Good non OEM Brands

[e30rotorhead]

Gents,

New to the E30 world here. I've got an '84 325e and theres a slight oil leak from the head gasket. I intend to replace it, but I want to gather some info on the E30 community and the parts prior to ordering.

I would assume going in that OEM are going to the be preferred gasket to go with, but what non-OEM companies make good products? What are the websites that I can / should order from, and are there any that I should stay away from?

Thanks for the info ahead of time

[itsonlygeorge]

Elring. Stay away from Victor Reinz when possible, especially for head gaskets.

[flyboyx]

Uro! Jk

[estoguy]

I've used TRW brake pads, ball joints and tie rods on my E30. No problems with these.

I've also used an ignition coil, rotor and distributor from Bremi. No issues.

[SixerFixer]

I've used TRW brake pads, ball joints and tie rods on my E30. No problems with these.

TRW is actually an OEM supplier; they bought Lucas Girling a few years back. If you've got 'Girling' stamped calipers, TRW is your brand!

[BlackSpeed66]

FAG & SKF seem to make decent bearings. Lemförder is pretty much a sure bet on just about everything.

I'm 50/50 on Febi. Haven't had any outward issues with their stuff, but some times the price just seems too good to be true.

A big 'no' to Üro, MTC and Hamburg Technic. I've sworn off Meyle too after a bad experience with my Audi 4kq.

Not sure on FEQ and Karlyn.

[digger]

if not BMW OE then

rubber bushes on suspension lemforder
head gasket goetze
VR is ok for other less critical gaskets

[TobyB]

Febi just fell off my list- 3 of the last 4 Febi boxes in the last order came back
"Made in China" and felt that way, too.

Botch is also doing its best to auger in, it seems.

t

[estoguy]

TRW is actually an OEM supplier; they bought Lucas Girling a few years back. If you've got 'Girling' stamped calipers, TRW is your brand!

I did not know that!

Well, their pads are great... had them installed when I first got the car, and I got just over 176K km (105+K miles) out of them.