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UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:54 pm
by smo17003
Hello Elan fans. I have just aquired an S4 FHC needing a complete restoration, i.e. lots of hard earned ???'s. Can you give me some idea of the best UK parts dealer to use with cost of parts as the first consideration. I will probably use Fibreglass Services for GRP and a new chassis, but who gives the best deals on the other stuff, suspension, trim etc.? I would prefer to stick to the one supplier where possible. There must be lots of you out there that have gone through the same thing so any advice would be gratefully accepted.

Cheers

Mike

Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 1:15 pm
by Emma-Knight
Hello Mike,

I found that one supplier has this and another one has that. Some have
old stocks of parts and so very original ones. Some do more or less good
reproductions. I made good experiences with Susan Miller, Paul Matty and
SJ sportscars.

Anna :wink:

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 2:11 pm
by GrUmPyBoDgEr
I agree with Anna with the exception of Miller, only because I had never heard of them. I also used Chris Neill, Tony Thompson & Spyder. They all have their parts lists on the Internet.
I did the rebuild of my Elan S4 here in Munich & got all (lots of them) parts I needed sent to me.
John

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 4:18 pm
by nebogipfel
Mike

Susan Miller gets my vote every time

She is very knowledgeable and very helpful.

Tel 01728 603307 tell her John sent you :)

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 4:19 pm
by fasterbyelan
Sue Miller is first class as is Paul Matty's and well worth a visit once you have a shopping list. I have not used SJ's so cannot recommend them although feed back is always favourable. Chris Neill's I steer clear of..............

re new chassis etc..

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 4:59 pm
by john-c-elan+2
I tried hard to get a good deal on a replacement Lotus chassis. Best I got was from Bell & Colvill, and that included free delivery ! I have bought quite a lot from SJ Sportscars and have found them helpful and fairly priced. Balance bought from Paul Matty & C. Neil. Only bought the odd gasket from S Miller, but 2 people in my branch of Club Lotus have bought her driveshaft conversions and are well happy with them. jc

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 7:36 pm
by Jason1
Sue Miller gets my vote; Sue is my first port of call for any parts :D I recently popped up to her to pick up a rear bumper and also had a cup of tea and a chat.

Good friendly customer service is something that I value :D

Sue also gets parts such as badges remanufactured, so she is always worth a call or email.

Tel: 01728 603307
Email: [email protected]

Jason

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:08 pm
by chrishewett
I don't understand why some people have a downer on Chris neils. I have used them a lot over the last seven years and have always found them helpful and competitive. The last time I used them I needed some carb fixing nuts quickly, they sent a dozen by special delivery and didn't even charge me.
Chris

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:18 pm
by dougweall
Mike,

I can report of the dealings I have with Susan Miller. Once I got to know her via phone calls and visiting her at Stonleigh or Donington, she is so very helpful, knowledgeable and willing to put herself out to try and get you what you need if it is not to hand.

I too value this personal attention to detail everytime, even though I have on odd occasions dealt with Paul Matty with good results.

Sue Miller for me :lol: :lol: :lol:

Doug

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:36 pm
by hatman
Me too.

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:09 pm
by Hamish Coutts
Yep Sue Miller knows what customer service is. Have to say though, so does Roy at Paul Matty's.

They both get my vote :shock:

SJ's? Mmmm. Can be helpful but ........


Hamish.

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:41 pm
by M100
Hamish Coutts wrote:
SJ's? Mmmm. Can be helpful but ........




SJ's hmmm. Well sometimes they are ok but I'm not sure I'd use them in preference to the host of other sources.

A while ago I had a list of questions numbering about 5 or 6 on a circa 500 quid item (for another Lotus) they were selling. They were written such as they only needed yes or no answers, and following satisfactory responses I was going to order 3 of the items with possibly more to follow.

The reply I got back was something like "so many questions ring me up and I can give you answers"

errm no, I wanted the specific answers in writing so there was absolutely no possibility of any errors in interpretation. Their wishy-washy reply ended up being longer than the requested yes/no answers would have been!

I put my order elsewhere and got a slightly more competitive price.

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:17 am
by type36lotus
I have to agree with all about Sue Miller. Most wonderful customer service and I am in the US. Wonder if she knows we all think so highly of her?

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:57 am
by steveww
Sue Miller also get my vote, exceelent service and often has parts that others do not. Next on the list is Paul Matty again very reliable. I get any engine parts from QED and I always found the quality and service to be excellent. If you want to do any tweeking then Tony Thompson is the place for race bits.

General suppliers like Burton Power, Demon Tweeks and Vehicle Wiring Products can also be very useful. See www.stig.uklinux.net for some links.

Re: UK Parts

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 11:56 am
by nebogipfel
type36lotus wrote:I have to agree with all about Sue Miller. Most wonderful customer service and I am in the US. Wonder if she knows we all think so highly of her?



I have certainly told her :D

She has helped me countless times since I rejoined the wonderful world of Lotus which is why I take every opportunity to promote her business.

Apart from being a really pleasant friendly person, she knows so much about classic Lotus having been in the business for many years with her late husband. Her prices for parts and delivery are fair and if parts are not as good as original but are all that is available she will tell you. Not just take the money and run!

As Jason says she is always looking out for ways to supply "difficult" parts and can now supply quite a range of badges and plinths, for example.

My advice.....................phone Susan first

perhaps then Paul Matty but only if she really can't help you :lol: