I'm in the market to make the interior nice now. So I have been looking at Alcantara shift boot and ebrake boots on leatherz.com. I know alot of different companies make them so would anyone be down for a GB? :buttrock Leatherz.com boot bundle goes for $155. Maybe we can get a better price from him or someone else.
-Mike

Since no one is interested, does anyone know where I can get a boot bundle cheaper than $155?

I purchased Leatherz.com boot bundle about a month ago. Went w/ Black Alcantara and Tri-Colored M Stitching. I highly recommend them. They look bad a**. I'll have to snap some shots and post for you when I get an opportunity.

Good Luck w/ your GB

Thanks man. If this GB doesn't pull though, which it looks like, I will most likely be purchasing a kit from leatherz.com. But probably with grey stitching. Thanks for the help...pics would be great!!

The ultrasuede shift boot from UUC was just on sale for $75 shipped. Maybe they will give you a similar price. Installed mine a couple days ago, looks great and is of high quality.

Yeah but I would like the shift boot and ebrake boot. UUC doesn't make the ebrake boot. Do you have any pics NakNak?

Yeah but I would like the shift boot and ebrake boot. UUC doesn't make the ebrake boot.

Actually, they're in production right now. Will be available very soon.

Will UUC have them available with tricolor stitching to match my M steering wheel?

Werd on the UUC package!

Will UUC have them available with tricolor stitching to match my M steering wheel?

Absolutely. I posted pics of the prototypes in an earlier thread, but the pre-production units are even better. The tri-color thread that AlkenDesign is using is fantastic heavyweight stuff, a great match for the steering wheel stitching.

- Rob

Rob, do you have an estimated date available?

Then count me in for a set of black with tricolor whenever they are available

mike i'd be in for the UUC one's once the ebrake boot comes out.

Count me in

Rob, would you be interested in an opening group buy package when the ebrake boot comes out. Including shift boot and ebrake boot.
1) WCM3
2) liilpa09
3) sandspeed
4) 95beema
5)

Rob, would you be interested in an opening group buy package when the ebrake boot comes out. Including shift boot and ebrake boot.
1) WCM3
2) liilpa09
3) sandspeed
4) 95beema
5)
5

1) WCM3
2) liilpa09
3) sandspeed
4) 95beema
5) slytherin
6) fisherbln

1) WCM3
2) liilpa09
3) sandspeed
4) 95beema
5) slytherin
6) fisherbln
7) NakNak (already bought the shift boot from UUC only need the E-brake boot)

What do you say Rob? Group Buy when the ebrake boots are available?

Wow... I just saw a sample of the final product using the M-color threads.

Alkendesign sourced thread that is much better even than the fantastic pre-production pieces. Nice and thick like the OE thread on the steering wheel, and UV-resistant so it won't fade. I've got dibs on the first complete set for my car.

- Rob

Umm so does that mean yes?

Wow... I just saw a sample of the final product using the M-color threads.

Alkendesign sourced thread that is much better even than the fantastic pre-production pieces. Nice and thick like the OE thread on the steering wheel, and UV-resistant so it won't fade. I've got dibs on the first complete set for my car.

- Rob
:bawling Rob is hogging

Yeah, umm what about the group buy? Haha...bragger..jk

Yeah, umm what about the group buy? Haha...bragger..jk

Oh, sure... you can all buy as a group. Whose credit card are we using? :D

- Rob

Pics please

Oh, sure... you can all buy as a group. Whose credit card are we using? :D

- Rob

I'm guessing thats a no. Oh well...leatherz is the way i'm going i guess for $155.

I'm guessing thats a no. Oh well...leatherz is the way i'm going i guess for $155.


You won't be disappointed...i love my leatherz boots and IMO the placement of the stiching is far more OEM looking that UUC's.... i saw pics in another thread comparing them

You won't be disappointed...i love my leatherz boots and IMO the placement of the stiching is far more OEM looking that UUC's.... i saw pics in another thread comparing them

What on earth are you talking about? You haven't seen UUC's other than prototype pics... which I just posted pale in comparison to the final design.

