Discussion:
Brakes
(too old to reply)
Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-01 13:47:00 UTC
Permalink
Recent MOT on the Boxster said I'd need the discs replaced shortly. Not a
surprise given the mileage.
So spent this morning on line looking for the best deal - parts only, as
it's a job I can do, when the weather gets better.

Eurocarparts on entering the car reg gave the wrong year. Entering the
details manually seemed to give different parts. Carparts for Less the
same problem. And both Pagid (cheap) or Sebro for the fronts, with also
Brembo for the rear.

But what I was after was a price for all the bits - four discs, new pads
and sensors. Preferably all of the same make, and one I'd heard of like
Brembo or ATE, who do OEM.

A Porsche specialist did do a kit, but only the pad brand given. No
mention of who made the discs.

So on to Ebay.

ECP listed a front brake kit complete there. And by Brembo. But not on
their site - that I could find. And no rear kit.

Eventually, having waded through pages and pages found a complete Brembo
set for £389. Better price than buying Brembo bits individually. Of course
I've no idea if Brembo sell alternative qualities.
--
*Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional *

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Kumquat May
2020-01-01 16:38:58 UTC
Permalink
In article <***@davenoise.co.uk>, ***@davenoise.co.uk
says...
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Recent MOT on the Boxster said I'd need the discs replaced shortly. Not a
surprise given the mileage.
So spent this morning on line looking for the best deal - parts only, as
it's a job I can do, when the weather gets better.
Eurocarparts on entering the car reg gave the wrong year. Entering the
details manually seemed to give different parts. Carparts for Less the
same problem. And both Pagid (cheap) or Sebro for the fronts, with also
Brembo for the rear.
ECP and CP4L are the smae outfit - or so I thought?
MrCheerful
2020-01-01 18:57:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Kumquat May
says...
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Recent MOT on the Boxster said I'd need the discs replaced shortly. Not a
surprise given the mileage.
So spent this morning on line looking for the best deal - parts only, as
it's a job I can do, when the weather gets better.
Eurocarparts on entering the car reg gave the wrong year. Entering the
details manually seemed to give different parts. Carparts for Less the
same problem. And both Pagid (cheap) or Sebro for the fronts, with also
Brembo for the rear.
ECP and CP4L are the smae outfit - or so I thought?
I can confirm they are the same firm.
Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-01 19:21:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Kumquat May
says...
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Recent MOT on the Boxster said I'd need the discs replaced shortly. Not a
surprise given the mileage.
So spent this morning on line looking for the best deal - parts only, as
it's a job I can do, when the weather gets better.
Eurocarparts on entering the car reg gave the wrong year. Entering the
details manually seemed to give different parts. Carparts for Less the
same problem. And both Pagid (cheap) or Sebro for the fronts, with also
Brembo for the rear.
ECP and CP4L are the smae outfit - or so I thought?
They are under the same umbrella. With equally nutty pricing policies.
--
*Filthy stinking rich -- well, two out of three ain't bad

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Peter Hill
2020-01-01 21:37:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by Kumquat May
says...
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Recent MOT on the Boxster said I'd need the discs replaced shortly. Not a
surprise given the mileage.
So spent this morning on line looking for the best deal - parts only, as
it's a job I can do, when the weather gets better.
Eurocarparts on entering the car reg gave the wrong year. Entering the
details manually seemed to give different parts. Carparts for Less the
same problem. And both Pagid (cheap) or Sebro for the fronts, with also
Brembo for the rear.
ECP and CP4L are the smae outfit - or so I thought?
They are under the same umbrella. With equally nutty pricing policies.
Especially when you have a code to enter. Got £80 of front brake parts
for £28 week before Xmas. 50% Discount on already reduced price.

They and Halfords now have a car bulb "database" that is giving the
wrong bulbs. A few months ago I went to ECP and asked for a 21/5W
brake/tail light, they asked for car details, guy sucked his teeth and
said "I don't know if we have parts for a 25 year old car M reg car" but
the computer gave him a part number. Came back from stores with a 10W
number plate lamp. I had to go out to the car remove the bulb and bring
it in to show him. Bro went to Halfords, entered his reg into the parts
computer, found number plate bulb, selected the type computer said was
correct. He got a pair of 21/5W brake/tail bulbs (should have been 5W
push fit).

As for stocking. Last Easter I checked online for a cam cover gasket for
my bothers car, 1.4L Kalos. None in stock at nearest ECP but Swindon had
2, so I click and collect ordered online and set off 20 miles. Got there
and they couldn't find one. So either someone stole 2 or they never had
them. I really doubt that this gasket is in demand to have 2 stolen.

I usually take my trade to a motor factors that has staff that actually
knows how cars are put together, which bit goes where and what it does.
For some cars they have even factory workshop manuals behind counter to
show/lend people.
steve robinson
2020-01-03 10:55:58 UTC
Permalink
On Wed, 1 Jan 2020 21:37:30 +0000, Peter Hill
Post by Peter Hill
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by Kumquat May
says...
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Recent MOT on the Boxster said I'd need the discs replaced shortly. Not a
surprise given the mileage.
So spent this morning on line looking for the best deal - parts only, as
it's a job I can do, when the weather gets better.
Eurocarparts on entering the car reg gave the wrong year. Entering the
details manually seemed to give different parts. Carparts for Less the
same problem. And both Pagid (cheap) or Sebro for the fronts, with also
Brembo for the rear.
ECP and CP4L are the smae outfit - or so I thought?
They are under the same umbrella. With equally nutty pricing policies.
Especially when you have a code to enter. Got £80 of front brake parts
for £28 week before Xmas. 50% Discount on already reduced price.
They and Halfords now have a car bulb "database" that is giving the
wrong bulbs. A few months ago I went to ECP and asked for a 21/5W
brake/tail light, they asked for car details, guy sucked his teeth and
said "I don't know if we have parts for a 25 year old car M reg car" but
the computer gave him a part number. Came back from stores with a 10W
number plate lamp. I had to go out to the car remove the bulb and bring
it in to show him. Bro went to Halfords, entered his reg into the parts
computer, found number plate bulb, selected the type computer said was
correct. He got a pair of 21/5W brake/tail bulbs (should have been 5W
push fit).
As for stocking. Last Easter I checked online for a cam cover gasket for
my bothers car, 1.4L Kalos. None in stock at nearest ECP but Swindon had
2, so I click and collect ordered online and set off 20 miles. Got there
and they couldn't find one. So either someone stole 2 or they never had
them. I really doubt that this gasket is in demand to have 2 stolen.
I usually take my trade to a motor factors that has staff that actually
knows how cars are put together, which bit goes where and what it does.
For some cars they have even factory workshop manuals behind counter to
show/lend people.
ECP are useless , stock levels are usually inaccurate, staff
order in wrong parts or tools then say sorry no longer stock what
you asked for , we got this at 5 x the price , tend to avoid them
like the plague now
MrCheerful
2020-01-03 11:32:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by steve robinson
On Wed, 1 Jan 2020 21:37:30 +0000, Peter Hill
Post by Peter Hill
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by Kumquat May
says...
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Recent MOT on the Boxster said I'd need the discs replaced shortly. Not a
surprise given the mileage.
So spent this morning on line looking for the best deal - parts only, as
it's a job I can do, when the weather gets better.
Eurocarparts on entering the car reg gave the wrong year. Entering the
details manually seemed to give different parts. Carparts for Less the
same problem. And both Pagid (cheap) or Sebro for the fronts, with also
Brembo for the rear.
ECP and CP4L are the smae outfit - or so I thought?
They are under the same umbrella. With equally nutty pricing policies.
Especially when you have a code to enter. Got £80 of front brake parts
for £28 week before Xmas. 50% Discount on already reduced price.
They and Halfords now have a car bulb "database" that is giving the
wrong bulbs. A few months ago I went to ECP and asked for a 21/5W
brake/tail light, they asked for car details, guy sucked his teeth and
said "I don't know if we have parts for a 25 year old car M reg car" but
the computer gave him a part number. Came back from stores with a 10W
number plate lamp. I had to go out to the car remove the bulb and bring
it in to show him. Bro went to Halfords, entered his reg into the parts
computer, found number plate bulb, selected the type computer said was
correct. He got a pair of 21/5W brake/tail bulbs (should have been 5W
push fit).
As for stocking. Last Easter I checked online for a cam cover gasket for
my bothers car, 1.4L Kalos. None in stock at nearest ECP but Swindon had
2, so I click and collect ordered online and set off 20 miles. Got there
and they couldn't find one. So either someone stole 2 or they never had
them. I really doubt that this gasket is in demand to have 2 stolen.
I usually take my trade to a motor factors that has staff that actually
knows how cars are put together, which bit goes where and what it does.
For some cars they have even factory workshop manuals behind counter to
show/lend people.
ECP are useless , stock levels are usually inaccurate, staff
order in wrong parts or tools then say sorry no longer stock what
you asked for , we got this at 5 x the price , tend to avoid them
like the plague now
I have used ecp: twice. Both experiences were poor. And when you know
that they are almost on my doorstep, you know they must be bad.
Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-03 14:35:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by MrCheerful
Post by steve robinson
ECP are useless , stock levels are usually inaccurate, staff
order in wrong parts or tools then say sorry no longer stock what
you asked for , we got this at 5 x the price , tend to avoid them
like the plague now
I have used ecp: twice. Both experiences were poor. And when you know
that they are almost on my doorstep, you know they must be bad.
They used to be very good. But IIRC, changed hands some time ago.

