Quality of OEM-spec car parts
Discussion
I'm keen to hear experiences of parts available from GSF, ECP etc.
Oil and air filters: Mann vs Crossland vs Bosch - is there any point in going for one over the other? I've typically stuck to Mann.
For seals, gaskets and head gaskets, Reinz vs Elring vs others, are any of them better?
Oil and air filters: Mann vs Crossland vs Bosch - is there any point in going for one over the other? I've typically stuck to Mann.
For seals, gaskets and head gaskets, Reinz vs Elring vs others, are any of them better?
It's difficult to list good, fair, poor aftermarket parts in any sort of order.
The advantage of oe sourced parts is that they are of a consistent specific quality. But these parts are bought in, to those strict controls, the same parts are often available in the aftermarket.
Aftermarket parts can be as good, sometimes better, and often poorer quality. Not every supplier has such good consistent quality controls (or even minimum standards).
Sticking to oe quality, via main dealer or aftermarket is the ideal. As a mechanic I will often refuse to fit some of the cheap parts I am asked to, but am generally happy with "the quality end" of aftermarket suppliers.
Brands I am happy to use include (not an exhaustive list), Bosch, Ngk, Mahle, Delphi, TRW, Lemforder, Febi etc. Lots more, but an even bigger list of suppliers I wouldn't use, mostly promoted by the national aftermarket supply chains.
I have witnessed a brand new track rod end from 1 of these suppliers that was fitted to rectify an MOT failure. The replacement was that poor it could not pass the retest, an hour after being fitted. There is a lot of rubbish out there.
Aftermarket wise I think the best advice is, if it is lots cheaper than other makes for the same part, ask yourself why?
The advantage of oe sourced parts is that they are of a consistent specific quality. But these parts are bought in, to those strict controls, the same parts are often available in the aftermarket.
Aftermarket parts can be as good, sometimes better, and often poorer quality. Not every supplier has such good consistent quality controls (or even minimum standards).
Sticking to oe quality, via main dealer or aftermarket is the ideal. As a mechanic I will often refuse to fit some of the cheap parts I am asked to, but am generally happy with "the quality end" of aftermarket suppliers.
Brands I am happy to use include (not an exhaustive list), Bosch, Ngk, Mahle, Delphi, TRW, Lemforder, Febi etc. Lots more, but an even bigger list of suppliers I wouldn't use, mostly promoted by the national aftermarket supply chains.
I have witnessed a brand new track rod end from 1 of these suppliers that was fitted to rectify an MOT failure. The replacement was that poor it could not pass the retest, an hour after being fitted. There is a lot of rubbish out there.
Aftermarket wise I think the best advice is, if it is lots cheaper than other makes for the same part, ask yourself why?
Edited by Coilspring on Thursday 11th April 14:19
Coilspring said:
It's difficult to list good, fair, poor aftermarket parts in any sort of order.
The advantage of oe sourced parts is that they are of a consistent specific quality. But these parts are bought in, to those strict controls, the same parts are often available in the aftermarket.
Aftermarket parts can be as good, sometimes better, and often poorer quality. Not every supplier has such good consistent quality controls (or even minimum standards).
Sticking to oe quality, via main dealer or aftermarket is the ideal. As a mechanic I will often refuse to fit some of the cheap parts I am asked to, but am generally happy with "the quality end" of aftermarket suppliers.
Brands I am happy to use include (not an exhaustive list), Bosch, Ngk, Mahle, Delphi, TRW, Lemforder, Febi etc. Lots more, but an even bigger list of suppliers I wouldn't use, mostly promoted by the national aftermarket supply chains.
I have witnessed a brand new track rod end from 1 of these suppliers that was fitted to rectify an MOT failure. The replacement was that poor it could not pass the retest, an hour after being fitted. There is a lot of rubbish out there.
Aftermarket wise I think the best advice is, if it is lots cheaper than other makes for the same part, ask yourself why?
Spot on coilspring,all the brands you mention are quality names that have been in the trade for decades. When I had my car repair business I tried my best to fit the same part that the manufacturer fitted at the factory. For example,Hengst filters,Lemforder suspension parts, Bosch electrics for Mercedes. All can be supplied by GSF or ECP at sometimes 50% less than a Mercedes Dealer.The advantage of oe sourced parts is that they are of a consistent specific quality. But these parts are bought in, to those strict controls, the same parts are often available in the aftermarket.
Aftermarket parts can be as good, sometimes better, and often poorer quality. Not every supplier has such good consistent quality controls (or even minimum standards).
Sticking to oe quality, via main dealer or aftermarket is the ideal. As a mechanic I will often refuse to fit some of the cheap parts I am asked to, but am generally happy with "the quality end" of aftermarket suppliers.
Brands I am happy to use include (not an exhaustive list), Bosch, Ngk, Mahle, Delphi, TRW, Lemforder, Febi etc. Lots more, but an even bigger list of suppliers I wouldn't use, mostly promoted by the national aftermarket supply chains.
I have witnessed a brand new track rod end from 1 of these suppliers that was fitted to rectify an MOT failure. The replacement was that poor it could not pass the retest, an hour after being fitted. There is a lot of rubbish out there.
Aftermarket wise I think the best advice is, if it is lots cheaper than other makes for the same part, ask yourself why?
Edited by Coilspring on Thursday 11th April 14:19
Normally GSF and ECP will give you a choice,these names or a much cheaper alternative like First Line,which is OK but not the same quality so wont last as long. The stuff to avoid is all the Chinese crap sold online,sometimes its even fake OE names.
also, some parts from OE suppliers like Lemsforder are actually the very same parts that could be bought via a dealer or fitted on the production line. In a lot of cases, the manufacturer car company, may own the desgign, but not the tooling, equally production runs may require quantities of say 10000, but the part manufacturer does batches of 12000, meaning that there are 2000 of the exact same part to be sold into the aftermarket. BMW has this issue with Lemsforder bottom arms, they are the exact same ones as the ones fitted at the factory, but have had the roundel ground off. As a result are approx a third of the price.
What gets my goat however, is those independents that use 'non gen' but charge damn near genuine prices. That does not benefit the customer.
What gets my goat however, is those independents that use 'non gen' but charge damn near genuine prices. That does not benefit the customer.
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