Funny how other companies are suddenly scrambling to match what AlkenDesign is doing for UUC.

As for price - there won't be any gimmicks about a price jump because you want a frame or anything like we've been hearing about from other companies. We'll have one excellent price on the boots, already with the genuine BMW frame built in.

"Group buy" pricing - you guys are smarter than that. If we're making 500 units, we offer a great price. Doesn't matter if all the birds fly off the wire at once, or one at a time when each is ready. It's not nice to trick the birds with pricing nonsense! :D

UUC never disappoints. Better than what you expect, as always.

- Rob

What on earth are you talking about? You haven't seen UUC's other than prototype pics... which I just posted pale in comparison to the final design.

Funny how other companies are suddenly scrambling to match what AlkenDesign is doing for UUC.

As for price - there won't be any gimmicks about a price jump because you want a frame or anything like we've been hearing about from other companies. We'll have one excellent price on the boots, already with the genuine BMW frame built in.

"Group buy" pricing - you guys are smarter than that. If we're making 500 units, we offer a great price. Doesn't matter if all the birds fly off the wire at once, or one at a time when each is ready. It's not nice to trick the birds with pricing nonsense! :D

UUC never disappoints. Better than what you expect, as always.

- Rob
Ya, but it makes us feel nice when a bunch of us get together and pool money for a better price, this IS after all America ;)

Hey guys I got in contact with Andy from leatherz.com about a group buy price. I will call him tomorrow and discuss pricing, but he said he could give us a deal on alcantara with colored stitching, but no M thread stitching deals. He was also saying that it would be easier if he could do all the same thread.. How many people would be down for black alcantara with gray stitching :)

What on earth are you talking about? You haven't seen UUC's other than prototype pics... which I just posted pale in comparison to the final design.



Ok buddy... UUC = god :rolleyes .. lmao... Leatherz isn't on here whoring sales, they have a quality product w/o even needing to say so... and it looks VERY oem, thats what i was telling the guy....

Ya, but it makes us feel nice when a bunch of us get together and pool money for a better price, this IS after all America ;)

I try to make this point quite often... "group buy" pricing is often the "real" price anyway, and nobody is paying the "regular" price.

At UUC, the parts are priced right in the first place and we don't play games with the numbers. This completely removes the "price insecurity" that many people feel about possibly paying "too much" compared to someone else.

Another way of looking at it... if it's possible to sell 100 all at once at a specific price (but each order is still processed seperately, billed seperately, etc., no "bulk" savings to the vendor), then the vendor is certainly happy selling 100 over the course of a week or a month. Same work. There's no "group" except in the sales pitch.

The price games trick people into buying things based on price. You're BMW owners - you buy based on quality. Let the Kia boys shop for the cheap stuff.

The truth of this idea annoyed the hell out of me back when I was an enthusiast buying my parts just like you guys, and annoys me even more now that I know what really happens in the industry.

- Rob

Ok buddy... UUC = god :rolleyes .. lmao... Leatherz isn't on here whoring sales, they have a quality product w/o even needing to say so... and it looks VERY oem, thats what i was telling the guy....

That got snippy real fast, didn't it? :lol

Nobody ever said LeatherZ didn't make a nice product, they definitely do. Bravo.

YOU said that their stitching is better when you have absolutely nothing to compare it to. The only one in this discussion who has seen AlkenDesign's stitching on the Motorsport boots is ME, and I have not posted pics yet.

As for OEM, actually no... their new website pics show an interesting duplication of AlkenDesign's original 4-panel boot. We're watching to see who duplicates the awesome and still unique e-brake boot design.

Please keep it accurate.

- Rob

Hey guys I got a group buy going. I have the information just PM me, or email me at BlownM395@aol.com. It would be $140 package with any color stiching and either an e36 or e46. THanks guys

Ya, but it makes us feel nice when a bunch of us get together and pool money for a better price, this IS after all America ;)

What I should have also made clear, really just to remind everybody, is that UUC usually does "introductory special" pricing when a new product is first released.

So the reality is, there will be discounted "single, all by yourself buy" pricing. No lemming behavior required.

