Author Topic: Roof bar dilemma ;)  (Read 2566 times)

sgould

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Roof bar dilemma ;)
« on: 15 June 2021, 10:25:01 PM »
Today I bought a used set of genuine Saab roof bars for the 9-3 Carlsson.  They have hardly been used, and they fit as they should.  The only issue is that the bars are fitted with four 5mm socket headed bolts, and one is missing.   I checked the part number and Saab do a fitting kit of four black passivated bolts, four washers and an allen key for £23.60 + P&P from their approved suppliers.  Or I can go into Watford and collect four stainless steel bolts of the same size from the local fastening company for a total of £0.26...  I already have washers and several 5mm hex drivers.

It's a dilemma :D

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Audax

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #1 on: 16 June 2021, 08:40:47 AM »
There's no way I'd be paying that Saab price for some bolts! Although I would splash out and buy 8 of them for 52p to leave spares in the glove box... you might be able to haggle and get all 8 for 50p!

welshwizard

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #2 on: 16 June 2021, 09:40:58 AM »
Spend the kids' inheritance - get the OEM items....

Audax

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #3 on: 17 June 2021, 08:03:22 AM »
After your description of the bolts I was wondering if they are something you could get the exact same items from a cycling shop, found lots of very similar looking bolts in my bike spares tin yesterday while looking for a some bike bits.

sgould

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #4 on: 17 June 2021, 09:39:17 AM »
Good idea.  There’s a bike shop on the way to the fastener supplier. I’ll see what they have.  Might save a couple of miles drive.
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Steve McF

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #5 on: 19 June 2021, 12:42:23 PM »
You boys are living the dream  ;D ;D ;D :thumbsup:

sgould

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #6 on: 19 June 2021, 01:57:11 PM »
Nearly a mistake, but fortunately I double checked.  :-[

Bolt is M6, not M5 and there are stainless ones at Screwfix, which is 5 mins down the road. 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-cap-head-socket-screws-a2-stainless-steel-m6-x-25mm-50-pack/8655t


If I were to add the washers, which i don't need, the set of four would cost under 30p.  Or, another way, a box of 50 screws and washers works out at one-third of the price of the Saab kit of 4 bolts.
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Steve McF

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #7 on: 19 June 2021, 02:59:36 PM »
Who are the Saab parts ordered through? Oreo? (Or am I thinking of the biscuit?!!).

How can they justify such a high price for standard fixings?

Audax

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #8 on: 19 June 2021, 03:03:39 PM »
How can they justify such a high price for standard fixings?

They are very "special" Saab bolts sir.

sgould

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Re: Roof bar dilemma ;)
« Reply #9 on: 19 June 2021, 03:24:25 PM »
It's Orio.  They are the company that used to be called "Saab Parts".  It was the only part of the old Saab Automobile organisation that stayed out of the bankruptcy.

My view of the organisation is that they have two main streams for selling.  One is the Saab only stuff that they specified and had made.  Things like body panels, seats, trim, etc.   The other is standard parts that that are used in the car parts world by other manufacturers and are bought-in.  Stuff from Valeo, Bosch, ATE brakes, etc.

The first, they can charge what they like because at the moment they are probably the only source.  But the other stuff can be priced very high, for no obvious reason.  The bolt kit here is one example, but I have found similar issues.  On the V6, I needed a new fuel pressure sensor.  It's made by Bosch and has a Bosch part number on it. The Orio price is over £200.  I got one from a Bosch supplier for £27.  The six ignition coils were priced by Orio at £132 each.  The market price from a Bosch supplier is around £50.  I paid £48 each for a Saab specialist. 

There were other things that give rise to suspicion on their pricing.  It's a few years ago and their website appeared in a few countries.  The price they charged in the UK for the TurboX plastic wheel centre caps was £48 each.  On the Swedish site it was £36.  on the Romanian site they were £16 each...

I only know what I've come across, there may be more examples, or not.

Brake discs were/are expensive, but Orio have started a new line of parts called "Saab Select" and the brake discs offered under that line are quite reasonably priced when compared with the aftermarket.  Whether they are the same as the main line of parts, I don't know, but we have them on the Carlsson and they are fine.  I bought those through Bill Jones at Saabits.


The pricing policy is a cause for concern because there are still a lot of people who own Saabs who get all their repair and servicing done by a garage.  A garage will probabliy only use "genuine parts".  Then the price brings the "It will cost more to repair than the car is worth" argument into play.  This will cause a few cars to be scrapped.  Abnd scrapping Saabs will reduce the market that Orio have for selling stuff.  It's a downward spiral.
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