So where do you buy your pattern parts?

[s13b]

Im looking to refresh the top end of my b25 and am trying to get the best prices I can for the bits I need. Be good to hear of any recommendations of places to buy from or avoid, also as I will be buying pattern parts as opposed to OEM any brands to miss?

I will be doing the following as a minimum, head gasket and studs, water pump, cam timing and aux belts (no AC), fluids etc.

So far been quoted £110 from my local GSF for Head kit, studs and water pump. All German parts.

Thanks

[eko]

try carparts4less.co.uk

[polsta]

meatballs on here will probably be your best bet

[Brianmoooore]

OEM parts are exactly what you should be looking for at carparts4less.co.uk., (a sister company of Eurocarparts.) They often have a cheaper alternative, but these are a false economy.
May have been a one off, but when my son in law placed a selection of parts in his "basket" at CP4L, and then didn't proceed with the sale, he was emailed the next day, offering a discount off of the total.

[s13b]

CP4L have come out cheaper but none of the parts are listed as OEM.

If they offer me a further discount I will take them up on the offer.

Does anyone know of any makes / brands of pattern parts to avoid?

[Brianmoooore]

IIRC, if a part number ends in "0", then it is OEM, if it ends in "5" then it's supposed to be OEM quality, and if it ends in any other number it's just pattern.

[318isPMK]

IIRC, if a part number ends in "0", then it is OEM, if it ends in "5" then it's supposed to be OEM quality, and if it ends in any other number it's just pattern.

your a fountain!

[Simon13]

"So far been quoted £110 from my local GSF for Head kit, studs and water pump. All German parts."

Just how for the love of G are you going to find these parts at the same quality for alot less?!

[318isPMK]

sorry to interrupt: where would i go for a vacuum advance? are the traders on here always as slow to come back to messages in that section

[capri_rob]

I get pretty much all my stuff now either from Matt at ECP or the dealers with discount.

Matt is more expensive on some things than carparts for less and cheaper on others - swings and roundaboouts - but I've never yet had an incorrect order from Matt - thats not something I can say about online or even over the counter orders from ECP and GSF.

[Bristol_Jer]

I never bother getting the cheaper option any more with ECP or GSF, they are cheap for a reason! Had too many suspension bushes wear out after a few months, so the cheaper stuff is just a false economy.

I bought a pair of front springs for my work van from CP4L as I had a broken one, and they came with a ECP label on the box. Didn't realise they were the same company til I read this thread!

[s13b]

- but I've never yet had an incorrect order from Matt - thats not something I can say about online or even over the counter orders from ECP and GSF.

Touch wood , my local GSF have not cocked up an order so far. There are a couple of e30 owners in the store as well.

Not 100% convinced about CP4L, got to be cheap for a reason right?!

[Kedge]

If you buy the cheap unbranded stuff these places sell you'll be buying again pretty soon!

OEM brands only if you want a lasting fix.

[G-Bear]

I get pretty much all my stuff now either from Matt at ECP or the dealers with discount.

Matt is more expensive on some things than carparts for less and cheaper on others - swings and roundaboouts - but I've never yet had an incorrect order from Matt - thats not something I can say about online or even over the counter orders from ECP and GSF.

This..

It's nice to know that the person you're buying off shares an interest in the same cars, he gives honest opinions on the quality of the parts available..

Good old fashion customer/trader loyalty. With neither taking the pi$$..

[E30BeemerLad]

www.bmminiparts.co.uk are useful for genuine OEM parts, but can often be more odds & sods

[faze30]

I use GSF or main dealer as i get trade prices.

[TheDutch]

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk

Based on the mainland (France?) and are considerably cheaper for some items, especially with their 35% off code. No doubt this exclusive discount is an almost permanent feature like all the others.