Experience with Sierra Madre Collection?

[FastCarFan]

I am considering the purchase of some refinished Fuchs wheels from the Sierra Madre Collection in Pasadena, CA. Has anyone had any experience -- positive or negative -- with them?

I have viewed photos of the wheels, but I can't see them all that well. My questions include....

- I want the original black-center Fuchs paint finish (I think it is called Satin), not a finish that is too glossy (as I have often seen on cars). They assure me that it is the same as original. Anyone seen black-centered Fuchs from this company?

- Does anyone know who refinishes their wheels? I will ask them, but I thought someone might know.

- Is Sierra Madre a reputable organization?

Anything else you can tell me would be appreciated. Thanks!

[gsjohnson]

I have bought several items from them in the past. I have always gotten timely shipments and their items have always been as described. All no hassle transactions. With that said, I have not bought any Fuchs from them and I don't know who does their wheels. Their retail store is about 15 minutes from my work. Hope this helps

[Geronimo '74]

I've bought a black hood crest from them. (Sierra Madre Collection :: Hood Crest, Outlaw, 911/912/930)
The one displayed on their Ebay shop looked perfect. The one I received was of very poor qualilty, looked like cast iron with a lot of airbubbles in it.
I won't put it on my car.
That's just a crest, not really a major purchase, a bit of a disappointment, not too much.
Transaction was swift, no complaints about that.

My 2cents..., nothing more

[scottp_aus]

I have ordered several items from them, which they have sent to Australia. They are prompt, courteous, and all their items as described. I obviously haven arranged Fuchs wheels to Aus, but they are a very good company to deal with.
Scott

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

I've bought a black hood crest from them. (Sierra Madre Collection :: Hood Crest, Outlaw, 911/912/930)
The one displayed on their Ebay shop looked perfect. The one I received was of very poor qualilty, looked like cast iron with a lot of airbubbles in it.
I won't put it on my car.
That's just a crest, not really a major purchase, a bit of a disappointment, not too much.
Transaction was swift, no complaints about that.

My 2cents..., nothing more

Also had a similar incident with a smaller item; a hornbutton. The quality was sub par and when confronted they admitted that the item was of poor quality. Not sure if I agree with the decision to knowingly be selling crap, but that is up to them. I would not buy from them again.

Service on the other hand was swift and so was the delivery, no complaints there.

[wildcat077]

I purchased a set of Fuchs replica nine inch wheels last Summer as well as a 930 steering wheel from them and they were very professional !
Good communication and great shipping,those wheels were very well packaged ...

Phil

[FastCarFan]

Thanks everyone. Keep the stories coming!

Anyone buy refinished black Fuchs from them? I really don't want to end up with glossy black -- I want OE black.

Thanks!

[wildcat077]

Doug,

The nine inch Fuchs replicas i purchased from them look exactly like the eight inch 951 offset wheels i have on the front of my car and they are from an 86 Porsche 944 ...

Phil

[dtw]

I bought an artfully-described gas cap from them for $55 on eBay. Compared it to one I had on the shelf from Pelican for like $13. Same production lot & (very recent) production date.

So, they are in the business of outfoxing customers. No problem, that's one way to approach capitalism. Got me once.

Just once.

[FastCarFan]

Originally Posted by wildcat077

The nine inch Fuchs replicas i purchased from them look exactly like the eight inch 951 offset wheels i have on the front of my car and they are from an 86 Porsche 944 ...

Phil,

Thanks, but I am not really concerned with how the replica Fuchs look -- Sierra Madre didn't refinish them. I want to know what their refinished Fuchs wheels look like compared to the orginal finish.

Doug

[CRNT918]

I bought a set of RS rubber mats from them, specifically for an '87 cab. Would have been easier(and cheaper) to buy a piece of rubber mart and cut them myself. Fit was terrible, leather straps to hold them in place weren't even close. Never again.

[911s55]

They used to sell 914 steering wheels on Ebay that they claimed were for an RS, they did not have the correct center hub, not a direct bolt on, just a recovered 914 wheel and they used the same photo for every auction, I called them on it and got nothing but double talk. They appear to be into marketing and not substance, probably won't get any of my $.

