"sorry but I'd never recomend ebay for safety related items like brakes. Go to your local motor factor if you're doing it yourself or a known indie who'll get in a decent brand for you to protect his reputation. "
Mintex no good then?
One of the advertises is a brake specialised in Dewsbury with a superb reputation,and if you want to get them from a local factors E bay gives you a rough price guide.
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http:\\www.gsfcarparts.com or
http:\\www.eurocarparts.com
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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IMHO there's too many fakes on ebay - fair enough if it's an identifiable 'real business' using ebay as a legit outlet - but I've bought from ebay before and when I received the product it was in packaging clearly made up using a colour photocopier. Yes, there's real bargains to be had but there's also plenty of people who've been had.
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Andy Bairsto is right -- in particular I can vouch for the Dewsbury motor factors' after-sales service.
Some on here will remember my fiasco with a clutch which popped a rivet within 200 yards of fitting. This was a CTL (Comline) clutch, bought from the Dewsbury place for £60.
I sent it back to this firm, and got all the outlay back.
This is not the mark of a fly-by-night.
Yes, I was unfortunate with the clutch, but it was noted by the mechanic that the replacement they sourced (a QH kit) appeared to be exactly the same as the CTL, just in a different box.
At the end of the day, as long as the company is reputable, and the Dewsbury place is, phone them up, get the details of the manufacturer etc, and if they're OK what's wrong with saving the money?
MFs on ebay can undercut the local shop because ebay allows them to sell many more than they would normally, thereby allowing bulk purchases which are normally not possible. That's no reason to be suspicious, just careful.
Never buy from a private seller, or one who hasn't been selling on ebay for a long time.
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I bought a set of front pads and discs for the Mondeo for £35 delivered from a Power Seller on Ebay. They were not a brand I had heard of, but were German made, and fitted perfectly. 2,000 miles on, the brakes still feel great.
Seller had 300+ feedback with 100% positive comments. Spoke to them on the phone and they were helpful and polite.
I've also bought a CV joint and a Fiesta heater valve in a similar way. Both were hefty savings and both items were perfectly OK.
You have to be careful, but not everyone on Ebay is out to con you.
Cheers
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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When I was getting the pads for my Scenic, the Renault dealer was as cheap as anyone else. Try them first, you might be surprised!
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
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Avoid items in packaging marked Dirling, Mimtex etc. Believe me, such things are available.
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L\'escargot.
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As we are on the subject of pads etc. I came to grief the other day. I decided to change the rear pads on my Primera. From past experience on other cars I did not expect it to be difficult. Two hours later and a ragged temper I had to refit the old pads as I could not get the piston to retract. My local garage mechanic did the job, he advised me that a special tool is needed to compress the piston but also screw it back. I assume this has something to do with the handbrake mechanism. If I hada manual I would have read it.
From a costing exercise, it was relatively cheap, from my local motor factor the pads, front and rear cost £38.00 and my man charged £40.00 labour. Quotes aquired ranged from £93.00 upwards to £165.00.
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Yeah the Scenic calipers are the screw back type as well. Sometimes you can get away with pliers, but it's not recommended. The special tool is the way to go.
Cheers
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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PS - The Scenic is also prone to flipping master cylinder seals as the piston is wound back in unless the bleed nipple is unscrewed first.
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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My experience on ebay is careful buying saves a lot of money.
Careless buying costs money.
You just have to take comercial precautions and if in auction, only bid once: last.
Toyota dealer did some great deals on parts.
madf
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Problem with buying brake pads & discs off ebay is that they are low value but heavy items - so you'll probably get stung a fair bit on postage.
You could get these items cheaply at a local 'trade type' motor factors (not Halfords) or try one of the specilist factors (GSF, ECP). Just go for known brands like Mintex, Delphi. ATE etc.
Don't buy from the dealer, you're just lining their pocket for no better quality item.
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Thanks guys, I would probably avoid e-bay for such items though will trawl through this over the weekend or perhaps early next week before ordering.
>>Don't buy from the dealer, you're just lining their pocket for no better quality item.>>
I would pay significantly more from the dealer though as has been said Renault comsumable items are usually good value from the dealer and the guarantee states that if an item is faulty they will not only replace it they will also fit the replacement. I took them up on this re a power steering pressure switched, I replaced it because it was leaking a little, the new one also leaked so the dealer took the car in and fitted a second replacement FOC.
Regards.
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I can honestly vouch for brakeparts.co.uk, I got my proton rear discs and pads form there, the chespest motor factor could find was £70 for the pair and £20 for pads, they did them at around £35 for the discs and £17 for pads, delivered next day and are fine, I think more common makes are just as cheap at motor factors but if you have sometning not so popular give them a try! oh yeah i dont work for them befire you ask!
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I can also vouch for Brake Parts - i use them regularaly and even if there is a problem the lads there are happy to sort things out.
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