New Parts - do we care enough?

[Brian James]

Hi,
Just used autodoc to investigate - there are 43 different choices of radiator for a Z31.9L.

Does this Forum want to be proactive,caring and sharing of knowledge to its members - do we want to cherish and use our Zeds knowing that crtical parts that may affect our safety are appropriate?

If so would it be unrealistic to have a Forum depository of members experiences on their spare parts experiences?

The objective being to prioritise those that are best quality at the most reasonable prices (i.e. not necessaarily the cheapest). Critical would also be whether the part fitted (1st time without fettling ), did the job and lasted !

Did you know that Nissens is = AVA i.e.same company and likewise did you know MAHLE = BEHR, Did yoiu also know that if you Google such names the last consumer info on such radiator suppliers is 8 years old?

Do we want to help eachother when it comes to replacing worn out or damaged parts?

Kind Regards
Brian

 

[t-tony]

This could be useful because based on my previous experiences I would have bought a Nissen radiator. Brian has found one of their items not up to scratch so maybe the quality of their parts is slipping.
On the other hand, any mass produced items will sooner or later have a "bad egg".

Tony.

 

[bear2020]

Changing a fair few components on the Z3 and using real OEM for the part numbers I found I had very little issues with the items I bought BUT real OEM did say there were parts on my engine that I never found on it! I used a mixture of OEM parts and FEBI which I found all fitted and all worked first time around but as Tony has said you will always have a random bad egg that slips through QC

 

[Andyboy]

From 30 years fixing BMW's;

I have found that febi and Lemforder suspension/steering stuff is generally BMW OE with the BMW logos ground off.

I'm not keen on Meyle parts.

Bosal and Walker exhausts are average at best. For me, some have been abysmal. Genuine BMW is expensive but so worth it if you are keeping the car.

The best dampers are Boge Sachs or Bilstein. Anschler (Euros cheap brand) are surprisingly good, Monroe are decent enough. KYB are utter garbage and TRW pretty poor. In my experience, they are rusty and leaking after a year. Continental Direct (CD) are alrightish but you can do better.

Nissens rads are generally good, but a lot of Behr/Hella aftermarket rads are definitely not up the the quality of what's supplied to BMW. EIS rads are pretty good these days after a shaky start.

MAF's: Only Bosch and Siemens. Anything no name no blame just doesn't work. Every time a BMW arrives with a running issue, unplugging the MAF makes it go better and fitting a known good used Bosch / Siemens unit fixes it. Bremi MAF's are terrible. One was so bad the car would barely run.

It's hard to find bad brake discs and pads these days - Pagid, Eicher, DriveTec etc are all decent.

Buy cheap Chinese crap off Ebay, and replace it again after a week assuming it even fits.

 

[DrWong]

From 30 years fixing BMW's;

I have found that febi and Lemforder suspension/steering stuff is generally BMW OE with the BMW logos ground off.

I'm not keen on Meyle parts.

Bosal and Walker exhausts are average at best. For me, some have been abysmal. Genuine BMW is expensive but so worth it if you are keeping the car.

The best dampers are Boge Sachs or Bilstein. Anschler (Euros cheap brand) are surprisingly good, Monroe are decent enough. KYB are utter garbage and TRW pretty poor. In my experience, they are rusty and leaking after a year. Continental Direct (CD) are alrightish but you can do better.

Nissens rads are generally good, but a lot of Behr/Hella aftermarket rads are definitely not up the the quality of what's supplied to BMW. EIS rads are pretty good these days after a shaky start.

MAF's: Only Bosch and Siemens. Anything no name no blame just doesn't work. Every time a BMW arrives with a running issue, unplugging the MAF makes it go better and fitting a known good used Bosch / Siemens unit fixes it. Bremi MAF's are terrible. One was so bad the car would barely run.

It's hard to find bad brake discs and pads these days - Pagid, Eicher, DriveTec etc are all decent.

Buy cheap Chinese crap off Ebay, and replace it again after a week assuming it even fits.

Love detail like this.

Thoughts on thermostats? My understanding is Wahler and Behr/Mahle we’re both OEM at some point, but Wahler is known to leak through the electrical connector (which was exactly my experience), so best to get the Behr

 

[Andyboy]

I buy from BMW tbh or febi.

I've always used Circoli water pumps without a problem - one did spring a leak after eight years.

 

[bear2020]

I've used Febi for the following with no issues and all fitted correctly on the Z3. Found the quality good and the parts fairly priced.
Engine block breather
Coolant expansion Header tank
Coolant temp sensor 7 engine temp sensor
Crank case oil breather valve filter & pipes
Coolant pipe (under manifold)
Rad fan switch
Purge valve
Air Intake pipe for throttle body
Induction air pipe

I used X8R for the Z3 & Z4
Disa valve

BMW DISA Repair Kit

BMW DISA Repair Kit

x8r.co.uk

The full Vanos kit including needle bearings

Complete Dual Vanos Repair Kit With Needle Bearings & Anti Rattle Rings for BMW

FOR BMW DOUBLE TWIN DUAL VANOS SEALS REPAIR SET KIT M52 M54 M56 WITH GASKETS

x8r.co.uk

All the other parts have been OEM

One company I would not use again is Mintex as I replaced the discs on one car and the the hub separated from the disc the first time I braked.

