o.e. vs aftermarket

[captainluigi]

why buy o.e. ? nissan makes very few parts. add in upcharge, packageing, shipping, etc. and that same part say a coolant thermostat cost 2 to 3 x what napa chgs. yea i want to patronize NICO,s sponsors (read joe) but a bucks a buck. if NICOs existence depends on sponsors well thats one thing, as i would be lost without this community. however, who wants to pay more than they need if quality is up to o.e. standards?

[MattB]

Because a lot of the time aftermarket stuff is crap.

[superuber]

Because a lot of the time aftermarket stuff is crap.

True! I use alot of aftermarket parts at my shop for cars. I also get alot of dealer parts. There is no doubt that the dealer parts are better. I see it everyday. Yeah some parts you can get away with aftermaket and we use some. I personally would rather have oe for MY car. It's kinda like the grocery store. Some of the store brand stuff is ok and some is terrible!Trial and error. For me I won't take chances when it comes to blowing a belt or hose and popping my engine. Some aftermarket stuff I like......Goodyear belts, wix filters, A-1 cardone reman, monroe, raybestos to name some. But they can fail too. I use oe on my nissan and Infiniti.

[maxnix]

however, who wants to pay more than they need if quality is up to o.e. standards?

That's a big if, and very expensive which ones are truly as good. since 95%+ are not, it also a very expensive exercise.

[elwesso]

Normally you have to spend a lot mroe than OEM to get OEM quality!

It all depends on what you're talking about.... For maintenance items, you cannot go wrong with OEM.. Bang for the buck is REALLY hard to beat! For replacement parts, still OEM is better....

In many cases, OEM from Joe + nextday shipping is still cheaper than some aftermarket ones... Air filters, thermostats, brakes (except rotors), fuel filters, and so on are all cheaper with Joe than they are from Napa/Zone/Advance

[Q45tech]

The only aftermarket things we use are batteries, light bulbs, centric brake rotors ocassionally, BG products, radiators, R12/134a, transmission ATF, oil, PS fluid, diff fluid, coolant, power steering rack [local rebuilder].

At some point we have tried everything with very dismal results.

We cringe when some customer brings in a part.

Customers get mad at you when 12month/12k things don't last at least twice as long.I consider working oem parts off a wrecked or trashed car to be better than any aftermarket part.............too much price pressure by discount stores.

[captainluigi]

well ok then. o.e. it will be.

[Jesda]

I consider working oem parts off a wrecked or trashed car to be better than any aftermarket part.............too much price pressure by discount stores.

Seconded. When you turn your own wrench, its a lesson very well learned. Nothing like changing your crappy aftermarket rotors back to OEM when its cold as piss outside.

[Q_SHIP]

I don't buy OEM when i don't have to. Makes no sense to me. Napa brand has been just fine.

I always get a laugh when I hear people say to even buy an OEM light bulb. Thats one of the most lame things I have EVER heard.

[lino]

I don't buy OEM when i don't have to. Makes no sense to me. Napa brand has been just fine.

I always get a laugh when I hear people say to even buy an OEM light bulb. Thats one of the most lame things I have EVER heard.

When I replaced my "working - not burnt" aftermarket bulbs in my 3rd brake light, the warning in the cluster went away.

[captainluigi]

after checking o.e. vs aft. mkt.m prices on a few items the o.e. came out LESS by 30%. who knew? well i guess you guys did. on my mbz sec the cruise control would not work properly with other than o.e. tail/stop bulbs.

[bullittandy]

Interesting timing on this topic. The new OEM passenger valve cover gasket I just installed started leaking after three days. Took it off tonight and its broken!! Don't know how I've got to assume that I screwed up the install but it was fine for several days and I can't see how the gasket could have been torn during install.

Who knows?

Of course, it was a lot easier taking it apart this time, 30 minutes versus 1.5 hours!!

[maxnix]

Makes no sense to me. Napa brand has been just fine.

I always get a laugh when I hear people say to even buy an OEM light bulb. Thats one of the most lame things I have EVER heard.

NAPA bulbs ae the cheapest Chinese caca produced. Have caused almost every problem with brake light warning or burned sockets by drawing too much current.

[Q_SHIP]

Not one failure yet since replacing most when I bought the car 2 yrs ago.

NAPA bulbs ae the cheapest Chinese caca produced. Have caused almost every problem with brake light warning or burned sockets by drawing too much current.

[MattB]

I'll buy aftermarket high-quality lightbulbs (GE, Sylvania, Phillips) but that's it (I'm pretty sure Sylvania makes the OEM headlamp bulbs in my I30 anyway).

[BadQ45t]

The one thing that I don't use OE for is replace shocks/springs/struts...that is the only think I add to Tech's list. The scary thing is that Nissan is starting to drop production for their older cars on mechnical parts...i have an 84' 300ZX and soon for my next starter or alternator I might HAVE to go aftermarket. I learned the hard way with my wife's car breaking down (while i was in Asia on a businss trip) and at the mercy of a tow truck drive getting a Napa alternator, faithfully failed in the 13th month of ownership.

I'm thinking of buying an extra alternator and starter for my Z and just putting it on the shelf. Anybody else heard about this? For sure i cannot get any interior replacement parts anymore.

[Q45tech]

Smart people who are determined to keep an old car, keep an inventory of replacement parts, understanding that manufacturers only are required to maintain stocks for 10 years.

All 96 parts were made in 1995 and that was the last equivalence of alternator, starter, electrical modules.

Obviously there is a trickle down time delay and 160 dealers who might have something vs regional warehouses................when stuff is gone stuff is gone.

Buying complete junkers/wrecks is the cheap way to get oem parts.

Unfortunately shocks and rubber items cannot be reused.