Last time I used them was for a battery. Decent enough price, but when I
got it home, discovered they'd supplied the wrong one. Correct on their
paperwork - just picked the wrong item off the shelf. And no apology when
I went back to get the correct one. In other words my fault for not
checking in the store. ;-)
--
*Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice?"

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Fredxx
2020-01-04 05:16:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by MrCheerful
Post by steve robinson
ECP are useless , stock levels are usually inaccurate, staff
order in wrong parts or tools then say sorry no longer stock what
you asked for , we got this at 5 x the price , tend to avoid them
like the plague now
I have used ecp: twice. Both experiences were poor. And when you know
that they are almost on my doorstep, you know they must be bad.
They used to be very good. But IIRC, changed hands some time ago.
Last time I used them was for a battery. Decent enough price, but when I
got it home, discovered they'd supplied the wrong one. Correct on their
paperwork - just picked the wrong item off the shelf. And no apology when
I went back to get the correct one. In other words my fault for not
checking in the store. ;-)
I haven't had that experience, though typically take the 'old' part in
with me from experience of the variation of fitments you get anyway.

One thing I have learnt is to not use their own 'makes' where things
like clips and bolts are not supplied with the part that would normally
be supplied by a named make. They're often not that much cheaper.

In conjunction with offers it makes them very competitive. I expect Mr
Cheerful is well known to local factors, whereas when I visit such a
place I will be stung after saying I don't have an account!
Nick Finnigan
2020-01-04 09:32:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by Fredxx
In conjunction with offers it makes them very competitive. I expect Mr
Cheerful is well known to local factors, whereas when I visit such a place
I will be stung after saying I don't have an account!
My local motor factors give me the prices for the different makes they
sell before asking how I want to pay, and are better than ECP in all cases.
Not as cheap as specialist suppliers for unusual parts.

(OK, they may realise I don't have an account since I walk in rather than
ringing up and asking for delivery by the next van).
Fredxx
2020-01-05 00:30:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Fredxx
In conjunction with offers it makes them very competitive. I expect Mr
Cheerful is well known to local factors, whereas when I visit such a
place I will be stung after saying I don't have an account!
 My local motor factors give me the prices for the different makes they
sell before asking how I want to pay, and are better than ECP in all
cases. Not as cheap as specialist suppliers for unusual parts.
 (OK, they may realise I don't have an account since I walk in rather
than ringing up and asking for delivery by the next van).
The last time I know a motor factors selling to all and sundry and good
prices was when they wanted to show good turnover figures before the
sale of their business.

