OEM parts vs generic, is it that much better? Options

[Hanyo]

I'm about to change the timing belt, water pump, pully on the celica.

It has got me thinking, is it worth it to put genuine toyota parts in there?

I mean, how much longer is the old 7afe gonna last before the valve seals leak and i will be pulling off the head anyways. I've given up on modify the celica, and ditching plans to turbo the 7afe. So this engine will not be under the heat and stress modified engines face.

[Kwanza26]

personally... if it has a "lifetime warranty" which most aftermarket parts do... then I'm satisfied. There isn't enough reason, in my experience, of replacing with ONLY OEM parts. OEM prices are just too high. I've never had any generic parts break down on me...

[GTS13]

personally... if it has a "lifetime warranty" which most aftermarket parts do... then I'm satisfied. There isn't enough reason, in my experience, of replacing with ONLY OEM parts. OEM prices are just too high. I've never had any generic parts break down on me...

Dude, haven't you ever seen Tommy Boy? I prefer any part that is guaranteed to work and last without that "lifetime warranty." That way I don't have a manufacturer saying "oops" and sending me the same part constantly because it's under "lifetime warranty."
Definitely OEM FTW.
If you get to know your parts manager at your local dealer, he'll usually cut you a deal since OEM parts are pretty damned expensive. It's all about the PR baby.

This post has been edited by GTS13: Jun 20, 2007 - 5:28 PM

[Kwanza26]

Dude, haven't you ever seen Tommy Boy? I prefer any part that is guaranteed to work and last without that "lifetime warranty." That way I don't have a manufacturer saying "oops" and sending me the same part constantly because it's under "lifetime warranty."
Definitely OEM FTW.
If you get to know your parts manager at your local dealer, he'll usually cut you a deal since OEM parts are pretty damned expensive. It's all about the PR baby.

Hey... it's your money. I just think it's hilarious that all of you guys want justification for spending more by crappin on generic parts that you haven't really had experience with. I fixed cars for a living for a LONG time, and I know what you mean by "wrong parts"... but that's ALWAYS because the parts people you're ordering from have crappy databases... or you don't know what you're looking for. I've never had any major problems EVER, with generic parts. Granted OEM is better quality, but price versus quality, generic will win every single time.

[alltracman78]

Dude, haven't you ever seen Tommy Boy? I prefer any part that is guaranteed to work and last without that "lifetime warranty." That way I don't have a manufacturer saying "oops" and sending me the same part constantly because it's under "lifetime warranty."
Definitely OEM FTW.
If you get to know your parts manager at your local dealer, he'll usually cut you a deal since OEM parts are pretty damned expensive. It's all about the PR baby.

Hey... it's your money. I just think it's hilarious that all of you guys want justification for spending more by crappin on generic parts that you haven't really had experience with. I fixed cars for a living for a LONG time, and I know what you mean by "wrong parts"... but that's ALWAYS because the parts people you're ordering from have crappy databases... or you don't know what you're looking for. I've never had any major problems EVER, with generic parts. Granted OEM is better quality, but price versus quality, generic will win every single time.

I've had experience with them.
Lifetime warranty can be worthless.
Example:
Tools
Craftsman is lifetime warranty. I buy the good Craftsman too, not the cheaper stuff.
It still breaks. I've broken 1 of my 3/8" rachets 3 times, my 1/4" once. wrenches too.
Snap On breaks too sometimes. Just not as frequently.
Autocrap tools are lifetime warrenty too.
I don't think there are many tools made at this point that aren't.
Put a Duracrap wrench next to a Snap On one.
Go use it on a rusted bolt. Use it again and again when your livelihood depends on it.
Then tell me it's worth it.
I have an Autocrap starter in my truck [from when I didn't know any better] with a lifetime warranty.
I've replaced it 4 times, and it's about time for #5 [good battery and 2g wires directly to the chassis and battery].
It get's old when you have to keep going back for the same stuff again and again.

Sometimes aftermarket parts are good.
Goodyear makes good belts.
So does Gates.
Timken and Fedral Mogul make good bearings.
NGK makes awesome plugs.
Aftermarket doesn't always mean you are getting a sub par quality part.
But unless you know what you are looking for you stand a good chance of getting just that.

There are MANY more that are junk.
Duracrap springs to mind.

Lower quality parts won't always give you trouble, or break soon than OEM.
But they are more likely to.
OEM parts aren't always perfect. They have thier problems at times.
The timing guides on the 22R/RE is a good example.
Every once in a while you'll get a bad starter or alt.
But it's MUCH less common than aftermarket.

Here's what I can think of off the top of my head
-Wheel bearings.
OEM has a plastic seal between races to keep dust/dirt out.
Alot of aftermarket ones don't [some do, like Timken].
-Water pumps.
OEM has a MUCH better machined impeller to move the coolant/water than the cast aftermarket version.
AND it comes as a complete pump vs the half style of aftermarket [4 cyl].
-Spark plugs.
We've got a whole pile of Bosch/AC Delco/ect that caused misfires.
Replaced with Denso that fixed problem.
-Cap/rotors.
Aftermarket don't tend to last as long as OEM.
Sometimes wires will go much faster as well.
-Starters
-Alternators
-A:F and O2 sensors that throw codes

If this is true

I fixed cars for a living for a LONG time

Then this is most likely a lie or you really don't have much clue what you're talking about.

I've never had any major problems EVER, with generic parts. Granted OEM is better quality, but price versus quality, generic will win every single time.

Either way it leads me to question your judgement.......
ANY statement with never or always in it is usually inaccurate.
I would roll with it if you had said usually, or mainly.
But knowing the amount of ill fitting and poorly made parts out there, and assuming your long career, I find this VERY hard to believe.
Especially since almost every mechanic I know admits to having trouble at one time or another with aftermarket parts, either fitment or quality.
Now of course there is the "major problems" part.
What is a major problem?
It exploding in your face?
Making the car burst into flame?
Or just not fitting right, or breaking too often?

I would call a water pump that causes the engine to overheat continuously a major problem.
Not the wrong pump, just cheap cast impellers that don't push enough coolant.

Or CV shafts that last a year and start clicking.

A timing belt that lasts a bit over a year and strips 3" of teeth.

The starter in my truck.

Do those qualify as a better deal?
Did the generic "win"?
I paid less. In some cases alot less.

It really sucks for me when I have to keep doing it.
Even more for a shop if they warrenty the labor for the part.