Jump to content
SAU Community

Carmate.com - What Are They Like

Keeper

By Keeper,
in General Automotive Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

Keeper Experienced

Keeper

Posted
Posted

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a kit similar to the JUN one for my S2 R33 coupe,

has anyone here ordered a bodykit off carmate.com before? and if so what was your experience?

they seam to have the best prices, but saying that I need it posted to NZ so it might not work out so hot after all

thanks

dave

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/92468-carmatecom-what-are-they-like/
Share on other sites
Eug Grand Master

Eug

Posted
Posted

cant help you with the kit...

but i got a stealth wing off them through a friend.

it was pretty good - but like all copies it required abit of sanding back and filling and prepping before i could get it painted.

that said i wouldn't get a kit from them (or anywhere else) for that matter without being able to have a look at the actual kit in person - unless it was a genuine item

UWISSH! Grand Master

UWISSH!

Posted
Posted

they arent too bad as i got a kit off them wen i had my pulsar. but if i had the chance to do it again i wouldnt buy from them as their customer service was not great and the kit did not fit 100% required a fair bit of work 2 get it 2 fit and still did not sit absolutely flush.

Trust33 Grand Master

Trust33

Posted
Posted (edited)

my fiberglass bonnet from carmate was pretty exceptional quality when i got it.It was primed and preped very well the painter said.All that was needed was the shop to give it a light prepping.

Other than that you should give them a call and discuss what you want.They are an establlished business.I remember years ago that they were located on the hume hwy at lansvale.But they have since moved shop to woodville road,Villawood.

So imo,they are a good shop to do business with.

Edited by Trust33
Gonebust Apprentice

Gonebust

Posted
Posted

My cousin bought a kit for his rolla from them.

He paid in full in november and didnt recieve it until late january. It was funny coz when the kit was finally put on, we were standing and waiting and there was this other guy they complaing about how he has been waiting for over a month for his subaru kit.

Customer service was shocking and after such a long wait it was disapointing that the kit didnt even fit properly.

Me and a mate went there jus to hae a look for kits and when we asked if its gonna fit straight on the guy replies "no, we have to 'hack' into your standard rear bar and put it over the top". mmmm....sound's like your really gonna look after my car!

el_bichito Contributor

el_bichito

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yeah mate i bought my JUN bar from them like you are going to like 1 year ago. the same one you are considering buyng. the pictures on the page look great but the bar is crap. My panel guy could not beleive it he said it was junk straight away. it is the crapest thing in the world. and on top of that it came broken on each corner of the bar already. it is like thinnest thing in the world. And the thing is my panel beater signed for it even though it was broken cause thats what you do plus he had been good to me in the past so i didnt say anything about it and just bent over and took it from carmate and also my panel beater.

I called carmate and they said they could not do anything. they are dodgy. The thing is the breaks looked like they had happened when it was made. not in transportation. I paid a bit for the bar as well. The bar is all broken now. Anything that it touches breaks it. and it broke again in the places were it came broken. and the primer and that that it came in was like the crappest. so thin and was not in most areas of the bar. This had to be done again and it got charged for it. the bar is so thin that it wobbles in the air when driving and my steering now shakes as a result.

It wasnt my panel beaters fault the spoiler came wrapped up and that. so he just signed. you are supposed to inspect the bar first or something before signing. The bar came with a sticker but my panel beater did not see it. the sticker said something like check for faults before signing. But that is so dodgy the bar comes all wrapped up and nobody really keeps the drivers waiting and that. People just sign.

So yeah a friend of mine is copying my front bar the JUN one for R33. The thing is he makes them and he makes them really thick and chuncky and of good quality. Not like the cheap knockoff made in asia and sold by carmate. so if you want one maybe you can get one he is in melbourne. and is well priced. and makes them properly. I regret buying it from them i wish i had known Ron before cause he would have made it properly. I have had people tell me my bar wobbles when i was at the stop lights. And im like yeah i know, thanks. Or people point at my bar while im driving, like indicating that something is wrong.

http://www.ronscarbodykits.com.au

Edited by el_bichito
autorenegade Apprentice

autorenegade

Posted
Posted

do your research before buying something off carmate because their prices are usually high. I got a quote for carbon stove burner tail lights for a 92 prelude off them for $490 but when i looked on eBay i found the same thing for $160 aussie dollars delivered.. so im not sure <_<

