Factory vs Aftermarket parts
 

How can u tell the difference between parts purchased at a BMW dealer versus parts purchased at a local parts dealer like Napa, AC Delco etc.?

In the past I've always bought pads and rotors at the BMW dealer and had a family friend/mechanic put them on for me in hopes of saving a few bucks on labor cost.

Well last week I brought my baby in his shop to replace the O2 Sensor. While it was in there I decided to have him do the rear breaks. He assured me that he only puts parts that come right from the dealer. But just to be sure that I'm not getting ripped off I just want to be sure for my own peace of mind.

I appreciate any input on this.

2001 X5 3.0 - Alpine White 106K mi.

All BMW parts have a BMW stamp on it.. Check your bmw rotors, you will see the stamp on the hub..

Thanks Naz, ill check it out.

heres some examples..

Funny, i just did the fronts this past weekend...
Dealer costs:
Front rotors, $250 each
Front pads, $240
Wear sensor, $59

Napa auto
Front rotors $120 each
Front pads, $130
wear sensor, $29

Take your pick....i went with the Napa, dealer was closed on saturday here, closest one is about a 45-1 hour drive one way.....when gas here is $1.48 a litre(3.78 litres to one gallon) wasn't really worth it to me....atleast for now....
So far everything feels just the same....it stops, decent....its a grocery car, not a high speed racer machine for me....

OE BMW doesn't necessarily mean you have to go to your local stealership. I bought mine online (from ECS Tuning) and got BMW rotors, BMW sensors, and aftermarket (because I wanted them) pads for F/R for a little under $500 shipped. That is the same as your Napa prices.

-Cyrus

Engine and trasmission critical parts i choose original. Suspension oem (lemforder, sachs, boge). Cooling oem. Brakes i chose (for my other cars anyway) i went with aftermarket akebonos bec i hate the brake dust