Alternative To Main Dealer

[EagleI]

My Avensis needs all discs and pads replacing . Is there anything significant difference between Blueprint , Unipart or another make ? Genuine Toyota parts are ridiculously expensive . Any suggestions ? Also, is there a recommended alternative to main dealer servicing in the NORWICH area for Toyota ?

[bjw]

I think this company many many years ago held the Toyota franchise but I am not a 100% sure ???

I have never used them so I have no idea what they are like but here is the link

http://www.roysmotorcompany.co.uk/

[chandler32]

There is no major difference afaik. The toyota discs are either coated or contain an anti-rust substance so that the hub section doesn't rust. cheaper ones i have used in the past have rusted on the hub, but never warped or anything bad.

The toyota pads i have are Bosch. i replaced my rears with Mintex ones from eBay and they're been good. no squeal and very little dust. some cheaper pads produce a lot of dust, esp on the fronts.

try here:

http://brakeparts.co.uk/

Its such an easy job to do yourself, just remember that you may need to remove some brake fluid when you wind the caliper back in to accommodate the new pads. (its nasty stuff, don't forget your gloves!)

Presumably 'Parts-King' can get you some with your TOC discount.

david

[CarlP]

I think this company many many years ago held the Toyota franchise but I am not a 100% sure ???

I have never used them so I have no idea what they are like but here is the link

http://www.roysmotorcompany.co.uk/

I've used Roys on several occassions and have usually been impressed. However, I don't think they are that much cheaper than than Dingles. Today I had a 10,000 mile service by Dingles at £114 which I think was quite reasonable. £30 + VAT of that was labour.

If a specialist uses genuine Toyota parts then they are going to be expensive regardless.

[EagleI]

I think this company many many years ago held the Toyota franchise but I am not a 100% sure ???

I have never used them so I have no idea what they are like but here is the link

http://www.roysmotorcompany.co.uk/

I've used Roys on several occassions and have usually been impressed. However, I don't think they are that much cheaper than than Dingles. Today I had a 10,000 mile service by Dingles at £114 which I think was quite reasonable. £30 + VAT of that was labour.

If a specialist uses genuine Toyota parts then they are going to be expensive regardless.

[EagleI]

I think this company many many years ago held the Toyota franchise but I am not a 100% sure ???

I have never used them so I have no idea what they are like but here is the link

http://www.roysmotorcompany.co.uk/

I've used Roys on several occassions and have usually been impressed. However, I don't think they are that much cheaper than than Dingles. Today I had a 10,000 mile service by Dingles at £114 which I think was quite reasonable. £30 + VAT of that was labour.

If a specialist uses genuine Toyota parts then they are going to be expensive regardless.

Dingles quoted their labour rate at £75+ Vat per hour. £30 Labout for 10K miles service suggests less than half hour to do the service !!! I ended up with Kwik Fit who put on Blue print parts - all four discs + pads including labour £380. I was ina hurry and had to get it done. Could not find anyone to do it for less.

Thanks to all for your responses

[CarlP]

I think this company many many years ago held the Toyota franchise but I am not a 100% sure ???

I have never used them so I have no idea what they are like but here is the link

http://www.roysmotorcompany.co.uk/

I've used Roys on several occassions and have usually been impressed. However, I don't think they are that much cheaper than than Dingles. Today I had a 10,000 mile service by Dingles at £114 which I think was quite reasonable. £30 + VAT of that was labour.

If a specialist uses genuine Toyota parts then they are going to be expensive regardless.

Dingles quoted their labour rate at £75+ Vat per hour. £30 Labout for 10K miles service suggests less than half hour to do the service !!! I ended up with Kwik Fit who put on Blue print parts - all four discs + pads including labour £380. I was ina hurry and had to get it done. Could not find anyone to do it for less.

Thanks to all for your responses

I think you'll find dealers charge less for an an annual service than for ad hoc jobs. Keeping 'servicing' costs low attracts customers in for other jobs as required where they can then cane them for labour charges. It also helps sell new cars if servicing costs less. Kwik Fit is the last place I would have gone.