MAF Question?

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by JCL

I mentioned it to highlight the absurdity of the claim.

The absurdity of what claim? You mean the claim that Bosch, Siemens, and BMW won't say they're equivalent?

Originally Posted by JCL

I use aftermarket parts from name-brand manufacturers, when I know the seller. I certainly don't buy from a company called Shanghai selling on eBay.

Nor did I.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by JCL

I listed what to do differently in post #20. I won't retype it here, but am happy to clarify anything that isn't clear.

Please clarify how someone is to know who is and is not reputable. Your response hinges on it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by sunny5280

The absurdity of what claim? You mean the claim that Bosch, Siemens, and BMW won't say they're equivalent?

No, the claim of equivalency. So, who originally made the claim that it was OEM equivalent? Apparently it was the manufacturer, SPR. Maybe it was the seller you bought it from. Maybe there is another SPR that isn't Shanghai something or other, and who is also selling cheap replacement MAFs for BMWs on eBay.

Seems from your post that it was claimed to be OEM equivalent, and not that it was ever claimed to be OE equivalent. We need more details.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by JCL

No, the claim of equivalency.

This makes no sense. How does saying "Bosch, Seimens, or BMW do not call them equivalent" show the absurdity of an aftermarket manufacturer calling them equivalent if you don't honestly expect Bosch, Seimens, or BMW to call them equivalent?

Originally Posted by JCL

So, who originally made the claim that it was OEM equivalent? Apparently it was the manufacturer, SPR. Maybe it was the seller you bought it from. Maybe there is another SPR that isn't Shanghai something or other, and who is also selling cheap replacement MAFs for BMWs on eBay.

Seems from your post that it was claimed to be OEM equivalent, and not that it was ever claimed to be OE equivalent. We need more details.

What's the difference between OE equivalent and OEM equivalent given OEM is OE in this case? What details would you like from me in order to help?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by sunny5280

This makes no sense. How does saying "Bosch, Seimens, or BMW do not call them equivalent" show the absurdity of an aftermarket manufacturer calling them equivalent ....

You installed a will-fit part in a BMW. That is why they matter. They make the parts that are OE and OEM. They are the only ones who know if it is equivalent. It didn't work. You said it was claimed to be equivalent to the OEM part. The key question is, by who? Clearly not by BMW or the OEM. I don't think it is equivalent, but I don't count. So, presumably the claim is by the part manufacturer, SPR. Possibly by the seller, but we don't know who that is. You knew it was not an OE or OEM part, if it said SPR on it, so presumably you felt it was equivalent. Your risk. Turns out to have been a bad call. Too bad. All it cost was money, you didn't have consequential damage, so you were lucky.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by sunny5280

What's the difference between OE equivalent and OEM equivalent given OEM is OE in this case? What details would you like from me in order to help?

More importantly, what is the difference between OE, OEM, will-fit, and counterfeit?

Equivalent doesn't mean anything if the part doesn't meet an accepted third party standard. eg, API-SM oil is equivalent. An MAF that is physically the same size (will-fit) is not equivalent unless the OEM or OE say it is.

You bought 'will-fit', something that can be near the bottom of the quality ladder, and which is a fair ways up the risk ladder.

All aftermarket parts are not equal in quality.

Are we still falling down the rabbit hole?

[mysweetx5]

Originally Posted by JCL

I mentioned it to highlight the absurdity of the claim.

I use aftermarket parts from name-brand manufacturers, when I know the seller. I certainly don't buy from a company called Shanghai selling on eBay.

Yes this is what I've been doing to, ordering the same required part made for BMW stated: OEM quality with BMW logo and manufactured most likely in germen from a few trusted sellers that I know. Otherwise I don't just buy any other aftermarket brand like: A1cardone, it might be good too but i never used them.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by JCL

You installed a will-fit part in a BMW. That is why they matter. They make the parts that are OE and OEM. They are the only ones who know if it is equivalent. It didn't work. You said it was claimed to be equivalent to the OEM part. The key question is, by who? Clearly not by BMW or the OEM. I don't think it is equivalent, but I don't count. So, presumably the claim is by the part manufacturer, SPR. Possibly by the seller, but we don't know who that is. You knew it was not an OE or OEM part, if it said SPR on it, so presumably you felt it was equivalent. Your risk. Turns out to have been a bad call. Too bad. All it cost was money, you didn't have consequential damage, so you were lucky.

First let's clear something up: I did not buy this particular MAF nor did I obtain it from E-bay. I bought it off the Internet from a place that specializes in BMW parts. So please do not confuse my purchase with that of the OP.

With that said I still cannot see the point of making the claim "Bosch, Seimens, and BMW do not say it's equivalent" when you do not expect them to. I would not expect most manufacturers of an OEM part to endorse a lower cost version of their product as being equivalent. They want you to buy their more expensive part. So stating they OEM manufacturer doesn't endorse an aftermarket part doesn't mean much.

As for the part I bought failing like I said: It is a sampling of one. One failure doesn't mean aftermarket parts are a bad thing. The particular copy I received could merely have been defective. It happens. To draw the conclusion aftermarket parts aren't worth it based on one sampling is foolish.

Now you've stated that you do buy aftermarket parts. How is my purchase of an aftermarket MAF any different than any aftermarket purchase you've made?

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by JCL

More importantly, what is the difference between OE, OEM, will-fit, and counterfeit?

Equivalent doesn't mean anything if the part doesn't meet an accepted third party standard. eg, API-SM oil is equivalent. An MAF that is physically the same size (will-fit) is not equivalent unless the OEM or OE say it is.

You've already stated you don't expect them to say it is. Why would an OEM manufacturer say an OEM equivalent is equivalent to their more expensive part? They want to sell you their part. And they're most likely going to do just the opposite: Tell you why it's not equivalent. Regardless if it is or not.

Originally Posted by JCL

You bought 'will-fit', something that can be near the bottom of the quality ladder, and which is a fair ways up the risk ladder.

All aftermarket parts are not equal in quality.

I agree. And I've asked you, repeatedly, how do you differentiate? You say you buy aftermarket parts. What criteria do you use to ensure you are buying OEM equivalent (where no standards body exists)?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by sunny5280

How is my purchase of an aftermarket MAF any different than any aftermarket purchase you've made?

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

I would not purchase on eBay.

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. That is aftermarket, but it is safer. 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.

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).