Best non-BMW parts
 

02' E53 M54 got the intake manifold off-thought I should replaces some pipes/hoses. What NON- BMW is the best bang for the buck? Ain't paying $200+ for a piece of plastic from the stealership...next best alternative? Thanks as usual forum...CHIN UP!

I've not founf anything non BMW worth using.
That area needs sealed up, non BMW crap leaks.
Leaks = check engine light.

We replace the CCV on these probably 10 times pr month fyi.

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Replace Heater pipes - You can use Non- OE heater pipes, but the o-rings often don't seal. I bought the proper sized o-ring from FCP Euro

Victor Reinz 11531435808 - I bought 8 or 10 at $0.50 ea.

Use these o-rings with any of the aftermarket pipes from FCP (Like Rein) and you will be fine. Since you asked about under the intake, I have had good luck with aftermarket intake gaskets, throttle body gaskets, Oil filter housing gaskets, and coolant hoses. I buy the cold-weather version of the Genuine BMW CCV (which is strangely discounted) and usually take off the foam cover. I will also buy the cheapest CCV aftermarket pipes I can find.

BTW - when I do heater pipes and BEFORE i re-install intake, I hook up all pipes and hoses after install, fill with distilled, install a gutted thermostat housing, and pressurize to <20 psi to check for leaks where heater pipes enter block....This has saved me a ton of headaches having to remove/replace intake 2 or 3x, etc.

I usually use fcpeuro as reference they will show the OEM brand of each part when available. Very good suggestion above to pressure test (the brake bleeder bottle works great to generate pressure as it has a gauge: you can modify a radiator cap to attach just like it comes with brake reservoir cap.

^Seconded. FCP lists OE alternatives and will usually have the OES (original supplier) listed as well. For cooling system or sealing parts I usually trust rein, Behr, wahler, and Victor reinz off the top of my head.

I will use chinesium parts if they are super easy to replace and not mission critical. I had a wheel sensor go bad coincidentally after I replaced the bearing on that corner. I figured either the tone ring difference didn't pair well with the old sensor or I damaged it by leaving the sensor in the knuckle when I used the slide hammer to pull the hub.

Since I wasn't sure if perhaps the abs module bond wires were at fault I bought the cheapest one I could find on Amazon with decent reviews. It was 1/3 or 1/4 the price of OEM and I figured if it even worries works a week or month it can help determine not the module.

So the thing has been working for half a year and I would definitely try that brand again. But I have high torque Impact so pulling a tire is literally a one minute job, you have to determine how much work odd the cut off for using a sketchy part.

OEM only for water pump, thermostat, cam crank knock sensors. (And issue boot; determined the hard way)

I will use copy cat reservoir out of convenience of supply but genuine not much more pricey so best to wait the days and get oem if you have the time.

I get almost all of my parts from FCP. They usually carry parts made by the manufacturer that supplied BMW with the original part. I usually try to buy those. Same manufacturer, 1/3 the price. Plus lifetime warranty. I've got parts from FCP that were made by original manufacturers that simply had the roundel ground off. So I was getting a part originally made to be sold by BMW at 1/3 the price.

Exactly what I would say too.

I got burned by bad o-rings on those heater pipes. They look great, and install great, leak free. But a year later, they will have melted and be leaking. Difficulty in determining the quality of new rubber parts appears to be an especially lucrative area for the cheap parts makers. So that is an area where (from now on) I will only get genuine or OEM/OES parts. BMW, Reinz, etc. would be fine here. It's not especially hard to get right, it is just so easy to cheat at, so the brandless vendors will do that.

So I guess a slight update from Effduration's advice is that even if they pressure test fine when first installed, the defective material may result in a problem later.

Also, general advice on those pipes is that if they are original and you remove them, pretty much 100% likely they will be destroyed and need replacement. So if you don't plan to replace them, leave them in place.

thanks!
 

Excellent advise on FCP,Rein,o-rings and the expected BMW mech.reply-since I'm home for the foreseeable future-got plenty of time to figure it out. much appreciated

Best Non BMW part? I would have to say Weather Tech Floor Mats.