Original bmw vs OEM

[b*saint]

As much as I bash my car as a POS, as I am replacing parts, I notice a lot of them are still original BMW parts. 252k miles and born in 1996. That's pretty good. Like my center driveshaft bearing is original. My catalytic converter is original. If its not someone had a lot of dough to replace it with a bmw brand many many many miles ago before the college girl had it 45k miles before me. The only thing that kills me is the damn interior.

If I buy a really decent shape 528i like I am looking to get, if its worth it I think I maybe inclined to go all genuine BMW on critical parts like suspension components, axles, bearings, etc etc.

How much MORE do you think it would be in the long run?

[slammin.e28]

When replacing parts, upgrade. Fuck buying BMW branded parts when there are better alternatives out there. Most stuff is also sold by the manufacturer to the consumer, instead of taking a ride over the counter at your dealer parts dept. That said, if I worked for a dealer, things would be genuine BMW. It's not worth it to me if the price is wrong.

[redsubdivisions]

Go with OE suppliers, such as Lemfoerder, Elring, Goetze, etc. Not everything has to be an original BMW part, especially for a 20+ year old car. Pelican Parts is where I got a nice handful of things for my car and I spent under 100 bucks. Just my 2 cents.

[nando]

When replacing parts, upgrade. Fuck buying BMW branded parts when there are better alternatives out there. Most stuff is also sold by the manufacturer to the consumer, instead of taking a ride over the counter at your dealer parts dept. That said, if I worked for a dealer, things would be genuine BMW. It's not worth it to me if the price is wrong.

who said you had to buy BMW parts from a dealer?

we don't even have a BMW dealer here.

[slammin.e28]

who said you had to buy BMW parts from a dealer?

we don't even have a BMW dealer here.

Didn't say you had to. It is implied though as they are BMW branded parts. Most would assume they were gotten from the dealer.

[InuFaye]

I get my bmw parts from autozone.

[slammin.e28]

I get my bmw parts from autozone.

Word on the street is they're starting to use Worldpac...

[nando]

Didn't say you had to. It is implied though as they are BMW branded parts. Most would assume they were gotten from the dealer.

most people where? most people here I would assume buy their parts online, given the demographics (young males).

[slammin.e28]

most people where? most people here I would assume buy their parts online, given the demographics (young males).

Most people here assume dealer as they're mainly either rednecks who get their Ford truck parts from Autozone or old rich folk who really do go to the dealer for everything.

[agent]

There are many parts you can buy aftermarket to save a few bucks but for my cars and my money, I rarely deviate from Original BMW parts.

That said, I don't buy anything from my local dealer unless it's an absolute emergency. They charge 2-3 times as much for the exact same parts as the dealer I've been sourcing parts from for the past two years.

[InuFaye]

Word on the street is they're starting to use Worldpac...

Although I think they have a secret homo agenda, as I keep getting these boxes with FAG all over them.

[QUKBMER]

If you look on most of all of the maintenance and other replacement parts they have a origin of manufacture and its not BMW. I have managed a euro repair shop for some 15+ years now and there are some things that you have to buy BMW only of course. But everything else we buy OE supplier parts and they work just fine (except meyle parts).

[F34R]

Blunttech for me on almost everything. I use Meyle for suspension bits that GC does not make. I also spend the bit extra and buy the better OE parts like: Lemfoerder, Goetze, Meyle. I forgot what brand wheel bearings I use.

[nando]

Meyle is cheap aftermarket crap.

[freeride53]

AutohausAZ/Blunttech/GutenParts

I like to mix it up, and support all the fellow members' businesses.