- Rob

and UUC's credibility falls even lower...

As for OEM, actually no... their new website pics show an interesting duplication of AlkenDesign's original 4-panel boot. We're watching to see who duplicates the awesome and still unique e-brake boot design.

Please keep it accurate.

- Rob

Actually, LeatherZ has been offering E46 4-panel boots since 2001 and E39 4-panel since 2003. We have been selling M Stitch boots since 2003 as well.

and UUC's credibility falls even lower...

Please explain how. You're the one making quality comparisons for a part that you have never seen.

My credibility remains at 100%.

- Rob

Actually, LeatherZ has been offering E46 4-panel boots since 2001 and E39 4-panel since 2003. We have been selling M Stitch boots since 2003 as well.

I stand corrected. The difference here is that they weren't widely advertised, and the Motorsport version you just starting showing has seemingly been in response to the parts that AlkenDesign has been showing.

Too bad your Motorsport boots weren't widely known until recently... this project was only started to fill a need that a number of people were expressing to us. Heck, I probably would have bought one of your sets had I known about it, nobody has ever said anything but good things about LeatherZ.

- Rob

What I should have also made clear, really just to remind everybody, is that UUC usually does "introductory special" pricing when a new product is first released.

So the reality is, there will be discounted "single, all by yourself buy" pricing. No lemming behavior required.

- Rob
Im not wanting to argue, but in business it all comes down to overhead. People sell shit cheap on ebay cause it sits at their house and they pay listing fees. Real shops and 'manufactures' like UUC would have higher overhead-R&D, shop, employees, advertising, etc... So while UUC may or may not be the exception to the rule, with lower overhead is more profit OR cheaper prices. So, on this group buy forum i saw UUC swaybars go for $275 then for $299, now they needed 10-15 people to do it, WHY? Either or both of 2 reasons. They got a better discount for buying in more bulk, or for the loss of profit they were okay with making 10-15 sales in 2 days and cross selling and being 'heros' if you will. From a manufacturing stand point its almost the same, the more material you buy the cheaper you get it! I bought my Audi S4 Velocimax on group buy when they were newer. If your building it in house you can buy more material for a discount and sell in bulk (every now and then) and have all the BMW guys drivng around with your exhaust, shift boots, whatever... then they come on the board and report about the group buy make everyone jelous and they buy for full price.
So I KNOW UUC has great prices, but i don't see your reasoning for saying its the same for a group buy.
If you buy 500 shift boots from this guy and sell them throughout the year, its the same as selling them all now? NO, if you bought them all now and did so on credit you have merchindise earing interest on your shelf, if you bought it all in cash, well your money may or may not be able to do something better for you.
On the last note, not everyone is around when a vendor 'introduces' something, so everyone buying a BMW now, will never have the pleasure of saving cash on some of the greatest products made.

Now i have to go change my screen name, or Rob will never help me out AGAIN! (if it helps i own alot of UUC stuff! :) )

Im not wanting to argue,

You /we aren't arguing at all! Just the opposite - you obviously have an understanding of how some business models work, and can understand what affects pricing.

but in business it all comes down to overhead. People sell shit cheap on ebay cause it sits at their house and they pay listing fees. Real shops and 'manufactures' like UUC would have higher overhead-R&D, shop, employees, advertising, etc... So while UUC may or may not be the exception to the rule, with lower overhead is more profit OR cheaper prices.

Of course, but the real economics of that predicated reason is that pricing is simply lower. My point is that none of the "group buy" things we all see here on bf.c have anything to do with manufacturing costs... they are simply pricing tricks designed to spur sales, again based principally on price and only secondarily on what is actually being sold. Think about a "sale" at the Ford dealership... when was the last time, if ever, that someone paid sticker price on an Explorer? There's always a "sale" to make the consumer think they are getting a deal, when in reality that same "sale" price can always be had at any dealership. As an exception, Saturn doesn't play the pricing games and the price is the price - consumer and dealer can move past the price negotiations and have a relationship based on trust and service. The guy who made $5 selling swaybars at just over his cost rarely has the time to deal with a problem that might arise in shipping, etc.

