Clash Of The Titans, OEM Versus Aftermarket High-Performance Auto Parts

All is not well with your performance vehicle. You take it in for a checkup and the technician tells you a part needs to be replaced – then leaves you with the choice of OEM vs. aftermarket. Enter the classic debate of what to choose. It might come as a surprise to you, but not all parts are created equal. We’re going to have a look at what is available to you, the auto enthusiast, but more importantly, which parts you should opt for to best fit your financial and performance requirements. First, let’s look at the two main categories of high-performance auto parts that are available.

Don’t be concerned if you’re a little confused by the huge variety of aftermarket parts that are available, it is a problem that most of us have to deal with at some time or another. Having a trusted auto repair shop like Foreign Affairs Motorwerks is what makes this process much easier.

OEM Or Aftermarket Parts?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and these are the parts that are typically available from your dealer.

Upsides:

• Come with a warranty.
• Are manufactured to a very high specification.
• If fitted by a dealer’s shop, will come with a labor warranty.
• Are consistent in quality.

Downsides:

• They can sometimes be of worse quality than aftermarket brands.
• Aftermarket manufacturers rely on reverse-engineering to make a part and often this can iron out the problems that the OEM has.
• Usually more expensive than the aftermarket alternative.
• Usually have to be ordered from the dealer.

Aftermarket parts are made by a wide range of companies. Some make only specific parts such as Akrapovic parts for exhausts while others, such as Bosch will make a wide range of different parts for many automotive systems.

Upsides:

• Usually cheaper than the OEM alternative.
• It can be of better quality than OEM.
• Wide variety of parts that are readily available.

Downsides:

• Quality varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and even within a batch.
• Often no warranty is provided.

Which Performance Parts Should I Choose For My Vehicle?

A good technician is like an excellent sommelier at a restaurant. Drawing on over 40 years of experience, we will fit a hybrid combination of OEM and aftermarket parts. The choice of the exact part is also largely determined by your use factor. If you are going for a very high-performance application we may elect to fit one of the many premium aftermarket brands we stock. When it comes to body panels, we only fit OEM (if available) because these ensure a perfect fit, keep the vehicle’s lines intact and preserve passenger safety.

Another factor we closely consider is the cost – where we’ve proven OEM to be close to or cheaper than premium aftermarket for the same quality, we’ll fit it. However, where there is a large cost difference with a negative quality gradient between OEM and aftermarket, we’d go for the latter. Our labor is also guaranteed, and we will service your extended warranty vehicle.

High-Performance Auto Parts In Pompano Beach

Hopefully, by now you realize just how much of a challenge fitting a high-performance auto part can be. At Foreign Affairs Motorwerks, we believe in eliminating the guesswork. Factoring your satisfaction, cost, quality, proven skills and experience into the equation we deliver the optimal solution for your performance vehicle. Unlike the example at the start of this article, we’ll never leave you to choose uninformed. To us, the answer is simple – it’s our passion.