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
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • 89GTR_VA
      Crank/No Start - R32 GTR Chassis with R34 RB26

      By 89GTR_VA · Posted

      Apologies for the long post, but needed somewhere to lay out the entire timeline of events and actions taken:   I've got an 89 GTR with a R34 RB in it. It's been running great all year, driven probably 500KM in the last month. It's not my daily driver, just a weekend fun car.    Build info: R34 RB26 - HKS 2.7 stroker kit, HKS adjustable cam gears, HKS turbo upgrades, Trust intercooler, R34 factory DENSO 440cc injectors, JUN chipped/tuned R32 ECU. All of this work was performed in Japan back in 2019.    Thursday 10/2/25 - It's a nice day and decided I'll drive it to work, I start it up in the garage and I notice it took a few extra cranks and sounded a bit funny. I figure maybe it was just because it was a pretty chilly morning. I pull it out into the driveway to warm up a bit before leaving. As I leave the driveway, it feels very off and sounds like a misfire. I pull it back in the garage to deal with after work and take the daily to work. I was able to diagnose it as a cylinder 5 misfire with the old spark plug test (unplugging each plug until a sound change with the engine running). I take off the whole ignition system, ignitor, plugs, spark. *Important note, it is still on the R32 ignition system with the separate ignitor system. I test each system with a multi-meter and nothing presents as a smoking gun. I put it all back together and it starts up no issue. I go ahead and order the PRP R35 ignition conversion kit. It should arrive today (10/13/25)   Friday 10/3/25 - Another nice day, car starts up great and drives great all day. Very pleased that everything seems to be OK   Sunday 10/5/25 - Decided I'll take it to play some golf, load up and drive to the course about 25 minutes away. Drives wonderful the whole way there, I pull in the parking lot and the engine completely comes to a stop. I do not recall if it sputtered at all, but just remember all of the sudden the engine was off. I roll it into a parking spot, try to crank it back on and nothing.  It'll crank and crank and not even try to start. End up getting it towed back to my house and push it up into the garage.    Items I have checked: Fuel in the tank Fuel Pump relay Fuel pump fuse  Spark Plugs & gap Coil packs Ignitor    I know the cylinders are getting fuel as the plugs smell like fuel after a start attempt. I tried spraying starter fluid into the manifold and cranking and not even a sputter.    I decided to do the live CAS test (removing the the CAS, ignition on and spinning the CAS stalk to see if the injectors pulse and spark is active). All of the injectors were pulsing and I have spark at the plug. The half-moon end of the CAS did seem very loose, I'm not sure how much play is supposed to be there, but it was more than I expected. There was no in/out play of the shaft, just the tip end that is pinned on had quite a bit of play.    CAS Play video   When I put the CAS back in, I stupidly did not re-time the engine. I know I need to do that tonight, however, I do not think it will start given it seemingly was not the issue. My plan is to do the PRP R35 coil kit and retime the engine at the same time.    I plan on ordering the Haltech Nexus Plug-in ECU once they are available again, but ideally would like to get this sorted before firing the parts cannon at it and potentially adding more variables.    Anything glaring that I am missing here, I'm a bit at a loss?          
    • GTSBoy
      98 R34GTT 4k engine stumble

      By GTSBoy · Posted

      Get it on a dyno. Get something logging Consult. Run it up and find out what is causing it.
    • BuiltNotBought
      Freddy Plenum vs Genuine options RB25

      By BuiltNotBought · Posted

      Looking for a plenum for rb25 de+t neo  Not looking to push much power maybe 300kw at the wheels, is there much difference in flow for Freddy “Greddy style” compared to original Greddy or options like Proflow or Otaku garage?    I won’t be porting the de Neo head for now as I think it’ll be fine 280-300rwkw but appreciate the help and any experiences anyone has between them and any advice. Thanks  Looking at this plenum for now below 
    • JC71
      98 R34GTT 4k engine stumble

      By JC71 · Posted

      engine wise almost no mods: stock ecu Greddy front mount intercooler Greddy forward facing intake w R33 TB stock fuel system, stock injectors, rail etc. Kakimoto racing hyper 3 inch exhaust system Apexi intake filter New NGK –R BCPRES (.8 gap) plugs  
    • PranK
      The New Official S A U - N S W Spotted Thread

      By PranK · Posted

      Nice one @Pac - looks like a fair few 1600's there! 
×
×
  • Create New...