That's the reason I have them. Just that little bit of extra protection in car parks etc hopefully saves my doors.

Hmmm great now I can justify them apart from helping me get in, there good for fend off... Any good for that open doors with out due care?

They better be Lander rover part as I'm getting it from LR dealer ... Got my check list or is it hand over list and told him to keep a good Hour free

Not happy no payment..  Iain

I've never had the need for side steps but they are a worthy addition if you need access to the roof or if you have little ones climbing in and out of the rear. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

papa smurf wrote:

Any good for that open doors with out due care?

I have a feeling it has them on all ready ,finger's cross.. plus I have a big blue badge .. but you never know,, Iain

Hi Steve

I bought side steps from ebay they look great, just like LR ones. Buy the fitting tool it will help with the rivits.
I fiited my own the first side took about 2 hours and other side about 45 mins 2013 hse auto, black, almond leather, exnon lights, factory privacy glass, exhaust finisher, rear boot spoiler, mud flaps. Body door side moulding and steps.

Gone and fondly remembered
2012 XS (2013 up-grade LED lights front & rear)
2007 hse (2011 facelift)

Can you remember who you bought them from, Chalkey?

I bought some pattern side steps from eBay yesterday.

The same company advertises them in three separate listings for£144.99, £146.99 and £147.99, with free delivery or 10% off for collection. As they are less than 5 miles from me, I went and picked them up. I got them for £130. I had a look at them in the shop (they were in a sealed box) to make sure they were the same as the ones in the listing and when I got home I checked them out properly to make sure everything was in the box. As usual, and we have a name for such a purchase in our family, I got a Dalton Duffer! (Dalton being our surname). One of the step fixing bars had fallen off in the box because both rivets had broken and on the other step, the rubber/plastic trim at the front edge had a mis-drilled hole with no rivet holding the trim on. They are going back today and I'm going to want to examine thoroughly the replacement set or get my money back. I know, I know, they are pattern parts probably from China and for £130 I don't expect them to be the same quality as the OE LR ones at £500+ but I do expect ones that have gone through some kind of quality control! I may have just been unlucky or they are all poor quality in which case I'll go without. I do like them but not enough to pay LR prices!

I wouldn't mind paying more for some better quality pattern steps but looking carefully at the other listings, the same pattern steps in the same packaging are on sale on eBay for various prices up to £229. It would appear that there is only one manufacturer that make/import them.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

A pre requisite of having side steps is the wearing of Gaiters. The mud slick on the back of your trousers will bear testament to this.  MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

Surely that applies only if you go anywhere near the nasty mud stuff!  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Went back and changed them after a minor argument:

Seller:"You've tried to fit them"
Me: No I haven't".
Seller: "Ok, I'll change them".

I made him open the new box and went over them. All okay this time.
These must be from a different batch as the brackets are painted black, and not painted silver like the other set.

Going to have a go at fitting them on Wednesday. I'll let you know how I get on. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Well, fitted them today. Took nearly 3 hours to do the first side and about 25 minutes to do the other side. Didn't use a rivnut tool, just half a dozen washers and a longer bolt. Tightened the bolt up and when the washers were tight together, I held them with a pair of mole grips, pushed the rivnut into the pre-drilled hole (if LR went to the bother of putting a hole, they could have fitted a captive nut at the same time!), and gunned it up with my impact tool. Already I have caught the back of my trouser leg when getting out so I'll have to change my method of getting in and out otherwise I'm going to get some muddy trousers! They look good but you don't half lose some ground clearance. Still, it'll probably never be doing any serious off-roading while I have it.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I got a pair for around £190 via Amazon.
Short of one bolt (non standard)
3 weeks later and after 5 phone calls and 8 emails I got replacement
Very friendly on phone and in emails but just didn't follow through
There was someone / reviewer on Amazon with exactly the same complaint
I contacted Amazon but they had removed the Company from their site, maybe too many complaints
Howeve they do not look like cheap tat, very smart actually, so I don't think you have to go for the LR originals
The company is called steelworks or something similar Now - Black 2012 FR2 SD4 XS really miss the RRS
Gone - Black 2008 3.6 TDV8 RRS orgasmic
Gone - Black 2006 2.7 HSE RRS problems
Gone - Green 2008 SWB Defender fully loaded; brill
Gone - Green 2005 Disco diesel; brill
Gone - Black 2003 Disco diesel; brill