I felt that OEM is the best bet on these. I bought some off eBay form a seller called "lk8parts" - I thought maybe the same as the actual Luky 8, but clearly not based on what came. Showed an OEM Rover genuine parts box but what came is a mix of brands. Nothing appears OEM, thats for sure. One side is clearly a different brand than the other. I always match parts side to side. One boot had a TRW logo and the other was blank, for example. I actually have TRW boots from another seller anyway. They came in a BritPart box - so some or most could be that. But I have read over and over that BritPart is not a decent brand, at least not on a critical wear item like this.

So I have to source another set and may as well ask this time if OEM should still be the path to go on these. Or do folk have better luck with another brand? I have read these tend to wear quick on the LR3. And sometimes OEM is not in fact the best. So if there is a "heavy duty" brand or such, I am open to idea. Otherwise OEM it is.

EDIT: I have an aftermarket brand preference towards Lemforder or Rein as I come from the world of BMW/Mercedes. Lemforder is often OEM producer and Rein repackages OEM (I have gotten some real steals with Rein).

 

Lemforder are LR OEM so i'd use them.

 

I wonder if the real lucky 8 knows about that ebay seller. Selling rover parts under that name only has one goal and its to make people think its the real L8. Not good for reputation if they are selling crap parts too.

 

FWIW don't buy car parts off ebay when there are many good retailers around. L8, RN, AB, Rovahfarm etc. Even overseas retailers like Paddocks (a lot of britpart stuff), LRdirect, Bearmach.

or

If you have to buy off ebay, use a credit card through paypal and file a dispute on transaction. Paypal favors buyers anyway and if they don't you can always have the bank nuke the transaction on the card (though Paypal will ban people for this). You use a credit card so its not your money in limbo.

 

Well the auction certainly makes it seem like they are in fact Lucky 8. They have changed the auction since my refund request. And they did okay a return, so I am sending the junk back.