OEM vs. after market parts

[TXHokie]

So I talked to my mechanic about changing out my timing belt and major maintenance on my car and he recommended that I get all my parts oem from the dealership. Seems they charge premium price for the kit but the mechanic says it's worth it as it's quality stuff ($20 per bottle of premixed coolant, is this stuff really better than the $7 Prestone stuff? Geez!)
I'm thinking that if I pay oem prices, I should be able to get quality aftermarket parts that would be better than oem parts shouldn't I?
Btw any suggestion on where to get good Honda parts online? There's so many out there.

 

[j00fek]

you dont have to get coolant from the deal as well as oils and such stuff, its worthless to spend that much money on it.

i get major parts from the dealer like timing belts, valve seals etc... but most after market parts are fine. i just guess its peace of mind when your buying things.

i also have a honda (02 civic) i get 99% of my parts from http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/ they have the best prices.

in the end its up to you where/what you want

 

[iamwiz82]

FWIW, some OEM Honda oil filters are supplied by Fram.

I like using namebrand aftermarket equipment. Bosch, Gates, Goodyear, etc. You can also usually buy the OEM stuff from non-dealers. I picked up everything I needed for a timing belt change up from a store on Ebay. I got all OEM seals, gaskets, belt, and idler/tensioner.

 

[j00fek]

i keep hearing bad things about fram, whats the deal?

i use them every oil change

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: j00fek
i keep hearing bad things about fram, whats the deal?

i use them every oil change

I've never had a problem with them, either. My truck has one on there right now.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: j00fek
i keep hearing bad things about fram, whats the deal?

i use them every oil change

The filter media and construction used in them isn't as good as other brands.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: j00fek
i keep hearing bad things about fram, whats the deal?

i use them every oil change

I've never had a problem with them, either. My truck has one on there right now.

Fram uses lower quality filter media, card board anti-drain back siphons and cheap leaf-spring construction on the drain cock. There also have been reports of quality in manufacturing issues. Some of the Fram oil filters have had rust in them on various parts. But then again what do you expect from an oil filter that is commonly sold at Wal-Mart. The truth is regardless of the quality of the oil filter as long as the filter allows oil to circulate out from it your car will still run and you won?t tell any different. So if you have an empty can for an oil filter your car will still run just fine. Oil filter manufactures have the luxury of putting the actual filter media in a can so you can't even see what?s in there. Just in the long run your engine will die quicker. I use Fram all the time on my Saturn. It now has 200K on it. One thing I've always wondering is what happened to those drop in filter replacements (non-screw type filters). The one where you have a filter canister on your car an you just change the media. At least there you can see what you?re purchasing.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: TXHokie
So I talked to my mechanic about changing out my timing belt and major maintenance on my car and he recommended that I get all my parts oem from the dealership. Seems they charge premium price for the kit but the mechanic says it's worth it as it's quality stuff ($20 per bottle of premixed coolant, is this stuff really better than the $7 Prestone stuff? Geez!)
I'm thinking that if I pay oem prices, I should be able to get quality aftermarket parts that would be better than oem parts shouldn't I?
Btw any suggestion on where to get good Honda parts online? There's so many out there.

In actuality, you will find very little difference if any between non-OEM and OEM parts. You have to actually have to ask yourself how long you are expecting to keep a car. For most people I would think around 5 years. My 95 Saturn has about 200K on it and all I ever bought for the car is aftermarket replacements. My 94 Altima has about 120 on it and I?ve done the same as well. Aftermarket parts are a better economical solution because they often come with better warranties and are sometimes more superior then OEM. An OEM alternator for you car may only be 80 to 90AMPS while an aftermarket may be more. Making it better for a beefy radio to use. Aftermarket part makers take a lot of time to determine the exact specifications of the part they are trying to make. They have had several years of experience manufacturing parts for other cars. But a lot of these manufactures are companies like BOSCH, Goodyear, Wells. Very well known companies for quality.

Regarding your antifreeze questions. Antifreeze is nothing but Ethly Glycol with a dye so that it appears grean. That is a chemical compund. I get the cheap supertech stuff from walmart all the time.