Where to buy car servicing bits and bobs?

cyclonebri1

mcjordi wrote: »

i use my local factors
i can fully service my xsara diesel for around £22 inc all the filters (appart from pollen filter) and oil and new sump plug/washer
i get a little discount as i go there for everything

Sounds like you may be skimping on the oil spec if that's inclusive

Plus, last diesel fuel filter I bought was £38 trade, again not for your car I admit, but ???????

hewhoisnotintheknow

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Sounds like you may be skimping on the oil spec if that's inclusive

Plus, last diesel fuel filter I bought was £38 trade, again not for your car I admit, but ???????

If hes like me he will look at the specification standards and make sure they match some of the more expensive brands

hewhoisnotintheknow

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Sounds like you may be skimping on the oil spec if that's inclusive

Plus, last diesel fuel filter I bought was £38 trade, again not for your car I admit, but ???????

£7 for a xud filter
8 for a hdi

hewhoisnotintheknow

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

£7 for a xud filter
8 for a hdi

and on further reading you can halve that cost if its not the bosch version

mrdunkleysexy

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Your local motor factors is always the most likely to be cheapest, pick up the local Thompsons or what have you, there will be more than you think, I can name at least 8 options for me within 5 miles excluding halfords etc

Il ditto that about going to your local motor factors. I used to purchase my service parts online but had a bad experience with an incorrect part that was sent to me by an online parts company. The company sorted out the courier to collect the part (cambelt/tensioner kit) and the item went "missing" on route back to the company. Had a route old time getting refunded and it was enough to put me off doing it again. My local motor factors is 10 minutes walk and too be honest price wise there very competitive, the other issue is if the part I order is incorrect its less hassle to return it and get an exchange

Premier_2

Many of the local independent motor parts stores have gone out of business around here as less and less people work on their own cars. Even Halfords now offer a fitting service on the most basic of items such as batteries & bulbs.
Those traditional motor spares stores that are still in business now seem to specialise in the more expensive boy racer products such as alloy wheels, radios, etc. rather than normal spare parts.

However, there are still parts suppliers out there ... but their business has changed and so has their location.
Keep watch outside any type of quick-fit garage that does repairs other than tyres & exhausts and it wont be long before a van will turn up delivering parts.

These suppliers are now usually based on an industrial site rather than a high street, but often have a counter service if you know where they are located. Look out for the vans and grab their phone number or address.

Or you can buy parts from a main dealer that specialises in your make of car. Ford dealers around here also sell other makes of part too (not OEM parts) for many makes of car.

cyclonebri1

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

If hes like me he will look at the specification standards and make sure they match some of the more expensive brands

And me, I buy mine from ebay, top spec fully synthetic petrol/diesel for about £65 squids per 25 ltre, :T

SUESMITH_2

motor factors all the time! husband is a mechanic and thats where he gets his stuff from, you dont have to be in the trade to use them but you might pay a bit more as you dont have an account- still cheaper than halfords

cyclonebri1

SUESMITH wrote: »

motor factors all the time! husband is a mechanic and thats where he gets his stuff from, you dont have to be in the trade to use them but you might pay a bit more as you dont have an account- still cheaper than halfords

Actually Sue, if you trade regularly, and pay cash at the counter you will get beter than trade, but needs negotiation afore,

Wig

motor factors can be found in yellow pages under
"car accessories and parts"

My advice phone round a few of them because there's always one or two who are miles cheaper than the rest. ALWAYS make sure you know if the price is inclusive of VAT and if in stock. As an example I wanted a lower ball joint or a wishbone arm.
Prices for the ball joint varied from
£10 - £22 with the average being £17
For the wishbone
£32 - £60 with the average £45
They were all AFAIK the same make = QH Quinton Hazel

In the end I went for the £10 ball joint, and yes, it was QH
I had some fun drilling the old one off - I'm serious I like doing stuff like that, very satisfying, much cheaper than buying the wishbone, more work, but the work is fun & educational.