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I only buy oem.
OEM vs. aftermarket
- Thread starter greasegunn
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most vehicle manufacturers DON"T actually make many parts + they are sourced "globally"!!! specs + blueprints are given to "others" + bids are placed for said parts. take the MANY wheel bearing failures on newer malibu's, the bean counters at GM choose the lowest bidder + likely lowest quality, here the Moog parts are WAY better, so you gotta shop + compare, + generally higher cost vehicles will get better parts HOPEFULLY!!! you can bet you will pay MORE for OEM + not necessarily get better parts!!
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Depends on the part. For critical stuff, I try to use OE or a high-quality OEM mfg, like Denso, NTK, Aisin, Hitachi, and etc.
Originally Posted by doitmyself
Ouch. It wasn't that long ago that one could trust names like MOOG, TRW, Timken, Standard Blue Streak, Gates, etc.. Heavy sigh.
"globalization" and "cash for clunkers" has really destroyed the aftermarket industry! The only companies(in the U.S.) I know that supply to aftermarket have over 70% of their product in OEM lines. The only aftermarket I know of, is "Jeep Wrangler" I would buy aftermarket for a Jeep Wranger/cj vehicle.
Another thing that has destroyed the aftermarket, is these "discount" autoparts stores, O'reilly, AutoZone, etc. The last hold outs were NAPA, now they are pretty much "discount" except they got the independent shop contracts.
Ouch. It wasn't that long ago that one could trust names like MOOG, TRW, Timken, Standard Blue Streak, Gates, etc.. Heavy sigh.
"globalization" and "cash for clunkers" has really destroyed the aftermarket industry! The only companies(in the U.S.) I know that supply to aftermarket have over 70% of their product in OEM lines. The only aftermarket I know of, is "Jeep Wrangler" I would buy aftermarket for a Jeep Wranger/cj vehicle.
Another thing that has destroyed the aftermarket, is these "discount" autoparts stores, O'reilly, AutoZone, etc. The last hold outs were NAPA, now they are pretty much "discount" except they got the independent shop contracts.
Originally Posted by doitmyself
Ouch. It wasn't that long ago that one could trust names like MOOG, TRW, Timken, Standard Blue Streak, Gates, etc.. Heavy sigh.
speaking of which
i spent about two days relabeling and reboxing all the bwd parts at the parts store into standard boxes. some of them standard, some of them blue streak. all the same junk. what a waste of time!
Ouch. It wasn't that long ago that one could trust names like MOOG, TRW, Timken, Standard Blue Streak, Gates, etc.. Heavy sigh.
speaking of which
i spent about two days relabeling and reboxing all the bwd parts at the parts store into standard boxes. some of them standard, some of them blue streak. all the same junk. what a waste of time!
Depends on the aftermarket piece. Wieand for manifolds and water pumps. Napa for lifetime warranted alternators. Bilstein for shocks. Cloyes for timing sets, etc.
For mountain bikes Manitou, Marzocchi and Fox for suspension
For mountain bikes Manitou, Marzocchi and Fox for suspension
On things that cost a lot of labor or involve calibration: OEM or OEM equivalent (i.e. Denso / NGK plugs if they are the OEM).
On regular wear and tear items: aftermarket.
Bear in mind: Some aftermarket from Denso / Aisin / 555 etc are way better than the cheapest bean counter special OEM from GM (i.e. those low durability wheel bearing), for example. So you have to be model specific. Check the model and brand specific forum to see what people recommend.
On regular wear and tear items: aftermarket.
Bear in mind: Some aftermarket from Denso / Aisin / 555 etc are way better than the cheapest bean counter special OEM from GM (i.e. those low durability wheel bearing), for example. So you have to be model specific. Check the model and brand specific forum to see what people recommend.
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OEM whenever possible. I've spent way too much time and money on garbage parts from Autozone, Advance, etc, that the buy once cry once motto seems to be true. In some cases the cheap Chinese junk doesn't even fit right. I'd rather pay a couple extra bucks than have to replace the same stupid "lifetime warranty" part 5 times.
With that said there are exceptions, because some aftermarket parts are of better quality/performance. For example the Akebono ceramic brake pads are great, but something like Duralast pads just aren't worth the hassle.
