Grahamgl Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 Gentlemen, The progress of my 1962 Triumph TR4 progresses. The car has been dismantled down to the chassis and I have started to send the removed parts away for restoration to experts who have been recommended on this forum. My first invoice for the restoration of a part has arrived, and I am thinking perhaps I should change my approach and buy new parts. In this instance I can buy a new unit for less than £100, the restoration of my part was in excess of £300. Prices quoted for restoration of the hydraulic parts are similarly higher than the cost of new items. What are the views of members that have trodden this route before me please? Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 Sadly you cant really do this comparison in all cases as very often a restored original (If done well) will still be better in terms of fit and function than a repro. This doesnt always apply as there are some very good repro parts around i.e. the new sidelight repeaters for 4a but you probably need to asses each part individually and ask people who know and use the bits whats good and whats bad. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FatJon Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 Hard to give a simple answer. Some repro parts are really nice some are garbage. Reconditioned originals are going to be expensive if they are being reconditioned by skilled UK craftsmen at skilled UK craftsman labour rates. I used very little reconditioned stuff but the repro parts I used were always top end suppliers, for example Racestorations, TRGB etc rather than EBay junk. Not that it’s all junk by any stretch. People have had a dig at Rimmers but I have never had a bad part from them yet, OK, once- TR6 sun-visors which would probably fit a bus better. My main problem with reconditioning is not the cost but the time it takes. I had odd bits done and waited months for them. I’ve had a head away for 13 months and counting! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Read Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 After recieving and returning poorly fitting panels from Rimmers for my 3A, I bought from Bastuk in Germany, much better quality. However, since Brexit I dont think they will supply individuals in the UK. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 20 minutes ago, Phil Read said: After recieving and returning poorly fitting panels from Rimmers for my 3A, I bought from Bastuk in Germany, much better quality. However, since Brexit I dont think they will supply individuals in the UK. Most of the usual suspects now stock Bastuck panels. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 I learnt the hard way that quite a percentage of the repro parts I bought were a waste of time and money especially from one particular big parts supplier. Result I have a two boxes of unfitted parts. Cheap generally means poor parts or if they fit will fail quickly some especially rubber ones even before they had seen the road. I agree with Stuart. In the end I followed his and the advice on the forum and recommissioned my OEM parts as much as possible some myself and the rest via respected companies. In the end I like to fit once and forget for another 20 years or so rather than every 1-2 years have to throw more money at it which if you add it up is likely going to be the same as having the OEM parts refurbed in the first place! Plus in safety critical areas I what the best parts I can afford but understand why when people have a budget are tempted by the repro parts. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 3 hours ago, Grahamgl said: Gentlemen, The progress of my 1962 Triumph TR4 progresses. The car has been dismantled down to the chassis and I have started to send the removed parts away for restoration to experts who have been recommended on this forum. My first invoice for the restoration of a part has arrived, and I am thinking perhaps I should change my approach and buy new parts. In this instance I can buy a new unit for less than £100, the restoration of my part was in excess of £300. Prices quoted for restoration of the hydraulic parts are similarly higher than the cost of new items. What are the views of members that have trodden this route before me please? Graham Graham - as a generalisation, I would always prefer to recondition an original item, than buy a repro. What did you have reconditioned for £300 which you could have bought new for £100 - that does sound like a big difference which would be difficult to justify in normal circumstances. You mention hydraulic parts are more expensive than repro ones - just look on this forum with all the issues people have experienced with long pedals on repro calipers, and master and slave cylinders not lasting long. When you consider how long lasting many original parts were, and then compare that with many modern repros, I bet the the reconditioned OE part will prove more cost effective in the long run, and even the medium term. In my experience, OE reconditioned hydraulic stuff is about double repro stuff which I think is good vale- typically repro calipers are around the £60-£70 mark and master cylinders around £50-60 odd - I sell my Past Parts reconditioned calipers for £100 and typically master cylinders for a little less. I don't want to make this a sales pitch for my parts, so I'll just say other items I think are worth doing are lever arms, steering racks, AC Delco Fuel pumps, OE Water pumps, dynamos, starter motors, wiper motors, radiators , chromework to name some of the items. I've spent the last 10 years sourcing the best reconditioners, and where not possible, the best suppliers of the best parts, and I've happily shared this with the forum but I have to say it's been a long hard battle to convince people of the benefits - you can lead a horse to water but .......................! Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 Hi Folks, I know it is easy to say but if you get poor parts then complain loudly. We have the PQI but this is under-used. If you complain then things may change. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 I find the biggest problem with the current suppliers, is you order it on their internet page, (very easy) and when it arrives you have to double check it, and more often its wrong, or badly machined, call back the supplier, "Oh just send it back and we'll send you another" (at my cost) why don't they check their one parts first, best solution is, take the old part along to the suppliers counter, and compare the new item in front of them, and go thru parts until you get a good part perhaps! That's my feeling, but not many of us live close to a supplier, Hey Ho! John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 5 minutes ago, John L said: I find the biggest problem with the current suppliers, is you order it on their internet page, (very easy) and when it arrives you have to double check it, and more often its wrong, or badly machined, call back the supplier, "Oh just send it back and we'll send you another" (at my cost) why don't they check their one parts first, best solution is, take the old part along to the suppliers counter, and compare the new item in front of them, and go thru parts until you get a good part perhaps! That's my feeling, but not many of us live close to a supplier, Hey Ho! John Send a pic of the duff part and ask them to send another. Cheap parts are not worth returning due to postal charges - or get them to pay for it. Perhaps then they will get the message. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 I have had this problem myself over many years. I try and repair all parts using well known specialists. There are a lot of new replacements which are not well made. This applies to other household items as well. It is difficult finding suppliers who are enthusiasts for the TR old car and run the business with care. I was an early customer at C&B in the railway arches in West London . The Forum is the best way to find someone reliable who will make the parts that you need. Please keep helping Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.