Parts, On line or local auto parts store?
 

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?

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.

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

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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