[s-cars] BIRA vs. ECS

[Greg Johnson]

Joe Pizzimenti wrote:

>I think BIRA's more suited towards someone who wants to save a few
>dollars by calling 10 different people for parts (Most of which is
>lost in shipping charges) instead of getting the whole shebang from
>ECS on your doorstep in 2 days and one phone call.
>
There's no doubt BIRA was created for computer centric, DYI'ers who wish to save money.  It's equally clear that we're a club/association, and not a business. If you want BIRA and one stop shopping, you can contact Autobraun and order a BIRA kit.  AB is now doing what QRS used to do.  Having said that, your numbers are inflated.  For Sys3 I contacted four folks: BIRA for the brackets; Porsche dealer for the bolts and calipers, Audi dealer for the rotors, and I had my brake lines made locally.  Sys 6 would only be three folks because the rotors also come from the Porsche dealer.  I'd suggest that in most instances, shipping is a wash.

>If it requires less space, why can't it fit under 16" wheels?
>
Assuming we're talking S-Cars, Sys 3 easily fits under the majority of 
16in wheels.  Sys6 will fit under the stock five spoke Audi 16in wheel.

>Either way, 993 or 996, you'll be happy, I'm just not patient enough
>to wait for 6 people to send me parts.  I'd rather have everything in
>one box and the customer support to go with it in case there is ever a
>problem.  Not to mention, everyone makes pads for the 993TT  (Pagid
>Orange, yummy.) caliper.
>
Either upgrade is surely better than the G60s.  As to your personal 
preferences, different strokes for different folks.  BIRA has great 
support because there are close to 400 BIRA members and the majority of 
them are a great resources and we all help each other out.  We haven't 
had that many problems and I'm not aware of one that's not been quickly 
resolved.   Unlike the other providers, all we do is brakes, and that's 
all we need to know about.

Greg J
BIRA.ORG