Are there any 'part' engineers around?

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Hey guys. There is pretty much always an option in the after market world for an economy line and a premium line part. Some differences are obvious when you compare the two together, and it is pretty clear why one is more expensive than the other. Country of origin, materials used, etc. But for example. I purchased a ford application MAP sensor today from Napa. Napa offers a Mileage Plus and a Premium Echlin line. The Mileage Plus cost me $34, the Premium was almost $130. The Mileage Plus part is Made in the USA, dist by Echlin blah-blah-blah. What is so different inside of my $34 part vs the $130 part? It is pretty common with electrical parts to see re-boxed oem parts in the aftermarket. My part is clearly not oem since it looks a little different, and does not have Ford stampings or anything.

So, are the components that much better in one than the other to make it $100 more? Same goes with the engine temp sensor I purchased. $14 vs $30. Both said made in the usa, both brass, both look good. Here is a link to the "differences"

http://napaechlinuhg.com/index.aspx

Again, that is a pretty broad statement that is really hard to put on an entire range of products.
 
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I can say i have put 3 DPFE sensors from autozone on my ford escape. The first on lasted 5k the second two (replaced free) never fixed the code( the egr valve and solenoid were replaced too). I bought the ford DPFE and instantly no problems and 10k later still no problems.
 
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I think that is a little different situation though. I've seen people replace dpfe sensors all the time on ford, and it is not always the problem. Everyone I've seen aftermarket has been a reboxed ford part, but I've never seen any autozne ones.
 
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