Parts Suppliers - SNG vs DMG vs Martin Robey

[Philk]

On the forum we often refer to the "normal suppliers". Is there a UK supplier that people have found to be particularly good? I'm about to place an order for approximately 50-60 different parts. Between SNG, David Manners Group and Martin Robey, there is often a wide spread of prices for the same part number. All clearly show when it is an after-market part. Martin Robey does not show pictures although the others sometime have the same picture.

What are Members experiences? I'm sure other members who are relatively new to E-Type ownership would hugely value a 1-10 rating against the main suppliers in order to avoid any pitfalls that others have inadvertently fallen into.

[mgcjag]

Hi Phil.....i know it can be frustrating buying parts....but all of the usualls provide us with a great range of products, it wouldnt really be fair to give them ratings against each other on this open forum...nothing wrong for you to ask forum members to pm you with recomendations....however if there are particular items your after and want to know where to get the best fitting ones etc then then just ask.....Steve

[Philk]

Hi Phil.....i know it can be frustrating buying parts....but all of the usualls provide us with a great range of products, it wouldnt really be fair to give them ratings against each other on this open forum...nothing wrong for you to ask forum members to pm you with recomendations....however if there are particular items you after and want to know where to get the best fitting one then then just ask.....Steve

Point taken - from what I can see, none of the usuals use TrustPilot (which almost rings alarm bells these days given how widely it is used by online retailers). What a relative newbie could do with is an independent view in terms of quality of what has been supplied, delivery, problem sorting etc.

[mgcjag]

Hi Phil.....as an example i have used all the ones you mention and have never had a problem that could not be resolved by talking to them...one thing i would recomend for anyone new is to watch out for the International spares day, twice a year, lots of the usual suppliers, specialists and used parts http://www.jaguarsparesdays.co.uk

[cactusman]

I have used most of the usual and by and large they have all provided excellent service. On the rare occasion when something has been amiss they have rectified the issue immediately. Prices do seem to vary from one to another. Just shop around. Only thing I would say about parts is that some pattern trim parts fit poorly and may take time to fit (or basically don't fit at all). It is an issue others have touched on in other posts. We are though, very fortunate to have such a large range of parts available and the wide choice of suppliers we do have. Other marques are in a far less fortunate position.

[mgcjag]

Forgot to mention....some suppliers give a discount if you are car club member....check which ones...they also offer discounts if you collect at shows/events they attend.....Steve

[malcolm]

I think all the main ones you mentioned are aware that the E type community is quite close knit, and want to keep us happy. So service tends to be very good, and problems resolved over the phone (and there ARE problems sometimes when you're buying parts for a 50+ year old car)

[PeterCrespin]

I think all the main ones you mentioned are aware that the E type community is quite close knit, and want to keep us happy. So service tends to be very good, and problems resolved over the phone (and there ARE problems sometimes when you're buying parts for a 50+ year old car)

Especially if new to these cars. Have your VIN ("Car Number" in Jagspeak) handy if you call them, as many cock-ups are the buyer's fault. You must, of course, buy the spares manual for your model so you can cite part numbers to minimize errors. I think JEC and JCNA both qualify for 10% discount. Show collection is great and the shipping saved usually at least pays for admission and some petrol.

[Heuer]

Bear in mind that many of the parts come from a single supplier which are then sold on by the various vendors. SNGB make a large number of parts as does Richard Smith. Martin Robey specialises in body parts but Hutson's also make their own and distribute parts from others. Just a matter of finding a couple of vendors who you are comfortable working with. Hustons has the ever helpful Andy Rayner who can give you excellent advice on what parts fit and which don't (Hustons restore cars so they feel your pain!). SNGB has Julian Barratt as their MD who is approachable, helpful and will respond immediately to your emails if you have a problem.

We are very lucky to have suppliers such as these! There is only one company most of us will not recommend or indeed deal with. They have not been mentioned in this thread.

[Philk]

I think all the main ones you mentioned are aware that the E type community is quite close knit, and want to keep us happy. So service tends to be very good, and problems resolved over the phone (and there ARE problems sometimes when you're buying parts for a 50+ year old car)

Especially if new to these cars. Have your VIN ("Car Number" in Jagspeak) handy if you call them, as many cock-ups are the buyer's fault. You must, of course, buy the spares manual for your model so you can cite part numbers to minimize errors. I think JEC and JCNA both qualify for 10% discount. Show collection is great and the shipping saved usually at least pays for admission and some petrol.

All great advice - thank you. I already have the parts manual which is a great help. One challenge I have is that my car is one of the last 150 LHD 3.8 OTS' built. As such, there are already aspects of transition present which means being certain on aspects of trim etc is quite difficult. What I really need is a copy of all the Service Bulletins to accompany the parts manual!

[Series1 Stu]

My experience of buying parts for my cars is that all of the usual suppliers are pretty much equal on price and quality of parts. There are sometimes some big variations in parts prices and I am often tempted to spread my purchases between them but then you end up paying a lot more in postage charges.

Some parts I've bought have been absolutely useless and have taken more effort to fit than it would have taken to restore and repair the originals. Some parts are just plain outrageously mis-sold (S1 brake servo air filter springs to mind).

However, overall, I agree with the rest of the gang that we are incredibly well served by the suppliers and, without them, there would be far fewer of our cars around.

Regards

[Heuer]

What I really need is a copy of all the Service Bulletins to accompany the parts manual!

Try here, both Service and Parts Bulletins: https://www.terrysjag.com/E_Type_SeriesI_and_II.html

[Philk]

What I really need is a copy of all the Service Bulletins to accompany the parts manual!

Try here, both Service and Parts Bulletins: https://www.terrysjag.com/E_Type_SeriesI_and_II.html

Have just clicked on this and gone through the various links. Unfortunately, whilst it says Series 1 & 2 , most of the PDFs attached to the links start at July 1968.

Thank you anyway though. Do you know anyone who has the Series 1 Service and Parts bulletins?

[Heuer]

Yes, me!

[V12 Epyte]

Another particular point to check is stock availability. Quite often parts are listed as being in stock, and then found to be on back order. Sometimes back order can mean a few days, and sometimes several weeks which can be difficult.

[288gto]

Without naming and shaming, this is what you are up against. A brand new handbrake cable arrived today from one of the above. The clevis forks have been drilled out with a blunt bit and elongated to the extent that it will snap the first time it's used.





This is a simple handbrake cable, if they can't get that right, heaven help us. Why are they selling this tat?

Several days lost while I try to find one that hasn't been made by a five year old.

Any recommendations?

Simon

[Gfhug]

Simon, talk to Ken Jenkins: http://www.ukjag.co.uk/stock/
I got mine from him, works and very happy with the service

Geoff

[288gto]

Cheers Geoff,

The other end was even worse and the adjuster nut is tapped at an angle so would not sit properly. Keep calm and carry on.




I'll give Ken a ring.

Simon

[mgcjag]

Hi Simon....have you taken this up with the supplier... Steve

[christopher storey]

Ken Jenkins will almost certainly provide you with one which was commissioned some years ago by the JEC. These have the huge advantage that they are the correct length, which many of the aftermarket cables are not, thus making adjustment difficult if not impossible