Manufacturer cheaper than independants

[MJK 24]

Discs and pads, front and rear, VW Touareg 2.5 TDI.

Eurocarparts £350 plus VAT

Volkswagen TPS £266 plus VAT.

Big saving and you know you're getting the correct parts (I admit that the discs will likely be identical but Euro/GSF pads are often a different compound in my experience).

Anyone else been pleasantly surprised by main dealer pricing?

[Dog Star]

I always check the dealer prices as well as GSF etc.

Certain Merc bits - eg. wipers can often be cheaper than places like Halfords.
And it's not just parts - my Merc dealer does a cheaper rate for vehicles over 4 years old which is about the same as an indie charges (and will price match if not).

[Deva Link]

ECP will normally give 20% off just for asking (which makes them the same) and some people probably get more off.

Will VW TPS supply anybody? I thought they quite funny about being trade only?

[MJK 24]

Deva Link said:

I thought ECP would give 20% off just for asking (which makes them the same) and some people probably get more off.

Will VW TPS supply anybody? I thought they quite funny about being trade only?

They're completely unfussy and will serve anyone. All they want to do is sell sell sell as much as they possibly can.

Another example - Longlife 3 engine oil. £17 plus VAT for 5 litres providing you buy four cans at once. Basically, four for the price of three. A 2.5 Touareg holds 9 litres so you soon use them up. Online retailers seem to want around £40 for a 5 litre can to VW 507 spec.

[bigdods]

Same with vauxhall, If you get a trade club card (£20) you can buy parts at less than trade price over the counter from the dealer. Last time I needed front brake pads genuine vaux ones were £11 for both sides.

[MJK 24]

bigdods said:

Same with vauxhall, If you get a trade club card (£20) you can buy parts at less than trade price over the counter from the dealer. Last time I needed front brake pads genuine vaux ones were £11 for both sides.

Mk4 Golf / Seat Leon / Skoda Octavia genuine front pads are now also £11 from VW TPS. That's for the 'normal' petrols and diesels. Not the R32 or GTI's.