P38A Air spring set costs more than individual items at Island

[EntropyUK]

I am looking at changing the air springs on my diesel and was look at Island for a cost. Anyhow the Dunlop springs sell at £45 each but the set of 4 is selling at £187.49. Is there any reason for this (additional bits included etc.) or just Island taking the mick?

Also is Island the best value site for a set of air springs?

 

[Datatek]

I am looking at changing the air springs on my diesel and was look at Island for a cost. Anyhow the Dunlop springs sell at £45 each but the set of 4 is selling at £187.49. Is there any reason for this (additional bits included etc.) or just Island taking the mick?

Also is Island the best value site for a set of air springs?

Could be an error, I paid more than that from Island last year for mine.

 

[Grrrrrr]

Could be an error, I paid more than that from Island last year for mine.

That'll be without the VAT. Sites insist on displaying prices without VAT. Who the f*ck doesn't pay VAT? I think it should be illegal to be honest, it is false-advertising.

The set might include the replacement pins as well. If it doesn't, get them. Yours are likely rusted to hell and back.

 

[Grrrrrr]

Wow. £500 for gen II Arnotts and £900 for gen III!

https://ukairsuspension.com/en/179-air-suspension

 

[Grrrrrr]

Or try calling Dunlop direct on 02476 889 900 and see if they'll cut a deal. Ask them if they supply Island while you're about it.

 

[Datatek]

Wow. £500 for gen II Arnotts and £900 for gen III!

https://ukairsuspension.com/en/179-air-suspension

That is why my renovation project is on Dunlops rather than the Arnott Gen 2's I have on my daily driver for which I paid about £260.

 

[Datatek]

That'll be without the VAT. Sites insist on displaying prices without VAT. Who the f*ck doesn't pay VAT? I think it should be illegal to be honest, it is false-advertising.

The set might include the replacement pins as well. If it doesn't, get them. Yours are likely rusted to hell and back.

It is normal for trade suppliers to quote without VAT, CPC for example are the same. VAT registered businesses can claim the VAT back on the crazy round and round VAT system, so for them it doesn't matter. If and when the UK leave the EU, it would make sense to go back to purchase tax, much simpler with much less paperwork.

 

[Grrrrrr]

It is normal for trade suppliers to quote without VAT, CPC for example are the same. VAT registered businesses can claim the VAT back on the crazy round and round VAT system, so for them it doesn't matter. If and when the UK leave the EU, it would make sense to go back to purchase tax, much simpler with much less paperwork.

You claim the VAT back but you still pay it except for the growth on which you get a year's reprieve to allow growth. All it is is a stay of execution. By all means show it on the VAT receipt but the price should be the price paid - and that means including VAT.

 

[Datatek]

It is normal for trade suppliers to quote without VAT, CPC for example are the same. VAT registered businesses can claim the VAT back on the crazy round and round VAT system, so for them it doesn't matter. If and when the UK leave the EU, it would make sense to go back to purchase tax, much simpler with much less paperwork.

You claim the VAT back but you still pay it except for the growth on which you get a year's reprieve to allow growth. All it is is a stay of execution. By all means show it on the VAT receipt but the price should be the price paid - and that means including VAT.

Not one of my suppliers shows VAT inclusive prices, nor when I had my business was I interested in the VAT inclusive price. All my costings spread sheets were based on the prices without VAT as the VAT was irrelevant being claimed back on a monthly basis by being set against my output VAT. Also VAT has had a habit of changing from time to time.

 

[EntropyUK]

@Datatek - The height figures you gave in your guide. I assume they are the same for front and back as it is just one value listed. I always assumed that the front heights were different to the rear heights.

 

[Grrrrrr]

@Datatek - The height figures you gave in your guide. I assume they are the same for front and back as it is just one value listed. I always assumed that the front heights were different to the rear heights.

Heights shouldn't need calibrating after doing bags. I've got some blocks you can borrow.

 

[wammers]

@Datatek - The height figures you gave in your guide. I assume they are the same for front and back as it is just one value listed. I always assumed that the front heights were different to the rear heights.

Keiths heights are correct. Look at my EAS guide and you will see that setting block heights vary front to rear, but measurements arch lip to centre of wheel are the same. You should not need to calibrate heights after changing bags. If they were correct before they will still be correct.

 

[wammers]

You will possibly find that the individual springs at 45.00 + VAT have postage to pay because the before vat price is less than £50.00. The full set at £187.49 + VAT because they are more than £50.00 will be listed as post free. So the individual springs at £45.00 + VAT will be, £45.00 + VAT at 20% = £9.00 so comes to £54.00 plus £5.00 postage. Total £59.00 each. Ordered separately at different times four springs would cost £236.00. A four spring spring set at £187.49 + VAT would cost £224.98 post free.

 

[EntropyUK]

Keiths heights are correct. Look at my EAS guide and you will see that setting block heights vary front to rear, but measurements arch lip to centre of wheel are the same. You should not need to calibrate heights after changing bags. If they were correct before they will still be correct.

Thanks Wammers, I didn't expect to calibrate but I did want to check heights after replacing the bags. I think I have already read the block measurements somewhere so that was where I was thinking of differing front and rear heights.

 

[EntropyUK]

Heights shouldn't need calibrating after doing bags. I've got some blocks you can borrow.

Cheers for the offer Jules I will txt you. I do have a ride height sensor jumping about with its readings and will swap it with the one on the other side to check if its the wiring or the sensor (as advised on this forum) whilst changing the bags.

 

[wammers]

Cheers for the offer Jules I will txt you. I do have a ride height sensor jumping about with its readings and will swap it with the one on the other side to check if its the wiring or the sensor (as advised on this forum) whilst changing the bags.

Bloody hell thought you were talking to me for a mo there. Don't know what year your car is you don't tell us that anywhere. But sensors prior to 1997 cannot be swapped over.

 

[EntropyUK]

Its a 99 so can swap. The thread started out as a general comment about prices so never thought of adding my car details.

 

[300bhp/ton]

Wow. £500 for gen II Arnotts and £900 for gen III!

https://ukairsuspension.com/en/179-air-suspension

The Gen 3’s are the same price everywhere and have been for many many years. Such a shame they have so high a mark up. They are clearly a better design just massively over priced. Especially considering the average value of a p38.

I’d pay £100/corner for them.

 

[wammers]

The Gen 3’s are the same price everywhere and have been for many many years. Such a shame they have so high a mark up. They are clearly a better design just massively over priced. Especially considering the average value of a p38.

I’d pay £100/corner for them.

The gen 2 are just as good as gen 3 for general use and all that you need. Only thing gen 3s offer is extra lift capability but the mods that need doing to achieve that are ridiculous. I find the Dunlop's more than adequate.

 

[300bhp/ton]

The gen 2 are just as good as gen 3 for general use and all that you need. Only thing gen 3s offer is extra lift capability but the mods that need doing to achieve that are ridiculous. I find the Dunlop's more than adequate.

The Gen III’s have quite a different design to the II’s. At least according to Arnott. They are not only longer allowing more travel (with longer shocks).

But the biggest advantage is on road. The Gen III’s unlike the Gen II’s essentially run the other way round. They are softer when extended and stiffer when lowered.

The Gen II like the Dunlop, BritPart or OEM setup is soft for motorway lowered height and stiff (maximum inflation) for extended ride height off road. Which is essentially the completely wrong thing you want for each scenario.

I believe the Gen III’s work very similar to the struts on the L322 and D3.