I have oem alternators, starters, fans, motors [window/sunroof/wiper] plus at least one of every electronic module on the Q, MAF, CAS, sensors solenoids, IAC, everything under the dash including complete dash and interior.

[maxnix]

Not one failure yet since replacing most when I bought the car 2 yrs ago.

Good for you, but lots of other documented failures on this board. hard to know your sockets are melting until they fail terminally.

[don kramer]

NAPA bulbs ae the cheapest Chinese caca produced. Have caused almost every problem with brake light warning or burned sockets by drawing too much current. maxnix

I did find this to be the case in my old 94 Lexus LS 400. Brake light bulb would not take new bulb and work even though old bulb which was non OEdid not look like filiment was broken. After an hour of fiddling and fussing and cussing I determined after tearing the whole assembly apart the bulb had melted the socket contacts and released the soldered joint behind holding the wire to the contact. Resoldered the wire replaced with non chinese bulb. Tested chinese bulb contacts for continuity and bulb was fine but obviously got too hot. I had wondered what had caused the problem but did not replace with existing working cinese bulb, but used another from my old collection of old volvo takeouts. bulb was maybe 20 years old. checked later to validate no melted contacts and all was fine. thanks maxnix for the inputdk

[Q45tech]

hard to know your sockets are melting until they fail terminally.

NOT REALLY it is very obvious if you examine the center tip of the bulb after it has been installed a few days. The lead like solder will no longer be pointed outward but sagged flat or inward with a noticeable depression.

I pull my bulbs and visually check them about every 90 days and throw away any that look different from brand new.

Why my 90 day oil changes are half a day[few hours] in length so many things to check, test, lubricate..........................isn't this why one has sick days at work so that you can change oil, visit dentist, and doctors.

Always select dentist and doctors within walking distance of your expert automotive technican.................after all dentist and doctors are a dime a dozen unlike technicans.

[maxnix]

hard to know your sockets are melting until they fail terminally.

.................after all dentist and doctors are a dime a dozen unlike technicans.

So true , but the person using Chinese bulbs is not inspecting them every 90 days, I guarantee you!

If one has good teeth, a good hygenist is the ultimate goal, not much different than a good Infiniti Senior Technician.

[captainluigi]

cheap parts or cheap tools are never a bargain.

[DrewQ45]

Aftermarket Radios and speakers are almost always a better thing. Lets see... Adjustable tie rods, wheels, springs, good quality rotors... hmm...I could go on and on. I like Slyvania Bulbs myself.

Certain things should always be OEM though. Anything that requires Major work to replace such as the alternator and spark plugs.

BTW...Hello everyone! I've been MIA for a min! I lurked now and then though.

...Drew....

[Falkdesigns]

Yeah, I pull my bulbs every 90 days. Yeah, right. Never in my whole life of driving a little over 20 years had ONE of these imaginary problems.

Using Silverstars for all lights, aftermarket alt (almost 3 years). Everything else on the car besides wheels and suspension is OE.

You guys (Brian, Q'tech) make like the Q is some sort of exotic GOD of cars that MUST remain OE or it will melt like a witch in water. It's NOT a McLaren F1, a Ferrari F50, a Bugatti Veyron, or any other such exotic million dollar car. It's a MID PRICED "premium luxury sedan". No Bently, Rolls, or Maybach. It's a Nissan.

Some of you people crack me up.

[superuber]

Yeah, I pull my bulbs every 90 days. Yeah, right. Some of you people crack me up.

I pull my bulbs when they actually are bad!I have yet to replace any bulbs (other than my headlights) in my 95.Maybe I'm missing something

[StarPD]

cheap parts or cheap tools are never a bargain.

Of all my many "old sayings", one of my favoites is: "Every time I try to save money, I screw myself".

I try to buy the best of everything, but make a good deal on it.

That being said, there ARE many items for cars, in which aftermarket is better than OEM. The secret is to know which is better. Usually, the better aftermarket stuff is not cheaper than OEM, and is sometimes more expensive. It all depends on the item and the mfr.

"Caveat emptor".

[DrewQ45]

I pull my bulbs when they actually are bad!I have yet to replace any bulbs (other than my headlights) in my 95.Maybe I'm missing something

LOL.... You're not a true Q enthusiast... I'll bet you don't even spend time combing the carpet hairs so they will act as better insulators, thereby reducing strain on the HVAC unit/ cooling/heating systems. Shame on you!

Lemme put it this way... My trip odo bulbs burnt out... I got some from a junkyard Q and will install soon.... HA! Oh can someone test resistance on one of these things (New OEM) so I can be sure I'm putting in the best ones? LOL... Go ahead... flame me!!!!

[superuber]

LOL.... You're not a true Q enthusiast... I'll bet you don't even spend time combing the carpet hairs so they will act as better insulators, thereby reducing strain on the HVAC unit/ cooling/heating systems.

You are so wrong! I do comb my carpet as you can see from this pic!Excuse me while I go ohm test my trunk light!

[MattB]

Yeah, I pull my bulbs every 90 days. Yeah, right. Never in my whole life of driving a little over 20 years had ONE of these imaginary problems.

Using Silverstars for all lights, aftermarket alt (almost 3 years). Everything else on the car besides wheels and suspension is OE.

You guys (Brian, Q'tech) make like the Q is some sort of exotic GOD of cars that MUST remain OE or it will melt like a witch in water. It's NOT a McLaren F1, a Ferrari F50, a Bugatti Veyron, or any other such exotic million dollar car. It's a MID PRICED "premium luxury sedan". No Bently, Rolls, or Maybach. It's a Nissan.

Some of you people crack me up.

Silverstar headlight bulbs are quality products and designed specifically to be stock wattage. Other replacement headlight bulbs are not, and are thus crap. Non-OEM stuff often does not meet the quality standards of OEM parts.