David

[NineOhOne]

Looks like a bunch of Chinese repro stuff.

[djdsc]

They like to play with words.

At one time they were selling a repo orange hood badge and calling it "vintage" implying that it was original and old for big $$$. It didn't take long to be found out. I feel dirty when I read their ads.

[wildcat077]

Doug,

I know for a fact that they don't refinish their own wheels because they phoned me at home on a Saturday to tell me there would be a one week delay with my order because they had to send back a batch of wheels that wasn't up to their standards...
The finished product in anodized trim was excellent.

Anyhow,i'm going with 17 inch Fikses this year !
Phil

[911s55]

Originally Posted by djdsc

They like to play with words.

At one time they were selling a repo orange hood badge and calling it "vintage" implying that it was original and old for big $$$. It didn't take long to be found out. I feel dirty when I read their ads.

That's right I forgot about that scam as well.

[JerryL]

Doug, it looks to me your main question is who does their wheels? And you want the stock black whish would be no problem for most. Now i have never done business with them you have read many who have both + & -
So to me the bottom line is THEY DONT DO THE WORK, why not go to someone who does and is proud of their service & reputation??
Try Al Reed in Anaheim, CA, does an AWSOME job at a very reasonable price for refinishing, also has some wheels in stock for resale.
If not in stock for what you want look here for cores and have refinished. MY bet is for similar $$ or less you can get the real thing and not knock offs in great condition.

What size are you looking for?? I have 4 16x6's in black (great shape) I am getting ready to send to Al to refinish old school, polished with black background.
Others can add options on others who do refinishing, so why worry who is doing their stuff, expecially with some of the refrences above.
If intrested drop me an email & I will send you some pics of Al's work.

Regards

[80-911SC]

guys , show a little respect , you are on Wayne sit the name is Pelican Parts, it cost him a crap load of money to keep us entertained here each day , the least you can do i respect rule #1 no competitor promotion , they are a direct retailer not a supplier to him , and personal opinion there stuff is crap so stop buying it.

Wayne thank you for this venue, and i speak on my own behalf on this matter, unless Wayne or the moderator agree and lock this and delete this post.

if they do guys please learn from this experience .
thank you Steve

[Geronimo '74]

After reading this entire thread and understanding that the majoritiy of posters here were not satisfied with their purchase, one should realize we are not giving Sierra Madre the kind of advertisement they would want.
If anything, it is the kind of advertisement they deserve!

This forum is also a means for discussing other companies and vendors (i.e. we all like Al Reed's product/service too)
I honestly do not believe we are chasing Pelican customers away with this thread or luring them to buy elsewhere.
If Pelican would sell a black hood crest, I would certainly have bought it from them, and still will in the future!

[FastCarFan]

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

guys , show a little respect , you are on Wayne sit the name is Pelican Parts, it cost him a crap load of money to keep us entertained here each day , the least you can do i respect rule #1 no competitor promotion , they are a direct retailer not a supplier to him , and personal opinion there stuff is crap so stop buying it.

Wayne thank you for this venue, and i speak on my own behalf on this matter, unless Wayne or the moderator agree and lock this and delete this post.

if they do guys please learn from this experience .
thank you Steve

I am confused by the above posting. I never intended to endorse or promote a competitor to Pelican Parts. I was simply trying to find out if anyone had experience with an organization that I was considering purchasing USED parts from, parts that I do not believe Pelican sells.

My objectives were: 1- determine if it was a reputable organization (before I gave them $1,000+) & 2: determine if the paint on their refinished USED Fuchs wheels would meet my expectations.

That's it. From the comments it is doubtful that I will purchase from them, if for no other reason than I am still not comfortable that the wheels will be acceptable to me. I would rather buy used wheels & have them refinished by someone I know (by reputation) will do an acceptable job (Wheel Enhancement, Wiedman's, Al Reed).

Thanks to all who replied, & I apologize -- especially to Wayne -- if my posting was somehow inappropriate.