Eurocarparts Pricing Anomaly

[MSS]

Differential prices based on sales channel is nothing new.

"The principle" being referred to above - is it that we want the cheapest prices?

[grivas]

Originally Posted by solarsailor

When I bought my car it was advertised as having 12 months MOT, but when I checked the paperwork it turned out to be only two months, so as a condition of sale I got the dealer to have a full ticket put on it. It passed fine but had an advisory about the rear discs (worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened). So at some point between now and the next MOT date in April I intend to replace these, and while I'm at it I'll do the front ones and handbrake shoes as well.

Although it will be March/April before I have this done I do like a bit of forward planning so I've just been looking around online to get an idea on pricing. I chose Pagid as a reasonable quality but not overly expensive option and discovered the following:

Eurocarparts (ECP)

Front Discs x2 £83.98
Front Pad Set £31.99
Rear Discs x2 £62.98
Rear Pad Set £32.99
Handbrake Shoes £25.49

A grand total of £237.43 before discount, the highest available at the moment being 30% (code WEEKEND30). That brings it down to £166.20.

I then had a bit more of a hunt round and found that you can order direct from ECP via eBay. Here you have an option to buy 'kits' - a pair of discs and associated pads - whereas if ordered on the ECP site it seems everything has to be bought individually. On eBay there are two versions of Pagid discs available, ATE system and Teves system - no idea what the difference is, maybe someone can enlighten me.

ATE
Front Disc & Pad Set £59.95
Rear Disc & Pad Set £61.99
Handbrake Shoes £19.12

Teves
Front Disc & Pad Set £72.30
Rear Disc & Pad Set £62.69
Handbrake Shoes £19.12

Even though ECP discount codes aren't valid when buying through eBay, the Teves system is still £12.09 cheaper at £154.11 and at £141.06 the ATE system is £25.14 cheaper.

I've only looked at brakes so I've no idea if prices on other parts will show a similar anomaly but I suggest that when using ECP check whether it's possible to find the same thing, direct from them, cheaper on the bay - even without a discount code.

Andrew

Not so much the madness of pricing to annoys me at the moment but the rather poor delivery service via DHL it is nothing short of rubbish I've been informed twice since placing order of delivery but no show I will be taking my business elsewhere in future as the service is poor.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by solarsailor

It passed fine but had an advisory about the rear discs (worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened).

Andrew,

What that advice means is that your rear calipers need attention because they're not pushing the pads into good contact with the discs. Reasons for this are:

• Sticky pistons due to surface corrosion on circumference. Cleaning required!
• Sticking sliding caliper due to surface corrosion. Clean and lubricate with brake grease or equivalent.
• Air in the brake hydraulic lines to the rear calipers. Bleeding required!

Your car has passed its MOT Andrew. You do not need to renew the front pads and discs or the handbrake shoes. They are fine. You don't need to renew the rear discs either because once you solve the problem at source, the disc surface will quickly become bright again.

I have just been in exactly the same situation as you: an advisory on rear discs. I have an MOT now but I have inspected the sliding calipers and pistons and they could do with cleaning and lubricating.

Save your money Andrew! The replacements you're planning are unnecessary.

Simon

[solarsailor]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Save your money Andrew! The replacements you're planning are unnecessary.

Simon

Thanks for the useful advice Simon, I'll see if I can get the points you mentioned checked out. However, the discs are still the original ones and when running a finger from the centre outwards there's the feel of a distinctive 'lip' when you reach the edge, so they'll no doubt need replacing due to normal wear at some point.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by solarsailor

... when running a finger from the centre outwards there's the feel of a distinctive 'lip' when you reach the edge, so they'll no doubt need replacing due to normal wear at some point.

You're right, and that point is when they reach their minimum thickness. For all rear discs except the ZT 190 that service limit is 8.0 mm. Laser Tools sell a device for taking this measurement, or you can use a micrometer or maybe a set of vernier calipers with suitable jaws if you have access to them.

The rate of wear is actually very slow, particularly at the rear where much less braking effort is required. I hope it will reassure you to hear that my original front discs reached their minimum thickness only a few weeks ago, and that's after 17 years and 88,000 miles!

Simon