Side steps for Tiguan - Possible Group Buy.

[Transporter]

As per ausietig finding and his contact with Chinese manufacturer.

Original website, http://www.lingyu4x4.com/ Chinese manufacturer, good prices. We could possibly save on postage, if we Group buy.
Link to google documents https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...thkey=CLnWjdkN

This is absolutely bargain compared to factory side steps but, we should wait until we see the quality of the side steps before ordering. Hopefully ausietig will get his side steps soon and can post the pictures.

[theholmesmob]

Would like to register my interest in this group buy and agree that it's a real bargain. Looking forward to the assessment of quality and fit. Do you reckon an amateur (me) might be able to fit them?

[Transporter]

Would like to register my interest in this group buy and agree that it's a real bargain. Looking forward to the assessment of quality and fit. Do you reckon an amateur (me) might be able to fit them?

They're not difficult to fit and there is an instruction how to fit them as well.

[Tigga1]

I'm interested

[BigTig]

I am so down for a group buy it's not funny - let me know exactly how much and I am in Sydney..

Woo!

[juv3]

I am interested too and I am in Sydney too

[aussietig]

Hopefully ausietig will get his side steps soon and can post the pictures.

Ok ... look what arrived yesterday from DHL?

Was shipped out by manufacturer on 11/08/2010. So took 6 days (door to door).

Here's some pics:


















As you can see, the parts are clearly labelled and even with VW product codes.
So it's very much OEM standards, as far as I can tell in terms of the materials used also.

Only gripe I'd say (if I was to be picky) is that the gap between the aluminium and the plastic ends are not equal distance when comparing the front and rear:




But more importantly, the box didn't come with any instructions and I think I'm missing a bag of bolts for the RIGHT side step.

Pictured below is the bolts and the box for the LEFT:




I would've preferred to have received these missing stuff than the freebie they through in:



WTF?


VERDICT
I think in terms of quality and finish, it certainly ticks the box (especially when you consider it only cost $283 USD shipped).

However, you do need to take the risk on missing instructions and parts.

I've sent an email to the manufacturer and now waiting for a response.


GROUP BUY
Initially, I suggested to Transporter that it may be possible to organise a Group Buy and savings on price and shipping.

However it's come to light that the manufacturer would only offer the discounted price of $118 for Tiguan Side Step, if order was at least 100 pcs.
But the normal price (which is what I paid) is $133 USD and the same for Touareg Side Step

Given the size of the package (187 cm x 29cm x 23cm weighing 25kgs) and potential problems with missing parts, it would be best if interested members contact them directly and buy their own. The shipping cost was $150 USD for me based in Sydney.

I did enquire about shipping cost for multiple items (say 3 - 5 side steps) and they did say it maybe slightly cheaper. But they would have to get a firm quote themselves from DHL (who they use). Also, they are happy for you to organise your own international courier (if you think you can get someone else who'd do it for cheaper).

However the problem would be who to put down as the recipient. I live in a unit and certainly don't have the space to take delivery of a handful of these.

But if someone else is prepared to take delivery of a GROUP BUY, realistically it would only work if everybody was say in Sydney or at least in the same state.

NOTE: I'm happy to make the initial shipping quote enquiry for those who have currently registered their interest and based in Sydney. Sorry for those of you in other States, you need to get more members on board, as currently it's just yourselves at the moment.

But for those still interested in an individual buy and riding solo (like myself), the contact person is Kathy Xu and just mention Hugh as the referrer.

[Transporter]

Instraction for instalation is in http://www.suv-tuning.de/gutachten/t...ter_tiguan.pdf

Also I think that you will need tool for these nut rivets as I see from one of the picture above, unless they supply something to install it (nut rivet) with.

[aussietig]

More pics:

[BigTig]

I might be able to take delivery? Where in Sydney is everyone who wants one?

[Nobita88]

I'm up for one.. in north shore sydney, or parramatta area.

[aussietig]

But more importantly, the box didn't come with any instructions and I think I'm missing a bag of bolts for the RIGHT side step.

Pictured below is the bolts and the box for the LEFT:

UPDATE:

Just received responses to my email from the manufacturer.

They confirmed that just the 1 bag of bolts labelled for the LEFT Side Step (pictured above) is actually all it for both sides. In other words, my mistake and there was actually no missing parts.

In terms of missing instructions, due to the nature of the product (replicas) they did deliberately remove it from the packaging as it has the printed logos.

But have instead been given a scanned copy of those instructions via email.

So all good now!

Now I just wished VW would deliver my Tiguan to me sooner, in order to install these!

[aussietig]

Instraction for instalation is in http://www.suv-tuning.de/gutachten/t...ter_tiguan.pdf

Also I think that you will need tool for these nut rivets as I see from one of the picture above, unless they supply something to install it (nut rivet) with.

Thanks for the heads up!

But according to the instructions, NO ... these are all the tools that's required!



Anyhow, I'll cross that bridge when I get there!

[Transporter]

The bronze color cylindrical looking item in the plastic bag with nuts and washers in the picture, looks like nut rivet.

[aussietig]

The bronze color cylindrical looking item in the plastic bag with nuts and washers in the picture, looks like nut rivet.

Yep ... you're right!





Quite frankly, I've never worked with these before and there's definitely nothing supplied other than an allen key in the plastic bag!

But should I be very worried?

UPDATE: Actually my bad! Item 17 is the tool supplied to aid with the installation of the rivet nuts.
Should've actually gone through the instructions carefully first, before posting.
Now I look like Item 24 (an additional tool)