Rubbish aftermarket parts

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:25 pm

As a newbie to the world of E-Types (coming from Ferrari's) i am shocked at the absolute tat that the so-called "Aftermarket Specialists" peddle

I have actually yet to purchase a decent replacement part from any of the mainstream providers.

For example - replacement washer bottle from a well known E Type parts company - leaks

Brake & Clutch fluid reservoirs from a well known E Type parts specialist - leak

Reservoir brackets - so poor in terms of fitment - binned

and the list goes on

Is this normal in the E Type world?

Post by **1954Etype** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:43 pm

We don't allow naming and shaming so thanks for your tact

However, if you want to pm me, I'd love to take it up. You're quite right, we shouldn't put up with rubbish parts and I know that SNGB (for example) are always keen on feedback.

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:33 pm

There can be a variation in parts that's for sure I wouldn't say they are all rubbish but you may have to tinker with the odd part to get them to fit,

Trouble is although we shouldn't suffer shoddy parts, without the few who have gone to the trouble of reproducing parts most of our cars would be scrap now.
Most people would say if they have an original part then surely it must be easy to copy, however these are small volume parts so the cost of setting up would be huge and we have to fall somewhere in the middle.
It's best to go for original parts where ever you can.

Dave

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:39 pm

I agree Dave, but the day and age of poor quality - should be gone.

Modern manufacturing techniques should mean that they are superior to the products offered 40+ years ago?

I fear that "enthusiasts" bear the brunt of "gullible / profit at any cost"?

I'd rather pay 20% more and ensure that parts were of real quality. Having been an enthusiast for many years across many marques, it's outrageous that in todays day and age that companies prey on enthusiast individuals and serve up "tat" as a short term business model.

All the successful business models look at the long term model of "quality parts, Sensible prices, Impeccable service = repeat business and lots of referrals.

As a business owner that takes this approach (successfully) it makes me deeply frustrated. Or am i being old fashioned?

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:59 pm

Canderella,

Did you be any chance buy parts from a supplier near an airport?

Dave

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:01 pm

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:23 pm

You are of course right and I would imagine that all members of the forum have at some time fallen foul of a part or two (being diplomatic) that doesnt fit and should perhaps have never been sold in the first place.

I have in a number of instances during my restoration purchased a new part in the expectation that it would be better than a tired original part. Only to find that it was in fact inferior (read rubbish). I then replated/refurbished the original at the expense of time and money with the addition of a level of disappointment / resentment.

I know I should probably should have complained and there is no supplier out there that has 100% perfect quality parts (I suspect).

Is it the British way that we just take the adversity on the chin and forge forward to rebuild the icon that is the Jaguar Etype [queue rousing British tunes] and resurrect from the mechanical grave the majesty of the most beautiful car ever made. I put it to you that we, the custodians of the ultimate sportscar are here to promote, display and appreciate the outstanding form of engineering in its highest artform.

Oh er sorry, what was the point of this response?

Um. yes I agree. bad parts. not good form. Please do better. Sorry. [you can turn off the rousing British music now]

Did I say sorry? been a hard week.

Post by **Heuer** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:53 pm

On the other hand the original parts were not made to the highest standards either. Mr Arthur Whittaker, Jaguar chief buyer, was well taught by Sir William and if he could get something for a few pennies cheaper he would. All the dealers begged Jaguar to make the E-Type to a higher standard and charge more but Sir William refused it seems. I think we are incredibly fortunate to have the current catalogue of parts available even though some might question the quality. Admittedly Porsche, BMW and MB now produce parts for their classic cars but the price puts them beyond the reach of many owners. On the other side of the coin is something like the Lotus Elan. Getting parts at all is a challenge as I have found out!

I spent some time with Julian Barratt and he is acutely aware of our concerns and is taking action to make things better. But the original tooling is knackered and elf and safety mean alternative materials have to be sourced in some cases. They are getting there but it takes time and investment.

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 3:29 am

I also have other British and Austrian make vehicles and their repro parts are the same - particularly rubber stuff - some rubber bits can perish soon after installation and before use.

Garry

vipergts · Post by **vipergts** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:27 am

When I've given feedback on rubbish parts to well known suppliers they simply turn round and say "Well, it's the first complaint we've had" when everyone I've spoken to has had the same issue.

