Just here to bitch about ECS Tuning

[goldenbb]

I have done business with ECS and was very pleased. They tend to have parts that other places do not. The only negative I can think of is that you have to know the part # from a site like realoem.com because their website is kind of sketchy on results if you search for "swaybar" or "timing belt" but if you know the part numbers, you will find they have an amazing inventory of parts.

I can understand the frustration of the over-the-counter issue. I live near sportsmansguide.com and their customer counter sucks balls. They hate walk-ins there even though they do sell that way.

[jhaurimn]

Sounds like theres issues with op and not so much ecstuning. Never had an issue with them. In fact, they sent me extra parts (a mistake im sure lol) in one of my orders. :P

I think the most reputable venders are Blunttech, Getbmwparts, and guten parts. They both have very good customer service and never had an issue with a question going unanswered or anything like that. Pelicanparts and ecstuning are both good as well.

[butters]

I knew about ECS like others from my Audi/VW days. I still put them in the group when comparing blunt/pelican prices among others (bimmerworld sometimes, or turner for specialty).

Many negative opinions are probably from cheap v-dubbers who are lured by the inexpensive off-brand stuff. Keep brand in mind accordingly, you get what you order. I don't really call any retailers to consult on a purchase, I do my research and shop with a list of part numbers.

For me the shipping is great because I'm on the east coast. I think their selection is good, prices are on par and the website is quality. I've spent more with them than I care to add up, probably more on BMW than VAG parts at this point.

[lambo]

Only issue I had with ECS was that the extended lugs they sell are too long for their intended application.

[smitche]

Guten parts all day! I love them!!!

[8380 Labs]

without even addressing whether they are good or bad at what they do, it's good to understand what the place you're ordering from "does".

by that i mean, places like ECS tuning are not Guten Parts or even autozone, they are large internet retailers that sell OEM parts and drop ship from a warehouse. they have an absolutely massive inventory of parts, so it's probably best to assume that most of the people answering the phone at places like that have limited knowledge of your specific car/model.

you can go to autozone in person and bring your parts to compare, but the people there probably still don't know much about your car. or you can order from a place like Guten, where you'll receive good customer service and deal with someone who knows your car. ;)

[nando]

why would you order anything from ECS? the prices aren't good and the shipping is horrendous.

--> doesn't get it

[lolcantturn]

I've spent approximately US$ 2.3 million at Blunttech, and I think you should too.

Agreed

[MoreMayhem]

I've spent approximately US$ 2.3 million at Blunttech, and I think you should too.

[TimKninja]

Ive only heard bad things about ECS and will stay away from them for any critical parts except their wheel spacers. .

I've heard a lot of the Audi/VW shit they sell is just factory rejects. I've heard about people ordering control arms for their audis and getting defective parts multiple times .

But their good for things like wheel spacers , or if you own some type of Volkswagen product with a turbo on it , they will sell you every internet Gimmick that you think makes your car faster . Or an ECS clutch kit , which comes with EVERY nut and bolt you touch taking the clutch out of the car. LITERALLY.

I Would never buy a timing belt or anything critical from their.

Stick with PartsGeek, Pelican or Blunttech. Or for anything OEM , PenskeParts .

[efficient]

Bma! Everyone else can screw themselves

[smitche]

I will preface to say these were all VW orders, I've shopped with them since 2002.
Up until a couple years ago, ECS was great... things have slipped considerably though. Everybody bitches about their shipping, bla bla bla. 4 of my 6 previous orders from them have been negative. 2 items were broken, and 1 was wrong... they were corrected after a few frustrating phone calls. The final issue, also my final order from ECS, was unbelievably frustrating. I ordered an item that had just come on the market and was an adaption to the power locking system in the car. Anyway, I installed the item and nothing about it worked properly. Contacted ECS and was suggested to call the manufacturer... in Japan... after a couple more phone calls I was finally able to speak with someone who had actually installed the item on their own car. Anyway, after several tests, it was determined that my system was faulty and I had the choice to have it replaced or a refund I opted for the refund and was told it would be processed once they received my returned item. Ok, fine... I uninstalled the system, packaged it back up and shipped it back priority mail. Waited 5 days, heard nothing, no refund, called ECS to check status. after about 45 minutes on hold I was told it was back in R&D to be tested and my refund would be processed with 72 hours. Waited another week, nothing, called, was told they had not received my return yet. after giving them the tracking number and explaining that I spoke with (so and so #1), i was placed back on hold, for another 45 minutes, and then told that R&D was testing it, but they would not be refunding my money because they believed I installed it incorrectly and it was all my fault that the system was faulty. So I explained that during my troubleshooting with (so and so #2) I had sent pictures of my install to verify it was done correctly, and was told at that point I would receive a refund upon it's return. I was told that a manager would call me back shortly to discuss it. After 3 days and no call, I called again... asked to speak with a manager, spoke with manager, asked about status, he knew nothing about it and after a little research found my returned item on a self in R&D never being touched! Was told they would look at it that day and my refund would be processed immediately. Another 4 days, still no refund, call back, spoke with manager again, refund processed immediately and my money was finally in my account 2 days later. Whole process took 12 weeks from the item not working, to my refund. Was lied to, told it was my fault, lied to some more... yeah, i'll never shop there again.

TL;DR - I also hate ECS

PS: After a few more weeks, stories were popping up all over the web about the product, apparently the issues were wide spread and ECS stopped selling it.

[brian52555]

Never had a problem with ECS, they sent me the wrong part actually, and paid for my return shipping. Very apologetic too.

[will61]

Oh, and those are all BMW orders totaling in the 4 digits if memory serves.

Cool?

[Gregs///M]

I've bought from ECS a few times and never had a problem. Like they said, they are setup for online orders only. Many vendors are. Just because you show up at their warehouse does not mean they are setup as a "storefront." Give them a break.

Shit happens, whether you ordered the wrong part or they shipped the wrong part. I'm sure they will correct it. Plain and simple....with vintage cars...expect all your parts to be special order. There is no "in stock" vendors unless you go with O'reilly's or Pep boys and they sell generic ass shit.

I support ECS and they always get my orders out to me very quickly.