[Cayman031]

Hi all,

Several times I see OE part manufactured in a country and its genuine counterpart in another.
I thought it was the exact same part ?
For me different factory means different quality.

Exemple :
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ch-12611710509
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...mw-12612367061

Even if it's manufactered in the same country, I feel like I can never be sure that OE and Genuine are made in the same factory.
Kinda problematic with the pain in the ass oil pan gasket for exemple...

[whyzee125]

I'm a huge proponent of genuine parts but I'd have no worries going with the OE part here.

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by Cayman031

Hi all,

Several times I see OE part manufactured in a country and its genuine counterpart in another.
I thought it was the exact same part ?
For me different factory means different quality.

Exemple :
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ch-12611710509
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...mw-12612367061

Even if it's manufactered in the same country, I feel like I can never be sure that OE and Genuine are made in the same factory.
Kinda problematic with the pain in the ass oil pan gasket for exemple...

Personal choice.

I "think" when country origin is the same is it safe to assume OE == Genuine.

I learned that OE "Made in Germany" does not always means better than Genuine. For example, my 335d had issues with new OE Beru (Germany) glow plug controller, and Genuine from Eastern Europe solved the issue permanently.

Another example is probably an exception: a cheap aftermarket door handle from PRC was by far higher quality than Genuine one.

My rule is if Genuine markup is more than 20% than I go with OE, assuming same-country origin.
I do stay away from Rein regardless of the cost.
I am comfortable with ZF-branded transmission oil, but I use TPT for engine (I do get it cheap in bulk though)

[Cayman031]

Thanks for answers

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I'm a huge proponent of genuine parts but I'd have no worries going with the OE part here.

So why are you such a proponent of genuine if it's no worries to go OE ?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by Cayman031

Thanks for answers



So why are you such a proponent of genuine if it's no worries to go OE ?

I'd have no worries on THIS particular part. In my experience (and I've owned a LOT of cars) pressure switches and stuff like this is generally no problem from a reputable brand. On BMWs, all of the usual stuff that needs replaced (bushings, gaskets, cooling system parts) simply have to be Genuine or they do not last. My experiences and plenty of others' support this, but on a part like this, I've done aftermarket plenty of times--never once an issue.

[Cayman031]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I'd have no worries on THIS particular part. In my experience (and I've owned a LOT of cars) pressure switches and stuff like this is generally no problem from a reputable brand. On BMWs, all of the usual stuff that needs replaced (bushings, gaskets, cooling system parts) simply have to be Genuine or they do not last. My experiences and plenty of others' support this, but on a part like this, I've done aftermarket plenty of times--never once an issue.

Ok thanks, the pressure switch was just an exemple, I don't have to replace it

[Cayman031]

Any other opinions ?

[trohde78]

OE is the exact same as genuine, just without the BMW logo. I have OE parts on my e92 that have actually had the BMW and/or M logo shaved off.

https://help.fcpeuro.com/hc/en-us/ar...Genuine-OE-OEM

[Cayman031]

Originally Posted by trohde78

OE is the exact same as genuine, just without the BMW logo. I have OE parts on my e92 that actually have had the BMW and/or M logo shaved off.

For me exact same is same country, same factory, same production line.
Which isn't the case for a lot of parts

[lookalikehuuh]

I actually have had quite a few issues with FCP Euro's "OE" designation. They commonly designate parts as the "OE" part, when it is in fact an OEM part... NOT THE SAME THING.

One example is the Mahle/Behr radiators which they label as OE when they are definitely not, Modine is the OE manufacturer. They do the same thing with the wheel bearings stating the F A G brand is the OE, when it in fact is SKF that is the OE.... etc...

This is simply a matter of FCP Euro being completely WRONG about their lableling. I have gone at it with their support reps more than once with these issues on their website, but they fail to fix them to this day. Even when the representative agrees they are labled wrong.

Also don't trust the manufacturing label on the site, it may have been accurate at one point, but could be completely out of date now.

Either way, I'm still a fan of FCP Euro overall, and I have spent close to $20k with them over the years now...