With that said there are exceptions, because some aftermarket parts are of better quality/performance. For example the Akebono ceramic brake pads are great, but something like Duralast pads just aren't worth the hassle.
Originally Posted by DuckRyder
Unless there is an aftermarket part that addresses a known issue or the aftermarket part is exactly the same as OEM (IE, it has the Volvo script ground off or the Mercedes emblem marked out with a sharpie) Bulbs, Batteries, Tires, Fluids and Filters is about all I will buy aftermarket anymore.
Most of the aftermarket stuff is junk from my experiance.
Or Felpro Intake Gasket for the 5.3 GM.
Unless there is an aftermarket part that addresses a known issue or the aftermarket part is exactly the same as OEM (IE, it has the Volvo script ground off or the Mercedes emblem marked out with a sharpie) Bulbs, Batteries, Tires, Fluids and Filters is about all I will buy aftermarket anymore.
Most of the aftermarket stuff is junk from my experiance.
Or Felpro Intake Gasket for the 5.3 GM.
I have owned many vehicles and generally the OEM last and have stayed away from aftermarket for the most part.
Now OEM from the dealer parts store is made less inferior to the ones that orignally come on a vehicle ( one obvious thing that rings on my head is OEM rotors that came orignally on the vehicle always outlast any rotors).
OEM is the way to go. its simply not worth the effort with non-OEM parts.
Now OEM from the dealer parts store is made less inferior to the ones that orignally come on a vehicle ( one obvious thing that rings on my head is OEM rotors that came orignally on the vehicle always outlast any rotors).
OEM is the way to go. its simply not worth the effort with non-OEM parts.
I, more often then not use OEM parts now. So much stuff has lowered in quality that I would rather pay more for a better quality part and change it less often. On my Tb I had the factory tie rod ends changed out at about 129,000km in 2012. The driver side one failed completely and put me in the ditch. I got a deal on some Moog parts and they have been on for around 100,000km now. I used to grease them once a year but now do it twice a year and they are still as tight as when they were new. When I was doing shocks/struts I had them disconnected and inspected them and their movement and was still very impressed.
Depends, depends. When it comes to parts, the first thing I do is find out who made it for the OEM and buy their part. Why pay more to get the same parts? This has been most apparent on my Rams. The Cummins parts are usually 20-70% cheaper than the "Chrysler" parts.
For things like starters, alternators, MAP sensors, or other parts that I know the vehicle manufacturer didn't make I will completely find out who made it and buy theirs.
Many parts have the aftermarket supplier clearly listed by Chrysler. Belt and pullies by Dayco, thermostat by Stant, etc.
Shocks, struts, and steering stabilizers? Never OEM. OEM is 99% guaranteed to be inferior to the aftermarket options at the same price point. In many cases the aftermarket supplier is hired by the OEM to make an inferior part for them while the aftermarket version is what it should have been in the first place. (Like OEM Bilstein shocks vs. aftermarket Bilstein shocks)
There's no clear line. Entirely situational.
For things like starters, alternators, MAP sensors, or other parts that I know the vehicle manufacturer didn't make I will completely find out who made it and buy theirs.
Many parts have the aftermarket supplier clearly listed by Chrysler. Belt and pullies by Dayco, thermostat by Stant, etc.
Shocks, struts, and steering stabilizers? Never OEM. OEM is 99% guaranteed to be inferior to the aftermarket options at the same price point. In many cases the aftermarket supplier is hired by the OEM to make an inferior part for them while the aftermarket version is what it should have been in the first place. (Like OEM Bilstein shocks vs. aftermarket Bilstein shocks)
There's no clear line. Entirely situational.
Not sure they still do, but NAPA did offer "lifetime" Belden spark plug cables, but new vehicles no longer use cables! I would use those/keep receipt.
Originally Posted by Vern_in_IL
Not sure they still do, but NAPA did offer "lifetime" Belden spark plug cables, but new vehicles no longer use cables! I would use those/keep receipt.
O'Reilly offers lifetime warranty spark plug wires, cap and rotor. Who cares when most people sell the car before those parts fail under warranty.
Not sure they still do, but NAPA did offer "lifetime" Belden spark plug cables, but new vehicles no longer use cables! I would use those/keep receipt.
O'Reilly offers lifetime warranty spark plug wires, cap and rotor. Who cares when most people sell the car before those parts fail under warranty.
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