A funny thing happened today...

A few weeks ago a careless driver decided to remodel my front bumper and headlight. The headlight needs replacing so I called Mitsu spare parts and asked for a price on a new headlight. Everything went along normally and I gave the neccessary information. He then asked what knind of Magna I needed it for (apparently the Execs have different headlights). As soon as i replied "Ralliart" he paused and then asked for my VIN, which I gave without protest.

I just want to know why he would ask for my VIN? Is there anyone out there who works in spares and would know the answer? Has anyone else experienced this?

Unless u got a ralliart they arn't supossed to sell u ralliart parts

Right-e-o. I spose that makes sense. Thanks

Parabolic headlights aren't Ralliart specific anyway....

200th post for me. It took a while...

Yeah i had a mistu dealer who wasnt a ralliart dealer, he told me he could get me a full ralliart bodykit. because the VRX front bar doesnt just clip on to the sports , though the ralliart front bar does? I think thats a bit wierd. :nuts:

Yeah i had a mistu dealer who wasnt a ralliart dealer, he told me he could get me a full ralliart bodykit. because the VRX front bar doesnt just clip on to the sports , though the ralliart front bar does? I think thats a bit wierd. :nuts:

His got it back to front. You CAN stick the VRX parts onto your Sports.. If you want a ralliart bar you have to pull off your standard bar (including your fog lights) and replace it with a whole ralliart bar

tru
my vrx bar fit nicely onto my sports !

I bought some TE V6 badges and he asked for my VIN, said there are a couple of different V6 badges for the TE's.

I just want to know why he would ask for my VIN? Is there anyone out there who works in spares and would know the answer? Has anyone else experienced this?
Mitsu parts guy can type your VIN into his system and it'll tell him exactly what
model/colour/spec/age your car is... so he don't give you the wrong parts.
Its part of the crosschecking with right parts numbers too.

I got my VIN on my keytag... :)

The system the dealer use is called Partfinder, it is also used by Toyota and Holden had it as well, but the changed over to Microcatas used by Daewoo (and Ford) at the start of the year.
The 3rd gen Magna listing used to be as follows TE/KE
TF/KF
TH/KH
TJ/KJ
TJ LPG
TJ Ralliart
TL/KL

which seems pretty easy to follow each model has it own section. When the TW/KW range has released for some reason the changed it to TE/KE - TW/KW Sedan
TE/KE - TW/KW Wagon
TJ Ralliart

If you've ever seen a parts list this is murder, all models jammed inoto the one section, but with a VIN it can be entered into the program and filters 90% of the parts that are not for that vehicle.
So expect to be asked for a VIN more often !!
(Hope that all makes sense)

He even suggested things like headers, the slotted rotors and new stiffer bushes being decent upgrades and available for any TE+ car.

I gather that you are refering to after market slotted rotors cos my ralliart certainly didn't come with them.

Thats the same i asked for a TL V-RX wheel they wanted my VIN so i gave him my reg lol and i can just about get anything but RALLIART gear, They said only a limited number of parts for each state(BULLDUST) :nuts: . I own a tj the instument cluster shat it self waited 2 weeks for it to come from japan :belt: but then launceston dealership said that they can get anything i need for that same year car???

When I came to buy some tweeter pods they asked for my VIN :nuts: I didn't give it to them and complained since I told him I had a VRX (which I don't). Anyway I ended up explaining the situation and all was good, no VIN needed.

Nope, Mitsu Ralliart rotors. I'd never seen them on a Ralliart either however he said they were available.

Prolly talking about the ones for the Evo's, when I spoke to both DBA (www.dba.com.au), RDA (www.rdabrakes.com.au) and EBC (www.ebcbrakes.com.au) they all kept mentioning that slotted Evo rotors were a straight swap for the Magna Ralliarts, but they never did say which model Evo they were for though.

Ooh, I found a good place to stick this rant. I'm good at scanning for info...How do I get a job at the local mitsu parts counter? I reckon I could do better than those guys.:P

Rang up today for prices on clear guard indicators and fog lights. Apparently I can't get either from them. Not that I was going to...just wanted to know prices for comparison.:doubt:

Anyway, to get this information I had to supply my VIN number. The guy on the phone told me it was wrong! (namely the TF6D46 part) He reckons a wagon is supposed to have a 5 and a sedan has a 1. He even advised me to ring VICROADS. Not likely mate!:rant:

He then proceeded to say that my car was built in 94/95. Hello!:nuts:

Talk about a thread dig...

Ooh, I found a good place to stick this rant. I'm good at scanning for info...How do I get a job at the local mitsu parts counter? I reckon I could do better than those guys.:P

Rang up today for prices on clear guard indicators and fog lights. Apparently I can't get either from them. Not that I was going to...just wanted to know prices for comparison.:doubt:

Anyway, to get this information I had to supply my VIN number. The guy on the phone told me it was wrong! (namely the TF6D46 part) He reckons a wagon is supposed to have a 5 and a sedan has a 1. He even advised me to ring VICROADS. Not likely mate!:rant:

He then proceeded to say that my car was built in 94/95. Hello!:nuts:

*start hijack* check ebay, I got my clear guard indicators off there for my TH wagon, aftermarket and brand new including postage for $40odd (i think) from a shop in sydney*end hijack*

I've never been asked for a VIN number, but the parts guys always whinge when I go in and take like 5 mins at least to filter through everything to the part that I am looking for.

A funny thing happened today...

A few weeks ago a careless driver decided to remodel my front bumper and headlight. The headlight needs replacing so I called Mitsu spare parts and asked for a price on a new headlight. Everything went along normally and I gave the neccessary information. He then asked what knind of Magna I needed it for (apparently the Execs have different headlights). As soon as i replied "Ralliart" he paused and then asked for my VIN, which I gave without protest.

I just want to know why he would ask for my VIN? Is there anyone out there who works in spares and would know the answer? Has anyone else experienced this?

they ask for the vin on all cars because thats all the computer they stare at understands

thats all

I hafta give the vin for Pookys 2nd gen to get parts. I found out all they need to know was that it had and "X" in it for elite. The brakes and cv's and a few things are different to the others.:)

Always best to supply a VIN or atleast have it on hand when looking for parts....better to have it than not at all.

1st and 2nd Gen Magnas (& I'm told the 380) have a VIN - 6MMTS6D41 for sedan and 5 for wagon.
3rd GEn Magnas have a VIN like 6MMTJ8D42 for sedan and 6 for wagon.
The last number tells what body style it is, differnet on 3rd gens due to the frameless doors.

i dont like going to a mitsu parts, i asked them how much it would cost to get the boot garnish i want, and they said it didnt exist, i walked outside and pointed at the guys car over the road and he said it must be custom, i then proceeded to turn around and point out a car ina parking lot over the road, no need to say he shut up, and looked like an idiot

i only got asked for my rego when i was after a part... they picked up my vin from there..