Carparts4less

[HairyScreech]

Sooo, Not only advertising one thing and sending another but also awful customer service.

Ordered a couple of bits from them one of which was very specifically a contitech cam belt kit, what turns up? Yep a dayco one.

Quick call to them results in being told 3 times that its an equivalent part.
Equivalent in function maybe but not in quality, made in Argentina and with an unbranded tensioner vs made in Germany with a INA tensioner, very equivalent.
Add to that the fact BMW regularly supply reboxed dayco belts as oem right? Thought not.

Pointed out it's not what I ordered and dayco is not Continental to be told the website stated an equivalent part may be supplied.
Went back to look at the link:
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/search/348770555/p/home

Uhhh no it doesn't, says the picture is for reference only but not the above, checked the T&C as well and could not see it.

Asked what the point of taking a contact number for the customer is if there not going to notify them when a named item is out of stock to be asked if I want to send it back.

Hung up at that point as I was talking to a brick wall.

Typical indian call center staffed by monkey that don't seem to understand anything out side of the script they have been handed.

Gave my local ECP a quick shout, informed that they are now doing the dayco's some times but he will let me know in the morning if he can get a conti.

Guess the only remaining thing to ask is what are the dayco belts like, I know there not up to the spec of the contis, but am I going to be running the risk of high rpm belt stretch and a failed tensioner that nearly took out my engine last time I used a non contitech belt?
Its that or an SKF kit that uses a gates belt, I at least trust a gates belt at 7k regularly.

Edit - add to that it's the first thing and now last thing I have ever ordered from them, great first impression.

[DanThe]

Carparts 4 less is Euro Car Parts, same company, same arrogant attitude...

[HairyScreech]

Carparts 4 less is Euro Car Parts, same company, same arrogant attitude...

Yes, although my local branch are pretty good, difference is they are bringing a pair of belts down from the depo to check what comes though and giving me a ring in the morning.

Just remembered all else fails I have a conti one in the boot of the e21 awaiting a late round tooth pulley swap and the carbed b20 can have the dayco.

[harry_p]

Dayco are oem fitted by some manufacturers and eom equivalent on others. I wouldn't have an issue using one. But if I had paid for a certain brand I would expect to recieve that brand.

[trojen]

I've never had any problems with CP4L and have ordered a contitech kit from them and received it without issue.

I understand the frustration though its not always the initial issues that wind customers up its the customer service, or lack of, thats the real pi55 take

[HairyScreech]

I've never had any problems with CP4L and have ordered a contitech kit from them and received it without issue.

I understand the frustration though its not always the initial issues that wind customers up its the customer service, or lack of, thats the real pi55 take

Phasing them out apparently, nice to tell their customers.

[beemerbird]

It may be just indicative of the increasing difficulty of sourcing parts for these cars. I went to pick up an ignition barrel, and two new keys, coded to the same, to match my existing locks from Sytner Harold Wood today. The ignition barrel matched my existing key perfectly, but, in the words of the very helpful parts guy, the keys looked like front door keys (very similar to a Yale key in appearance), didn't match either my old key, or the replacement barrel

He's emailing BMW HQ to sort it out, so whilst the parts (keys) were useless, the customer service can't be faulted, fingers crossed.

[bss325i]

I ordered a conti tech cambelt kit for an M20 on Monday from my local Ecp specifically asking for conti tech and guess what turned up....?

[DanThe]

I ordered a conti tech cambelt kit for an M20 on Monday from my local Ecp specifically asking for conti tech and guess what turned up....?

A Q-drive track control arm?

[daimlerman]

I have only used CP4L once,ordered a pair of M-tec spec front inserts.They were not in stock,but arrived in three days...they quoted seven days...so I was a happy bunny.

I usually use my local GSF,but they are now struggling to carry E30 specific parts in stock,but again,most ordered bits are on 'the afternoon van'.They did struggle with an M50 type oil filter for the touring,though!

But I take the Hairy one's point,though,if you order and pay for a specific brand,that's what I would expect to arrive.

[bss325i]

I ordered a conti tech cambelt kit for an M20 on Monday from my local Ecp specifically asking for conti tech and guess what turned up....?

A Q-drive track control arm?

No not that bad! A dayco belt.

[maxfield]

I've never ordered car parts off the internet just for the fact it's a ball ache to get them changed in case they're wrong. I've not had many dealings with ECP as they've only just opened a branch recently. But they always seem to have parts in stock.

I've always used Andrew Page, they have been able to get me everything I've wanted for an E30.

[DanThe]

Ive recently been using Motormec for a few 540i parts, seemed ok at first, slow for post as the shipping is from a separate warehouse/location, but the water pump I ordered was sent wrong even after a reg check on the phone and they refused to pay the return courier cost, several emails and a phone call afterwards, they would only pay for standard poverty postage, as it was an ebay sale I wasnt going to send it back without a signature so had to pay for it myself. They were even surprised that I left negative feedback

[csl]

So where would someone go these days,other than a BMW dealer,to be assured they would get a conti tech kit?