You lose service when you shop on price, that's the trade-off.


So, on this group buy forum i saw UUC swaybars go for $275 then for $299,

No group buys from UUC. If an independent dealer was discounting, that's a different story.

I bought my Audi S4 Velocimax on group buy when they were newer. If your building it in house you can buy more material for a discount and sell in bulk (every now and then) and have all the BMW guys drivng around with your exhaust, shift boots, whatever... then they come on the board and report about the group buy make everyone jelous and they buy for full price.

Yeah, but then all those guys are PO'd because they feel they should have gotten a cheaper price. That's no good... we want our customers to be 100% happy.


So I KNOW UUC has great prices, but i don't see your reasoning for saying its the same for a group buy.
If you buy 500 shift boots from this guy and sell them throughout the year, its the same as selling them all now? NO, if you bought them all now and did so on credit you have merchindise earing interest on your shelf, if you bought it all in cash, well your money may or may not be able to do something better for you.

Ah, but that's the difference. I don't care about that marginal cost... that's important for a mass-production business that survives on volume. We feel it is much more important to please the customers with quality and service, which means removing the sale/no-sale game shenanigans.

This is also in-line with our "only the right product for each person" philosophy we have at UUC. If I told you how many times I have told a potential customer not to buy a particular part of ours because I felt it was not what he was looking for, you'd be shocked.

On the last note, not everyone is around when a vendor 'introduces' something, so everyone buying a BMW now, will never have the pleasure of saving cash on some of the greatest products made.

That is a good point. I'll think on that a bit.

(See, I'm not entirely inflexible! :D )

Now i have to go change my screen name, or Rob will never help me out AGAIN! (if it helps i own alot of UUC stuff! :) )

Naaaah... just the opposite. Call me directly next time you're ordering from UUC and I'll include a surprise in the shipment. Being polite and having a mature discussion goes a long way with me.

- Rob

Will do Rob! I bought my M3 with a RD exhaust already on it, and i want U exhaust, i still dream of the sound of my VM1! So if the introductary thought happens on the exhausts IM IN ;) Although obviously i have thought of either your trade in offer, or just selling mine when i get yours!

I respect Rob for backing up his price as a supplier. So many times vendors who buy from manufacturers get stung by competing against the Supplier. This benefits no one. Suppliers have to weigh if it is worth their time to handle a group buy when they supply the same amount of effort,undercut their vendors and recieve less than acceptable profits. Some people at KO accepted group buys I personally pass on them. They artifically lower the price of the product and then set an expectation that, that is the price customers can pay for that product all the time.

The amount of margin in this business is so low that beating up a vendor for $5 or $10 bucks really doesn't make it worth their time to do it. There are plenty of people that will pay the manufacturers price. This is why UUC seems to always be out of their popular products they sell themselves at the established market value. They are priced reasonably and are of the highest quality.

Are you people really fighting on my thread?

Will do Rob! I bought my M3 with a RD exhaust already on it, and i want U exhaust, i still dream of the sound of my VM1! So if the introductary thought happens on the exhausts IM IN ;) Although obviously i have thought of either your trade in offer, or just selling mine when i get yours!

I've got awesome news for you... we're going to post this blow-out sale on the website next week, but I'll give you advance notice.

Some units of our last production batch of System*U exhausts have a very slight cosmetic issue, some welding splatter around the hanger mounting points. Most people would never realize, but it's not indicative of our normal quality. The splatter is very minor, and definitely cannot be seen once it is installed on the car.

We're discounting all these units by $90. You can order one right now:

Round tips:
http://www.nexternal.com/uuc/Product441

DTM tips:
http://www.nexternal.com/uuc/Product439

- Rob

Let the Kia boys shop for the cheap stuff.



Hey I have a Kia....you have now offended me and I will no longer do business with your type............:D

Hey I have a Kia....you have now offended me and I will no longer do business with your type............:D

What if I promise to make really expensive stuff for your Kia? :D

- Rob

What if I promise to make really expensive stuff for your Kia? :D

- Rob

Fine...I forgive you. This time. :cuddle

Sooo... When do we get to see pics of the boots? And what will the pricing be? I really don't want to sit around and wait forever for someone to give me the details. If it's gonna' be a while, I'm just gonna go with the LeatherZ stuff.

