And you thought Britpart were sh*t!

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MrGorsky

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member
Full Member
Posts
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Location
Buckinghamshire.
So I've just changed a driveshaft on the Passat. Got a replacement from a place called Autodoc that supplied me with a new one made by Stark.

All fitted fine, but failed after about 10 mins. As soon as I got up to about 60mph a vibrating squeal started and I had to go home.

I thought I'd got something trapped or was rubbing on the wheel, but after a good while poking about I couldn't find anything, so ended up removing the driveshaft again to inspect that. It fely really graunchy at the outboard CV end, so I removed the boot and..... no grease at all.

Brand new complete assembly "direct replacement" but they only bothered to grease the inboard joint. Christ.

IMG_4848.JPG
IMG_4849.JPG
 
I've used them for some bits, so many makes listed never heard of most of them, only thing I didn't like was waiting 2 weeks for delivery.
 
The website seems fine to me, but some of the stuff they sell isn't fit for purpose unfortunately. At least they deal with the returns quickly enough.

I wouldn't usually use them because of the delivery time... but it was the only place I could get the right part. And the part I bought was ****.
 
MrGorsky said:
The website seems fine.

I wouldn't usually use them because of the delivery time... but it was the only place I could get the right part. And the part I bought was ****.
Click to expand...
That’s what I mean by ‘the website’.
Not a reflection on the actual site, but the product and services offered on it. It is a web e-shop only.
 
MrGorsky said:
So I've just changed a driveshaft on the Passat. Got a replacement from a place called Autodoc that supplied me with a new one made by Stark.

All fitted fine, but failed after about 10 mins. As soon as I got up to about 60mph a vibrating squeal started and I had to go home.

I thought I'd got something trapped or was rubbing on the wheel, but after a good while poking about I couldn't find anything, so ended up removing the driveshaft again to inspect that. It fely really graunchy at the outboard CV end, so I removed the boot and..... no grease at all.

Brand new complete assembly "direct replacement" but they only bothered to grease the inboard joint. Christ.

View attachment 336455View attachment 336456
Click to expand...
I'd be careful with auto-doc.fr, some dof their stuff is shi@..
Stark are not great, bolk, mapco or the likes need to avoided😵
 
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There seems to be threads on lots of car forums about them. Most of their websites are simply appearing to be local, but their operation is only in Germany. "Warranty returns" are a bit like China where they expect you to cover return postage, which should not happen for real warranty claims.

Also their UK business address is the same office as their accountant. Building has lots of 119 companies registered there !!

+1 on avoid.
 
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I did have to send the other side back too... although a while ago now, and to be fair to them, they just sent me a new driveshaft straight away...

However both sides have been wrong in one way ot another. It's the last time I buy Stark.
 
pwood999 said:
There seems to be threads on lots of car forums about them. Most of their websites are simply appearing to be local, but their operation is only in Germany. "Warranty returns" are a bit like China where they expect you to cover return postage, which should not happen for real warranty claims.

Also their UK business address is the same office as their accountant. Building has lots of 119 companies registered there !!

+1 on avoid.
Click to expand...
Their ridex stuff is mainly Chinese built materials ☹️
 
Only had one experience with AutoDoc & it will not be repeated :(

Ordered a transmission service kit for my old 5 series but the filter wasn't correct & when I tried to get AD to replace the item they refused due the filter being 'part of a kit' The incorrectly supplied part was only realised after the old fluid had been drained & needing the car I had to authorise the garage to use the fresh, so return of the complete kit wasn't possible.
Throughout protracted emails AD consistently made out they didn't understand the point I was trying to make (either that or they are simply thick) & even offered to return the incorrect filter they had previously asked me to send back to them!

In the end I gave up, ordered the correct filter from BM & fresh fluid from a another supplier .. expensive lesson learned.
 
I'm in NZ, but use www.spareto.com although I only buy brands I know from there. I've never had an issue and have probably spent about the equivalent of 5000 UK Pounds for BMW's, VW/Audi, Subaru, Land Rover and some oddball other cars.
 
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