I had a friend in manufacturing that did business in China and he always used to tell me "Mate, China is more than capable of putting out high quality product but everyone goes there to make cheap shit so that's what they're known for"

That highly coveted iphone has a big ole made in China stamped right on the back and nobody thinks it's cheap crap

Unfortunately it's not always easy knowing exactly where something is made nowadays. I've bought several parts from the premium manufacturers (Behr and Meyle) and they had a made in China sticker on them, so if that's what I'm getting anyway why pay more?

I bought a URO parts intake boot yesterday from Amazon because it was $15 and at my door. Do I think I'm getting lesser quality rubber? Judging by the amount of leaking BMW gaskets and cracked intake boots I've personally replaced...no

I also bought an aluminum water pump pulley from URO and the finish on that was terrible so it's all hit and miss.

My personal opinion is most anything that's a "composite" is made in the same parts of the world because it's toxic and it's easier to deal with that in a place that doesn't care much for environmental laws and whatnot.

Rubber intake boots, CV boots and gaskets I also feel are all more or less the same quality rubber but the fit and finish is the bigger question mark.

I bought a valve cover gasket from Amazon for $8 and it looks and feels the same as the a Victor Reinz or Elring.

For me it depends on the difficulty involved in replacing the part as well as the warranty.

Choose wisely and good luck!

*** Found one of the pictures I was talking about





Unfortunately I paid European prices for that tank so next time I'll skip the middle man, save the Euro tax and go straight to the source.