Water Pump OEM vs Aftermarket

E91 Hoarder · 06-06-2018, 06:42 PM

Looking to replace the water pump + t-stat soon. There are OEM and aftermarket water pumps available, OEM obviously pricier, at about ~$200 difference. For example: https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11_51_7_632_426/. Amazon got them too.

Are the aftermarket pumps just as good? Does it worth paying extra for the BMW label? What is the tribal knowledge/advice?

labrador · 06-07-2018, 09:59 AM

Conti makes the one for Turbo, Piersburg makes the one for naturally aspirated. I would use after market, not that I needed it at this time.

FCP Euro, RM European, or rockauto should also have them.

E91 Hoarder · 06-07-2018, 01:48 PM

Any idea who makes BMW OEM pumps?

biz77 · 06-07-2018, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWTF?

Any idea who makes BMW OEM pumps?

The post above yours wasn't clear on that?

E91 Hoarder · 06-07-2018, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

The post above yours wasn't clear on that?

it wasn't.

ryan stewart · 06-08-2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWTF?

it wasn't.

"Conti makes the one for Turbo, Piersburg makes the one for naturally aspirated"

Meaning those people are the ones who actually make the OEM ones. The difference is one has a BMW stamp on it and the other has a Conti/Piers stamp on it.

While they arent always the cheapest its a good idea to shop pelicanparts at least to look for stuff because they actually list things as "OEM mfgr" so you know what truly is aftermarket and what is just the ones that dont have the BMW holy water sprinkled on them.

I almost always buy from the OEM maker because Ive seen a lot of issues coming from true aftermarket makers. Especially suspension/steering components, LemfoerderZF or bust. It may look the same but the bearings/bushings inside are always better. But I rarely buy the "BMW" part if I have the OEM option because those are just a labeling thing. Seriously, look at the Jurid and BMW pads, they dont even bother taking off the Jurid part number.

BashShah · 06-08-2018, 12:38 PM

I replaced my Water Pump and Tstat in 2014 June.
I always use OEM, but that means BMW changes Brands as time progresses.
WP was VDO Brand.
Tstat was CONTI.

In Aug of 2014 the CONTI Brand Tstat started giving me codes and was not working properly.
so, the Seller send me a BEHR brand one and it was been flawless till I lost me e90 in an accident.

so I say VDO and BEHR right now is the way to go.

also:
here is some reference:
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-33...ng/Water_Pump/
and
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-33...ng/Thermostat/

Look at the Brands on this link as ECS Tuning.

06-06-2018, 06:42 PM	#1
E91 Hoarder Captain 123 Rep 852 Posts Drives: E91 AWD, E91 RWD, E90, X535i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: On the Road iTrader: (8)	Water Pump OEM vs Aftermarket Looking to replace the water pump + t-stat soon. There are OEM and aftermarket water pumps available, OEM obviously pricier, at about ~$200 difference. For example: https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11_51_7_632_426/. Amazon got them too. Are the aftermarket pumps just as good? Does it worth paying extra for the BMW label? What is the tribal knowledge/advice? __________________ "Let me see what I can do... sir"
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06-07-2018, 09:59 AM	#2
labrador Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 218 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Conti makes the one for Turbo, Piersburg makes the one for naturally aspirated. I would use after market, not that I needed it at this time. FCP Euro, RM European, or rockauto should also have them.
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06-07-2018, 01:48 PM	#3
E91 Hoarder Captain 123 Rep 852 Posts Drives: E91 AWD, E91 RWD, E90, X535i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: On the Road iTrader: (8)	Any idea who makes BMW OEM pumps? __________________ "Let me see what I can do... sir"
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06-08-2018, 12:38 PM	#7
BashShah Colonel 296 Rep 2,015 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	I replaced my Water Pump and Tstat in 2014 June. I always use OEM, but that means BMW changes Brands as time progresses. WP was VDO Brand. Tstat was CONTI. In Aug of 2014 the CONTI Brand Tstat started giving me codes and was not working properly. so, the Seller send me a BEHR brand one and it was been flawless till I lost me e90 in an accident. so I say VDO and BEHR right now is the way to go. also: here is some reference: https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-33...ng/Water_Pump/ and https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-33...ng/Thermostat/ Look at the Brands on this link as ECS Tuning.
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