Ummm... I don't know what's going on, but I'm at LeatherZ right now, and the boots are $65 each for the shift and ebrake. So, that would make the bundle $130, without a price drop, correct? Am I missing something?

EDIT: Wait, these guys put up pricing for the boot WITHOUT the ring? I hate tricky pricing schemes.

Ummm... I don't know what's going on, but I'm at LeatherZ right now, and the boots are $65 each for the shift and ebrake. So, that would make the bundle $130, without a price drop, correct? Am I missing something?

Yep, no frames.

BMW frames only come with BMW boots attached. That means we're buying brand-new boot/frame assemblies and discarding the OE boot.

It's critical that we build in the frame so that when you install it, it's perfect.

Go price an OE boot/frame assembly so you can see how that affects UUC's price... and then you'll realize that our current black (or black with silver stitching) boots (with frames included!) at the holiday/January special price of $79 are really quite the bargain.

- Rob

So what's the ballpark gonna be on black shift and ebrake boots with tricolor stitching?

Rob, for God's sake, show us the boots and pricing forthwith. We were going 'round on this before Christmas. I hate to see you constantly waste your time arguing with people on this forum who don't really care anyway.

What is the time frame here?
:D

So what's the ballpark gonna be on black shift and ebrake boots with tricolor stitching?
What is the time frame here?:D

I should be able to give you firm answers to both of those questions early this week.

Rob, for God's sake, show us the boots and pricing forthwith. We were going 'round on this before Christmas.

Like they say, "Quick, affordable, good... pick any two." The delays so far have surrounded a couple of details; specifically, making sure the thread was perfect... the right thickness, colors, and color-fastness (you don't want the colors to fade from the sunlight, right?).

Now that all the details are worked out, we can figure out the production schedule. As these are all hand-made in the USA, it doesn't happen overnight.

I hate to see you constantly waste your time arguing with people on this forum who don't really care anyway.

I never argue... I just show 'em the errors of their ways. :D

- Rob

I should be able to give you firm answers to both of those questions early this week.



Like they say, "Quick, affordable, good... pick any two." The delays so far have surrounded a couple of details; specifically, making sure the thread was perfect... the right thickness, colors, and color-fastness (you don't want the colors to fade from the sunlight, right?).

Now that all the details are worked out, we can figure out the production schedule. As these are all hand-made in the USA, it doesn't happen overnight.



I never argue... I just show 'em the errors of their ways. :D

- Rob
I won't argue the fast/cheap/good scenario. But I will state that it is like knowing you got a kick ass present for Christmas, but you aren't allowed to open it all day long..... ;)

You all are being bitches. Stop the bullshit...

Rob, start a new thread if you want to deal with a group buy for your boots that aren't out yet. Or if the price is so competitive that you can't...whatev

This thread should be over because Leatherz.com said they would do a group buy for us and it will close this monday at 8am pacific time. So whoever is in is good...UUC start a new thread..

Hey all - thought I'd chime in here... First, thanks to everyone who's offered support and patience while I'm working out the production details and logistics for the tri-color boots, including the very unique e-brake boot pattern. As Rob mentioned, those of you who have seen the prototype images of the tri-color stitching are in for a pleasant surprise. The production thread is so thick and vibrant in color that the prototype boots (made with household thread) are not at all representative of what the finished pieces look like.

I just gave rob a set of production boots for his E36. He does plan on having photography ready tomorrow or Tuesday.

I've spent a great deal of time tracking down thread that not only is a match to the M colors, but will also withstand UV fading. I had no idea how difficult this would prove to be. Short of having colors custom died, there is nearly nothing commercially available that works with the M color scheme and the weight/colorfast requirements. I have literally spent hundreds of dollars ordering what is likely miles of thread to find the winning combo. The final selection is comprised of threads from two separate manufacturers.

