Online Mopar parts source these days? (Q&A)

I believe that Koller Dodge was either bought out or has gone bankrupt. Not sure what happened, if either, but alot of the Neon Owners that I deal with on a daily basis were concerned about current status of orders they had placed with them. It's too bad, Koller was a good place to get parts from.

I hope not: months ago, they special-ordered the Euro-type side-marker lights for our 300M (and already charged the CC, since it was a special order), and I was thinking it was about time I called to see what was going on.

-=- Alan

On 09/25/03 05:38 am snipped-for-privacy@neons.o.r.g put fingers to keyboard and launched the following message into cyberspace:

I just ordered from them two weeks ago. No Problems.

They come with "o" ring already installed on sensor.

Lou

Also Mechanicsville Dodge

Bill Putney (to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")

Good call Bill, I use them as well. Have had good pricing as well as service.

Lou

Koller Dodge doing well. Wife drives past it every day.

snipped-for-privacy@ne> >

But when I click on "Parts" on their Web site, I get a message about them no longer being associated with Worldparts -- or something like that.

-=- Alan

On 09/30/03 09:37 pm Mike Behnke put fingers to keyboard and launched the following message into cyberspace:

So I wonder what happened about the parts they were special-ordering for me a few months back and for which my card was already charged? Time to call the CC company, I think.

-=- Alan

On 10/02/03 12:38 am Bill Putney put fingers to keyboard and launched the following message into cyberspace:

I called Koller today to get some parts prices - the guy I spoke to said that they are going (or are already?) out of business. New name in the facility will be (is?) Napierville Dodge. He also said that they (Napierville Dodge) will not be doing internet/mail order sales - strictly local business.

Bill Putney (to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")

Interestingly, I live about a mile from Koller Dodge in Naperville, IL. I was not aware they were going out of business or changing ownership. I do know that I stopped using them for parts or service about 7-8 years back after having a negative service experience, even though they were a 5 Star dealer. (I have been using Bill Kay Chrysler now for parts and occasionally for service which is located about 1/4 mile down the road from Koller and with whom I had been happy).

I am not happy with the high replacement part prices from Chrysler. A couple weeks back I purchased a tensioner ($170), idler ($140), and power steering pump pulley ($65) as well as some other stuff that I also though was overpriced by 5-10 times what it should have been. I'd appreciate recommendations for on-line Chrysler dealers that offer discounts to consumers who still service their own vehicles

BTW, It's kind of funny that I learned about this first from the newsgroup...

Bob

The tensioner and idler were almost certainly available at lower cost from a reputable aftermarket source.

DS

And they were.

I doubt if the "current economy" had anything to do with it. Somethin' smells funny when a business as well established and popular as Koller Dodge "goes out of business" and instantly reappears under a new name. I suspect management malfeasance or incompetence, or maybe tax "issues".

DS

I know, but based my decision to stick with Mopar based on past comments of problems with after market tensioners in this very newsgroup. The truth of the matter is that the old ones were working fine, but as long as I had the

Bob

snip:

">I know, but based my decision to stick with Mopar based on past comments of

Do ya think that's why they cost more Bob?

Check dealer prices on those parts for a Toyota, Honda or Nissan, then get back to us about high cost of parts!

Dan

I may have to stand corrected on the price of the Japanese Big 3 parts. (maybe not) but a quick check of online prices does not bear out my thoughts. I do know that parts prices (at the stealers) for my two Tercels ('82, '91) were way more than my Escort GT ('87) or my Taurus wagon ('99) for similar items.

Dan

$21.95 for the 3.3l serp belt tensioner from Napa. Looks exactly the same as the factory one to me.

As for quality of aftermarket parts it varies. Some parts do indeed suck. Some are the exact same as OEM because that particular company makes the OEM part as well. Some are better.

If the Chrysler OEM part (serp belt tensioner) is so good, why do they fail all the time?

The tensioner on my GM has 310,000 miles on it and is still running fine.

My Caravan has 40,000 miles on it and the tensioner is squealing already.

psycho

Price some Mazda parts and see what you come up with. I priced a generic-looking motor mount for one I had a coupla years ago. They wanted over $200. I replaced all four mounts in my Cadillac for well under that. Ignition switch for the Mazda: also over $200 just for the part (and that was an '87 model).

Bill Putney (to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")