[capnmchl]

I remember a couple of years ago, I ordered two rear wheel bearings for the E30. I received one E30 rear wheel bearing, and a front wheel bearing for a Toyota Camry. Don't even ask me how someone decided that two different part numbers were the same part. After an excrutiatingly painful phonecall, I managed to arrange a collection of the Camry bearing, and delivery of another E30 bearing. So the next day, I received a rear wheel bearing for an E36. Again someone couldn't match a part number between that on the invoice and that on the box. Finally got an E30 bearing on the third attempt though, which is where I went down to ECP and just payed the extra money for one.

I also had trouble with a prop guibo. The first two I ordered were the wrong size, and the third one I ordered was a used part in a Lemforded box. After that I gave up.

I just go to my ECP branch now. I'd rather pay the money and have the ability to take it back etc than deal with the hassle that is crapparts4less.

[George]

I just go to my ECP branch now. I'd rather pay the money and have the ability to take it back etc than deal with the hassle that is crapparts4less.

This. And of late I've noticed the ECP prices are the same for CP4L.

I has an issue with an E36 waterpump a couple of years back. I wanted the branded version with metal impeller, they ended up sending out a crappy no brand item. Took months to get a refund (multiple phone calls/emails etc).

[csl]

and the third one I ordered was a used part in a Lemforded box. After that I gave up.




Yes ive had that from ECP themselves. Ordered new Jag XJS discs and pads and they came in branded boxes but the contents were used parts!

[Sanchez]

What about Gates belts.

[Simon13]

GSF have always sold Dayco cambelts for M20's and i've used loads of them with no problems so whats the problem?

[csl]

I just go to my ECP branch now. I'd rather pay the money and have the ability to take it back etc than deal with the hassle that is crapparts4less.

This. And of late I've noticed the ECP prices are the same for CP4L.

I has an issue with an E36 waterpump a couple of years back. I wanted the branded version with metal impeller, they ended up sending out a crappy no brand item. Took months to get a refund (multiple phone calls/emails etc).

Yes,i have had this with e36 water pump also, at ECP. Wanted a KWP and so waited until they got it in and turned out to be some "lesser" make. In fact I can't remember the last time I had no trouble with an order at ECP.

[e30topless]

Dayco belts are fine, I have used lots of them never ever had an issue, QH on the other hand aren't sure how many teeth should be on an M20 belt... As for dealing with ECP.... It never gets any better shall we say ...

[Simon13]

until a miracle happens i'll keep saying euros are a bunch of w a n k e r s on the whole

[G-Bear]

It may be just indicative of the increasing difficulty of sourcing parts for these cars..

Comments as such I always find a deflating reality...

[HairyScreech]

GSF have always sold Dayco cambelts for M20's and i've used loads of them with no problems so whats the problem?

The fact I ordered a Contitech kit not a dayco one.
If I had just asked for an e30 cam belt then no issue, you get what you get.
If you ask for a Contitech kit you might want a Contitech kit.

I have been hearing stories of tensioner failures on dayco kits overnight, Mostly on Subaru, Alfa and VAG turds.
With an unbranded tensioner in this kit I'm understandable cautious.

Have had a tensioner fail on a GSF kit, came loose at the riveted joint with the base plate and threw the belt into the covers, if I hadn't pulled the covers to investigate an oil leak then I would have had a dead engine.

For good reason I'm pretty fastidious about cam belts, such a cheap part it's not worth toasting a good engine using a no name no blame item.


Once again ECP Melksham have been great, one Contitech kit sitting behind the desk awaiting pick up.

BMWMotormec have their warehouse quite close to me so have always had great delivery times from them, ordered a few parts and had no issues with them.

[Tom7]

I tend to use C3 BMW or Cotswold BMW to avoid ECP. However I have just given in and bought a viscous coupling from ECP as it was a good price for a Beru item.

The box looked like it had been opened before but the viscous looked fine. However it doesn't work and the viscous won't lock up even when the car starts to overheat. They won't let me return it to my local store as I ordered it online, so hopefully they can swap it for one that does work in good time.

[Kedge]

until a miracle happens i'll keep saying euros are a bunch of w a n k e r s on the whole

Couldn't agree more, I refused to use them after so many issues and fallout's, until Meatball82s came along, thankfully he's now store manager at my local branch..................miracles do happen

[HairyScreech]

until a miracle happens i'll keep saying euros are a bunch of w a n k e r s on the whole

Couldn't agree more, I refused to use them after so many issues and fallout's, until Meatball82s came along, thankfully he's now store manager at my local branch..................miracles do happen

Well as I say, Melksham are doing ok so far, Only thing they have had trouble getting was cooling system hoses and an e21 water pump (went e30 prefacelift in the end).

They had a contitech kit ready for me friday.

When I get a chance I will take a few pictures, there really is a BIG difference between the kits, even down to the tooth profile which is a bit concerning.

[Brianmoooore]

there really is a BIG difference between the kits, even down to the tooth profile which is a bit concerning.

Tooth profile on the M20 belt changed at the same time as the number of teeth.

[HairyScreech]

Yes, E21 and early e30 is the square tooth and the later cars are round tooth, down to cracking of the pullies right?

That's not whats going on with these belts though, these are both late e30 belts, same length but the contitech has the correct U shaped teeth but the dayco is showing teeth this shape:

Conti and dayco back to back, Conti is on the right, will get a better pic tomorrow.