Can you say obsessed? Yeah - that was me over the past month or so. Anxiously opening boxes of thread from multiple sources hoping to find the needle in the haystack. I probably need a psych evaluation.

What's my point? There is a tremendous amount of work that has gone into the development and production of these tri-color boots. Even though we are producing them in "volume" in no way should garner the label of "mass produced". Each boot sees no less than three separate pairs of hands during it's construction before UUC receives them to sell. I am employing two individual companies to do the labor. One does the machine stitching, and one does the hand stitching. Yes - hand stitching. The purple "zig zag" stitch can only be done by hand. I found a fabricator who specializes in production of this nature.

As far as comparing my boots to any other source, it is probably a moot discussion. The finished product is still a decorative piece of trim that serves little function. The piece sees very little actual wear or abuse. Both take time to develop, construct, and market. To that end, neither product is better. We (UUC and I) saw a market for these pieces in a volume to suit their customer base. As with any mod, who you buy from is ultimately your choice.

Ken

Excellent news. I understand the amount of work that has gone into this, but I was frustrated with the lack of information being provided. Now that that issue is taken care of, who do I talk to about getting an ebrake handle in black leather with tricolor stitching to match the steering wheel, and of course, the boots? :)

I have been eagerly awaiting such an item for a long time now and can't wait to see pictures. Ultimately, I would hope that they are affordable enough to justify, but I guess we will see.....

I had no idea how difficult this would prove to be.

It is horrendously difficult. BMW is not 100% consistent with its colors across models and also across production years. In addition, some leather treatments permanently change the colors.

It isn't easy to match the color of BMW Alcantara either.

I didn't even want to attempt matching BMW fabric colors. Clearly they have most materials custom died to maintain some degree of proprietary control.

However, the simple task of focussing on the M colors was trouble enough. Not only do they look different on nearly every example you can find, but calling supply houses looking for fairly specific shades of purple, red, and blue in a nice weight gets old fast.

I appreciate your diligence alken. I am more than willing to wait for a PERFECT product. After all, it is a boot, I can deal without it until you guys have it right. :)
Thanks for the info.

New thread started for latest AlkenDesign/UUC pics:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5744848

- Rob

Just out of curiosity, would you guys be willing to give some sort of discount if we sent back our original shift boots with frames so that you can re-use them? Also, I recently bought the UUC ultrasuede shift boot about 2 weeks ago, can I still get a gb price on just a black/black e-brake boot? Thanks.

^^^^ Unfortunately, I don't have a shift boot to send back, since I'm swapping from auto to manual. But I can send an ebrake boot.

Hey guys - as discussed in this thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=472896), UUC has pricing set for the bundle of shift/ebrake boots with Motorsport Tri Color stitching. Introductory pricing for the SET of boots (shift and ebrake) is going to be $179. I just delivered the first batch of production pieces, and they look fantastic. I'm not sure if UUC's website is setup for ordering on this product yet, but they are in stock and the intro price is set.

As far as returning your existing boots for a credit (similar to a core charge), there's no easy way for UUC or me to do that. We are exploring alternatives to the OEM frame that should eliminate the need for us to glue or tape the fabric to the plastic frame. I'm currently doing that portion personally, and I can tell you that it's no fun.

Anyway, I'm sure you guys will appreciate the time we've put into this project.

Ken

Let me know when you do these in black leather



Hey guys - as discussed in this thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=472896), UUC has pricing set for the bundle of shift/ebrake boots with Motorsport Tri Color stitching. Introductory pricing for the SET of boots (shift and ebrake) is going to be $179. I just delivered the first batch of production pieces, and they look fantastic. I'm not sure if UUC's website is setup for ordering on this product yet, but they are in stock and the intro price is set.

As far as returning your existing boots for a credit (similar to a core charge), there's no easy way for UUC or me to do that. We are exploring alternatives to the OEM frame that should eliminate the need for us to glue or tape the fabric to the plastic frame. I'm currently doing that portion personally, and I can tell you that it's no fun.

Anyway, I'm sure you guys will appreciate the time we've put into this project.

Ken