boaterboy Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I'm looking for a new headlight/sidelight/indicator assembly, which incorporates a motor for adjusting the headlight angle which is a non-servicable item it seems, for a Discovery 2 TD5. Searching on the internet I have come across several makes of product and a number of suppliers. Apart from Land Rover branded product, I've seen reference to Britpart, Allmakes, Bearmach - the last three products being considerably lower cost than the first. Bearing in mind that I am after a light assembly, I would be most grateful for objective comments on how good these lower cost products are likely to be in comparison with the 'genuine' article. Any and all help would be gratefully received. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Well... avoid britpart, unless you know they have not made it and are just a 3rd party for another manufacturer.. Allmakes and Bearmach seem to have better quality control on there items. IMHO If you want something to last a good long while, buy genuine... - I now go for genuine spares if at all possible. even "OEM" branded stuff can be of a lesser quality than "land rover" branded stuff, not all cases, but you need to watch out. If its easy to change out then go for a mega cheap part and see what happens, as you can always replace easily... more safety critical and harder to get too items, i.e. CV joints, brake parts... i would only get genuine or specialist parts. - but you WILL pay a premium for LR branded parts. Its a very subjective subject so thats my view. Mav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thank you for that most speedy and well reasoned response, Maverik. One thing that puzzles me when I see a multi-component assembly, such as a light assembly, is how a manufacturer other than the original can recover the cost of such complex tooling, eg injection mouding tools, over such a relatively small number of products whilst charging a so much lower price? In the case of the light assembly there is also a fair amount of labour time involved, I would imagine? Robotic assembly system costs spread over the small volume would again be uneconomical, I would think? Are these things made on low cost, poor quality tooling and imported? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Often in the case of complex assemblies, they are being made by the same companies as the Genuine parts. However, Land Rover will impose rigerous quality control checks so only a proportion of their production can be sold as Genuine. The remainder get shipped out as patterned parts where the cost is proportional to the quality. While this is all well & good, it's also how some really sub standard parts get shipped in Land Rover boxes - the manufacturer probably has the boxes made specially and may occasionally use a Land Rover printed box by 'mistake'. It seems to be these that are often sold as OEM or 'genuine quality'. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thank you, simonr, I really appreciated your most informative response. Coupled with the earlier one from Maverik, I am now in a much better position to make a decision on which way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 One option not mentioned is 2nd hand - there are plenty of people breaking Land Rovers all over the place, stuff all over eBay, etc. and for some parts (this one included) I'd say it's the best value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thank you for your input, FridgeFreezer. I've not had any experience of using eBay, I'm afraid. If it's not too much trouble, do you think you could provide me with a couple of links showing secondhand headlights on offer, please? Thank you, in anticipation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Two used suppliers I know & trust: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Range-Rover-Recycled-Parts http://4lrspares.com/ They won't list everything they've got as they both generally just have a load of vehicles in stock and pull the part you need when you ask for it. As for the exact part you want, a quick search found this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headlamp-Headlight-O-S-Land-Rover-Discovery-2-TD5-or-V8-Drivers-side-/320918848736?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3ADiscovery|Cars+Type%3A2.5+Td5&hash=item4ab84104e0 Generally with eBay, if you approach it with the same sort of caution you'd approach a market trader, car boot sale or jumble stall at Sodbury you'll be OK. Don't get carried away in a bidding war, keep an eye on P&P charges and if it seems too good to be true - it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thank you so much for taking the time to give me all of the links in your message, FridgeFreezer. I really appreciate it. I will certainly see what they have to offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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