Since I know that the internet is full of skeptics, I present exhibits A and B in the attachments below... A photo of the invoice showing what I ordered, and a photo of the parts that were delivered. You may also note that I just got them today, and they were shipped on the 16th - 9 calendar days in transit. Although I'm not upset about this - it's fairly reasonable from California to NY - however, the 9 days comes back in a couple paragraphs.

So as you can see, I ordered and was charged for the "street/track" adjustable camber plates, but was deliverd the fixed camber plates. Up until now, I'm not upset, things like this happen.

When I call Ireland to try to get the right parts is when I get upset. As you can see, this is 100% their error. However, the only thing they will do is send me a call tag or whatever, so that I have to take this thing somewhere to drop it off for shipment. I'm not pleased with that, but I don't see there being much other option.

Where I get mad is that they won't send out the new parts until they get these back!!! So I'm looking at several days to get the call tag, 9 days to ship them to California, a couple days for them to open the box and say, "ya, we screwed up", put the right parts in the mail, and then another 9 days for me to get them So this could end up being nearly a month! For their mistake!!! How many autocrosses and getting screwed out of?

Send me the new plates right away Ireland! It's YOUR mistake!!! Or at the very least send me the new ones 2nd day after these show up!

Man I'm really dissappointed. What a bummer. They did manage to send the right swaybar though

 

i would send them back and tell them to keep 'em. Order from somewhere else.

 

They screwed up my order and tried to blame texas speedwerks since I got it through them. It was definitely their fault.

mb

 

Dittos...I'm fed up with esellers who don't stand behind their name...while we're at it, don't shop with Ecost.com...I ordered an air mattress and they sent me a meat grinder with the same part number...I faxed them the receipt for the return shipping for reimbursment and they refused it... (that's a big fat thumb up their Arss!)

 

For those that have ordered through us, we work to make it right even on our dime, period...

But, I have to say - IE could use some shipping QA!

 

Call tag means that you box them up and have them ready. UPS will show up with a sticker to put on the box and will take them from you then.

I've had a few issues with I.E. as well. Purchased the Street/Track Camber Plates and had them installed by Texas Speedwerks. Wnet for alignment 2 days later at the Tech found the 6 of the 8 bolts used to adjust camber were 5mm instead of 10mm. This galled the plates. The Tech was able to fix the threads in the plate and replace them all with SS 10.8 10mm hardware. I notifed TSW and they tooke care it. New plates were sent to TSW. The plan was install them when the new TSW coilovers that I've been lucky enought to test were installed. However, before that could happen the bearing seperatated on the right side. I notifed TSW and they asked me to contact I.E. so I could give them the specifics. Spoke it I.E. and the overnighted a new set of Camber Plates to me and asked me to let them know when I did the swap and they would send a call tag. TSW did the swap when installed the new coilovers. There have been no issues since. I am satisfied with the way both I.E. and TSW handled the issue.

 

This is not a complaint against IE, but the adjuster cap screws (8mmx10mm long - 4x) that are used to adjust camber then lock the strut/block to the plate are just too short. I checked and 15mm long with a reasonable thickness washer will not bottom out, but it's very close. The 10mm only engage about 3-4 threads in the helicoils and can (will) pull out eventually after repeated adjustments and mild torquing. I ended up making my own that were ground down to 14mm and made of SS--just for peace of mind.
I like the IE plates and they are priced right, but care is needed for sure. A heavy hand is not tolerated well.

 

Sure you wouldn't rather they just refund you the difference? See, their noisy adjustable plates aren't supposed to be used in winter, and the quiet fixed plates are good for even -2° camber depending on car height. Depends of course on your intended use for the car...

 

Yes, TSW took care of my problem and got the items shipped under a time crunch. It would be nice if they didn't have to do such things, but it's nice to know that someone will go out of their way to help a customer.

BTW - TSW - I still have the wrong plates and am awaiting some info.

mb

 

I actually told them on the phone that I just wanted my money back, but I am having second thoughts. I actually picked the Ireland's for a reason. I'm not sure what coilovers I'll buy, and I wanted to leave open the possibility for something that adjusts from the top. Also, I'll be running on stock springs this year, so I wanted something that doesn't raise (or lower) the front end of the car. I think Irelands are the only one that fits the bill! It looks to me like the new H-Sports would make it really hard to get at an adjuster on the top of the shaft.

Ireland's "solution" was to say that I could buy a second set of plates, they'd ship them right away (presumably billing me for shipping ) and refund me when they get these back. At this point, I'm not so confident about what would show up in the 2nd box though

It never occurred to me to order them through TSW.

