Suspension kits on ebay

[cooa99]

I can see lots at different price points. and some without known/popular brand names.

I am after shock absorber, top mount, drop links. Normally I would just go for Meyle brand but I don't intend on keeping car for more than 2 years since I'll start paying Ulez charge from next week with the car being a Diesel engine...

Assuming purchase from sellers specialising in car parts does it really matter going for the middle of the road price no name brands? My thinking is that those parts may not have the longevity of Dealer parts but I should be able to get a decent amount of years of them

 

[carmanmemoranda]

I can see lots at different price points. and some without known/popular brand names.

I am after shock absorber, top mount, drop links. Normally I would just go for Meyle brand but I don't intend on keeping car for more than 2 years since I'll start paying Ulez charge from next week with the car being a Diesel engine...

Assuming purchase from sellers specialising in car parts does it really matter going for the middle of the road price no name brands? My thinking is that those parts may not have the longevity of Dealer parts but I should be able to get a decent amount of years of them

Give us a clue what car, and what brands. Even cheap stuff has a brand name

 

[Burnerman]

Only my opinion but I avoid First Line products like the plague......drop links I fitted didn’t even last 12 months.
A motor factor may give you a choice of options, often there’s not a huge price difference between them.
John

 

[mointainwalker]

Only my opinion but I avoid First Line products like the plague......drop links I fitted didn’t even last 12 months.
A motor factor may give you a choice of options, often there’s not a huge price difference between them.
John

That was exactly my experience last year with First Line drop-links.

Out of curiosity, do they refund you quickly/easily, or give you the run-around ?

 

[Burnerman]

I have a great rapport with my motor factor, and they replace things without any fuss.
They don’t stock First Line products any more as far as I know - or at least they don’t push them my way!
I fitted a drive shaft boot from F L, and that split after 15 months. That was a real messy pain!
Thankfully, Febi do most things I need, like drop links, bottom arms, track rod ends etc so no need to look any further.
John

 

[Burnerman]

For people who dabble in the motor trade, a good motor factor is invaluable......none of the nonsense of sending goods back if they are incorrect. I
I’ve stated my case in the car maintenance section, under OEM, post #20.
John

 

[cooa99]

Give us a clue what car, and what brands. Even cheap stuff has a brand name

its a 2005 bmw X5 E53 3.0d. I've had it for about 16yrs

I was looking at this this on ebay

 

[cooa99]

That was exactly my experience last year with First Line drop-links.

Out of curiosity, do they refund you quickly/easily, or give you the run-around ?

With 2 of you having same issue with drop links, I think that makes a solid case for not buying some suspension parts given the hassle it takes to fit them in the first place.

The only motor factor I know is GSF but I always find them to be more expensive than Euro car parts


autodoc.com shows a lot of brands at different price points

 

[DiyNutJob]

I was looking at this this on ebay

For an unmentionable brand, the risk seems high. I have had luck buying brands completely unfamiliar to me. I look at their company history. If it's a long standing company, it would suggest they know what they are doing. If the product is related to their core business, that would suggest expertise.

 

[thomp1983]

A2z who are in your ebay link are a proper motor factors they just also sell on ebay, I've used them loads of times.

I've once had to return a prop uj due to it being the wrong one, lost a week due to the post but there was no hassle getting it changed.

Message them and they'll let you know what brands the bits are.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

its a 2005 bmw X5 E53 3.0d. I've had it for about 16yrs

I was looking at this this on ebay

wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

if they can't or won't tell you the brand, it means they will supply the cheapest they can get.

 

[Justin Passing]

A few years ago I got a pair of drop links for a Honda for about a tenner on ebay. They outlived the car.

 

[cooa99]

I called then up
The shock/strut are Japko
Droplinks are Borge & Beck
bump stop and Rubbers are Febi
Top mount and Rubber Bearing is First Line

 

[Burnerman]

I guess we could go on for ever here, but I've just fitted a timing belt kit to a Fiat 500 on a 59 plate.
The Dayco kit was a few quid cheaper than the Japko one, and it was available over the counter at my motor factors.
John

 

[thomp1983]

It's a coin toss really, they are going to be at the cheaper end of the market but if your only planning another 2 years with it you may get away with it.

On the other hand they could be knocking away by 12 months, if your doing the work it's not so bad having to repeat the job but paying a garage twice over will blow any savings you made with the parts.