Aftermarket Parts Manufacturers

[JimM169]

Are there any 'go to' manufacturers for suspension parts these days or is it all pretty much generic Chinese stuff that's pot luck on the quality front?
The lower arms on the wife's Peugeot 208 need replacing but I don't want to be doing the job again in a years time because the rubber bushes on the replacements only last 5k
Lemforder would probably be my first choice and are sensibly priced but it does mean running the gauntlet with Autodoc ! (I'll probably end up with their own brand 'equivalent')
PartsinMotion do Febi, Apec and Delphi for similar money but not sure how these compare these days?
Any recommendations on what to go for?

Thanks

[E-bmw]

[quote=JimM169]
PartsinMotion do Febi, Apec and Delphi for similar money but not sure how these compare these days?
/quote]

This is where I would be going, of those probably Febi but point of note PiM have always provided excellent service/advice etc for me.

[stevieturbo]

I presume Peugeot are too expensive ?

I've ordered from Autodoc before and been sent their own ste. I immediately returned it stating it was not what I ordered.

Surprisingly the process was pretty smooth and quick and that's without their "safe order" bull****

[JimM169]

E-bmw]imM169 said:

PartsinMotion do Febi, Apec and Delphi for similar money but not sure how these compare these days?
/quote]

This is where I would be going, of those probably Febi but point of note PiM have always provided excellent service/advice etc for me.

Yes, PIM are my preferred supplier and have been pretty responsive when I've contacted them.

stevieturbo said:

I presume Peugeot are too expensive ?

I've ordered from Autodoc before and been sent their own ste. I immediately returned it stating it was not what I ordered.

Surprisingly the process was pretty smooth and quick and that's without their "safe order" bull****

TBH I have ordered from Autodoc in the past as and never had an issue but seen lots of stuff onlne from those that have!
However I did chat them this morning and requested that they turn off 'substitutions' from my account, they knew exactly what I wanted and confirmed this had been done so hopefully will prevent that being an issue should I order again.

[Derry Rhumba]

E-bmw]imM169 said:

PartsinMotion do Febi, Apec and Delphi for similar money but not sure how these compare these days?
/quote]

This is where I would be going, of those probably Febi but point of note PiM have always provided excellent service/advice etc for me.

Without creating an echo chamber in the thread, just like to say I have had excellent service from PiM recently, much better than my previous go to which was Autodoc, (aware YMMV).

Of the brands the OP say they supply I would go with Febi....used a few Febi components over the last wee while, quality seems fine.

[Saleen836]

I have just replaced the rear shocks on my daily drive Astravan, a bit of research directed me towards KYB shocks, got a pair from ebay for a bit less than £54

[ARH]

In my experience PiM don't sell tat they will have to replace under warrenty.

Been using them for years with various cars and brands, never had any issues. Right not I would probably pick Febi

[CouncilFerrari]

Febi are decent parts, as are Lemforder and Meyle. I can't speak for the rest, I generally try and go with one of the aforementioned brands.

If it's just the rubber bush that's gone, could you press them out and install poly bushes?

[Belle427]

Use Febi a lot, I am not a fan of their drop links though. Meyle also seem very good quality, I have just replaced some arms and drop links on my Merc with their stuff as they had a 4 arm kit.
Dampers I would probably use KYB, they seem the best of a bad bunch.

[Diffman3000]

Febi discs are alright but their pads squeal like mad. Febi, like Lemforder, used to be good (much of it was proper OE with the logos and numbers ground off) but now it seems to be cheap crap in a nice box. I've had so many faulty febi parts recently - now I just won't use them. Blueprint clutches are shyte but their flywheels are often LuK parts.

I just use genuine parts now and do the job once. BMW and Merc bits often aren't that obscene so I'll fit those. Boge or Sachs shock absorbers and springs (I won't use anything else now - especially KYB), Bosch for electrics and sensors, Ate brakes, INA timing belt kits etc. I'm sick of 'known brands' failing after 1000 miles.

Parts In Motion are very good.

Edited by Diffman3000 on Wednesday 2nd September 17:55

[Tim Cognito]

From my experience, febi ok, lemforder much better, meyle ok but not to be confused with meyle hd which is decent.

[21TonyK]

As an aside. Pim prices seem keener via the bay than their own site. Anyone found different?

[ARH]

21TonyK said:

As an aside. Pim prices seem keener via the bay than their own site. Anyone found different?

Not found a price difference but have found that sometimes stock is allocated to an ebay listing, and not available on the website.