Are busdepot repro metal panels actually superior?

[ATP]

So I've finally gotten down a list of *most* of the panels that need replacing or repairing on my new '68, and all over busdepot's site are "the most accurate" and "higher quality than anywhere else" with no mention of who makes the parts, just "European" or "German quality". But every retailer has "European" and "German quality", so it's hard to tell if there's actually a difference.

Are they really better, or are they just the same thing that cip1 and other e-tailers have in stock? I've had repeated issues just buying simple parts from busdepot, and if I can both save money and headaches by buying from another vendor I'd like to. Assuming reproduction part quality is the same, anyway.

In case it's relevant, I'm looking at things like doglegs, and rocker panels.

[SGKent]

talk with Don (Skills). He can probably answer your question best.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[skills@eurocarsplus]

they sell the same shit everyone else does.

i would look at autocraft, gerson and WW before I even considered BD.

i've never been a BD fan after getting messed around with years ago. some people love them, some don't. at best i'd say they have a 50/50 rating

it sucks because living on the East Coast it would be nice to have a solid vendor but i'd rather drive deck screws thru my toes than deal with BD
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[ATP]

[Cap10323]

I agree with Skills. They have almost nothing in stock, so they order it when you do, from the same companies that supply every other vendor.

That means it's the same part, but it takes FOREVER to get to you, and costs more in shipping.

Also, god forbid they have an out of stock or backordered item. They will take your money and claim they will send you the item when it gets back in stock. And then never send you anything but keep your money. Ask me how I know this


I bought a couple panels from them when I first bought my Bus. They fit poorly and looked awful when I got done. They still do, as I haven't replaced them yet.

KlassicFab is great, I bought one of their rocker skins and it was such a perfect fit it required exactly ZERO modifications. Just weld it in.
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-Ian

'77 Westfalia - 2.0 F.I

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[hometurbine]

In my experience the larger vendors sell poor quality reproductions that are thinner and don't fit well. There are some that will work, but you have to do your research. Skills mentioned some of the exceptions with good feedback. I think there were also some from Just Kampers that were pretty good as well.

In the end, I ended up buying most of my parts by cutting out sections of other busses. I took the floor and window areas out of a bus that was being scrapped a couple of hours away and most smaller sections from buses out west that are dry and non-rusted.

It's a bit more expensive and more work this way, but you know it will fit and be of proper thickness. You can buy a tool to cut-out the tack welds...the floor only had a few hundred welds....
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Bill
'75 Westy Bus with Subaru EJ25 engine
GE CT58-100 helicopter gas turbine
Tiernay TT10 APU gas turbine

[babysnakes]

If you can't find what you need from KF, WW or Autocraft try Alan Schofield they make great stuff.

[nemobuscaptain]

Bizarre thread.

Ron is one of us, not some corporate scumbag selling Chinese empi shit for various makes under different banners. He used to camp often, started by selling parts as he stripped rusted out busses etc and figured out containers from Europe were the only way for some parts.

Has he had employee issues from time to time, yes. It seems everyone does.

Is his ordering system outdated, nay absolutely terrible. and obsolete decades ago. Not even arguable.

The metal I just got from Bus Depot was excellent. After being warned some of the windhshield surrounds needed reinforcement around the wiper, I found this was far thicker than stock and easy to work with. It was from UK, I forget the label.

Ron still often brings in containers of parts from Europe or elsewhere that no one else will touch bc there isnt enough volume to be profitable. He isnt just some guy selling "the same shit as every other vendor". However, he is importing this stuff, although he tends to bring the best stuff in when he can and will let you know if it is subpar but the only thing available, or an economy option.

East Coast to West Coast shipping or vice versa is always a bit of a hassle, and even more so today.

One dude with a vendetta who lives on the internet can have his opinion and attempt to damage our friend if he wants. He has his right to his opinion just like everyone else.

Im a huge fan of WW too, but I've had a few minor issues with them too and shipping is slow to the east coast.
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Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[germansupplyscott]

[obnoxiousblue]

I was a big fan of BD in the past because they were close and even standard shipping was pretty much next day.
I was helping a friend with a big parts order (about $5,500) worth of stuff for a Bay and when it showed up, everything had defects. I understand that all panels will need attention, they're going to have dings and the black primer is just that. But some had legtimate creases or bends that would have cost substantial money to repair. That's defeating the purpose of buying the panels - major repairs that is.
It seems that they've changed how they handle inventory these days. I suppose some is supply chain related, but that excuse only works so long as other vendors aren't getting the same products.
Hopefully they address whatever issues changed their operation.
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Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper

[lonewolfone]

I haven't had any issues with BD sometimes the shipping takes its time but it usually ends up being fedex that drops the ball.

Gerson seems to have his nose in the air about late model buses as he doesn't make shit for them so I haven't bought anything from that guy.
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63 bug "black beauty"
79 bus "sunny" (sold)
76 westy tdi swapping
65 sundial "trailer special"
75 riviera "red rocket "

[ATP]

[cmonSTART]

The Kampers panels you get from Bus Depot are fine - Klokkerholm not so much (though they have been mildly better lately IMO.)

Get the best you can - K-holm WILL rot quickly. Bus Depot just sells things and sometimes cheap crap is the only choice you get.
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'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[ATP]

[Abscate]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[germansupplyscott]

[germansupplyscott]

[SGKent]