And the supplier near an airport will simply tell you they have the part in stock, take your money and supply the part some weeks later (if you're lucky)

The most horrendous repro part I've ever seen is a dash top vent which as we know is a slim steel little slot, the one I saw was possibly 6 times the thickness cast from rough aluminium.

Kes · Post by **Kes** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:56 pm

After sending back three pairs of the chrome windscreen pillar finishing caps for an S2 roadster that disintegrated if exposed to a slight breeze and were plainly the wrong size compared to the originals, I finally admitted defeat and had some made from stainless (not cheap!) But this isn't just a problem with EType parts.

Even more infuriating was the replacement indicator arm assembly I bought for the '62 MGB I was restoring. It came in a green 'Lucas' box but was of truly dreadful 'cheap Christmas cracker' quality. After I sent back the second faulty one, it came to light that the units were actually made with a mistake in the circuitry.

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:36 pm

garrycol wrote:I also have other British and Austrian make vehicles and their repro parts are the same - particularly rubber stuff - some rubber bits can perish soon after installation and before use.

Garry

Yeah, but by the time Austrian car parts reach Australia they've perished at sea.

Anyway, I'm not familiar with Austrian cars, what models do they have? I seem to remember the Tyrolean Yodel (or was that Jodl?) and the Anschluss Special - lightning fast apparently, but I may be getting mixed up... :-)

All in love to our Continental brethren of course!

Woolfi · Post by **Woolfi** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:49 pm

Hello Peter !
A warm greeting from your tyrolian brothers:

Regards Wolfgang Gatza

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:09 pm

Ausgezeichnet! I still wear my Lederhosen complete with two-button front flap once or twice every year, but it is fifty years since I had the bib with a little ivory Edelweis on the front :-)

I was raised on Struwwelpeter and Max und Moritz.

Rums!! Da geht die Pfeife los
Mit Get?se, schrecklich gro?.
Kaffeetopf und Wasserglas,
Tabaksdose, Tintenfa?,
Ofen, Tisch und Sorgensitz -
Alles fliegt im Pulverblitz

Sounds like weak mixture and an E-type backfire :-)

Woolfi · Post by **Woolfi** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:34 pm

Everybody knows, that germans are sitting all the sunday in the Wirtshaus, dancing Schuhplattler and drinking a lot of beere.
But on monday morning at 7 o'clock they are starting 'Blitzkrieg' in the car industry against the few remaining 'enemies' in the other countries of Europe.
Kind regards Wolfgang Gatza

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:44 am

PeterCrespin wrote: Yeah, but by the time Austrian car parts reach Australia they've perished at sea.

Anyway, I'm not familiar with Austrian cars, what models do they have? I seem to remember the Tyrolean Yodel (or was that Jodl?) and the Anschluss Special - lightning fast apparently, but I may be getting mixed up... :-)

All in love to our Continental brethren of course!

You do not buy Austrian car parts in Aust - you buy in Europe and they arrive a few days later via air freight.

Steyr Puch cars - Steyr 200, Haflinger, Pinzgauer, MB G-Wagen, various Jeep models - bikes, scooters

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:56 am

Quite right. I forgot about Steyr-Puch. They used to do nice little mopeds in the 60s-70s. Is the G-Wagen made in Austria, and some Jeeps?

Stuff you learn on this forum!

tinworm · Post by **tinworm** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 8:57 am

I bought the small cover under the bell housing which covers the inspection hole from a certain supplier and had to wait a few weeks for it - when fitted in position (gearbox out of car) I found it was made out of mild steel and not spring steel which it should be to keep it in position - it snaps into the hole -In the end I just left it off and ran without one as I could imagine it rattling when the car was being driven. More money wasted.
Countering this slightly Jaguar original parts aren't always correct and I have witnessed people complaining about some OE parts that don't fit very well . I have noticed that some parts varied in production between early and late and also may have been part of a sub assembly which has been dismantled and sub- components when mixed with others don't fit each other very well.

christopher storey · Post by **christopher storey** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 9:13 am

Most BMW engines are made at Steyr , and a great deal of the trim in German cars is made in Austria

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:23 am

PeterCrespin wrote:Is the G-Wagen made in Austria, and some Jeeps?

The G-Wagen was initially a Puch vehicle and shortly after sold with MB badges on it. The differences merged over the years and is now MB.

Garry

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