deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Has anyone actually ever been to the showroom, what did you think?
I went on Saturday with dad for bit of a road trip before he got rid of his car.
I have to say, it's the most surreal place ever. You come off a fairly main road which basically ends in Hunstanton, into a small village, down some back road, to a relatively small garage. At first glance, it's just a small, prestige garage in an overpriced little village. But no, it's the UK home/distributor of AC Schnitzer and Steinmetz (which incidentally are sister companies).
Interesting things I learnt:
- They brought ACS to the UK in 1989 - it then left Rossiters for about a decade to BMW. Then Rossiters won back sole dealership a few years ago
- When wanting to turn your BMW (and the same would applied for Vaux I'd imagine) into an ACS car, you buy an SE model. There is no point buying an M Sport (except for interior) as most parts are removed
- ACS suspension set-up (I believe them to use Bilstein shocks) is 100% better than BMW M Sport. Firm yet comfortable
- The 200bhp remap available for the 120d is AMAZING
- ACS and Steiny stuff is REALLY expensive, but somehow worth it
- Rossiters had some guy drive all the way from Monaco to order his new ACS BMW
- The main man, Chris Rossiter has an excellent sales pitch "Do I know you? Have I dealt with you before? You look familiar"
Anyway, I'd recommend a visit to anyone - they are obviously very credible to be sole importers of these brands, ACS more so than Steinmetz.
Oh, and they still supply to the BMW dealer network, so if you're buying new, you don't have to trek all the way to Norfolk.
I liked Steiny stuff so much, I bought the leather gear knob, at a value of £51 
[Edited on 16-04-2008 by deano87]
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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my steiny grille was a crap fit and bits snapped off it regularly 
intresting info on AC schnitzer
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SAL
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Registered: 19th Dec 05
Location: Radlett, Hertfordshire
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£51  what some people spend eh
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Oh,another thing.
I asked "so when these BMW's have ACS parts put on, they are technically modified. What insurance company do you recommend?" They said "Adrian Flux. In fact, we have a direct number for them for our customers. They know ACS and Steiny stuff very well, so know what you're talking about".
May be worth considering 
Steiny springs for Corsa B are £147 alone
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
my steiny grille was a crap fit and bits snapped off it regularly
intresting info on AC schnitzer
They'd have been more than happy to replace it I'd imagine.
quote:
Originally posted by Stavs
£51 what some people spend eh
It's the best looking gear knob ever though. And the hassle I've had trying to source a complete gear stick shows it won't be staying in the car
[Edited on 16-04-2008 by deano87]
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richc
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Registered: 24th Mar 07
Location: Ilkeston
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quote:
Originally posted by Stavs
£51 what some people spend eh
 The gearknob is something i wud never replace on my car for nice one. Waste of money....especilly 51 quid! I would rather put fuel in the car tbh
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Phi
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Registered: 8th Jan 07
Location: South
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did you not think to pick up a grille for me... meh
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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I could have done. Should have mentioned it really
I don't mind going again, it's quite a nice drive.
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Phi
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Registered: 8th Jan 07
Location: South
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havnt decided what grille i want tbh...
wanted somthing diferent than everyone else, but a custom design would be hassle and lots of monies
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mattfiesta
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Registered: 14th Jul 05
Location: Nottinghamshire
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cool trip but id have an Alpina bmw over an acs any day.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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Steiny for Corsa C is nice BUT, just like Irmy badges, you can get Steiny ones from SteinmetzDirect.com, if you can source a cheaper debadged Corsa C grill. No idea if they make them though.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by mattfiesta
cool trip but id have an Alpina bmw over an acs any day.
Hmmm, it's a toughy. Alpina have a habit of ruining cars though, like they did with the Z8.
Alpina is classy, ACS is more 'out-there'.
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Phi
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Registered: 8th Jan 07
Location: South
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i dont want cheap... and no you can get cheaper than irmy or steiny ones anyway....
i just think every one has the same grille..and ive not seen anything unique
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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Alpina do not ruin cars Deano
B3 E36 was condsidered a far more desireable than an m3, and i know someone who owned both and the Alpina was far nicer. Their styling is alot more toned down and less "whacky"which IMO is what is needed on a german car, Schitzer is too in your face for a prestige manafacturer.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
Alpina do not ruin cars Deano
B3 E36 was condsidered a far more desireable than an m3, and i know someone who owned both and the Alpina was far nicer. Their styling is alot more toned down and less "whacky"which IMO is what is needed on a german car, Schitzer is too in your face for a prestige manafacturer.
Apparently they did with the Z8. Shoved in a 5 speed box and dodgey suspension.
I agree, I'd love an Alpina, but the Schnitzer stuff is very impressive (other than the mirrors).
They had an E36 ACS3 (I think that is what it was). Anyway, the 4 door saloon with 3.2 M3 engine in. Was mint as well.
Both the E90 330Ci and 120d they had we stone chipped to fuck on the front. Both needed a whole front end respray.
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Dave-Creations
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Registered: 28th Dec 06
Location: IRELAND
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so Deano87, where is a picture of said gearknob?? id like to see whats so special about it to cost you so much! 
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Some will say "Richbrook do one exactly like that". I've seen the Richbrook one, and that doesn't compare. It's ALL metal (bar decal), with real leather.
[Edited on 16-04-2008 by deano87]
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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you're a nutter i paid £35 for my gearknob and i thought i was crazy
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Hence why I can take it out, transfer and so on. Just need to get another Vaux for my next car
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MJ
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Registered: 18th Sep 03
Location: Hampshire Drives: ITR DC2 + Skoda Felicia
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Hmmmm might have to see what they have for my dads E39 ACS bmw, also liverpool victoria have classed the ACS on his bmw as a bodykit
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