Best OEM wheel bearings (without going genuine)

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Bristol_Jer
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Post Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:27 pm

What are everyones opinions on the best quality OEM front wheel bearings? I'm thinking possibly the SNR ones from ECP, but are there any others that would be recommended?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... 745&000370
bodger
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Post Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:36 pm

SKF and FAG are good makes
zaust
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Post Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:55 pm

Go to the main dealer. At least they come with a new dust cap and nut which is not re-useable. Think you may be shocked at the closeness in price too.
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DanThe
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Post Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:08 pm

Dealer price is £147 + VAT for a front wheel bearing, the dust cap is about £3, you get a new nut with all hub/bearing assemblies
zaust
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Post Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:39 am

That price is complete already in the hub. I paid £38 + vat for the bearing, cap and nut all in one box from Scotthall last year.
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capri_rob
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Post Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:49 am

The SNR ones from ECP definately come with the big nut - I have a pair of new genuine dust-caps if you need them :wink:
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Andyboy
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Post Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:29 am

I've found the cheap ones a bit growly - you can feel the bearings aren't that smooth when you turn them.
I'd go for SKF which is original equipment. If you have to reuse the nut, use some threadlock - in 99.9% of the time, you have a fresh bit of nut to stake over.
Bristol_Jer
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Post Sat Mar 10, 2012 4:31 pm

Thanks for all the replies :)

Does it matter whether you fit ABS or non-ABS bearing hubs? Most I've seen for sale have the ABS ring. My car doesn't have ABS but would it matter if I fitted wheel bearings with the ABS ring to my car?
DanThe
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Post Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:15 pm

Doesnt matter if they have ABS rings or not then in your case, the front bearings always come with the hub flange, ive never known them not to