Date:         Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:00:22 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: starters-used vs. cheap rebuilt vs. Bosch rebuilt
In-Reply-To:  <022c01c86c36$24855210$0b0ba8c0@RON>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I agree with Ron. Get the genuine rebuilt by Bosch starter for a more
positive starting experience. You could get lucky with any of the other
options but a "lifetime warranty" is generally a way to sell customers
on a product in spite of low quality.

Another option is to get yours repairs locally. In any case, I would try
all the other things first including a "hard start" relay.

Mark

The Bus Depot wrote:
>> I am trying to choose between a used starter for about $55, a
>> cheap AutoZone starter for $90 and free shipping or a Bosch
>> one for $115 (3/4 hp normally for 1.9 engine) or $130 (1 hp
>> normally for 2.1 engine)  The Autozone one has lifetime warranty,
>> the Bosch one year, but that includes towing and two years
>> roadside assistance. (I don't know why they would give you roadside
>> assistance for longer than the warranty, but whatever.)
>>
>> It's tempting to get the cheapest rebuilt. I don't think I
>> want to take a chance on a used. Has anyoe had any experience
>> with the AutoZone Duralast 16722?
>
>
>
> While I can't speak about this starter in particular, I can speak of
> discount auto store rebuilt electrics in general.  I have had more than one
> customer who has ended up buying one of our starters or alternators after
> having had to take advantage of the "lifetime warranty" for the third or
> fourth time in a couple of years.  They finally got fed up with constantly
> breaking down and having to remove their starter or alternator, warranty or
> not.  The discount auto parts chains buy rebuilt electrics by the truckload
> from the lowest bidder. Quality takes a back seat to price.  In the extreme,
> some may have had little done beyond a good cleaning if the used core they
> put on the bench to rebuild tested fine as it sat.  It is cheaper for them
> to cut corners and then exchange some of them when needed, than to pay more
> for better QC and a more thorough job in the first place - hence the
> "lifetime warranty."  You must consider that if the van breaks down in the
> middle of nowhere, your "lifetime warranty" is only honored at that chain.
> If you're stranded on the side of the road after hours, or are fifty miles
> from the nearest branch, what good will it do you?
>
> ..........