Sunday, November 22, 2009

Classic, Nice, Cheap

Hi all. Just want to share of my rceent eBay transaction & how eBay might help us with the old Volvos. The courtesy handles on the 240 had turned yellowish, the nut cap had become brittle and dropped off; it doesn't look nice in short. I was planning to replace only the nut cover but then realized it comes per set with the handle itself.


Went over to my favorite Volvo parts dealer in Kuala Lumpur and asked them if they have any stock of the courtesy handle; none. Yeah, as expected nobody buys them, its either their handles are still in mint condition or its just an old car so why bother on the handle? But they offer to order them if I really want the handles and quoted around RM200 per piece, thats mean total of RM600 to get the three handles replaced. Then I just say, never mind.


Went home and share the story with my dad. He said "pergilah tengok dalam Internet" (why don't you go and have a look on the net). Yeah, surfed eBay and I found the handles! To cut it short, succesfully bought 3 pieces of them with total price of RM150 only including courier charges! The seller who is from USA told me that they are used ones, but when the parcel arrived, they look-like a brand new handle! Perhaps USA climate is too gentle to plastics as compared to Malaysia hot tropical climate.


Changed them, now it look nice. A classic car, with nice handle, and cheap!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi
my volvo 240glt having problem in braking, when the paddle suddenly press right down without braking effect,all pads are okay,what cud be the cause, and how much it will cost,2nd hand of course

tq zhaf,ur passion for volvo is admirable.

Ahmad Zhafri Ahmad Zahir said...

hi,

First of all check the vacuum hose from the brake booster to the engine to see if it leaks.

Secondly, while idling turn off your radio and press the brake pedal; if it gets deeper and you can hear a hissing sound, its a symptom of damaged brake booster; have to change the booster...

Perhaps that helps..I'm not GURUs anyway...ehehe...

Anonymous said...

brake booster,is that the round thing?yes there is a hissing sound.know what,i was going down from tanah rata,when my brake totally fail,but i just drove the car relying only on handbrake and going 2 3 gear only.fortunately, i manage to get down to my house.and not many car around,now the car is in my garage.but now somehow the braking effect is coming back,but i guess not for long.how much is the recond pump booster,is it availlable easily in ipoh or kampar

tq

Ahmad Zhafri Ahmad Zahir said...

hi,

you may survey around Jalan Bendahara, I remember seeing lots of volvo used parts there;

for new booster you may find at Ecco Trading, Jalan Pasir Putih..

p/s-ensure the vacuum line is OK..

Anonymous said...

hi there...

uh, about the handle u purchased recently....it looks brand new..right?..here's a tip....
there is a way of ordering used parts from overseas...choose wisely
if you looking for interior parts,the best is either from cold climate countries,they are of the best conditions,immaculate as i can say because it has never been exposed to the elements such as heat...but, beware when buying body panels, engine parts or other metal items,although they look fine but they tend to rust ..because salt is added on roads in winter..
but if you want to buy body panels,engine parts & other metal parts,tropical countries is the one to go...

buy interior parts in cold climate countries
and buy metal parts from hot climate countries countries

i hope my tips were useful to other classic car enthusiast who wants to make their dream classic come true...