OK folks, here's the straight dope:
The sensors are easy to get here in Germany. I've found them at two different parts store chains, both had them for the exact same price. I ordered a pair on Thursday for Lyndon, and I should have them early next week. I've been working with lil goat and lyndon for a few weeks on this. It has only taken so long because of the holidays.
Originally, I told goat to keep this deal off the public boards (even though there are already two threads full of my posts detailing what I'm concerned about). For one, I want to be sure everything works out and I'm getting the right parts before I offer to do a "group buy." I'm not trying to hide this from GM, or anybody else for that matter. I'm not afraid of GM, and I doubt that German parts stores are, either. As far as I know, I'm not doing anything illegal or unethical. GM has bigger problems than this, and wouldn't care one way or another if I'm getting these sensors for people. If they do care, I welcome them to try and convince me that I shouldn't be doing what I'm about to do:
Since I seem to be in a unique position to get these sensors right now, I'll arrange a one-time "group buy" if anyone wants me to. I'm not looking to make any profit on this - that's not my motive. However, I'm also not willing to use my VAT discount priveledges illegally to save you guys the 19% sales tax (if I were buying them for my own personal use, I wouldn't have to pay German tax). Sorry. I will, however, ask if I can get a discount for ordering X# of sensors at once.
Now, here's reasons NOT to take me up on my offer...
1) I have little doubt that these sensors will be available from other sources in the US by the time I move back in May... probably at your dealership parts counter, and probably cheaper than I can get them here.
2) If you buy the GM Stage II kit, and have the dealership flash your PCM with their tune, you aren't throwing your warranty away - until you do other mods to trash your warranty, that is...
3) These are JUST the sensors. You'll still have to find a source for the new connectors, terminals, o-rings, etc. Add all of that to the cost, and you're quickly approaching CED's $550 mark.
soapbox time#2 is the biggest reason I don't plan to go this route myself. I'll buy the Stage II kit and keep the warranty until I'm sure my car can handle the mods I want to do. When I'm ready to start serious mods, I'll buy Lyndon's tune and pay for anything that breaks as a result of my modding. I'm a firm believer in the Magnuson/Moss warranty act. Therefore I won't try to hide my mods from my dealership by putting the car "back to stock" every time I go in for a recall or warranty work (the only two reasons I'll let a "certified mechanic" touch my car). If they try to wholesale deny my warranty based on a mod that's unrelated to my claim, I have Magnuson/Moss to back me up.
It drives me nuts when I see people mod their cars like crazy, break something as a direct result, then expect their warranty to cover the repairs. It's the same as crashing your car at the drag strip, then filing a claim with your insurance company stating that you crashed it on a public road.
I guess what I'm saying here is that I assume anyone who wants me to get sensors for them and intends to get a Westers tune is mature enough to take full responsibility for their actions. By no means am I implying that Lyndon's tunes will damage your car. I have no doubt that his tunes are safe. But you'll be adding even more HP and torque than the stage II kit, which is already a significant bump from stock. If/when you cook your clutch, for example, expect some pushback from the warranty department on fixing it if you don't have a GM tune. Flashing the GM tune back into your PCM before you take it to the dealer is NOT the answer!
/end soapbox time ... apologies for the misplaced rant
P.S. Joe, good luck with the laptop situation. Wish I could help out somehow.
