Things to Consider Before Buying Replacement BMW Parts
By Cyril Joseph
BMW is a quality car company with a reputation for style and performance. When the time comes to repair or replace any parts, many BMW owners do not consider buying aftermarket BMW parts. They turn toward generic car parts in an effort to save a few dollars.
Not choosing BMW replacement parts to service your car is a common mistake that can diminish the quality and performance of a BMW. While original BMW parts are crafted from the highest quality materials, the same is not true of aftermarket parts. In terms of BMW parts, the higher price isn't just because of the brand name.
Replacing a few nuts and bolts with generic parts may not appear to be a problem. However, even the smallest components of a car can cause major damage if made of substandard materials. For example, a loose bolt that was not designed for a BMW can fly off while the car is in motion, causing major damage and possibly bodily harm as well. Saving a few pennies can cost much more overall.
Maintaining the Structural Integrity of A BMW
BMW has established a tradition of well made cars that meet a quality standard for their customers. When other parts are used on a luxury car, it weakens the value of the car. The BMW no longer meets the specifications of the original model. This increases the rate of depreciation of the car, making the investment less valuable.
Depending on the parts that need to be replaced, the BMW warranty could be voided if other replacement parts are used. This is an important point to consider when deciding between BMW aftermarket parts and generic parts. Choosing BMW aftermarket parts is the only way to ensure that the car will always be in the best possible condition.
When generic car parts are used on a BMW, it also dilutes the purity of the brand. After adding various car parts, a BMW effectively becomes a hodgepodge of different brands and levels of quality. The same could be said of a glass of water with a drop of motor oil in it. The glass of water would no longer be considered water, because of the addition of the oil. A BMW could rightfully not be considered a true BMW, because of the addition of generic aftermarket parts.
Aftermarket vs. OEM BMW Parts
Ultimately, the option of whether or not to use aftermarket or OEM parts on your BMW is the owner's choice. Many people have replaced their BMW parts with generics with no trouble at all. However, with generic car parts, there is no assurance about the exact quality of the product being put on the BMW. With BMW replacement parts, there is no question that the car will perform to the exact specifications that it was designed to in the factory.
Price is certainly a valid consideration when choosing replacement parts for your vehicles. In most cases, OEM parts will be more expensive than generics. However, by leveraging the internet, you can likely find OEM parts at a far lower cost than by getting them straight from the dealership or from the repair shop.
Cyril Joseph is an author for Above All Motorwerks, an online auto parts retailer that educates visitors about BMW parts and other car topics. Above All Motorwerks is a solid resource for BMW owners and other car lovers who want to learn more about how to maintain their car. |
OEM BMW Parts Vs. Aftermarket BMW Auto Parts by Scott Drozd
If you own a BMW chances are you have scoured the internet searching for great deals on BMW parts and accessories. Who can blame you? BMW's are infamous for their great handling, but with great handling comes the associated wear and tear of the suspension and steering parts (ie BMW control arms and thrust arms). When these parts begin to wear, its not surprising when you get an outrageous quote from a dealership for hundreds, if not several thousands of dollars to replace these steering and suspension parts. I'm just using BMW control arms as an example, but its across the board for any European cars such as Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, and Volkswagen.
You have now made a decision to do your own due diligence and attempt to source the parts outside of a dealership to save you a little bit of money. You will quickly become overwhelmed by the amount of company's brands and products to choose from and may be confused by the jargon used in the aftermarket and OEM parts industry. Terms such as genuine, aftermarket, OEM, OES, and OEA. I will end all of this confusion right here and right now.
* Genuine BMW Parts: Genuine BMW parts come in Genuine BMW packaging. Plain and simple. If its not in a Genuine BMW box, or has a BMW stamp on it, it is not considered a Genuine BMW Part. Keep in mind BMW does not actually manufacture these parts, they are subcontracted to companies that manufacture the specific product. The company that manufactures the particular part for BMW is called the Original Equipment Manufacturer.
* OEM BMW Parts: OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It is essentially the same product as a Genuine BMW Part, however the manufacturer has sold the product in their own packaging instead of sending it directly to BMW to be packaged under the BMW name.
* OEA/ OES BMW Parts: Stands for either Original Equipment Aftermarket or Original equipment supplier. A company may manufacture genuine parts for Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes, or other car maker, but if they have never manufactured a part for BMW, they will never be considered a genuine BMW part or OEM BMW part.
* Aftermarket BMW Part: An aftermarket BMW part is manufactured by a company that has never been contracted by a major car maker to be their Original Equipment manufacturer. Although the company has never been contracted by a major auto maker, the parts are made to fit and perform as well as the OEM since they are generally produced with the same materials and machinery.
Our purpose here is not to be deceitful. As you move down the chain, the instances of coming across a BMW part that is inferior in quality will increase. Now that you are an educated consumer you can use this information along with checking the warranty policy and credentials of the company to make the best decision along the way.
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