so is vaico is aftermarket right. they are not an OE supplier/manufacturer to bmw?

 

Correct.

 

Well I feel for you. I have found myself contemplating BMW quality versus just about anything else in general. Hey I'm like everyone else that wants to save a few dollars in replacing parts especially with those that are supposed to be OEM/S quality. Lately I been having my doubts in the items I have been replacing. The parts look equal but at times I don't think it is the case. I know BMW has got to mark some items up based on just adding their name to the part or the box or the advertising dollars or what ever. But are some parts really living up to the exact standards? Maybe I should start a thread about this. In some of my own independant testing in real life, I don't think that is the case. One point I have is my swaybar endlinks. 7 years with genuine BMW, from day one. 2 with a set of Meyle HD's. Price difference, maybe $10 each. Anybody else noticing any differences with just sticking with genuine BWM??

 

I bought a few things aftermarket when I first started getting into the maintenance on my car, but after the failed VR VCG put a sour taste in my mouth I buy only OE or OEM now OE if it's relatively close in price. I even buy OEM Gemi hose clamps.

The only success i've had in my very short exposure to aftermarket parts for our cars is a $10 washer fluid pump I bought off amazon, 3 years later and it's still working like a champ and it certainly doesn't owe me a thing.

I also have the luxury of living 2 miles from Turner Motorsport and 18 miles from Bavarian Autosport but shop mostly at bavauto because it's tax free.

 

I noticed when ECS starting carrying Vaico parts a few months ago and I was immediately skeptical. I looked into the company and did some research but I couldn't find much. I see they have operations in Finland and China.

 

Is there a thread on brands to avoid/buy for certain parts? Perhaps we should make one. I always search a DIY on a part I'm trying to replace to see if there are any brand recommendations

 

I don't mess around with anything unless it comes over the parts counter of my BMW dealer. I do things right and do them once.


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I was doing this when I first bought my car. But then I asked them to quote me on parts cost for spark plugs and a fuel filter and they said this:

spark plugs 6 x $32
fuel filter 1 x $240, later reduced the price to $180.

Then I became an online US vendor shopper.

 

OP you are always having trouble with your purchases!

 

1) Thanks for all the responses guys. I really appreciate the discussion. When it comes to brands to avoid, MTC is one of them that comes to mind immediately. (I believe they were selling expansion tanks for $20 last time I checked, which is nuts.) I definitely have added Vaico to this list as well. For other manufacturers, it depends on the part. Meyle makes great control arms and a great expansion tank; however, makes poor rotors. Victor Reinz is a company that makes gaskets, and for some applications, they are fabulous. For others, like the VCG, it is horrible. Maybe we should make a thread of this.

2)In a perfect world, I would only buy OEM. But like a member mentioned, for some parts they are very reasonable, and for others, they ask astronomical amounts. I believe when these cars came out, the asked really high prices for parts. Now that the market is declining, and they see how competitive we are when buying, they were forced to slash prices to compete with aftermarket. (except for DISAs and BMW Performance airboxes that skyrocketed)

3)Lastly, Marshmallow, it does seem that way. Ive bought numerous things this past year, and it seems like I've had some sort of trouble with 1/4 things, which lead me to becoming a more Genuine Parts guy. But all has been good man! It's all minor stuff.

 

Here's my 2 cents. I purchased a Vaico coolant tank, exactly 1 year later IT FAILS, where the cap screws on. Well they have a 1 year warranty, boo hoo, lesson learned. Oh and I did replace the cap first but the neck of the tank has a leak, AND it's getting worse, by the minute.

 

Please replace, engines are expensive!

 

I generally shy away from dealer sourced parts except for things like keys. Instead, I look for parts made by the OEM supplier to BMW. Pelican Parts is an excellent source for that information (and for parts.) If I need brake pads, l check Pelican for the OEM brand, note their price and then do a search on Amazon, eBay, oembimmer, BMA, etc. And if you ever buy parts from Advance, they sell the Beck Arnley brand, which are repackaged BMW parts. I will always shop for the best price when I need parts for my cars.