 

[Andyboy]

Mintex is just a sub brand of TMD Friction now.

 

[Brian James]

I deliberately left this run without my comment as I wanted to see if it would result in a missive of new information from all corners of the globe.

However, having let it run now for 10 days or so, I did not want it to pass into the archives without a final comment :Thanks guys for taking the time to respond and using this info I will apply it when I next need parts. Such expereince exchange is invaluable to me which I hope will help me and others enjoy our cars even more.

I have now bought and installed a MAHLE radiator which, when unwrapped, had BEHR stamped into it (on the plastic housing). My original one was a VALEO.
So far I am pleased with the fit i.e. the fan shroud fitted easily as did the round rubber support feet. In all I paid £30 more than the Nissen one but would have done this at the outset if I had hindsight (which I don't). Interestingly, MAHLE sell the radiator caps as well so bought one of these. I bought a new cap (EIS) but this did not fit the Nissen radiator. Having now run the car I am happy with the setup so feel more confident in the future.

I suppose a trick might be in the future is to check which cap the radiator suplier recomends or better still sells. In the case of Nissens their technical support guys were of little help.
Tony is quite right a bad egg should not be used to vilify the rest of the good (Nissen) ones that aalot of people have used and are happy with.

Once again, MANY MANY thanks for your contributions and I hope this is of value to others as well

Take care
Kind Regards
Brian

 

[t-tony]

Good to hear you have got to point where you’re happy with the car Brian. There’s a show at Clipstone on Sunday, some members are going, me included. Meeting at McDonalds Ollerton first if you fancy it?

Tony.

 

[Brian James]

Hi Tony,
Many thanks for the invite but unable this time to put in an appearance due to family visiting.
Maybe meet up some time soon
Take care
Brian

 

[t-tony]

No worries Brian, another time.
If ever you're passing through Torksey Lock please call in and say hello. On the A156 next to the fishing lake, across from Little London.

Tony.

 

[Dakar Z3]

From 30 years fixing BMW's;

I have found that febi and Lemforder suspension/steering stuff is generally BMW OE with the BMW logos ground off.

I'm not keen on Meyle parts.

Bosal and Walker exhausts are average at best. For me, some have been abysmal. Genuine BMW is expensive but so worth it if you are keeping the car.

The best dampers are Boge Sachs or Bilstein. Anschler (Euros cheap brand) are surprisingly good, Monroe are decent enough. KYB are utter garbage and TRW pretty poor. In my experience, they are rusty and leaking after a year. Continental Direct (CD) are alrightish but you can do better.

Nissens rads are generally good, but a lot of Behr/Hella aftermarket rads are definitely not up the the quality of what's supplied to BMW. EIS rads are pretty good these days after a shaky start.

MAF's: Only Bosch and Siemens. Anything no name no blame just doesn't work. Every time a BMW arrives with a running issue, unplugging the MAF makes it go better and fitting a known good used Bosch / Siemens unit fixes it. Bremi MAF's are terrible. One was so bad the car would barely run.

It's hard to find bad brake discs and pads these days - Pagid, Eicher, DriveTec etc are all decent.

Buy cheap Chinese crap off Ebay, and replace it again after a week assuming it even fits.

Hello,
I read your comments with interest, you are quite right that Lemforder are a supplier to BMW for tier1 assembly line fit, if you purchase a Lemforder part and the part number ends 01, eg 12345-01 this is the OE part if it ends 02 03 04 and so on it is not the OE part, regarding Febi they do not manufacture anything they are a sourcing and boxing company, however I add with good quality.
Regarding Meyle, they are a Tier1 manufacturer, they actually manufacture some parts for Febi,
KYB are the worlds largest supplier of Tier1 OE supply shocks, with Sachs not too far behind, KYB are the OE on my Audi,
Regarding electrics I totally agree stick to recognised OE brands as you have mentioned.
Brakes pads and discs have a quality approval called Reg 90, this is a quality standard to ensure safe braking and friction co-efficient for all vehicles, differences are normally identified by the life expectancy of the pad, expect less squeal and longer life from a recognised brand,
you can normally tell poor quality discs when the hubs start to rust the day after fitting.
Pagid pads are approx 20% TMD and 80 % Far East sourced, They are not the OE Pagid from many years ago, ECP own the brand name they bought it off TMD,
in addition most brake discs available in the aftermarket are manufactured in China.
When changing discs look for coated high carbon, a little more expensive but they dissipate heat quicker last longer look better behind shiny alloys and with less chance of warping.

