Opinions on Parts! Aftermarket v OEM?

[SeanIngstrum]

I'm needing to get a front drive shaft/flex disc/boot repair or just both cv replaced, all very soon. Was wondering the best way to go about this? I've seen a repair kit for the drive shaft, but would definitely need to take it to a professional welder for I am not a professional and wouldn't want to give something like that "a try." I really don't feel too comfortable with option anyways. Any good aftermarket companies for these parts? Or is it better to use OEM? Thanks!

[upallnight]

Cobra Transmission sells the parts you are looking for including a longer drivehaft so you don't need to bring it in to get it welded.

https://cobratransmission.com/index....0298058cde0d39

They also have a video on repairing the transfer case.

For the guibo I would buy OE or OEM.

[squidzilla]

Here is a link of someone that bought the longer driveshaft off of ebay from some Russian guy. He went 15k miles before selling it for a 4.6is.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ic-dump-7.html

[Joshdub]

just get the weldable piece or an already extended one on eBay. I went the weldable route. No sense in paying 5x more than you need to for the same thing.

[Ricky Bobby]

Tom still makes them ([email protected]) I believe thats his email - he used to post on here and does a great job - you could always get the piece and trust your shop to do the welding work - I agree $600 plus shipping is a bit rich from Cobra but the convenience factor is good for sure for the $$$

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

just get the weldable piece or an already extended one on eBay. I went the weldable route. No sense in paying 5x more than you need to for the same thing.

Not everyone on this forum owns a welder or knows how to weld. So you will need to factor in the cost to have the end welded and the time it takes to drop off the parts and pickup the parts.

[upallnight]

An extended spline will cost you $140.00.

BMW x5 Front Drive Shaft Repair Kit with 1" Extended Splines Made in USA | eBay

A complete new extended drive shaft is $240

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bmw-x5-front...5ToSTA&vxp=mtr

For the extra $100.00 bucks I'll go with a new shaft. Both includes Free Shipping.

[SeanIngstrum]

Great! Glad I asked, thanks a lot!

[Babytank]

Rockauto axle is $50 hard to beat.

[tecboy99]

Josh was selling an extended spline driveshaft for the facelift X5's in the classifieds. Maybe its gone.