Re: [DML] trans filter/Delorean Motor Company

[James Espey <james@xxxx>]

I'm not sure who you spoke to here at DMC (Houston) or when you 
called, but I think most will agree that your experience was atypical.

The Renault transmission used in the DeLorean is a Renault R30. To my 
knowledge, the DeLorean was the only vehicle sold in the United 
States that used this exact transmission configuration. There was an 
old Renault sold in the states in the early eighties that shared some 
components with this transmission. Will a Jeep-Eagle be able to help 
you find the part? Maybe. When you get it and have a question about 
installing it, will the Jeep-Eagle dealer be able to help you as far 
as it's application in the DeLorean? Doubtful.

When we used to get the filters, they were imported from France. The 
price has gone up considerably, and we have taken to cleaning and 
re-using them with excellent results. Another problem is the gaskets, 
another difficult to obtain and expensive part.

Regarding parts cross-references, I think all the long-time DML'ers 
know my opinion of cross-reference parts. For those who don't, these 
helpful links are provided:

http://www.dmcnews.com/backissues/dml389.html 
http://www.egroups.com/message/dmcnews/1327

The DeLorean is rapidly approaching 20 years of age, and nearly as 
many years being out of production. A great deal of time, effort and 
expense has gone into sourcing countless DeLorean parts. Why would we 
do this? Yes, we love the DeLorean car, and want to see them on the 
road. We believe that in 98% of all instances, the Lotus/DMC 
engineering staffs had the right ideas, so sourcing OEM replacement 
parts when the factory stocks (our warehouse) were depleted was a 
necessity. Finally, we went through this effort and expense because 
we are a BUSINESS, and it's our job! We buy these parts in quantity 
(usually the only way that original suppliers will sell them) which 
results in an additional large out of pocket expense. Then we pay for 
warehousing and/or storage of these parts until we sell them - more 
expense. If we gave out this information, eventually we would be out 
of business, and then what would you do when you needed a non-cross 
reference part or qualified technical advice from a shop with nearly 
20 years experience on literally over a thousand DeLoreans?

Everyone who buys parts or has service done at De Lorean Motor 
Company is entitled to free technical support for themselves (or 
their mechanic if having someone else do the work). Because of the 
nature of our business, we try and help everyone that calls. But when 
someone just wants information from us so they can go and get a part 
elsewhere, anyone can understand why we take a dim view of that. And 
you'd be surprised at how often it happens.

If you felt you were treated unfairly, Jeff, I apologize on behalf of 
De Lorean Motor Company. I'm sorry that you will "never buy anything" 
from us either. I hope that when the time comes you need a part that 
you may not be able to get elsewhere, you will give us another try.

Regards,

James Espey
DeLorean Motor Company
Houston, Texas

281/568-9573
800/USA-DMC1
http://www.delorean.com

>I found out today that 2 suppliers do not have the auto trans
>filter. I was told to clean mine. One company, Delorean Motor
>Company of Texas was no help at all! I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM
>THIS GUY! I wanted to find out what type of Renault auto trans was
>in the Delorean so I could try and find a filter elsewhere. His
>response was "Tell them you want a filter for the Renault trans that
>is in the Delorean"...DUH!! Usually people who are involved in
>collector type cars are more than happy to talk to you about them and
>to help solve your problems. Oh well, not this guy!

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