Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Hiya all

I would like to know if anyone has had any experiences with Geoff from Prestige motorsport and the guys from J-Spec. Is it much more convenient and less hassles to have your broker in the state that you live in (ie Melbourne) or doesn’t it matter? What do you guys reckon about these guys service? Which of these guys would you recommend in terms of service, bang for your buck and overall? Thanks guys.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/11067-import-brokers-pms-or-j-spec/
Share on other sites

i dont have any personal experience.. but geoff from prestige motorsport seems to be a very trustworthy guy.. and from the opinions that i have heard.. its a bood place to get a car.. they also have a wide range...

Im in the process of getting a vehicle through PMS. It hasnt landed yet, but I can offer the following info:

1. Like any service, you only appear to get out what you need, but not necessarily much more. PMS is, probably for the better, set up so that all you have to do is tell geoff you want the vehicle, and then pay for it along the way. He is extremely helpful and very patient, and has been more than happy to answer any query that I have had.

2. Sometimes, and I suspect that this is true for all broker services, it may benefit you to know more information than geoff would provide to you, UNLESS YOU ASK! like when the next boat leaves japan, who is storing the vehicle in the mean time, whether the car can be test driven and what the actual cost of compliance is depending on your state etc. My advice is to ask as much as possible, so that you are informed about the whole process. Avoid letting yourself feel like you're wasting time asking trivial questions because at the end of the day, the fees for import brokerage and duties, gst etc. are actually about 60-70% of the overall cost of a twenty thou vehicle.

3. on a personal note, my car was broken into in japan whilst waiting to be shipped. this would have been covered entirely by wharf insurance, provided that repairs are performed in japan. only catch is - -> it NEEEDs to get on the boat before the repairs can be done. subsequently I will end up paying for the fitment of new locks and possibly some minor bodywork once the vehicle has landed.

Geoff has been very good through this process, and I get the feeling that he has extended himself beyond his professionsal relationship with his contact in Japan would typically permit to satisfy me that everything that could be done has been done.

Assuming that my new broom does not have any more badness befall it, i would say that if I had to go through the process again, I would still go through Geoff. At the end of the day, I will have a vehicle on the road for about $5000 less than the 'market' value through a dealer. HOWEVER, I would also add, that you should not aim to spend your budget on the car, but try to spend about $2000 less which you can keep as a contingency.

at the end of the day, the vehicle is cheaper because you assume the risk of bad stuff happening, like some ahole busting your door locks and you having to pay for the repairs, insterad of paying someone else to. So be aware that bad stuff does happen.

I see no reason why it would be better to go through someone in your state, unless it's to keep phone bill costs as low as possible, but I would suggest finding out the cost of compliance plates in your state prior to bidding onn/purchasing a vehicle to avoid any surprises, especially if you want to get something before the SEVS changeover.

I got my car through PMS and i have no hesitation with recommending Geoff. He is extremely helpful, helps out with weighing up the big decisions. I had the opportunity to bid on my car while i was in the pub watching the world cup. I declined because at the time i was an hour away from my email and he needed an answer.

Luckily because the car was so nice, it had a full GTR kit and had leather interior option, his supplier picked it up anyway, and i bought it off him :(

Its a harrowing process, but geoff can help out putting you onto the right people for compliance and so on. Makes it easier.

Red17

Geoff is super!

I've had mindless queries ... nothing to do with BUYING a car form him.

just general import questions and stuff and he's more than helpful.

And i know of people who have got great cars from him... also the prices are fair cheap too

I had no problem's with the importing of my Skyline with the help of Geoff from PMS. He answered all questions, had no hesitation in telling me details and supplied photo's and an honest assesment of the vehicle.

The only damage that occoured was during shipping, and Geoff stated that it *COULD* happen, unfortunatly it did, and the TV in my car was busted up due to the Australian Wharfies...RRRRR.....

Apart from that everything went smoothly, and I'm enjoying my Cheaper (than off the lot) Nissan Skyline.

How often can you say " Yeah I imported that myself...." that should win the chickies over.... he he he....(unless you're a fat ugly bastard like me....)

