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Posted: 23 Jan 2008, 13:19
by toomanytoys
I too couldnt figure out how they can do it for the price.. either they have a very good deal with a parts supplier..... or just dont make much on the engines..
As said.. they have had good and bad press.. but seem on the whole cover things..

I havent bought an engine from them..

Vege... all I will say is they aint as good as they used to be..

Posted: 23 Jan 2008, 20:57
by wasserleaker
jason k wrote:when i was looking for a motor for my last van i settled on a vege motor, ran like a dream, and still going strong with its new owner, after recently rebuildind a 2.1 myself i cant see how elite can do what they say they do to these engines as the cost of the parts alone (excluding labour and machining) is more than they charge for the motor. do the maths it dont add up......................

must say i thought the same, after spending near to 500 quid in parts to rebuild a 2.1, there's no way they're sticking a new cam and followers in em at that money, which to me, aint reconning an engine. freshening it up a bit, maybe a better term. yes, i am like a stuck record on this subject :wink:

Posted: 23 Jan 2008, 22:12
by kevtherev
unless elite can reply to your claim wasser then it must remain speculation don't you think?

elite wouldn't offer a two year or 24,000 mile guarantee without confidence in their work.

Posted: 23 Jan 2008, 22:56
by chippieshaun
I spoke to the man from Elite today (who just happens to be born and bred around this area!!) and comfirmed the deal on the website.
Have decided that it is always going to be a gamble on any recon engine and from the posts on this thread i would say that this theory is confirmed!
I , too , have no idea how Elite can do a recon for the money but am totally taken in my their warranty policies and have decided to go for it.
Watch this space!!! If I have a good or bad experience i will be sure to let you all know!! For the money i just can't resist!!!
Am new to club 80-90 and have to say that these forums are fantastic!! Dont think i could get a more impartial view from so many different sources anywhere else!! Cheer all!

Posted: 24 Jan 2008, 09:34
by shepster
chippieshaun wrote: I , too , have no idea how Elite can do a recon for the money but am totally taken in my their warranty policies and have decided to go for it.
Watch this space!!! If I have a good or bad experience i will be sure to let you all know!!

Just one small piece of advice though, if you do encounter any problems with Elite just contact them first and give them the opportunity to rectify them before you let the World know what's happened.

I say this because all too often people have had a thrashing on here before they have had the chance to put things right.

Posted: 24 Jan 2008, 09:46
by kathyshack
both me and my brother have had elite engines fitted to our vans. We got steve shaw to fit them though. been well chuffed with them so far! van pulls like a good en now!
both engines where late arriving though, so i'd give yourself an extra week to be on the safe side if you're booking it in with a mechanic.

Posted: 24 Jan 2008, 12:32
by Bilbo Blue
Vege unit in mine. Fitted myself. one month after the warrenty ran out the head cracked (aprox 3000 miles) After that I itted a new one (Not recon). It can happen to any one.
There is apparently a difference between recon and remanufactured, more items replaced with new I think.
I have heard from various sources that Elite engines arn't up to much but I wouldn't know coz I havent got one.

Posted: 24 Jan 2008, 13:54
by ermie571
Got an elite engine in ours....shortly to come out of the two year warrenty...

been fine. Exchanged a 1.9 for a 2.1 too! There have been a couple of issues which we were worried about....both times they said "bring it in - we will have a look", but also offered some assistance on phone which sorted issues......neither of which was to do with the engine.....for example - the lack of acceleration was due to the cable bieng slack... :oops:

Em
x

Posted: 24 Jan 2008, 17:43
by wasserleaker
Kevtherev,
Speculation? yes absolutely, mate, thats surely what forums are for, yes? though i would like to know exactly what Elite do for the price if they chose to put a piece on here, if i'd heard of em when i was weighing up wether to rebuild or go vege/remtec, (which i thought were the only options at the time) maybe i'd be happily driving round with one of their finest now :)
just naturally a cynical barsteward tho, and worked for a short while rebuilding engines a few years back so i'm not talking about things i know nothing about just for the sake of it, sounds like they do the right thing when things do go wrong, which is commendable in this day and age, most don't want to know once the cheques cleared, or the waranty is so conditional as to be virtually a p1ss-take.

Posted: 24 Jan 2008, 22:00
by Charlotte
i have a remtec engine that is working fine now i had loads of troubles last year wiyh a garage that did not register a warranty and a faulty carb that meant they could not get the motor running cleanly. VOIDING THE WARRANTY. do it yourself our find a garage you can trust. use the engine that they recomend and if you have trouble go to trading standards. thats what i did and got my money back from the garage that did not know what they where doing ond had another fitted by a competant garage.

Posted: 25 Jan 2008, 17:53
by wasserleaker
nice one! good to hear of someone getting their hard earned back from somewhere like the people you had dealings with ,who hope you'll just let it lie and not cause a fuss, seems a bit of a can of worms, the whole replacement engine issue, shame really cos im sure this issue is what finally makes some people throw the towel in and think 'sod T25's i'll get something else' i know i nearly did after gearbox ,then engine woes, glad i stuck with it now tho! :)

Posted: 26 Jan 2008, 11:25
by FlowerPower
kevtherev wrote:noooo vege is reconditioned..yes

vw still sell new engines

Really? For 1.9 Wassers?

Posted: 28 Jan 2008, 17:04
by smashyvan
had a vege 1.9 GD petrol short engine fitted with various other bits & pieces replaced. All I can say is it hasnt let me down - UK camping most weekends & S West France x 2 & Italy over the alps this last year. Still drinks a bit of oil but runs v sweet. You shake the piggy bank & make your choice....

Posted: 29 Jan 2008, 08:16
by ozzy
chippieshaun wrote:mmm..... sounds very good.
Are VEGE supposed to be the rolls royce then?
The quote I got was £1100 for engine and £375 for fitting plus VAT!!!
Huge difference , even if it means a small treck to Essex.
These guys must be good or they wouldnt offer such a good warrantee.
If thats for a vege then give me the tel number i was quoted 2.5k Ive just mailed elite for a full quote sounds to good to be true

Posted: 29 Jan 2008, 16:30
by chippieshaun
This is the web site for Volkspares
http://www.volkspares.co.uk/home.php
The estimate that i received from them was the bare miinimum.
I think that by the time they added all the extras on (oil , filters ,hoses and bits and bobs is probably best part of 2k anyway!
Getting mixed messages about Vege. Taking the plunge with Elite.
Just cant get away from the fact that it is a risky business , whichever option you choose really!!