Original parts, or not?

[oguz327]

I need quite a few parts for my engine and have checked the prices between main dealer bmw and gsf and alot of the parts are nearly half price at gsf
I realise genuine has got to be better quality but surely some parts that are non genuine would be ok.
I need cambelt, water pump and cooling fan amongst other things.
Now the cambelt i will deffo go original but the water pump and cooling fan i am thinking gsf.
What are your opinions and experiances folks?

[fuzzy]

genuine to me makes no difference ,theyre all made in the same chinese sweat shop.most parts are sub contracted out to be made by someone else,a lot of the time it will be the same factory that makes the ECP parts. ive also bought parts from ECP and theyve been genuine parts....allegedly.some folk will swear by genuine parts only but i dont think theres much of a difference.

[Dan318-is]

I think it really depends how anal you are. Obvioulsy things like oil pumps and bearings should be genuine. I recently installed a ECP water pump to an early m20 lump and i must say i was impressed with the quality, looked as good as the old one.

fan and rad mate would be fine using gsf, i think you should seriosuly consider an electric conversion though Oz.

[dark_sounds]

my personal rule of thumb...

rubbers, bearings and things alike ,,,, genuine...

components, etc,,, alturnatives are fine.

[oguz327]

Thats what i thought fella's. i dont think id chance it on stuff like head gaskets though.
Id go original, but ive got quite alot of bits to get so any savings will come in handy

[dark_sounds]

yeh id go for GSF on the water pump and stuff,,

i mean ur not keeping your car for more then 5 years are you?

[fuzzy]

i am ,assuming i dont write it off by then.in 5 years time id expect to be pushing 500bhp

[Simon]

Ask at the store if they are genuine parts, they will tell you, as some things like original dizzy caps and rotors are made by bosch, and GSF and ECP supply them, original leads are made by BERU, GSF and ECP supply these, viscous is made by sachs, and they supply these too, things like headgaskets, timing belts and suspension components I would by from BMW, as this seems to be ECP/GSF weak point.

[Simon13]

i've been told the genuine parts from gsf and ecp are items which have failed bmw's own quality control.

So these are sold cheaper to these outlets although they are fit for use but not to bmw's own standards

[Martinaston]

I've got an "original" water pump from GSF and it hits the cylinder wall
I only noticed because the engine is on a bench, that could be a right pain in the arse if it was in the car.

[bigun]

i used a gsf head gasket water pump all belts head bolts infact everything was from gsf it runs mint and th engine is as dry a a bone but i once bought a front brake caliper from ecp for a polo G40 and it wouldnt go over the carrier it was that badly cast needless to say i dont go there no more

[Simon13]

all the places have a purpose it's just learning where to go for the right parts

[dark_sounds]

all the places have a purpose it's just learning where to go for the right parts

indeed i remember with the vw's, the mk2 big bumpers from ECP were absolute twallop. whereas the gsf ones were near factory fit (not factory quality material wise but fit very good)

on the whole though gsf seem to be better then ecp in most areas.

[M5pilot]

I buy BMW parts and parts from ECP which are the same brand as BMW.

Recently bought some brake pads from ECP for my 3.8 and the pads are exactly the same as the BMW ones just half the price.

I know of atleast 3 very well respected BMW specialists who also do this and have never had a problem.

Never had a problem doing it this way.

I've had experiences a long time ago when the other ECP parts have failed prematurely.

[cliffybabe]

my personal rule of thumb...

rubbers, bearings and things alike ,,,, genuine...

components, etc,,, alturnatives are fine.

Thats why the man thong is ok to use on the exhaust then, No wi understand

[dark_sounds]

my personal rule of thumb...

rubbers, bearings and things alike ,,,, genuine...

components, etc,,, alturnatives are fine.

Thats why the man thong is ok to use on the exhaust then, No wi understand

its a vest FFS

[cliffybabe]

my personal rule of thumb...

rubbers, bearings and things alike ,,,, genuine...

components, etc,,, alturnatives are fine.

Thats why the man thong is ok to use on the exhaust then, No wi understand

its a vest FFS