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remraf Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 287
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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I came across their website a few months ago, and yes it is pretty impressive what they can supply. They are basically a Eurospec and Overland Parts distributor. That's where most of their new crate motors come from. Those factory new 1.9TDs are an excellent buy at $2900. I like the looks of the 15 degree mounting kit. They've fabricated carrier bars that mount in the factory diesel locations, yet they use standard VW hydro mounts. The 15 degree setup is still a hard one for me to warm up to, though. Even in a syncro, the engine won't quite fit under the cover.
Strange thing is, no one here seems to have any experience with ZS Imports. I know they sell items on eBay under the name "VanMania" and they were also the company that was advertising a huge closing out sale on Craigslist about a year and a half ago. The ad kept running and running, and looked to me like a hoax, so I've looked upon their site warily, but if they're for real, their Vanagon offerings sure do look tempting.
David |
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remraf Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 287
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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The 15 degree kits won't clear the cover on a syncro? Does the 15 deg kit have any inherent advantages over the 50? Any idea if they manufacture the 4 cyl kits themselves?
Odd, I just checked vwvortex forum for vanagons and noticed there is a recent post on this company. The guy references vanmania on ebay. I think he had a problem w/ a decal he bought from them. |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:04 am Post subject: |
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I bought some Westfalia decals from them and had no problem. Fast shipping, good price.
I did email them to ask whether they truly had SA Sunburst Alloys or not (as listed on their site) and never got a response. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:42 am Post subject: |
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remraf wrote: |
The 15 degree kits won't clear the cover on a syncro? Does the 15 deg kit have any inherent advantages over the 50? Any idea if they manufacture the 4 cyl kits themselves?
Odd, I just checked vwvortex forum for vanagons and noticed there is a recent post on this company. The guy references vanmania on ebay. I think he had a problem w/ a decal he bought from them. |
Yes, there are advantages to mounting the inline 4 at 15 degrees. If the engine is a turbo, the oil return line works with no modifications. Also, the late model (hydraulic) mounts used by the 15 degree mounting are much better than the old diesel mounts used by the 50 degree. There are some that feel the hydraulic lifters don't work well on the 50 degree engines. Also, there is more room created for the intake manifold and airbox. But, alas, even with the extra height of the syncro engine bay, the engine will still protrude by about 2". That's the killer for me. I don't like raised engine covers.
David |
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Witless Joe Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 460
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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If you ask this question on the Diesel Vanagon list, you'll get more reviews on Vic & ZS than you could ever want to read.
All of it bad news. Some interesting threats of lawsuits from Vic's various family members.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Diesel-Vanagon/ |
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Perales Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 2046 Location: Nova Scotia
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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There was a thread here not long ago about Vic Ahmed and his wife trying to sell a Syncro truck with an incorrect VIN Number as I recall. I would be careful here. This is their company if I am not mistaken. _________________ -- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino) |
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fastheartmart Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject: Z&S imports |
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I was told by a friend that someone on this list was curios about ordering something from "Z&S imports". I could go on and on about this company, but don't have the time or energy. You can check out my thread at the diesel vanagon list on yahoo.com titled "trial by fire" for my horror story. The quick advice I would give for anyone ordering for "Z&S imports" is make sure you have some recourse for recovering your money if something does happen. I stupidly paid with a cashier's check because Vic would not accept anything else. Also, don't expect any customer service from this company. Getting them to communicate is almost impossible.
"Fast Heart" Martin
'82 Westy 1.9td AAZ, DK tranny, WVO
Albuquerque, New Mexico |
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metalwoodstone Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2006 Posts: 56 Location: Bowen Island, BC Canada
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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I have delt with them - they burned me
I ordered a set of decals and a SA grill kit, got the decals but not the grill... emailed them for a tracking # on the parcel and they said
" we don't have anything like that " and that was it...
WTF?
