Ripoff parts

[medicnick83]

I also noticed something.
At VW (any dealership) obviously, you don't want to buy VW parts from them, but I got quotes on some items.
Then I went to Goldwagen and THEY charged MORE!!!

I was shocked.

Even my mission to get a "spring loaded cup holder" from VW, they wanted R1200 incl. VAT and GW wanted R1400 EXCL VAT!

 

[supersunbird]

Im learning a lot here, so a part like a cabin filter?

is that worth going to kia for?

No, the more expensive the items, sparkplug being R20 different? whatever, not a big deal. Alternator or new headlights a much bigger deal.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

I also noticed something.
At VW (any dealership) obviously, you don't want to buy VW parts from them, but I got quotes on some items.
Then I went to Goldwagen and THEY charged MORE!!!

I was shocked.

Even my mission to get a "spring loaded cup holder" from VW, they wanted R1200 incl. VAT and GW wanted R1400 EXCL VAT!

thats quite something, also myself went to Korean boys for my clutch cable, MORE expensive than the dealers.
so it does pay to show around.

BTW: did you find the cupholder thing? seen many scrapyards that got it.

 

[grim]

Dealerships make 200-300% profit on some spares.

I saw this recently when my Scirocco went for a service. They had the spark plugs down as R412 to invoice to VWSA as the car is under maintenance plan and on the invoice they printed for me it was R1300

 

[Pitbull]

so my next question is,

when is it worth paying extra for the dealer parts?

Never, unless you need to buy a fender, or a body part that you can't find at a scrap yard. Don't buy the black pirate part ones, they hardly ever fit correctly. Service parts never.

 

[chromedome]

I do. The plugs and filter are cheaper at Ford than at Midas/Autozone. My car uses NGK Irridium plugs, they are about R95 - R105 each at Midas, and R75 at the dealers. Only difference the dealership plugs have Motorcraft stampped om one side, and NGK Irriudium on the other.

Agree,cheaper than Midas, I buy everything from Ford including coolant and brake fluid except engine oil.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Agree,cheaper than Midas, I buy everything from Ford including coolant and brake fluid except engine oil.

Ultimately, teh advice needs to be that you need to shop around... Get prices from the Dealership, get from Midas, get from other spares shops....

 

[silver6933]

As someone said.

A company makes the part for a car manufacturer and some times they put the car Manufacturers logo on the box.

But they also sell their own line. This is usually cheaper as RnD was done by the car manufacturer.

Nissan OEM brake pads +R1200 per set. ATE aftermarket pads +R500 per set.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

thanks guys,

got some great advise here; gonna stick with midas/autozone for the service kit for now.

BTW: does anybody dealt with this mechanic before?
RZ Automotive Services
Great North Rd, Benoni. Next to Argus Motors.

 

[BeonTym]

I've worked in auto aftermarket for over 10 years and I say the same thing to everyone: there's nothing at the dealership that your car NEEDS. Unless u got a shiny futuristic car that's basically computers on wheels

 

[Fudzy]

I've worked in auto aftermarket for over 10 years and I say the same thing to everyone: there's nothing at the dealership that your car NEEDS. Unless u got a shiny futuristic car that's basically computers on wheels

So no issues using Fong Kong parts?

 

[saturnz]

There are some parts worth buying at the agents and some parts not worth doing so.

How you determine this depends on your knowledge, experience and the car at hand.

 

[silver6933]

So no issues using Fong Kong parts?

If you have a GWM, fong kong parts are OEM fit or better.

 

[Fudzy]

If you have a GWM, fong kong parts are OEM fit or better.

And like an Alfa, you won't find spares at Midas.

 

[KingMikel]

I'll say this again

I needed to replace the heater valve on my Corsa Lite, Midas wanted R120, GM wanted R1800.

Never in my life will I buy parts from a dealership unless its absolutely necessary, or my car is under maintenance plan.

Luckily my new Civic has maintenance plan

 

[DTBA]

Let met just say. Pilot parts aka midas parts are fine for most of the time, but there is just stuff that you don't buy at midas.

Around here if you replace our isuzu bakkies ball joints with pilot parts you will need to replace them again in 70 000km. Yes they are cheap 1500 for all 4. But If they fall out while you are driving on a dirt road at 50kmh+ you will **** your pants.

We replace them with GM parts @ R5000 for the whole front set and they will out last the bakkie or at least 300 000km.

 

[Wasabee!]

Never, unless you need to buy a fender, or a body part that you can't find at a scrap yard. Don't buy the black pirate part ones, they hardly ever fit correctly. Service parts never.

I don't think many people realise that normal consumables are fine but certain body parts are a no no.

My wife's Polo had a mirror stolen. So I replaced the mirror with a whole new unit(not just the mirror) from some cheap place. The thing broke or fell off because it didn't have a metal plate which the OEM VW had. So I took the mirror of the new unit and fitted it to the old VW unit and it worked.

So the cheap unit from some low budget no name place was inferior quality.

 

[Nick333]

I don't think many people realise that normal consumables are fine but certain body parts are a no no.

My wife's Polo had a mirror stolen. So I replaced the mirror with a whole new unit(not just the mirror) from some cheap place. The thing broke or fell off because it didn't have a metal plate which the OEM VW had. So I took the mirror of the new unit and fitted it to the old VW unit and it worked.

So the cheap unit from some low budget no name place was inferior quality.

So, you still fixed at a fraction of the cost? Just saying...

 

[Colin62]

Let met just say. Pilot parts aka midas parts are fine for most of the time, but there is just stuff that you don't buy at midas.

Around here if you replace our isuzu bakkies ball joints with pilot parts you will need to replace them again in 70 000km. Yes they are cheap 1500 for all 4. But If they fall out while you are driving on a dirt road at 50kmh+ you will **** your pants.

We replace them with GM parts @ R5000 for the whole front set and they will out last the bakkie or at least 300 000km.

So, if the GM parts last 300 000 km, why do they need replacing? In fact if they last so long, the pirates wouldn't even bother marketing that part.

 

[KingMikel]

So, if the GM parts last 300 000 km, why do they need replacing? In fact if they last so long, the pirates wouldn't even bother marketing that part.

Maybe his bakkie did 300 001km?

Your comment is a bit ignorant, to say the least. Being older and presumably knowing about cars (hence you posting in this sub forum), you'll know that parts don't always last as long as they should.