Thread: Series 3 resto-sourcing parts

Originally Posted by Landy Smurf

I may have to put those seats on my list and put them underneath the plane when i come back

We should all give you a list of parts we want, you buy then bring back on the plane

if there is anything little or doesnt weigh much let me know, as I will be getting a big order from the uk, I do plan on having my big bag that goes under the plane full of land rover parts

the other thing I have on the list is 2 sets of s1 seats and maybe a soft top canopy

Originally Posted by gromit

Seats will definitely be from the UK, about 100GBP gets you a DeLuxe set for a Series 3 you just need to check freight costs.


Colin

Colin,

Hello from Brisbane.

I was wondering if you have a recent price on seats ex-UK and if you have genuine Exmoor in mind.

I have been pricing them through the usual suspects - Craddock, Paddock, Dunsfold and several others. All are quoting exactly the same set price ~GBP180 for dark grey vinyl and ~GBP250 for Elephant hide grey. The only difference between them is the freight which I am still negotiating.

A few are selling cheaper units through Britpart and Bearmach, but these are typically black.

Cheers,

I am restoring a Series III Lightweight and also source most of my spares from the UK. As I travel to Europe about every 12-18 months (and I am not in a hurry to restore) I tend to puchase the big items prior to travel and then bring them back with me.

Last week I was in Geneva so brought back with me a complete clutch set, a complete exhaust, 4 x shock absorbers, complete suspension bush set and a range of smaller items. I travelled with a work colleauge which helped. Last trip (January 2012) included complete seat set, new hood and a some galvanised capping. I reckon I have saved 1000's to date in terms of cost of item and savings in postage.

Originally Posted by S3ute

Colin,

Hello from Brisbane.

I was wondering if you have a recent price on seats ex-UK and if you have genuine Exmoor in mind.

I have been pricing them through the usual suspects - Craddock, Paddock, Dunsfold and several others. All are quoting exactly the same set price ~GBP180 for dark grey vinyl and ~GBP250 for Elephant hide grey. The only difference between them is the freight which I am still negotiating.

A few are selling cheaper units through Britpart and Bearmach, but these are typically black.

Cheers,

I'm after seats for a Series III and Paddocks have the Black DeLuxe seats for just under 100GBP, I think they are a similar cost on Epay.
I've been warned of their freight costs and I've yet to get them to confirm.

For the standard seats I'd be tracking down an industrial sewing machine and a supplier of the heavy vinyl to do it myself.


Colin

Originally Posted by leighm

Hi first time user who finds himself the owner of a 1977 series 3 six cylinder petrol lwb. Its needs lots of replacement spares, some big stuff like radiators,steering boxes seats ect- is there anywhere in OZ you can buy these parts
thanks

Leigh,

Hello from Brisbane and welcome to Land Rover world.

Following your inquiry on parts availability you will have observed a wide array of opinions on where to get them - especially overseas.

With time you will likely end up getting parts from all over the place - both new and second hand. And it will come from almost anywhere on the planet, such is the international reach of the brand and band of enthusiasts who own and maintan them. I get my own parts from quite a range of source, including just down the road, interstate, UK, Africa and North America.

There are no hard and fast rules on price advantage from any source other than the final offer or quote. For example, a lot of stuff is swapped or traded within Aulro networks - particularly second hand bits. For new parts, a lot of people will tell you that the UK is the best source, especially on price. This is often true but, as others warn, the landed cost including freight is often the real issue. This may go for or against deciding on going local or importing. As an example, I am presently pricing a bulky part from the UK which is nominally about a third of the local price (GBP181 cf AUD$500) - the shipping quotes from 4 suppliers so far ranges between GBP60 and GBP210. Basically, that range reflects how serious the supplier is to trade internationally, their tradtional shipping networks and the basis of how those networks set their rates.

It doesn't stop there - you can inquire about different shipping options or seek to bulk up orders. For example, the trader offering the low GBP60 rate above will also stuff several more parts into the box that nominally ship for another GBP40 for no additional charge.

Finally, shopping locally besides being safer in terms of direct dealing can bring a few pleasant surprises. For example, I have picked up quite a few parts from a local Brisbane supplier that are genuine Rover and offered at a discount to LROC members at prices that are more than competitive with similar direct import parts. Luck of the draw. There is also a wide range in local prices from terrific to genuinely outrageous. Another example, on another thread I notice that someone picked up a part in another state for around $350 and this was thought to be pretty good - and was considerably less than a few similar items sold on eBay (~$500). A Brisbane supplier just down the road offered me the same part from stock over the phone for $250 with a LROC discount.

So, the only hard and fast rule on all of this is to shop around. Also, common nse dictates that if you need it in a hurry and it is not a major part, then the effort involved in chasing all over the place to shave a couple of bucks is hardly worthwhile.

Cheers,

Hi mate

Where is the your Brisbane suppier

Cheers