Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: another Todd
Absolutely. All auto manufacturers do the same thing, that is part of the reason aftermarket parts sales are so strong.
They will never admit that their aftermarket line is an inferior product.
For instance, there has been plenty of discussion over on iATN that Gates A/M belts will not last anywhere near the Gates OE line.
The aftermarket line will usually have fewer part numbers to cover a wider range of applications, so some applications will have slightly longer or shorter belts. In addition, sometimes, the materials will be different.
Without hesitation - I would get the OE Honda/Acura belt from the dealer.
Often you cannot get OEM quality even from the dealer. An xyz belt of any American manufacturer installed on a new car is usually better quality that what the dealer sells, even though it is the same brand and part number. They are not the same. The dealer often sells the same AM part you can buy elsewhere for less. A Bando belt bought from a dealer is the same Bando belt bought from a parts house, but possibly different from the Bando belt put on from the factory. Gates, Dayco, Goodyear,Bando all make belts that will easily go the factory service interval.