leaking front shocks.

[DEAN0]

I'm pretty suspicious of aftermarket replacements for critical parts like dampers etc.

When I was replacing the fuel filter on my daughter's Toledo I went onto Autodoc and there were a long list of suitable filters listed. Cross checking revealed that the same filters were recommended for lots of different cars. When I checked the VW parts I found that there were different part numbers given for different Seat cars where Autodoc just listed the same filter for all of them.

The official filter wasn't that much more expensive so I ordered that from my local Seat dealer. When I picked it up I asked to speak to the service manager and asked him why the filters they supplied had different part numbers depending on the car.

He said that although the filters looked identical on the outside and would fit, each filter had a calculated amount of resistance to work correctly in a given fuel system. If you fit the wrong filter you can get issues down the line and people think it's something wrong with the engine when the problem is actually caused by the fuel filter they fitted.

But the Monroe shocks above are what is fitted at the factory.
For many years they have not been available aftermarket ( guessing there was some agreement between Seat and Monroe )
Now they are available aftermarket and the aftermarket dealers don't need to make as much profit as the Seat dealers.

 

[Mr Pig]

But the Monroe shocks above are what is fitted at the factory.

Fair enough then, I didn't know that.

I was looking at Mazda MX5s which were fitted with Bilstein shocks from the factory. If you bought them aftermarket they were Bilstein and described as the correct shocks for the car but they were not the same. The ones supplied to Mazda were valved differently and Mazda was the only place you could get them.

 

[DEAN0]

Fair enough then, I didn't know that.

I was looking at Mazda MX5s which were fitted with Bilstein shocks from the factory. If you bought them aftermarket they were Bilstein and described as the correct shocks for the car but they were not the same. The ones supplied to Mazda were valved differently and Mazda was the only place you could get them.

TBH - that is no bad thing - The factory Bilsteins on the MK3 MX-5 are pretty harsh.
A good aftermarket setup handles nicer and feels more comfy on a day to day basis.

 

[Mr Pig]

TBH - that is no bad thing - The factory Bilsteins on the MK3 MX-5 are pretty harsh.

I've driven the Mk4 with Bilstein suspension and I thought it was terrible but the Mk3 setup seemed fine to me. Not too harsh at all. I think the Mk4 looks great but I don't think it's a very good car.

 

[SuperV8]

I'm pretty suspicious of aftermarket replacements for critical parts like dampers etc.

When I was replacing the fuel filter on my daughter's Toledo I went onto Autodoc and there were a long list of suitable filters listed. Cross checking revealed that the same filters were recommended for lots of different cars. When I checked the VW parts I found that there were different part numbers given for different Seat cars where Autodoc just listed the same filter for all of them.

The official filter wasn't that much more expensive so I ordered that from my local Seat dealer. When I picked it up I asked to speak to the service manager and asked him why the filters they supplied had different part numbers depending on the car.

He said that although the filters looked identical on the outside and would fit, each filter had a calculated amount of resistance to work correctly in a given fuel system. If you fit the wrong filter you can get issues down the line and people think it's something wrong with the engine when the problem is actually caused by the fuel filter they fitted.

That's just a limitation of Autodoc's cataloguing - and all other aftermarket suppliers catalogues for that matter - they don't have the OEM level detail to go down to specific build part detail, so if there is a choice of part number at OEM level - they will just show all parts linked. It's down to the parts tech or end user to pick the correct one! They might add detailed qualifier comments - for example for 340 or 312 dia discs when choosing pads which can help.

VAG are more helpful/open than other OEM's as they often link different parts to different PR codes which can help narrow down the correct part if you have your full build PR list.

 

[Mr Pig]

That's just a limitation of Autodoc's cataloging

If a part is at all critical I prefer just to buy the thing from Seat. The Toledo filter for example, only cost about a fiver more than a branded one from Autodoc and you know you're getting the right one.

It's worse if a garage is doing the work as they invariable just buy the cheapest part they can get. My car needed a rear spring for the MOT and they gave me a quote for it. When I asked they said they were going to fit an aftermarket one. I had to tell them I wanted a VW one, it cost more but not that much.

 

[sidy64]

Got my Bilsteins from here. They've gone up slightly in recent months but still £150 chepaer than Demon.

lowering springs, suspension: Bilstein B4 DampTronic Front - Shock Absorber - 23-238978 - VW Golf 7, Bilstein B4 Shock Absorbers - Dampers

ok mate, cheers.

 

[sidy64]

And another thanks from me too. What's that Autodoc like to deal with? They seem to be a major player on the continent but their website is a bit AliExpress looking. Theyre cheap but are they reliable in ppl experience?

hi mate ordered two front monroes from them, came in seven days from germany so all good in my expierience.