OEM parts?? - why not after market???

[johny1]

Here is the question – some parts on the E39 tend to fail quite often like: radiator, water pump, hoses, catalytic converters….,and if this is the case why do everyone keep on recommending and purchasing OEM parts? Haven’t OEM parts proven to fail quite often and too early, maybe we should think of a good after market brand??? Unless the one that come with the vehicle are worse then the one purchased later at the shop but I thought they are all the same???

Let me know if you have ideas on that matter. Thanks

 

[dboy11]

Here is the question – some parts on the E39 tend to fail quite often like: radiator, water pump, hoses, catalytic converters….,and if this is the case why do everyone keep on recommending and purchasing OEM parts? Haven’t OEM parts proven to fail quite often and too early, maybe we should think of a good after market brand??? Unless the one that come with the vehicle are worse then the one purchased later at the shop but I thought they are all the same???

Let me know if you have ideas on that matter. Thanks

Some parts are QEM only no after market part is available that's my guess....on my last car a Nissian I ran into this on a regular bases....Looking for after market availability would be my first look before replacing with OEM

 

[Kirby]

I think there's three general categories:
- OEM - the stuff that the factory uses

- Aftermarket - cheaper, but quality varies GREATLY - from equal to OEM to real crap.

- Performance Aftermarket - REAL performance parts from a handful of well known manufacturers. Some stuff that says performance is just really bad aftermarket stuff.

My experience has been that unless it is true performance aftermarket, the OEM stuff is sometimes more expensive, but is usually better quality than the average aftermarket.

The trick is to find a good quality source of true OEM parts at a good discount. I personally have dealt with AutoHausAZ and like them. I got the EXACT SAME radiator that BMW dealer wanted to sell me for $200 less. OEM Guibo was 40% cheaper. A performance aftermarket radiator would cost me $650, too much.

 

[arditarighi]

You must have had some bad experiences with your BMWs!

Here is the question – some parts on the E39 tend to fail quite often like: radiator, water pump, hoses, catalytic converters….,and if this is the case why do everyone keep on recommending and purchasing OEM parts? Haven’t OEM parts proven to fail quite often and too early, maybe we should think of a good after market brand??? Unless the one that come with the vehicle are worse then the one purchased later at the shop but I thought they are all the same???

Let me know if you have ideas on that matter. Thanks

Well, I am not sure what kind of experience you have had with your BMWs - but I own many of them and had not have any problems with CatConverter or Radiator. On my 99e39 which I own for over 8 years now, the only parts I had to replace were the Break Pads, spark plugs, Radiator hoses, and water pump after 130K miles. I have never had any problems with Ox sensors or CatConverter or the radiator, where my brother's 99-RX300 has had all sort of engine/trasmission/hydrolic pump leaks and problems with emission (O2 sensor and cat converter) at 97K - typical of Toyotas.

Besides, It is hard for me to imagin you will save a lot of money buying after market parts! You can buy original BMW parts online at almost the same price you would pay for aftermarket brands.

/A

 

[epj3]

You have to look at aftermarket parts at the job. Like brakes, go with whatever you feel like (usually oem-equivalent are fine, like mintex and balo), but if you're doing suspension you must go with OEM or aftermarket performance. Just have to use your judgement and search more appropriate forums (like ones more dedicated to 5er's) to see what people reccomend.