 

[Andyboy]

My problem with KYB is that they soon start to leak and in some cases don't even fit properly. I have never had a good one.

I think you meant TRW? They are a big company who supply manufacturers; I fitted TRW rear dampers to an E46 Touring and they lasted a year; rusty, leaking and devoid of any damping at all. It's not as if Boge Sachs are that expensive.

It's like Chinese tyres; they make no sense when you can buy decent ones for 30 quid each more a corner.

 

[Dakar Z3]

My problem with KYB is that they soon start to leak and in some cases don't even fit properly. I have never had a good one.

I think you meant TRW? They are a big company who supply manufacturers; I fitted TRW rear dampers to an E46 Touring and they lasted a year; rusty, leaking and devoid of any damping at all. It's not as if Boge Sachs are that expensive.

It's like Chinese tyres; they make no sense when you can buy decent ones for 30 quid each more a corner.

My problem with KYB is that they soon start to leak and in some cases don't even fit properly. I have never had a good one.

I think you meant TRW? They are a big company who supply manufacturers; I fitted TRW rear dampers to an E46 Touring and they lasted a year; rusty, leaking and devoid of any damping at all. It's not as if Boge Sachs are that expensive.

It's like Chinese tyres; they make no sense when you can buy decent ones for 30 quid each more a corner.

I'm not aware of poor quality KYB, however it's been many years since I had contact and dialogue with KYB, it is possible and highly likely KYB could have stopped manufacture of uneconomical references and have started to buy in. Even Lemforder source from China to infill their range,

ZF Lemforder bought Sachs Boge many years ago and more recently bought TRW, all of these brands are now under the control of ZF. For info Boge are a none OE supply brand under the ZF group, however the Boge shock absorber is the Sachs shock with a different identity, same part different box, (I worked for ZF for 15 years)............................

It is very pleasing to hear you source and fit quality parts, with steering and suspension and brakes these are safety critical parts which could be the difference between life and death, harsh but reality. Keep up the good work, you must have many happy customers/friends, I'd be happy for you to fit parts on my car.

 

[Nodzed]

This is the problem with a aftermarket parts list. We all have some differing experiences with parts, one persons failed new part could be another's best find. I could by a part and it fails quickly you could buy the same and it lasts 10 years, we would have different opinions of how good they are, so is it a good part or a bad one?

 

[t-tony]

This is the problem with a aftermarket parts list. We all have some differing experiences with parts, one persons failed new part could be another's best find. I could by a part and it fails quickly you could buy the same and it lasts 10 years, we would have different opinions of how good they are, so is it a good part or a bad one?

I have to agree with that sentiment Niall.

Tony.

 

[Andyboy]

It is very pleasing to hear you source and fit quality parts, with steering and suspension and brakes these are safety critical parts which could be the difference between life and death, harsh but reality. Keep up the good work, you must have many happy customers/friends, I'd be happy for you to fit parts on my car.

Thanks for the kind words.


What is your knowledge/opinion on CD Continental Direct? I'm assuming rightly or otherwise that this is part of the Continental tyre group? I've used some of their dampers on bangers; I've used their alternator belts without a problem. Their stuff is certainly inexpensive but I've no idea where it's made although I have a good idea.

 

[t-tony]

We used Continental products where I used to work always quality well fitting parts.

Tony.

 

[Dakar Z3]

Thanks for the kind words.


What is your knowledge/opinion on CD Continental Direct? I'm assuming rightly or otherwise that this is part of the Continental tyre group? I've used some of their dampers on bangers; I've used their alternator belts without a problem. Their stuff is certainly inexpensive but I've no idea where it's made although I have a good idea.

Hello Andyboy,

Are the alternator belts Continental or Continental Direct ?

Im sorry to advise you that Continental Direct have no association and are not a subsidiary of Continental Group.AG
Continental Direct are a spurious brand that was introduced on the back of Continentals success in the UK
Continental Direct is a brand that was created by a Motor Factors in Sutton in Ashfield called Sutton Autofactors.
‘SAF‘ were the distributors of Continental timing belt kits for the UK and on the back of the success of the belt kits they introduced a range of parts passing them off to unsuspecting garages and public as ’Continental’ they are not…..!
Continental Direct even use similar branded colours to the True Continental, Yellow and Black, CD have expanded the range of product lines available in the UK, I cannot confidently say where the parts are sourced but I would suspect the vast majority would be sourced from ’China’,
The True Continental manufacture Tyres, Rubber /metal parts, bushes, Timing belts, Timing belt kits, drive belts and fan belts.
Continental are part of the Schaeffler group who own brands such as LUK Clutch, Ina, FAG etc
Ask me another question would I fit a ‘Continental’ part to my car? ‘YES’
would I fit a Continental Direct Branded part to my car? ‘Absolutely NO’

Continental AG I believe several years ago took legal action to denounce and distance the association between Continental AG
and Sutton Auto Factors, ‘Continental Direct’.

I hope this sheds some light and answers your question…!