Parts - we think we've got is bad

[adam quantrill]

well today I saw a lovely white-painted water pump on the flea for the Rover V8.

But while I was looking at the ad I spotted this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151626812662?_trksid=p20...

Wow - 500 quid for a water pump! But then while looking at that ad I spotted this "related item":

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231236966385?_trksid=p20...

Cripes! There must be whole cars you can buy for that - 2 grand for a water pump!!

[mrzigazaga]

Well it say's FREE postage...I would personally deliver it for that..

[MethylatedSpirit]

adam quantrill said:

well today I saw a lovely white-painted water pump on the flea for the Rover V8.

But while I was looking at the ad I spotted this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151626812662?_trksid=p20...

Te first is a brand new part, manufactured from scratch.


3d designed using solidworks or similar
Mould made by hand or 3d printed.
Molten metal poured into mould and allowed to set
Machining and tooling to give a more refined shape after moulding and to add mountings.
Impeller shaft threaded by hand. I done this for RR aero once, Never again!
Impeller tooled and balanced from a solid lump of steel
And all the other bits, like the hole for the split pin. These add up.


It's an awesome piece of hand made engineering, and a part that probably wouldn't exist if it weren't tooled from a solid lump of metal. I imagine many hours went into designing and making the part.



The second might be a part that is out of stock, they've put up the price rather than removing the listing so that they can re-use the listing.

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Wednesday 25th March 00:12

[ElvisWedgely]

Seeing that the classic car prices are going through the roof and the owners are asking silly money, I guess parts manufacturers and stockists want some of the action too. When you compare it to the parts prices of modern cars, I think you'll find these are still a bargain. I had one electronic distance sensor fitted to my 6 series BMW and it cost nearly £300. There are eight of them. I'm not talking about the cheap China one's on the net for ten quid. I'm talking genuine BMW.

Tony. TCB.

[Wedg1e]

Our QA guy at work has an old Bristol, it needs an oil pump but they're made of 100% Unobtanium. Luckily there's a guy in Australia who casts new ones in his back garden, then gives them to another mate to machine up.
Unluckily he does about three a year, and there's a long waiting list...

[V8 Fettler]

There's always an alternative, electric water pump being but one example.

"But, but, but .... it's not original!"

[wooly350i]

The negative feedback on the two grand water pump guy is an interesting read.

[superwedge]

maybe once you get it home it turns into this ?