OMG

[LC_rover]

That's kind of the way I feel about it too. For all intents and purposes, its a comfortable tractor. Having a few homemade parts on one is a badge of honor and ingenuity.

[LaneRover]

That's kind of the way I feel about it too. For all intents and purposes, its a comfortable tractor. Having a few homemade parts on one is a badge of honor and ingenuity.

Heck, one of mine has rather large shell casing plugging up on of the unneeded vacuum hoses.

[kevkon]

We are actually extremely lucky as Rover owners that there is such a wide spectrum of parts available, from used, oem, to repro. It's up to each as to how much we care to spend on parts and anyone holding new old stock parts is absolutely fair to ask as much as the market will bear. Sometimes it seems extreme, especially for rather simple and unglamorous parts, but that's the way it works as those parts are often the ones that are no longer produced. I have been all through this with my Nortons and it's one reason I don't ever throw out old parts unless they are absolutely beyond hope.

[Rineheitzgabot]

I'm with JimCT:

It's capitalism, baby.

Any business knows where their costs are, and uses this to price their products or services. I would guess that RN's costs are largely warehouse-oriented (i.e., material handling, interest expense, etc.), and admin-oriented.

In other words, it costs RN a certain amount to simply have a person sit on the phone and take orders, or enter orders off the website. Then, to process the order, from picking it, to packing it, to shipping it.

In the retail-type business that RN does, they probably have a break-even point that they can measure, and know that they need to sell X, in order to meet it, and then X+Y in order to make a profit. Of course there are other costs, but this is generally true.

I'd be willing to bet that RN is not making the margin that you think they are off that $22 bolt, if you consider what it costs them to process your order, for it. I would also guess that the cheaper the part, the more one would run into this phenomena.

In short, value comes in many forms; knowledgeable staff, love of Rovers-and simply wanting to patronize them for that reason, convenience, etc. If you don't want to pay; then don't. Go to the local Do It Best, and get it there.

I realize that Yank may have been asking if it was a genuine price, but most of the people following his post weren't.

-Gary

[BackInA88]

.You know...on that Hood Bumper, think about it. Does, or HAS, one of these ever worn out in service? The average Rover is NOT going to ever need one of these.....so your market boils down to restorers, "pebble beach level" vehicles, and whats that term I heard ?Rivit Counters?.

I'm not a "rivet counter" by any means.
My rig was missing these bumpers when I got it.
Hood rattled on the bulkhead so I want to get some.
Order a bunch of stuff from RN but couldn't do $13 each for a rubber bumper.
Got them brand new from another vendor for .99 each.
I buy 80% of my stuff from RN as long as their prices are in-line.
I have taken advantage of their free shipping offer more times than my wife would like.
I have to say, I have only talked to someone there a couple times and that was only because I couldn't find something on their site which is were I place almost all my orders.

I like RN a lot, but I do shop around.
And there is no way I'll ever pay $204 for a lower alternator mounting bracket.
I'll find one some day at a swap meet for $5.

Steve

[gudjeon]

I shop around too. Being on the Canuck side of the border, our good people ding us import duty for bringing stuff in from the US. This limits what I am willing to pay as it adds on top of the costs.

If you think Land Rover parts for a series is expensive, you haven't bought anything for a late model auto lately. That will shock you back into perspective.

[jb_]

If you think Land Rover parts for a series is expensive, you haven't bought anything for a late model auto lately. That will shock you back into perspective.

How about $700 for an oxygen sensor for an 8 year old Citroen van? Oh and $85 at a dealer workshop for them just to connect the electronic gizmo to reset the error code. Plus labour of course. It isn't possible to make the diagnostic light go out without resetting the code (or without removing the lamp).

[Sputnicker]

I've been very impressed by the availability of parts and the amount of competition among suppliers. I think we are all very fortunate that there are so many out there who are still supporting these relics. I hope they are all making a profit and continue to prosper. It seems like a healthy symbiosis to me. We keep buying parts; they keep making them; competition keeps the price down; Land Rovers keep rolling. It's all good - may it last forever.

I have a feeling that when internal combustion engines have all gone the way of the dinosaurs, the last one running will be in a Series Land Rover.

[vansdonk]

It isn't possible to make the diagnostic light go out without resetting the code (or without removing the lamp).

Yes, use a bit of black electrical tape, cut it to approximately the size of the light, place over light, voile. That's how I set the time on all the DVD players and such around the house.

[Winooski]

Re: OMG

Hello all, new to the forum and Rovers in general, have some questions for you regarding the very pesky bonnet bumpers for the spare tire. I have a '72 Series III 109" pick-up and the truck came without those bumpers. Previous owner had the truck re-painted and (I assume) never put them back on. $40 is obviously too much, so I am looking for alternatives. One comment on this thread indicated they could be found for 99 cents, could you send the info as to where you found those? Or measurements of the bumpers so I can rig something up? Thanks.

[jac04]

^^The $.99 bumpers are the ones at the back of the hood - between the hood and the bulkhead.

MRC5627 are the bumpers for the spare. PA Blanchard has them cheap, but you will need to pay shipping:

https://secure.pablanchard.co.uk/product.asp?productID=30818

[Winooski]

Thanks for the info! I'll see what I can find.