Has Anyone Bought "premium After-Market" Parts?

[magicdrshoon]

I've seen parts for sale on eBay which claim to be premium after-market parts and wondered if anyone has had good or bad experiences with them.

In particular I've been looking at door mirrors.

I need the side indicator repeater located in the door mirror on my 2008 Avensis T180. Thanks to avensis4d786 I now know the part number for the part and have found out that it costs £74.83 from Toyota.

I can get it from Japan for £45.87 + shipping + VAT. I'm still waiting for shipping costs, but I imagine the total cost will be around £70 so not really worth the effort.

I can buy the whole door mirror assembly (non-genuine Toyota) from eBay for £46.49, or £59 for the power-folding variety. Both have the indicator unit included. I'm contemplating buying the assembly and removing the part I want and hope it fits a genuine assembly!

My instinct is to be wary, I often think you get what you pay for...

[avensisd4d786]

No problem.

Personally I would get a used wing mirror from a breakers yard even if the glass or the coloured plastic is smashed (you may get it cheaper) as long as the indicator is ok.

[HurricaneCharlie]

I have bought one from eBay after someone smashed mine off outside a pub. Toyota wanted something like £400 for the mirror + paint.

I bought the item for around £60 and paid £15-20 to have it painted (the Shell came separately and just clipped on after.

Plus points: It's cheap; it looks the same as the other one; it actually folds slightly faster; also, did I say it was cheap?

Minus points: The mirror vibrates slightly inside the housing while at speed (which the original does not) and there is a slightly annoying whistle at speeds over 60mph (helps keep my speed down), both indicating the relative cost.

In general, I have no complaints and would buy another one if required

[Mel Tinys Taxis]

You could try this fella http://stores.ebay.co.uk/oviautos I don't know if he has any mirror indicators for your 2008 but I have brought a fair few from him for my 2009-2012 T27 cars and they are just £24.99 including post against original at around £70 they also look and may even be Originals are a perfect fit even down to the part number and Toyota in the moulding, I have not had any problems with the ones we have fitted to date.

Best regards,

Melvyn.

[magicdrshoon]

Cheers. Melvyn.

He doesn't sell one for my model in his online shop, but I've messaged him to see if he can get hold of one.

Thanks for the tip :)