Looks like a front shocker has popped its o-glogs

[mikeonb4c]

I've been thinking about new suspension all round.
Will be interested to hear your report.

Well Adrian in Bury (who fixes my old girl up when she is bust) can get them in @ £164.50 a pair (proper OEM stock- what does OEM mean BTW? ) , which is cheaper than I managed to source on ebay, plus it has the advantage that the supplier gives him a 3 month warranty, and I know I'm dealing with a trusted source. So I'm hoping to take the Bongo over to him on Friday, provided the parts have arrived with him.

I'm guessing, but for you in Devon I would imagine either Allans in Plymouth, or Belhill Garage, would be able to come up with something similar, as both have a similar reputation for being good on work quality and prices.

I'll keep peeps posted on how different the Bongo feels as a result of this work.

[g8dhe]

what does OEM mean BTW?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oem

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike
OE-M refers to "Original Equipment-Manufacturer"...namely Mazda's own or replacement
NOS refers to "New Old Stock" ...where a dealer or supplier has the item on the shelf for a discontinued model...lots of VW fans search for NOS parts.....available at discounted prices
NOS parts are unlikely to occur for Bongos, as dealers buy them up and flog 'em at huge prices
Cheers
Helen

[helen&tony]

Hi
Huh...beat me to it , Geoff
Cheers
Helen

[scanner]

plus it has the advantage that the supplier gives him a 3 month warranty,

Advantage? What advantage? 3 Months???

Just one word/acronym Mike - SoGA!

[mikeonb4c]

plus it has the advantage that the supplier gives him a 3 month warranty,

Advantage? What advantage? 3 Months???

Just one word/acronym Mike - SoGA!

I suspected someone would pick up on that when I wrote it. Sit down and think about (all of) it for a bit though, and you'll work out what I'm driving at

Meanwhile, what is SoGA?

And thank to Geoff and Helen for explaining OEM. I thought it must be something like that but its nice to know!

[scanner]

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/t ... /sogahome/

[mikeonb4c]

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/t ... /sogahome/

Ah! I still need you to go away and do that thinking

[scanner]

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/t ... /sogahome/

Ah! I still need you to go away and do that thinking

I just don't bother worrying about warranties these days, as any warranty (even a measly 3 month one) they give cannot take away your statutory rights.

[mikeonb4c]

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/t ... /sogahome/

Ah! I still need you to go away and do that thinking

I just don't bother worrying about warranties these days, as any warranty (even a measly 3 month one) they give cannot take away your statutory rights.

Nope - try again

[scanner]

Nothing to think about.............................


..................... his arrangements with his suppliers is irrelevant to you, so in the context of your position any reference to what warranty he is given is irrelevant.

PS SoGA applies to your contract with him, but not to his contract with his suppliers.

[mikeonb4c]

Nothing to think about.............................


..................... his arrangements with his suppliers is irrelevant to you, so in the context of your position any reference to what warranty he is given is irrelevant.

PS SoGA applies to your contract with him, but not to his contract with his suppliers.

[nicstrike]

just a thought....& to add my 2p-worth....are the front struts a sealed unit , or will they take replacemrnt inserts as a lot of mcpherson units do? may save a £ or ££ if so?

[scanner]

Sorry Mike, you are being a bit too arcane for me tonight......................

[mikeonb4c]

Sorry Mike, you are being a bit too arcane for me tonight......................

Sorry scanner - I get a bit daft these days (I won't bore you with the whys of it).

No it's just that a good regular mechanic (and Adrian in Bury is top dollar) with a good regular relation with a supplier means firstly that if there were to be any trouble, then I could trust them to do any battling over whatever rights the purchasor has, and that's time and hassle I'm pleased to be saved from having to do myself. Secondly, there should be a good feedback loop goin i.e. they wouldn't be in a regular relationship if one was unhappy with the other, which suggests product quality should be good. As an example, I remain puzzled why so many Vectra front droplinks used on Bongos, have not lasted. Mine were bought from a local motor factors who deals heavily with the small garages around here, and they have lasted very well. Obviously my roads and my mileage etc. must have something to do with it, but I also carry the thought that this motor factor would have had some direct and damaging feedback from local professionals were they to cut corners and supply dodgy goods. Not so likely on ebay etc. where the supplier may be selling to non-professionals, and from whom they may not (think they) need repeat business, and who wouldn't feel qualified enough to give negative feedback (if you've only ever fitted one set of - non-approved - droplinks to a Bongo, how do you know they didn't fail because there were not intended for the Bongo etc. etc.)