Parts you should buy from the dealership ...

[Ben Lessani]

As much as I love ECP/GSF for the availability and low prices, buying some parts from there are just a false economy. Recently, I'd had a bout of swapping out the low quality failed GSF/ECP crappers for genuine parts.

I figure, there should be a reference on here for parts that are decent from ECP/GSF and parts that should really be avoided - with some genuine reasoning that is!

Pattern parts I wouldn't buy ...

• Thermostat flange - I've replace this twice with GSF parts and after 1 year or so, it has warped.
• Gear linkage repair kit - it was made of the lowest quality crap I've ever bought. The foam doughnuts fell apart just from looking at them.
• Steering rack boots - Replaced twice again, they simply don't last
• Door handles
• Number plate lamps - didn't fit properly. At all. I thought all MK2 number plate lamps were the same, so mine must be special?
• Side repeaters - didn't seem to fit and broke easily
• Sensors - oil temp sensor failed after 3 months
• Electric window mech - needed replacing again after 3 weeks
• Valve stem seals - ECP's lasted 4 months

Pattern parts that failed early ... but might not be because of low quality

• Bottom ball joints - BUT, my car is lowered to buggary, so it is very likely it eats ball joints for fun
• Radiator hoses

Pattern parts I would be happy to buy

• Hella Headlights (can't go wrong with these, surely?)
• G12 coolant equivalent
• Heater Matrix (the good one). £120 +VAT at the dealers - ouch
• Spark plugs - Bosch/NGK
• Brake pads - well, they are okay so far

I'm going to add more as I think of them, but I reckon this list might be handy to have when it comes to buying replacement parts.

[e11ie]

Can I add radiator hoses?.........

replaced my lower one that leads from the rad to the water pump for a brand new GSF one about a year ago which has since split, spilt its guts everywhere and been re-replaced by the original VW one (I only changed it along with the rad for peace of mind)

Next time I'm off the the scrappies

[weazgti]

gsf door handles should go on,break within days.

[e11ie]

gsf door handles should go on,break within days.

+1

and the AVS ones never fit properly

[tony_ack]

I use the dealers' when I can - sometimes they surprise me with fairly reasonable prices! GSF is okay for the branded stuff, but everything else is a little hit and miss. Body and interior parts are nothing more than roulette for getting bits that fit properly.

AVOID
Number plate lamps - didn't fit properly. At all. I thought all MK2 number plate lamps were the same, so mine must be special?
Side repeaters - didn't seem to fit and broke easily
Sensors - oil temp sensor failed after 3 months
Electric window mech - needed replacing again after 3 weeks


GO FOR
Hella Headlights (can't go wrong with these, surely?)
G12 coolant equivalent
Heater Matrix (the good one). £120 +VAT at the dealers - ouch
Spark plugs - Bosch
Brake pads - well, they are okay so far

Not had a problem with the GSF gear linkage, though it's only been on a week.

[farmer]

Blue temp sender and oxy sender from gsf go wrong. My water pump is fine so far fitted back in june. Vw can be cheap for some servicing parts

[DarnPB]

Bumpers and plastic trims, like wheel arches. They can be made to fit, but are a pain in the harris!

[Mr Blue]

I only use the VW dealership. So far they have been the cheapest and most helpful. They even recognise my voice and know my numberplate

Parts you should buy from the dealership:
Number plates - £6 each
Number plate holder £8 each
Body pannels if you can find them and afford them.

Ive only used GSF three times if that?
vacume piping (thumbs up)
Gear linkage repair kit - stay away. They handed me a mk1 kit and the quality was crap so in the bin that went!

euro parts for a front big bumper bumper - crap

Most genuine parts have been off other dubs and dealerships.

[Jay]

I only use GSF for service parts, and then I get MANN/Bosch etc brand names that have a good history and name.

[Mew]

Parts you should buy from the dealership:
Number plates - £3 each!

My invoice from last week says different, as do the 4 dealers that i asked for prices...