MAF Question?

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by JCL

I would only purchase from a seller I knew, and if I knew where the seller sourced his parts from.

How do you become to know a seller until you've done business with them? Or received a referral / reference?

Originally Posted by JCL

I would not purchase on eBay.

I didn't. And I still received a problem part.

Originally Posted by JCL

I would not consider a claim of a part being 'equivalent' to have any value, unless it came from the OEM. If Siemens sold the same sensor as BMW did, and they confirmed it was the same quality, that is equivalent.

You already stated you would not expect them to. So how would you receive such confirmation?

Originally Posted by JCL

That is aftermarket, but it is safer.

That's how I bought: Aftermarket. I fail to see the difference betwen how you purchase and how I purchase.

Originally Posted by JCL

A seller claiming that his third-party sensor is equivalent is nonsense. Why would anyone believe him? His definition of equivalent appears to be what in the trade is known as "will-fit", which means it is the same physical size, with the same connections. That doesn't make it equivalent in performance or quality. It just means it fits in the same bracket.

A seller tends to say they're equivalent because the manufacturer says they are. They don't tend to do it based on their own opinion.

Originally Posted by JCL

Finally, I would inspect the parts upon receipt. I guess I know what I am looking for. If it was represented to be Siemens (for example) it would have a Siemens part number, although possibly not a BMW part number. Words and trade names would be spelled correctly (No Motocraft, Food, or Seimens, for example).

The MAF I received looked identicle to the MAF I pulled from my vehicle. Visually there was zero difference. I agree with you on the misrepresentation. But that's not what we're talking about.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by sunny5280

1) How do you become to know a seller until you've done business with them? Or received a referral / reference?

2) I didn't. And I still received a problem part.

3) You already stated you would not expect them to. So how would you receive such confirmation?

4) That's how I bought: Aftermarket. I fail to see the difference betwen how you purchase and how I purchase.

5) A seller tends to say they're equivalent because the manufacturer says they are. They don't tend to do it based on their own opinion.

6) The MAF I received looked identicle to the MAF I pulled from my vehicle. Visually there was zero difference. I agree with you on the misrepresentation. But that's not what we're talking about.

1) I have lots of suppliers that I have dealt with for years. If they represent something to me as being good value, I will consider it. Doesn't help you if you don't know any trustworthy suppliers.

2) You asked how to avoid risk. Substitute online for eBay if you like. You didn't tell me where you bought your MAF. Why didn't your trusty supplier refund you the cost of the defective MAF you bought off them? Replacing it seemed to fix the problem. Seems you have a good claim.

3) You are confusing OEM purchased through the aftermarket, with non-OEM aftermarket parts. The latter are not equivalent to OEM.

4) Yes, that is the problem here.

5) Yes, some do. But it doesn't really matter. If you want to trust either an online vendor, or a no-name manufacturer, one or both of whom promises that his product is just as good as the OEM one, then you should go ahead and do so. My only point was that you are assuming some risk. Your sample of one bears out that caution.

6) Looking the same isn't the same as being the same. How did you judge performance, longevity, quality control, testing, and so on? Presumably it didn't have an OEM logo, since you said it wasn't misrepresented. So you you knew it was a copy. You took the risk. I have explained how to avoid such risks, but if you want to take them, that is fine, it is your time and money.