I got no satisfaction from them, they couldn't give two shts about customer service, the whole operation is sketchy. They also ran a bogus "auction" site called "ubidzmall" where they where the only ones posting stuff for sale. When anything didn't go for their asking price they just refused to honor the deal. Total scammers in my opinion, buyer beware. _________________ 86 syncro single cab 1.9td
78 kombi champane edition |
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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I was present on the dieselvanagon group when a couple different folks from Z+S Imports posted. I was suitably negatively impressed by their communications that I will not do business with them despite the fact that they carry a lot of things I am keenly interested in and are also within reasonable driving distance from me. They made TK seem like a warm and fuzzy, smooth talking diplomat.
Andrew |
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remraf Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 287
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the heads up. It's weird, I just had an odd feeling about them from looking at their site and reading some of the copy. |
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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4026 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject: Z - S imports Vic Ahmad STAY AWAY |
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Stay as far as you can from Vic and his brother. his excuses are lame when he actually returns calls. His return policy changes by the minute or which ever way the wind blows. Packing boxes with promised items is not something he thinks is necessary. Unless it has a line item on a bill or receipt which you never get , ( it most have gotten lost in the mail ) tough luck.
When you call and order ,all things great. Once he has your money ,all bets are off. To his defense ,the 1Z TDi I bought was delivered quickly,packed well and seems to runs with out a hitch. The extra parts I needed ,which were negotiated with Vic when buying engine never arrived. I had to spend $150.00 to buy what I needed and his brothers answer was "we didn't charge you for it so we will not replace it.
Vic I hope you read this, I'd love the Sambites to hear your side of the story.
I sign off as a once loyal customer of Z+S and Vic Ahmad.
Stacy |
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Alan Brase Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004 Posts: 4532 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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Andrew A. Libby wrote: |
I was present on the dieselvanagon group when a couple different folks from Z+S Imports posted. I was suitably negatively impressed by their communications that I will not do business with them despite the fact that they carry a lot of things I am keenly interested in and are also within reasonable driving distance from me. They made TK seem like a warm and fuzzy, smooth talking diplomat.
Andrew |
WHAT! TK IS a warm fuzzy.... well, sometimes just the opposite of a diplomat.
But he is 100% reliable source of Vanagon parts and very generous. Just prone to very un- politically-correct statements occasionally.
Yeah, I admit I've know and corresponded with him for many years. But I don't think he treats me differently.
Vic Ahmed? I want to like the guy, but I don't know if he even really exists. He has certainly never answered any emails I've sent. BUT, I've been ripped by his wife many times.
And I've heard MANY horror stories. But a few on the Diesel Vanagon Yahoo list have had good results buying from him.
So, If you deal with Vic at all, I'd recommend you do it face to face and pay with a Visa card or something else with recourse.
Al _________________ Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:14 am Post subject: |
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I didn't make any comment (or even inference IMO) regarding TKs reliability, generosity or good nature. I just commented on his verbiage as an example that I imagine anyone on the Samba Vanagon list can relate to.
Andrew |
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
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foodeater Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2007 Posts: 1318 Location: Newburgh, NY
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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Crap, I was just looking at some of their hoses to buy for my van. The prices seem good and I dont need a whole "kit" of hoses, but if the product sucks when/if you get it, a good price means nothing. Good customer service is as important to me as a good product.
Maybe there should be a thread about vendors that people had had problems or very good experiences with. Just a thought. _________________ 89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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internet Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2008 Posts: 40
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: Z & S Imports |
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"Principal : Waqar Ahmed, Owner/Manager"
"BBB Customer Experience
Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record..."
"The Bureau has been UNABLE to confirm this company has a valid local business license..."
For more info see this link:
http://www.vegasbbb.org/rptrel.asp?bbbid=64464
. |
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Grizzly_black Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2006 Posts: 225
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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I have emailed these guys many times asking about their diesel engines and conversion parts. After I didn't receive a response I tried calling them. Left several messages on their voice mail and still no response. If they keep this up we will not need to worry about what kind of products they sell or if they are good honest people to deal with. Maybe we can benefit from the "going out of business" sale.
Grizz |
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internet Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2008 Posts: 40
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internet Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2008 Posts: 40
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