90 wheel bearing summary

[Dan Simoes <dans@ans.net>]

Well, parts at least.  Install woes to come later :).

The bearing is made by FAG (OEM) and comes alone or in kit form.
It is recommended to get the kit since the circlips and nuts
(or nylocks as Chris Smith calls them) need to be replaced.

Dealer price: $137.25 for bearing, clips, nuts (kit)

Best price for the kit: Stranos, $46.75 (bought it)

Best price for bearing alone: Viking, $33.99 [I guess they don't do
		much mail order.  He asked if I couldn't find it 
		locally]

Most erratic prices: GPR ('what's everyone else charging ya?')

Nicest vendor: Smith's.  He only had the bearing not the kit, but
	       if he had the kit I would have bought it from him.
	       Let's give this guy some business - he even offered
 	       to answer some tech questions.

Most obnoxious vendor: Shokan, who insisted that the 90 only came with
			a 4 cyl in 1988 and at no other time.

For the record, prices from vendors who had the kit:

	PAP: $99
	IPC: $71
	Shokan: $58
	Stranos: $46.75

Everyone sold FAG bearings except Halsey, who sold SKF (Italy).

As an aside - always have your VIN ready when you order parts, and
call the dealer first.  The 90 switched over bearings in 4/88 and
there is a difference in the part (and price - the old one is cheaper).
Arlyn at Stranos said that is often the case with Audi parts.
Chris Smith, the dealer, Stranos and GPR knew to ask for the VIN or
build date.  No one else (Halsey,IPC,PAP,Shokan,Viking) did.

It pays to shop around as you can see.  Some of the vendors have a 
little room to negotiate, such as Stranos and GPR.  They don't give
discounts to any group though.  I am thinking that we could make
some bulk purchases together though, ie, I plan on getting 12 Mann
filters for the next year or so (2-3 cars).  If there are 50 of
us who would do the same, we could swing a big discount I bet.
I'll keep you posted on this.

Now to install it.  The 90 uses two different bearing housings.  I 
*think* mine is the easier of the 2 to install.  If I get the bearing 
by this weekend, I'm giving it a shot.

| Dan |
-- 
Dan Simoes			          dans@ans.net
Advanced Network & Services	         (914) 789-5378
100 Clearbrook Road  			Elmsford, NY 10523