Parts, On line or local auto parts store?

[davesx5]

How much luck do you have buying at the local auto parts? For my high end cars Mercedes and BMW I usually use Peach Parts (pelican parts) and have always had very good luck. This weekend I needed to change out upper control arms on my 02 Honda accord and decided to use the local store. One side fit perfect the other side I needed to return because the ball joint bottomed out and never tightened properly. The same brand replacement came in much higher quality than the first, grease fitting and heavy duty. So 2 parts, same part number, same box, totally different?

[David.X5]

I've had the same sort of luck - every part is different - with Dorman parts, so even many of the big brands have succumbed to the cheap outsource, zero QC approach.

FCP Euro offers lifetime warranty/satisfaction guarantee, which sometimes helps me decide to risk an aftermarket part.

Otherwise, the cheap online dealers (Husker, Morristown) can often best the local parts stores and -always- beat my over-retail local dealer.

If it's a reputable brand (Bosch, ngk, etc) rock auto is often the cheapest.

[Joshdub]

It all depends on the brand of the part. Usually the in-house branded parts are no good.

[CharlieHustleX5]

Get your parts online from a reputable source like a BMW online parts dealer, RMEuropean, or Eeuroparts. I would never use parts from an Autozone or Advance Auto. There isn't any room for a part that "almost" fits or a part that isn't designed to the exact tolerances as the original piece.

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by CharlieHustleX5

Get your parts online from a reputable source like a BMW online parts dealer, RMEuropean, or Eeuroparts. I would never use parts from an Autozone or Advance Auto. There isn't any room for a part that "almost" fits or a part that isn't designed to the exact tolerances as the original piece.

You can still get OEM parts from stores like Autozone and NAPA. You just need to be aware of the brand.

[David.X5]

My local Advance Auto tests alternators and batteries for free which has been useful. I try to buy some non-critical stuff (wiper blades and car wash), to keep up a relationship. Not that it's much of a relationship, the staff seems to completely turn over in a week or two...

[puddinboo]

I use rock auto or FCP EURO. Rock auto includes any duty fees to canada also .also both places have awsome prices and great quality products.

[davesx5]

I think Rock Auto is one of the worst. Looking up parts you can find a price difference from 1/2 to double for the same part. Plus some manufactures will have 3 different parts and price ranges for the same part. I have been stung with good name brand and cheap parts.

[ProfessorX5]

Ditto on FCPEuro and RockAuto. They haven't disappointed me yet.

[Deansbimmer]

I like the BMW parts store for online oem, Amazon for general parts like fluids, ngk, mahle, victor reinz etc, and shop the others like pelican, ecs, bav and so on for other parts. Local shops are just so much more expensive. Oreilleys, pep boys, and autozone are a joke around here.

I refuse to deal with rock auto due to the shipping games they play. I played with items in my cart once....6 total items in my cart- came from 5 different warehouses each with their own ridiculous shipping charge but together was almost $100 in shipping for only $200 in gaskets. What proved it was a sham was when I removed certain items and the source warehouse of the other items changed.