 

My plates go in this weekend...but I will be replacing the steel allen screws with SS...and the suggestion about being longer is noted

Roger,

Can you order the correct set, and have them refund your account when they receive the wrong parts? This is a PITA and consumes space on one's credit card, but you will get the correct parts sooner. The only fear is, will they actually receive the wrong parts...

You want another set of hands to help you install these?

 

my IE plates weren't properly tapped. The aluminum blocks that surround the spherical joint were poorly worked. The button-head allen bolts that secure the two halves were very tough to remove. Running a tap down the holes improved things signifcantly (though I stripped the inside of one of the allens trying to remove it....luckily, I had a spare bolt from somewhere else on the car that was the same length and pitch...just a bit of sanding the head to get it thin enough to sit inside the blocks).

 

perhaps I'll use a little Blaster before removing these four...

 

btw, a question arose regarding my installation of the IE street/race camber plates. Here's the order of installation from bottom up:

spring
stock spring perch plate (black pressed steel)
stock washer (about 1/8" thick, about 1 1/2" diameter)
2 IE washers (of the 4 supplied per side, 8 total)
IE bearing in Al block
2 IE washers (the other 2 of the 4 per side)
strut nut (22mm in the case of M7 COs!!)

btw, I also relieved the inside edge of the hole (about 7/8" diameter) in the top part of the IE block. This is the part with the 6 threaded holes that slides on the plate to adjust camber. I just chamfered the inside edge to give the very large M7 nut a lot of room to move with the bearing in the block. Probably a bit cautious, but it doesn't remove enough material to compromise the block in any way.

PS I haven't had any problems with the 4 round head bolts holding the block together, but the 4 cap screws (8mm) that adjust camber have caused me concern as mentioned above.

 

DrPhilGandidni,

I actually wondered about the rather large stud contacting the inside of the IE plate as well...the washers are indeed spacers too.

 

+1

For as "big" as it is, the MINI community is actually very small - word of mouth and reputation can make or break you. Want my business, repeat business, and my recommendation to others in the MINI community?....then you best provide a great product and exceptional customer service.

 

Jeff Ireland is a very capable guy, but a bit layed back, that's all. He talks a wee bit slow, is deliberate with his words, and in general gets things done right. He should have, however, sent out new plates without question...he has Roger's CC# and can easily charge his card if he doesn't send the wrong parts back within some reasonable time frame.

I've been working with Don Hollingshead - DMH - and his professionalism is right now, top notch!

 

That is what I'd do also. You trusted him, bought the parts & hoped they came. He should trust you for the safe return of the wrong parts. It's not your fault.
Not saying Jeff isn't a great guy. Most likely he is. He is however wrong in the way this is being handled.

 

Man, I thought you told us just a month ago you were happy with stock springs, FSDs and 15" tires

Might be best to just order the right plates from TSW to avoid any complications in case a cc chargeback is needed, given the customer service attitude received...

 

Meb, is right on. There is no excuse for bad customer service, but Jeff is not a big shop. He is a hands on guy and basically a car lover like most of us. If you can give him a chance to correct the situation for you. He has an "engineer" mentality. Maybe he will grow enough to hire someone to do the day to day bussn and he can concentrate on designing more great parts. He is also really great about keeping his parts very competitive on price as you probably already know.

 

And a better attitude towards his customers. At least TSW will take care of you. IE blows...

 

I'm sorry, but I can't let this thread go without some "feel good" story about IE. In the last week, after installing my M7 COs with IE camber plates up front (been in service over 6 months) and rear control arms (all 4 in service the same time), I had occasion to call Jeff at IE twice. The first time concerned the camber plates. I thought there was play in the top bearings. He said it was unlikely but could be the case. I paid for 2 and he sent them asap. It ended up to be unnecessary as I had not torqued the strut nuts sufficiently. Now I have some spares. The second occasion was when I went to get the car aligned and was told it could not be done due to play in the control arms. I called Jeff and although he could not diagnose the problem over the phone (duh) he sent me a new set of poly bushings free of charge.
Yes, he is quiet, and deliberate when communicating, but he can only do what is possible. In my case I feel I have been very fairly treated by IE.

 

Ya, trust me, I'm having some serious second thoughts about this whole "non-stock" thing

And I didn't even post about the 16's (already in my garage) that I'll be autocrossing on this year

 

Roger, I'll give you the keys to my rig when it's finished...that might certify your mod thinking

DrPhilGandini,

Just keep a very close eye on the poly bushings - you have poly, right? The lower rear inside bushings will take a huge beating and the poly will not last long here. I had a 90mph spin at LRP last fall and the culprit was those two bushings. Did we already Write about this? Suddenly he was struck with Deja Vu... Anyway, the rod ends are in another solar system better! I don't expect these to last long on public roads...

 

Yes, I have followed your experience here, and commit to regular checks of these bushings. I have some spares now, so maybe I should just replace them each year?