Bosch 15701 Lambda Sensor.

[JohnB]

I want to do the closed loop conversion on my 1990 SE so decided to get all the bits together starting with the Lambda Sensor. I tried to source one in the UK but they're really expensive here if you can locate one. I looked on Amazon in the US and they are available at reasonable cost but won't ship to UK. Does anyone know why? They're also available on Ebay but again won't ship to UK.
Anyone have a sensor I could buy or point me in the direction of where I could get one at a reasonable price.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I want to do the closed loop conversion on my 1990 SE so decided to get all the bits together starting with the Lambda Sensor. I tried to source one in the UK but they're really expensive here if you can locate one. I looked on Amazon in the US and they are available at reasonable cost but won't ship to UK. Does anyone know why? They're also available on Ebay but again won't ship to UK.
Anyone have a sensor I could buy or point me in the direction of where I could get one at a reasonable price.

John:

Shipping from the US is not cheap and not easy to do automatically. There is also the problem of the time it takes for packages to reach their destination. A lot of people won't wait around 3 weeks for affordable shipping to reach their goal. A lot of puchases are "contested" because they don't arrive in a week and the merchant is out the item and the money.

If you want, I will arrange to get one for you, have it arrive at my door and send it on to you. I haven't looked at the current price, but will look to see if I can get a better price from normal distribution. eBay is pretty hard to beat these days, but I would want to know that I was really getting what I ordered. Repro and generic parts are often described by using the "bosch" name and part # only to send you a knock-off that doesn't work exactly as original.

Rock Auto lists the Bosch 15701at $35.79 + $3.00 shipping to me but I can check the local Bosch warehouse to see what my dealer cost is. It might be better.

Let me know if you are interested and can afford to wait around 3 weeks to receive your part.

[JohnB]

That would be great if you would do that for me. I can certainly afford to wait because the car is tucked up in the garage for the winter. Really appreciate your help.
Would you send me a PM as to how we can proceed.
Thanks.

[dapinky]

Not wishing to take anything away from Johns offer to help - but if you are getting it from RockAuto, they ship to the UK anyway!

And to make life really easy, they now have a UK website, with prices listed in quids not bucks.....

www.rockauto.co.uk

They still have the original site at /com, but that is (obviously) in dollars.

The UK site actually lists the elan in the model range as well , but if you need a better range of parts (like an )2 sensor) then it is best to look at the Impulse pages.

It is with great interest that i note they are doing Ferodo front brake pads (for the elan, not the Impulse!) for a bargain!!!!!

[Brit-Car-Nut]

The small USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box is $16.95. That is for up to 4 pounds and should arrive in 6 to 10 business days.

Dave: Rock Auto also listed a set of rear brake rotors for something like $50.00 but they disappeared quickly as they were a wrong part. They are trying to improve the range for the M100 but everyone needs to double check that they got the part right before placing an order. Returns could be a hassle.

[dapinky]

I have to admit that i haven't cross checked the two website catalogues, and only really gave the uk one a quick look this morning (when i noticed the brake pads - which are the right ones for the elan!).......

....i did use it last week to get a thermostat for an alfa-romeo though, and was pleased with the £3.20 postage as it was shipped from the UK.....

....it may make lots of engine parts for the UK even more cost effective than previously

[wayne]

Not wishing to take anything away from Johns offer to help - but if you are getting it from RockAuto, they ship to the UK anyway!

And to make life really easy, they now have a UK website, with prices listed in quids not bucks.....

http://www.rockauto.co.uk

They still have the original site at /com, but that is (obviously) in dollars.

The UK site actually lists the elan in the model range as well , but if you need a better range of parts (like an )2 sensor) then it is best to look at the Impulse pages.

It is with great interest that i note they are doing Ferodo front brake pads (for the elan, not the Impulse!) for a bargain!!!!!

Damn good find Dave.... !! Should come in very usefull. I didn't know that they had a Uk outlet? Any idea how long it's been open?

[dapinky]

I didn't know that they had a Uk outlet? Any idea how long it's been open?

No idea, Wayne - but i don't think it's been that long. I noticed last week when i recomended them to a mate who was after the thermostat and he surprised me by saying it was shipping from UK - when i looked at the site, it was the uk one!

Out of interest, i put in the usual parts that i'd need for a timing belt replacement (belt, tensioners, water pump) - the belt ships from UK, the other bits from USA At least by ordering this way there should be no nasty import duty or customs bills when the bits arrive, as the prices include VAT - worth considering for the future

[cliff]

There are also companies such as Ship It To who will give you a US address to use for ebay etc, and arrange for packages to be forwarded. They charge $8 per transaction & although you have to pay for the onward shipping, they give you a choice of shippers so that you an decide the best (cheapest) way.

I have been using them for a while now and they are pretty good.

[wayne]

Dave. The Uk import duty really is a killer! for any business in the UK! I have been looking at a few ideas recently and the UK import duty is more than the cost of the parts and shipping combined!!! ( I guess I already knew this from the escutcheon thread)!!

I really do not know why people set up buisinesses in the UK !!

There are also companies such as Ship It To who will give you a US address to use for ebay etc, and arrange for packages to be forwarded. They charge $8 per transaction & although you have to pay for the onward shipping, they give you a choice of shippers so that you an decide the best (cheapest) way.

I have been using them for a while now and they are pretty good.

Thanks for the info Cliff. I normally use Aramex but will take a look at the other site.

[JohnB]

Not wishing to take anything away from Johns offer to help - but if you are getting it from RockAuto, they ship to the UK anyway!

And to make life really easy, they now have a UK website, with prices listed in quids not bucks.....

http://www.rockauto.co.uk

Many thanks to all who offered advice, especially to John C for the offer to source the sensor for me. To save him a lot of trouble I decided to order through Rock Auto UK.
The sensor was dispatched from the US and I was amazed that it arrived here in the UK this morning (Friday), considering I only placed the order on Tuesday afternoon. Excellent service!