Dodgy Euro car parts?
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 3 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 3 Series (E21, E30, E36, E46, E90, E91 & E92)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=4239
Printed Date: 20-April-2024 at 10:11
Topic: Dodgy Euro car parts?
Posted By: rezaq
Subject: Dodgy Euro car parts?
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 08:15
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I have had sooo much trouble now with Euro car parts that it amazes me. To give you a list, within the last two years I have gone through the following parts that were bought from Euro (e30);
rear shock mounts in 1.5 years (boxed as Febi/Bilstein) 1 x rear diff mount in 1.5 years (no label) 4 x Bilstein gas shocks The real shock were the Bilsteins - surely gas versions should last longer than 2 years? I have now replaced with Koni, and have changed all the other bits to genuine BMW. Also, I seem to get through Euro car parts Bosch wiper blades every 6 months? Anybody else had similar problems? Did anybody see the program about a year ago where German and Swedish were caught having fake parts manufactured in Turkey? Any replies welcome - good for all to know. |
Replies:
Posted By: Peter Fenwick
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 09:47
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To be honest, I would steer clear of places like Euro car parts. I tend to get genuine BMW parts or sometimes I get bits from my local motor factors, who I have used for years and trust. To be honest I would rather go to Halfords than any of these so called speciallist parts suppliers. I just don't trust them after seeing the program you mentioned.
------------- Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel. |
Posted By: Kevin_E30_318iS
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 12:07
I was going to order a new set of Sachs/Boge shocks from German & Swedish Car parts this week. Are you saying even branded stuff like this could be fake? ------------- Kevin_1990_318iS |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 12:38
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I have used ECP & G&S and have never had any problems with the quality of the goods. They are often the same parts as main dealers (e.g. Sachs or Bosch or whatever). ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: rezaq
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 12:49
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My main problem was with the shocks. They were black Bilstein gas models and I just could not believe that under 2 years saw the end of them. No shocks would die that quickly, and the car was only 35mm lower. To make it worse, Bilstein also sell those particular shocks in a budget lowering kit!!
My brother bought Lemforder (original equipment) balljoints for the wishbones on his E36. They were pressed in by a professional outfit yet, after 6 months, the balljoints failed the MOT!!! How can that be? Euro car parts again. I have also purchased an idle control valve (Bosch) which has a different part number to the one I took off and tends to drop idle speed to around 500rpm and then stabilise after. This is worse with electrical load on. I cannot believe that I am running a Lemforder cambelt and Febi Tensioner. I have booked in with my local specialist to change to BMW components. I'm not saying that the parts are counterfeit, but that maybe its wiser to buy genuine BMW in the long run. P.s- My specialist says he wouldn't use anything from Euro. |
Posted By: Woody
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 14:36
| I bought a Water Pump from Euro's which fitted ok, however couldn't get hot air from heater at idle only when increasing the revs............however after getting the hump with trying to get rid of what i thought was an air lock i went and bought a genuine BMW part........I removed the Euro one and it had started to score the inside of the opening, when i measured the two Water Pumps together the Euro one was slightly longer looked as if the impeller had not been fitted on properly.........from now on BMW parts for me!!!!! |
Posted By: Alex
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 17:03
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I bought new rear brake drums and shoes from ECP (the OEM ones, not the so-called "quality alternatives") and they seemed prety high quality. Having said that, they're not exactly very complex parts! ------------- Alex Shirley 
1990 E30 325i |
Posted By: johnny318is
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 17:34
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I have used ECP for years with no problems, but for some parts, (especially for an E28) the local BMW dealer is only slightly more expensive. ------------- John Plymouth UK 96 E34 540i Individual 98 E39 523i SE 01 Renaultsport Clio 172 |
Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 24-November-2003 at 21:41
I have never bought from Euro Parts, so can't comment on them. BUT I have bought loads of stuff for my E30 325i from GS&F - brake discs, drums, pads, exhaust, starter motor, etc, etc, and have NEVER had a complaint. 
Perhaps it's because I know a guy that works there that lives near me so I get personal service  but I don't think so.
I'd recommend them.  ------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
kevin_1990_316i wrote:Posted By: Matt318is
Date Posted: 25-November-2003 at 20:18
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I use Euro Car parts for all my 318is parts and so does my father for his E280 Merc. We have never had any problems with their products and between us we have had brakes/suspension/starters/alternators all these have been fitted and run with no probs as if new. These have included brands such as Bosch (starter) / Bilstein (rear gas shocks) / ATE (brakes) and various others. Whether its just bad luck i don't know but no probs here. |
Posted By: rezaq
Date Posted: 26-November-2003 at 07:46
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To top it off, I forgot that I recently bought a fuel pump for my E30 320 from Euro. It was genuine BMW, in the box and made in Czech Republic? I fitted the pump and noticed a whining sound from it - I had it checked from my BMW specialist friend and he said the pump was dodgy, so I returned it and got a full refund. Surely all these instances cant be circumstantial?
Nice people though, and I know a guy who works in one so I get a great discount. P.S - Oh, and he said dont try their recon airflow meters because they are rubbish and are always given back!!!! |
Posted By: ajbm325ic
Date Posted: 28-November-2003 at 12:47
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I replaced all suspension inserts with gas ones from Euro, 325i convertible Bilstein gas. Seemed ok at first with 4 passengers and a bootfull of luggage. Had to replace them after only 18 mths as the rear inner arches caught the tyres with only 1 rear passenger and no luggage. They were very worn and sloppy. I've had other parts though with no problems.
Buy original BMW is the only way for quality parts with peace of mind. 1991 325i motorsport convert.http://www.e30zone.co.uk/cabandy.asp |
Posted By: b318isp
Date Posted: 28-November-2003 at 13:14
| Bilstein's should have a lifetime warrenty. Suspension sag is a generally a spring problem. |
Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 29-November-2003 at 23:51
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ive used gsf and euro for years and ive only ever had one problem part and that was a centre propshaft bearing/mounting type thingy that broke after a couple of weeks but apart from that ive never had a complaint . and my list includes : shocks springs waterpumps brakes exhausts gaskets bearings steering-joints etc etc etc etc the list goes on and will for years to come . ------------- e30 2.7 cab e30 325i e30 325 sport e30 318 touring e28 m5 e28 m535 e34 m5 e39 540 e36 318ti (green) e36 318ti (mauve) |
Posted By: Andyboy
Date Posted: 30-November-2003 at 16:44
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I've never had any probs either, been going to ECP for years. As long as you avoid the cheap sh*t you'll be okay. Textar brake pads are EXACTLY the same as what comes in BMW boxes.
Black Bilstein shocks are okay, but they don't like the 35 mm lowering springs and shouldn't be sold with the kit = that's ECP's fault. The springs are too stiff for the black ones (they are oil, not gas) so you need either the blue ones or best of all, the proper yellow ones. The recon air flow meters are junk, and so are their lowering springs. For cam belts, oil filters etc I'd use BMW. For brakes, air filters, spark plugs, I use ECP (Ate discs and Textar pads). |