Best online shop to order parts from?

[johnnyt]

Hello, I am a Canadian Z owner and was wondering from any ones past experience(s) which online dealer would be the best for me to order parts from?

I am currently debating between Motorsport Auto and Black Dragon. I would love to hear the pros and cons for ordering from both and/or any other online stores that you may suggest.

Thanks

[Gary in NJ]

MSA's customer service is outstanding. I've never ordered from BD.

[jfa.series1]

You don't say what series car you are shopping for but I can add a +1 on MSA's service. Also, no prior experience with BD but I intend to order from them soon.

With that said, don't limit yourself to considering MSA and BD. For hard parts, hoses, belts, electrical, ...etc. be sure to check RockAuto.com. - also excellent service and killer prices. MSA sells a lot of Nissan products so check Courtesy Nissan's site courtesyparts.com if you know your Nissan part numbers. If you need specific help, Butch and David at the parts desk really know their stuff and provide excellent service.

Hope this helps.

Jim

[colinc]

"MSA's customer service is outstanding. I've never ordered from BD".

I have had the same experience as Gary. I especially like MSA as they will ship most things (depending on size) by USPS. This is important when shipping to Canada (I live in Ontario) as you will only have to pay sales tax (amount depends on province) and an $8 Canada Post handling fee. Other companies (ZcarSource in Arizona is one) will only ship by courier which ends up costing you huge brokerage fees at the border (I ordered $100 of parts and it cost me another $100 in shipping and brokerage fees).

If you live in Ontario Brantford Nissan (ask for Rick) is an excellent source for parts. There are a few others in Canada but I do not have any expereince with them.

Edited March 15, 2011 by colinc

[akzbob]

I've ordered from both MSA and BD. Both work well with shipping to Alaska and I know that BD stands behind their products and has an excellent return policy. I had purchased a set of weatherstripping for my doors, unfortunately they did not fit well and they refunded my money even after the install and left on the doors for a couple of months. (Seeing if they would seal correctly).

[johnnyt]

"MSA's customer service is outstanding. I've never ordered from BD".

I have had the same experience as Gary. I especially like MSA as they will ship most things (depending on size by USPS). This is important when shipping to Canada (I live in Ontario) as you will only have to pay sales tax (amount depends on province) and an $8 Canada Post handling fee. Other companies (ZcarSource in Arizona is one) will only ship by courier which ends up costing you huge brokerage fees at the border (I ordered $100 of parts and it cost me another $100 in shipping and brokerage fees).

If you live in Ontario Brantford Nissan (ask for Rick) is an excellent source for parts. There are a few others in Canada but I do not have any expereince with them.

Thanks colinc great to hear from a fellow Canadian, I asked Rick some prices and he seemed very expensive to me. MSA seems like the best bet. Although I have been comparing pricing with BDA. Some things are almost double compared to Black Dragon Automotive. For example, an exterior door handle is only $20 at black dragon while at MSA it is $45. If they are the same company making these and of the same quality than that is a large price difference.

[easyguy71]

Black dragon quality doesn't impress me. MSA costs more but quality is better.

You still don't say were you are in Canada.

I'm from North Ontario (Kapuskasing - former GM test driver up there) and now a mechanic in Edmonton. Got a few contacts across the country for used parts.

Where are you?

Oh, if you pay customs Canada yourself (get the shipping weigh bill from the shipper - free service - and a copy of the packing list from the shipper - free service, you can canll customs, pay the taxes and they will call UPS to just send it to your door. It is that easy.

Or ship via post office instead of UPS. Post office does the customs thing no charge.

Edited March 15, 2011 by easyguy71

[johnnyt]

\You still don't say were you are in Canada.

I'm from North Ontario (Kapuskasing - former GM test driver up there) and now a mechanic in Edmonton. Got a few contacts across the country for used parts.

Where are you?\

I'm from the Toronto area. When I am ready to order, I will be going with MSA, they seem to have just about everything I need and shipping does not seem to be an issue with them.

Thanks everyone.

[Zealous]

I try and get most of my stuff from various Nissan Dealers:

• Courtesy Nissan: http://www.courtesyparts.com/default.php
  
• Nissan Parts CC:http://www.nissanparts.cc/
  

I use this website (http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsuns30/DatsunFairladyZIndex/tabid/1543/Default.aspx) to find part numbers now as it is easier than searching through the pdfs of the part CD unless I need to double check something. I order from Nissan Parts CC as they have better prices than Courtesy will look all round the US for the parts for me and are faster than courtesy since they are closer to California.

I have found that the black dragon stuff often is lesser or the same quality as MSA. MSA has great customer service but often over charge for parts you can get direct from Nissan for cheaper, similar to ebay. I would suggest checking Nissan directly first then MSA. MSA is fantastic for aftermarket parts and of course a great supportor of CZCC. However shop around and use search as some of the smaller players classic datsun, bonzai, z car source. Have better quality or prices than MSA on certain items. But if you want a one stop shop go with MSA just order OEM from Nissan to save $$. Also think about the support MSA and other suppliers give to this great website and community, as without a community the NLA or hard to find parts would disappear.