[ncvolvobob]

I'm shopping for a clutch kit and related parts. I normally shop at ipd but I've heard good reports about fcpgroton. I checked both and it was $385 at ipd and $234 at fcpgroton. That's a big difference. Are they selling the same parts? Any recommendations? I do not want to repeat this job any time soon so I want quality parts.

While we are talking clutches (this is my first one and I'm doing it myself), should I go ahead and replace all related parts such as the cable, fork, mount, etc.? The car has 160K.

 

[Camyman]

Re: parts suppliers for clutch (ncvolvobob)

im somewhat in the same boat here. a new lower control arm everywhere that i look is $125-150 but at fcp it was $75. same manufacturer and everything. do they just sell things without markup or what?

 

[rs4-380]

Re: parts suppliers for clutch (ncvolvobob)

i will recommend fcpgroton. The sell quality stuff and it's always a fast transaction.

The difference between the companies is that IPD is an aftermarket parts dealer that also supplies some oem parts, whereas FCPgroton just deals in oem replacements. Generally oem prices at aftermarket companies will always have more markup then companies just selling OEM parts.

Volvo's are actually my second hobby, VW's being the first, and in the world of the VW aftermarket (which is much larger than that of Volvo), it works the same exact way.

 

[gdill2]

Re: parts suppliers for clutch (Camyman)

The Volvo dealer and ipd sell the correct part for the exact application every time with a guarantee. To do this day-after-day requires a big investment. Many online suppliers pull from some of the same warehouses as Volvo dealers. Some are just electronic ordering links to a central shipper. A 240 lower control arm may be a $22 item sitting in a metal building in Amarillo, Texas, but can become a very $$$ treasure depending on the retail trail. I get a fat discount on parts and labor from the local Volvo dealer and purchase from ipd mainly during the annual online garage sale (30-40% off).

Crawling from under a Volvo and chasing down the UPS truck only to find the wrong part in the box has not been a part of my life for many years.

George Dill