-c]

Customs, man! Any order you place overseas has to go through customs.

Now, most of the guys I ordered from in the US was kind enough to declare my order as a gift, or to declare the value less than its real value, which helps keep customs fees to a minimum - the most I had to pay was about $25, which made it really worthwhile ordering from the US.

However, Autohaus, being a big retailer, isn't allowed to do it, which I kind of understand, because it basically constitutes fraud otherwise. But like I said, I almost wet myself when the lady at the post office showed me the bill.

 

[79Mercy]

I forgot you lived overseas. We all have our stupid moments now and then.