Panels

Post by **chuckle-bus-tom** » 28 May 2008, 19:09

Hi all,

I'm about to buy an offside rear wheel arch and the little panel behind it and was wondering where's the best place to go. I've heard that Just Kampers are not so good. VWHeritage?

Cheers

Post by **purpletony** » 28 May 2008, 19:13

try vw they were cheaper for my panels and the right quality

Post by **chuckle-bus-tom** » 28 May 2008, 19:15

VW direct, as in my local dealership?

Post by **purpletony** » 28 May 2008, 19:19

yes
or try your local vw van centre
i saved 30 quid compared to jk

Post by **chuckle-bus-tom** » 30 May 2008, 17:34

Went to VW in Finchley (North London) today to get bits with no joy. Little panel is completely discontinued and the arch is £85 on backorder; i.e. never!

Post by **Syncro G** » 30 May 2008, 20:14

chuckle-bus-tom wrote:Went to VW in Finchley (North London) today to get bits with no joy. Little panel is completely discontinued and the arch is £85 on backorder; i.e. never!

Back order doesn't nesiserally mean obsolete, often it just means they are out of stock in the UK and it'll be with you in a week. I know the UK stock of them ran out a couple of months ago (sorry) but they tend not to bother importing more parts to sit on the shelfs at milton keens unless theres demand, then they'll bring over another batch pronto and the stock countdown starts again, it'll carry on till europe runs out as well, then it goes obsolete - if you don't try you'll never get.

They don't always charge for parts when you order them if they are on backorder. If they did you'd get refunded if they went obsolete. If your unlucky you'll findout after ordering it that its obsolete as the stock only updates after they ask it questions I think. If you manage to get a genuine pannel remember though that you've just got one of the best fitting, thickest, highest quality pannels for the job, just had one done on my van, made the fitting job easyer to get right (less labour?) as nothing needed "ajusting" - if well fitted nothing will last as long as that (thicker pannel rusts slower) so they are actully the cheepest pannels! Guess its only worth it if your running the van long term though.

Post by **andysimpson** » 30 May 2008, 20:20

Syncro G wrote:
chuckle-bus-tom wrote:Went to VW in Finchley (North London) today to get bits with no joy. Little panel is completely discontinued and the arch is £85 on backorder; i.e. never!

Back order doesn't nesiserally mean obsolete, often it just means they are out of stock in the UK and it'll be with you in a week. I know the UK stock of them ran out a couple of months ago (sorry) but they tend not to bother importing more parts to sit on the shelfs at milton keens unless theres demand, then they'll bring over another batch pronto and the stock countdown starts again, it'll carry on till europe runs out as well, then it goes obsolete - if you don't try you'll never get.

They don't always charge for parts when you order them if they are on backorder. If they did you'd get refunded if they went obsolete. If your unlucky you'll findout after ordering it that its obsolete as the stock only updates after they ask it questions I think. If you manage to get a genuine pannel remember though that you've just got one of the best fitting, thickest, highest quality pannels for the job, just had one done on my van, made the fitting job easyer to get right (less labour?) as nothing needed "ajusting" - if well fitted nothing will last as long as that (thicker pannel rusts slower) so they are actully the cheepest pannels! Guess its only worth it if your running the van long term though.

Back order for t25 things almost always results in them going obsolete.

Post by **Syncro G** » 30 May 2008, 21:00

Well I've been plesently surprised afew times. I've bought afew bits on backorder and so far all have turned up a week later, to my releaf admitidly. Obsolete stuff I've tried to buy was just rejected instantly.

Post by **andysimpson** » 30 May 2008, 21:14

Syncro G wrote:Well I've been plesently surprised afew times. I've bought afew bits on backorder and so far all have turned up a week later, to my releaf admitidly. Obsolete stuff I've tried to buy was just rejected instantly.

You won't be anymore, backorder is as good as saying obsolete. Alot of bits don't show obsolete until a few days after order, vw are really good like that

Post by **chuckle-bus-tom** » 31 May 2008, 11:35

Cheers for the input Guys. I think I'm going to risk it with ordering panels from A H Schofield and leave it to the welder. The long term benefit of fitting genuine VW parts is obvious, but I just can't afford £85 for the panel and then the cost to fit!