Cheers

Loz

hmmmm well for starters if i was shipping something with a telly...id be taking it out and sending it in the post....if he knows its gunna happen...why does he let you take the chance???And it seems to happen to every second person....not only that deal with him....to everyone

Good point, next time i do this then ill ask for things like that to be taken out.

Really it doesn't matter too much as it is easy to repair, and it needed to be converted over, so in the grand scheme it's a small price to pay as the conversion will cost the most.

I think it's up to the dealers in Japan, whether they will go to the extent of pulling thing's apart and sending them off. Really (I think) there should be more policing of the Wharf and liability for things damaged/stolen if it happens to cars....where does it stop???.

But you raise a good point .... I cant speak on Geoff's behalf, so i wont.

But next time, I will enquire about things like that.

Loz

It's interesting to read of all these experiences, as my R33 GTSt sedan is now on the boat & will, I hope, be parked at my place within 2-3 weeks.

I'm waiting nervously.

Most people I speak to have never heard of private imports so I'm writing an article on the process and my experiences with it.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's done it & how they've found the whole process, whether it's been good or bad & why.

Please feel free to PM me or email to [email protected]

Cheers - Sven

On the boat and at your place in 2-3 weeks.

Bwahahaha I doubt it. The issuing of the compliance plate will take that long , not to mention the work to comply , engineer sign off , inspection yada , yada , yada.

Cheers

Ken

Well, tell me how long you reckon it'll take.

The boat is due to land in Brisbane on Monday the 3rd.

The compliance plate is there waiting for it & the car's booked in for the work to be done, or at least started, next week.

So please, give me some words from the wise!

Originally posted by Lozza150

Good point, next time i do this then ill ask for things like that to be taken out.

Really it doesn't matter too much as it is easy to repair, and it needed to be converted over, so in the grand scheme it's a small price to pay as the conversion will cost the most.

I think it's up to the dealers in Japan, whether they will go to the extent of pulling thing's apart and sending them off.  Really (I think) there should be more policing of the Wharf and liability for things damaged/stolen if it happens to cars....where does it stop???.

But you raise a good point .... I cant speak on Geoff's behalf, so i wont.

But next time,  I will enquire about things like that.

Loz

well i take them out...i guess i offer sevices that they dont then....

Good Afternoon Kev,

As promised, here's my two cents. Firstly while I spoke closely wit Geoff, I ended up getting my car through Craig from J-Spec. There were basically two reasons why I did this. Regardless of where I went, the service, auctions, cars and prices would have been relatively the same. What tipped my over the edge was that Craig actually lives close to us and I could actually meet him in person.

Sure I can appreciate that the majority of the importers can work online given their reputation, however for that extra peace of mind, it doesn't hurt to meet with the man.

Now as for Craig's service. Let see, I consistently hounded him on a daily basis nominating cars that I wanted to bid on, he also went to the effort in looking at other cars in car yards to possibly find a deal. I actually came close to buying a car from a yard, which would have ended up cheaper, however this one came up first.

Being naive on the importing process, many a times I would ask him dumbass questions, as well as sending him SMS's all throughout the night, he did not seem to mind at all.

Now I'm sure Geoff offers the same quality of work. But I guess, what erred me to Craig was that he was at least he's in the same state as I am. Hope this helps. Thanks,

