<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=918799731584652&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
FCP Euro Service Kits

FCP Euro Kits

There are many opinions on this subject, but first things first, let’s agree on the definitions, because not everyone agrees. At FCP Euro, and most reputable resellers, the definitions are as follows.

  • Genuine - The parts that came with your car when originally built are Genuine, as are the replacement parts you purchase from the dealership.  Note that Genuine parts are primary made by third party companies, like Bosch, under the car manufacturer’s direction (including specifications).  In this example, Bosch would be the OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer.

  • OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) - As stated above, the OEM is the company that actually manufactures the part for the car company, but is also able to sell the part themselves under their own brand name (Bosch in the example above). So while the part is identical to Genuine the OEM part will carry the brand of the actual manufacturer (Bosch in the example above) and does not say "genuine" on it.

  • Aftermarket - Means everyone else. Just about any brand, including great names you know, as well as names you don’t know, may choose to offer a given part as well.  In this case, quality is determined by the brand as well as the reseller selling the brand (and their willingness to back the product).

So that said, at FCP, we think OEM is the best option for car parts because you get all of the quality benefits of Genuine, but for a lower price. But as you expect there are always exceptions, especially since not all Aftermarket is the same. What if the Aftermarket alternative is also a very well respected OEM brand, just not for THIS part.

Example: So if Bremi is the OEM for a particular VW coil, you can buy Genuine (made by Bremi), OEM (made by Bremi), aftermarket (made by Bosch in this case) and maybe another aftermarket (Made by a name you never hear of).

In the example above, we would think the Bosch option is a very close second to the Bremi OEM. Why? Because Bosch is also a very well respected quality manufacturer of these types of coils and its likely they were also a bidder to manufacture this part for VW when it was originally created for the car.

This occurs frequently. For example both TRW and Lemfoerder make suspension components for BMW, with BMW’s rolling off the assembly line with both brands used in the suspension (for different parts). Our only conclusion is that each were the low bidder for their respective parts, but both are equally good brands for BMW suspension components. Some may argue that there is a difference because the OEM worked with the car manufacturer when the car was designed, and that’s a valid point. The decision is yours (as it always is). Rest assured, we will only mark a part as OEM when it is the same manufacturer as the Genuine unit.

Interesting fact. Some Genuine parts are manufactured with a Genuine logo embossed in the plastic of the part. We often see the OEM version come into our warehouse with that Genuine logo ground off with a die grinder. We have had customers tell us the part is defective and that they want to return the part, which we will do if they want, but from our perspective it tells us is that the OEM part is coming off the same production line as Genuine, its just that they put some on a Genuine box and put some in an OEM box. We'll take the OEM and pocket the savings any day. How about you?

About the Author: Alex Fiehl

AlexIMG_0896 is FCP's Blog Editor and a Desktop Engineer from Endwell, NY. He has over 9 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but has found his home with European cars. With a Volkswagen and Volvo at home, the garage is always busy.


author image
Written by :
Alex Fiehl


More Related Articles