ECP online prices are high but you can generally get coupons to get
30-50% off those prices.
MrCheerful
2020-01-05 08:33:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Fredxx
Post by Fredxx
In conjunction with offers it makes them very competitive. I expect
Mr Cheerful is well known to local factors, whereas when I visit such
a place I will be stung after saying I don't have an account!
  My local motor factors give me the prices for the different makes
they sell before asking how I want to pay, and are better than ECP in
all cases. Not as cheap as specialist suppliers for unusual parts.
  (OK, they may realise I don't have an account since I walk in rather
than ringing up and asking for delivery by the next van).
The last time I know a motor factors selling to all and sundry and good
prices was when they wanted to show good turnover figures before the
sale of their business.
ECP online prices are high but you can generally get coupons to get
30-50% off those prices.
Their pricing system makes no sense. Recently I ran out of oil
absorbing granules, my regular supplier was out, so I checked GSF they
wanted 12 quid, checked ecp, they wanted a bit more, looked on ebay 6
quid from ecp (cp4less) and courier delivery included.
Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-06 14:04:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by MrCheerful
Their pricing system makes no sense. Recently I ran out of oil
absorbing granules, my regular supplier was out, so I checked GSF they
wanted 12 quid, checked ecp, they wanted a bit more, looked on ebay 6
quid from ecp (cp4less) and courier delivery included.
Yup. And since they seem to set out to annoy me, I'll just spend time
looking for a more honest supplier.
--
*Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off*

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
The Other Mike
2020-01-06 14:25:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by MrCheerful
Post by Fredxx
ECP online prices are high but you can generally get coupons to get
30-50% off those prices.
Their pricing system makes no sense. Recently I ran out of oil
absorbing granules, my regular supplier was out, so I checked GSF they
wanted 12 quid, checked ecp, they wanted a bit more, looked on ebay 6
quid from ecp (cp4less) and courier delivery included.
ECP they tried to stiff me by removing all the discount at some stage very late
in the checkout and more than doubling the bill (using a discount code they
showed as still valid but it had probably expired at midnight the day before)

I phoned up and cancelled straight away but It took about a week to get a refund
to my card. You are totally at the mercy of thei antiquated systems.

Also it's at times like this 'Paypal' and their 'customer services' are about
as much use as a chocolate teapot. In some ways it's possibly better than
distributing your full credit card details around several online retailers. but
the drawbacks such as lack of any proper section 75 protection are significant.
--

Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-06 14:02:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by Fredxx
ECP online prices are high but you can generally get coupons to get
30-50% off those prices.
Or order their stuff via Ebay - if they've got it on there.

It may makes sense to them to sell something cheaper via Ebay (and free
postage) than to someone who just calls at their branch and collects.
After all they are not a high street outlet, with high rates, etc.

It doesn't to me, so I'll find a more honest seller.
--
*If at first you don't succeed, redefine success.

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Steve H
2020-01-01 23:04:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Eventually, having waded through pages and pages found a complete Brembo
set for £389. Better price than buying Brembo bits individually. Of course
I've no idea if Brembo sell alternative qualities.
I run the Brembos on my 986S - cheap (I paid about £300 for a set of
everything in an ECP offer) and seem to last well, given I use mine for
track days.

Just be aware that pad warning sensors are an extra you'll need to
order, too.

I'm acutally amazed that 986S brakes are so cheap, given they're shared
with the 911. Non-S 986 parts are cheaper.
--
Steve H
Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-03 01:01:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve H
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Eventually, having waded through pages and pages found a complete
Brembo set for £389. Better price than buying Brembo bits
individually. Of course I've no idea if Brembo sell alternative
qualities.
I run the Brembos on my 986S - cheap (I paid about £300 for a set of
everything in an ECP offer) and seem to last well, given I use mine for
track days.
Just be aware that pad warning sensors are an extra you'll need to
order, too.
I'm acutally amazed that 986S brakes are so cheap, given they're shared
with the 911. Non-S 986 parts are cheaper.
Mine's a 987.2 S with the larger brakes than the 987, so think I've got a
decent deal.
--
*I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
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