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Place the new daughterboard in the case and mount it using the 3 small black rivets provided, and reconnect the 3 factory ribbon cables to the new board Then, use the 3 piggyback cables from the daughterboard into the factory board on top (there are stand offs in the case to keep them apart. and remember to reconnect the antenna and rear cover fan wires. 1 screw to hold the motherboard in place. Before closing the case, make a hole in the sticker covering a hole in the case and run the cable for the android unit into the plug there. The video forgot this step, so did I, so will you probably. Then redo the 4 screws on back, 2 each top and bottom, 3 each side and put the 2 brackets back on.....all ready to go and not that tricky really.      
    • Onto the android unit. You need to remove the top screen because there is a daughterboard to put inside the case. Each side vent pops out from clips; start at the bottom and carefully remove upwards (use a trim remover tool to avoid breaking anything). Then the lower screen and controls come out, 4 screws, a couple of clips (including 3 flimsy ones at the top) and 3 plugs on the rear. Then the upper screen, 4 screws and a bunch of plugs and she is out. From there, remove the mounting brackets (2 screws each), 4 screws on the rear, 2 screws top and bottom and 3 screws holding in the small plates on each side. When you remove the back cover (tight fit), watch out for the power cable for the fan, I removed it so I could put the back aside. The mainboard is held in by 1 screw in the middle, 1 aerial at the top and 3 ribbon cables. If you've ever done any laptop stuff the ribbon cables are OK to work with, just pop up the retainer and they slide out. If you are not familiar just grab a 12 year old from an iphone factory, they will know how it works The case should now look like this:
    • Switching the console was tricky. First there were 6 screws to remove, and also the little adapter loom and its screws had to come out. Also don't forget to remove the 2 screws holding the central locking receiver. Then there are 4 clips on either side....these were very tight in this case and needed careful persuading with a long flat screw driver....some force required but not enough to break them...this was probably the fiddliest part of the whole job. In my case I needed both the wiring loom and the central locking receiver module to swap across to the new one. That was it for the console, so "assembly is the reverse of disassembly"
    • But first....while I was there, I also swapped across the centre console box for the other style where the AV inputs don't intrude into the (very limited !) space.  Part# was 96926-4GA0A, 284H3-4GA0B, 284H3-4GA0A. (I've already swapped the top 12v socket for a USB bulkhead in this pic, it fit the hole without modification:) Comparison of the 2: Basically to do the console you need to remove the DS and PS side console trim (they slide up and back, held in by clips only) Then remove the back half of the console top trim with the cupholders, pops up, all clips again but be careful at the front as it is pretty flimsy. Then slide the shifter boot down, remove the spring clip, loose it forever somewhere in the car the pull the shift knob off. Remove the tiny plastic piece on DS near "P" and use something thin and long (most screwdrivers won't fit) to push down the interlock and put the shifter down in D for space. There is one screw at the front, then the shifter surround and ashtray lift up. There are 3 or 4 plugs underneath and it is off. Next is the rear cover of the centre console; you need to open the console lid, pop off the trim covering the lid hinge and undo the 2rd screw from the driver's side (the rest all need to come out later so you can do them all now and remove the lid) Then the rear cover unclips (6 clips), start at the top with a trim tool pulling backwards. Once it is off there are 2 screws facing rearwards to remove (need a short phillips for these) and you are done with the rear of the console. There are 4 plugs at the A/V box to unclip Then there are 2 screws at the front of the console, and 2 clips (pull up and back) and the console will come out.
    • So, a bit of a side trip, but one that might be interesting for people with JDM cars and japanese head units. I know @Pac previously posted about a carplay/android auto adapter he installed which used the AUX input, and @V35_Paul put in one of the Tesla style units that replace both screens. The option I went with was a Lsait LLT-YF-VER5.87_2 (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Lsailt-8GB-Android-Multimedia-Interface-for_1601187633672.html). Price was $1,150 for a single unit although they are much cheaper if you are willing to buy 2....$857ea. Make you you get the version 2 not version 1, it is faster and has a better UI - this is the manufacturer listing: http://www.lsailt.com/product/348.html. BTW if you've never bought from Alibaba before, don't be concerned....these guys can't stay in business unless they are responsive, ship fast etc, they were excellent (probably faster shipping than most local places) So, this was my task for a lazy Sat afternoon....looks complex but was all done in a few hours (it probably helps that I had some of it apart before so it was a bit familiar). I also decided to add a HD USB drive recorded at the same time and the unit also supports an aftermarket reverse cam (if you don't want to retain factory) and also AV in and HDMI out It looks much worse than it is, in fact in was genuinely all plug and play (no custom wiring at all). This video was pretty good (skipped a few steps), unfortunately they are an Aussie seller but no longer sell this unit (I guess Carplay/AA adapters are easier to install and much cheaper) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5hJfYOB8Dg
×
×
  • Create New...