Aftermarket vs. OEM Drive belts??? (Safe bet or not????)

[connorclr]

My 2001 Infiniti QX4 needs new belts, both the Power Steering and Compressor belts are looking very worn. I've been mainly getting my stuff through courtesyparts.com and Amazon when applicable. To my surprise, Amazon actually has both OEM belts for sale, I will have links posted at the bottom of this message. The total for both would be around $60, kind of a lot for just two belts. I am already committed to giving this car the best quality parts for it (aka trying to avoid aftermarket as much as I can), but I am willing to go that route if it means spending $25-$30 less on new belts with no loss of build quality.

My question: Is it a safer bet to buy OEM factory belts or am I over-analyzing here and should just go with aftermarket considering they are half the cost??? Links are posted below.

Thanks!!!!!!!

OEM Accesory Drive Belt:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L2N ... EYRKCOIJY6

OEM Alternator, Water Pump and Power Steering belt:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089A ... EYRKCOIJY6


Gates Accesory Drive Belt (Aftermarket):
http://www.amazon.com/Gates-K040372-Mul ... niti%3Aqx4

Gates Alt., Pump, Power Steering Belts (Aftermarket):
http://www.amazon.com/Gates-K060465-Mul ... niti%3Aqx4

[txchamps]

My advice is to visit rockauto.com, which offers belts for your Infiniti from respected manufactures at considerably less.

Good luck!

[cr4west]

I would go wih an OEM belt. The reason? I purchased a cheaper belt on ebay a while back and when installed the right hand cam was 1 cog out of time. This resulted in lumpy idle and rich air fuel going to the right side CAT. Then a fault code occured. Replaced the belt with an OEM belt and the problems went away.

[Kellsonm]

I replaced both belts on my '01 QX4 last winter with oem replacements from AutoZone. No complaints, and total price was less than $30.

[atraudes]

I wouldn't trust "OEM" parts from open marketplaces like Amazon or eBay. If you're set on OEM, go to a dealership or rockauto.com. Gates makes very high quality components, so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them over any other brand you could find. Just my 2¢

[ncalnissan]

I just replaced my belts with the Gatorback brand belts, which seem to get good reviews and look like they're well made.

[zach7685]

I also Replaced my belts with Autozone belts and I haven't had an issue with them. I have about 20K miles on it