Maintenance Items: OEM or Aftermarket?

[WRXtranceformed]

Going to cross-post this from the IS300 forums to get your guys' advice as well.

I've done a ton of 90K service searches here because I'm looking to save some cash on my upcoming one. I haven't seen anything on this subject, so I figured I'd start up a new thread about it.

What are all of your thoughts on the brands of parts to use on your 90k service? I normally prefer OEM for maintenance items, but I know there are a lot of other companies that make solid parts for less. I've got a list of parts and some pricing on OEM maintenance stuff and I've been doing some research on AAP's website for similar parts. Why AAP? I have access to a commercial account set up for parts so I'll get some uber discounts.

Just as an example (non-discounted website prices):

OEM 2JZGE Timing Belt Tensioner - $78.82
Dayco 2JZGE Timing Belt Tensioner - $48.48

OEM 2JZGE Timing Belt - $33.00
Goodyear 2JZGE Timing Belt - $17.99

Any recommended aftermarket companies for parts like these? Should I take the hit and go OEM? I'm trying to find out if I can get OEM parts through AAP... if so I'll probably go that route.

How about you MMer's? What say you? In particular I've heard that some cars are only happy with certain types of fluids (ie tranny), but coolant and such should be fine with the generic stuff.

[white_2kgt]

It depends. Some stuff I like to get from the OEM other's I'll go aftermarket. You really just have to compare what the aftermarket quality is and compare it's price/performance to that of the OEM.

[WRXtranceformed]

I guess that's what I'm curiuos about. I know it's apples to oranges, but what parts do you typically try to buy OEM? Any aftermarket brands you recommend?

[navin]

Personally - with stuff relating to Timing belt/tensioner I would go with OEM.

But then again I drive a Honda - so im not really sure of the quality of the aftermarket stuff availble, but OEM honda stuff is top notch.

[Andy]

Find out who the actual OEM is and buy it from them through AAP, Rockauto etc etc. I don't think the car manufacturers actually make their parts inhouse.

Koyo makes timing belt tensioners/pulleys for the Hondas and Subaru's that I've changed t-belts for.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yeah, its bullshit OEM parts. They are just regular parts with honda or mitsubishi on them. Tons of OEM belts are Dayco, suspension pieces TRW.....its just a name as long as you make sure you get the good stuff..

[NTIman]

I have found that Toyota/Lexus cars don't like aftermarket parts much.

Thats not to say they won't work OK, but if I had the choice (and I wasn't paying for them) I'd totally get the OEM parts for them.

Just because an OEM part is made by the same manufacturer as an aftermarket part doesn't mean its the same quality either, just something to keep in mind.

You probably wouldn't have any problem with an aftermarket belt and tensioner, but I'd just rather use Toyota parts on a Toyota, probably comes from the fact that 90% of the parts I put on are OEM.

[Mike]

For important things (timing belts, wheel bearings, lug studs), I stick to the badged stuff.

If anyone knows of a place to find out what OEM parts are made by who, please share.

[white_2kgt]

Just because an OEM part is made by the same manufacturer as an aftermarket part doesn't mean its the same quality either, just something to keep in mind.

Absolutely. At least I know w/ ford any part that gets the 'Ford' stamp goes though in house testing. Lots of times the aftermarket will send the stuff they know won't pass to Autozone/Advance/etc and send the 'good' batch to Ford.
Typically anything I know I want 'upgraded' I'll go aftermarket. If I'm just out to replace stuff, I'll get OEM. So basically most of the mustang is aftermarket. Some engine parts are OEM like coils/wiring/sensors.

[.RJ]

If anyone knows of a place to find out what OEM parts are made by who, please share.

Thats hard to do because most OEM's have several suppliers - especially in japanland.

[Mike]

well list what you know, rookie biotch!

[WRXtranceformed]

Hrm, I'll probably go through Irontoad or something like that for all the parts then, and save AAP discount for the generic fluids.

[Maengelito]

as stated, many OEM brands are ones made by the same companies that you can get from AAP. however, also as stated, its not necessarily the same quality just because its the same brand. i replaced my timing belt on the integra with one of those AAP-type belts at 100k and found at around 150k that the belt had a chip in it. it didnt look terrible, but it was definitely something that worried me.

lee, your totals are about $110 OEM vs $65 AAP-type. %wise, sure that seems like a lot (nearly double) but for something like a timing belt and tensioner, is $50 spread out over 90k more miles worth the piece of mind?

[WRXtranceformed]

Yeah, parts wise I'm basically going to pick up:

All crush washers for diff / tranny (cheap no matter where I get them)
Timing belt
Tensioner
Water pump (it's accessed when the timing belt is removed, so i figured i'd switch it out now to save on labor)
Water pump gaskets / o-rings
Coolant, diff fluid, tranny fluid
I could probably swap the brake and power steering fluid too, but I don't think it's necessary at this point
Spark plugs should be OK until 120k

I may just stick with OEM for piece of mind since it's not a shit ton of parts.

[white_2kgt]

Stuff like a water pump/gaskets I'll get from the auto parts store, IF they carry the stupid long time warranty. I consider those 'wear' items anyway and replace pretty often. Getting them at Advance I can just take it back and swap for a new one each year.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Too bad I literally know that sometimes I deliver belts all the time to the dealers to put on cars.....sooo...your car might have an AAP belt wether you got it done at the dealer or not. I see this everyday as I am the one delivering those parts to the dealers. They try to use their own belts to save money (buying in bulk) but when they dont have one all they do is call us. All the regular shops? Yep those are our belts, our olympus, or NAPA.

Your not picking up many expensive things, so you wont be killed by the dealer so its basically your peace of mind. Choose what makes you sleep comfortable at night.

[Mike]

yeah, no doubt in my mind that dealers don't always use OEM parts when doing repairs, but lee is doing his own so it's kinda a moot point. if someone is dumb enough to go to a dealer for a repair? fuck 'em.

[.RJ]

yeah, no doubt in my mind that dealers don't always use OEM parts when doing repairs

Depends on the dealer....

[Mike]

i'd bet 4/5 don't have strict standards on their work.

[.RJ]

i'd bet 4/5 don't have strict standards on their work.

I think you'd be wrong on that one. A lot of people think dealerships are in business with the goal of screwing the customer as hard as they can - and while there are some that are in that business, most are not.