Believe it when I tell you not only your car but its individual parts will often try to "Tell' you in their own language they're about to fail. Some parts will even tell you before leaving their box they have no chance of ever learning to speak "German".
In terms after market parts and "Improvements" made to an "Original, I'm very skeptical there is such a thing outside the realm of "Reverse engineered parts". The automotive parts "After Market" duly named is a whole separate write up on "Parts Sourcing and Quality".
I think the phrase "Field Tested" is probably less thought out in the realm of public opinion in terms of th net results of "Concert" tested and proven. "Individual component testing that actually takes place on any item considered to be 'New" and/or "Improved".
The type of "After Market" products where the manufacturer wants the end user to assume their "Individual" products being "Marketed" as if an after thought were mysteriously at the epicenter of years of research and oversight of the Original Manufacturers specifications.
In my own estimation (this side of the drawing board) with regards to proven field and industry testing, the type of R&D standards which do somehow evolve from the philosophical approach invested to date. A type of envisioned results which should never be abandoned in terms of the "Origin".
In this business I get ask a lot of questions and some more frequently than others. I'm often asked, "Do you only use OE or OEM parts" as if there's a mutually understood difference being tabled. The easy response would be to just say "Yes" and move on, yet I know what's really being asked, "Do you only use quality parts"? Once again the response should be as simple as "Yes".
It took me a while, but one thing I decided years ago as a Technician was to stop asking "Why" in terms of Mercedes, BMW and the capable engineers who've adapted their craft in order to meet with the philosophical approach making not only quality Vehicles, but the attention to detail enlisted as compared to other Auto Makers.
The Mercedes Benz and BMW presentation may not always be the most perfect thing one could imagine, but at minimum their automotive engineers have historically proven not only their products but also their progressive approach in terms of remaining the cutting edge of Automotive Technology & "Quality" as compared in the market place.
It does occasionally happen but rarely will Major Auto Makers make "Major" changes to or switch parts manufacturer's when the product continues to perform as Originally intended. Don't hear what I'm not saying, because manufacturer recalls combined with public opinion & class action suits speak louder than do well crafted Marketing based primarily in individual "Virtual" research.
The type research where billions are spent in "Controlled Test Environments" trying to "Reinvent' public opinion which proves to have very little to do with the performance and longevity of a product that "Needs" to survive 'Real Conditions"
There's a lot of wisdom in that saying, 'If somethings not broke don't try to fix it" and the same could be said about the quality of parts Mercedes and BMW both go to great extremes to produce, protect their name and/or outsource production in a very Specific fashion.
It may be true "Not all parts are created equal" yet when the dust settles it usually speaks to the long or short lived philosophy which more often than not eventually dies at the feet of the "Lemon Laws".
Bottom line, if the same part also made by the "Same" manufacturer is available at a more affordable price which usually comes in unbranded box, it only interprets into common "cents"? That is also to suggest if the manufacturer insist they're fully invested in day to day operations at every level will try to remain at the "Peak" of their industry standards.
These same parts manufacturers that have worked hard to meet the high standards of Mercedes and BMW should also have a clear understanding of what it takes to remain a "World Class" parts providers as well "Why".
Let's face it, Auto Makers pay a premium price to have their parts boxed, branded and Quality controlled. "Individual Parts" manufacturers should also clearly understand their real staying power in terms of product Branding once they do make it to the Automotive Big Leagues.
If a consumer wants only to use OE (Original Equipment) they should expect to pay more for that branding and at today's inflation indexed pricing. More often the norm for branded products will land somewhere between 15% - 25% higher.
In terms of replacement parts and their OE vs OEM differences the exception might be if a consumer plans on keeping their car until it becomes a "Classic". Such a status where "Mint Condition" truly interprets as branded "Original Equipment" with little to zero exceptions".
Buying only OE parts as if the Golden Rule doesn't always interpret "Best" quality or part Longevity expectations. Especially when the greatest "Data" consideration has leanings toward documented repairs made while under "Manufacturer Warranty".
I look at this way, if your water pump gets replaced 3 times while under factory warranty, that part is trying to say something. When dealing with the issue of color matching, part fitment (namely Trim Items) "Original Equipment" is the only way to go.
My philosophy is, try to stay informed with who the manufacturer's "Original" parts are outsourced to. Especially on a smaller scale for replacement parts such as brakes, bulbs, fluids and filters. Find out if those same parts manufacturers also make them available to the "Independent" repair industry.
Having a clear understanding as to why any individual "Replacement" parts retain their status in the market place should also point back to "Why" a particular Auto Maker was either "Chosen" or Not?
At the end of the day doesn't it all boil down to Who, Why and What we trust the "Most" in terms of the dependable functionality of our "Family" operated vehicles. DL
In terms after market parts and "Improvements" made to an "Original, I'm very skeptical there is such a thing outside the realm of "Reverse engineered parts". The automotive parts "After Market" duly named is a whole separate write up on "Parts Sourcing and Quality".
I think the phrase "Field Tested" is probably less thought out in the realm of public opinion in terms of th net results of "Concert" tested and proven. "Individual component testing that actually takes place on any item considered to be 'New" and/or "Improved".
The type of "After Market" products where the manufacturer wants the end user to assume their "Individual" products being "Marketed" as if an after thought were mysteriously at the epicenter of years of research and oversight of the Original Manufacturers specifications.
In my own estimation (this side of the drawing board) with regards to proven field and industry testing, the type of R&D standards which do somehow evolve from the philosophical approach invested to date. A type of envisioned results which should never be abandoned in terms of the "Origin".
In this business I get ask a lot of questions and some more frequently than others. I'm often asked, "Do you only use OE or OEM parts" as if there's a mutually understood difference being tabled. The easy response would be to just say "Yes" and move on, yet I know what's really being asked, "Do you only use quality parts"? Once again the response should be as simple as "Yes".
It took me a while, but one thing I decided years ago as a Technician was to stop asking "Why" in terms of Mercedes, BMW and the capable engineers who've adapted their craft in order to meet with the philosophical approach making not only quality Vehicles, but the attention to detail enlisted as compared to other Auto Makers.
The Mercedes Benz and BMW presentation may not always be the most perfect thing one could imagine, but at minimum their automotive engineers have historically proven not only their products but also their progressive approach in terms of remaining the cutting edge of Automotive Technology & "Quality" as compared in the market place.
It does occasionally happen but rarely will Major Auto Makers make "Major" changes to or switch parts manufacturer's when the product continues to perform as Originally intended. Don't hear what I'm not saying, because manufacturer recalls combined with public opinion & class action suits speak louder than do well crafted Marketing based primarily in individual "Virtual" research.
The type research where billions are spent in "Controlled Test Environments" trying to "Reinvent' public opinion which proves to have very little to do with the performance and longevity of a product that "Needs" to survive 'Real Conditions"
There's a lot of wisdom in that saying, 'If somethings not broke don't try to fix it" and the same could be said about the quality of parts Mercedes and BMW both go to great extremes to produce, protect their name and/or outsource production in a very Specific fashion.
It may be true "Not all parts are created equal" yet when the dust settles it usually speaks to the long or short lived philosophy which more often than not eventually dies at the feet of the "Lemon Laws".
Bottom line, if the same part also made by the "Same" manufacturer is available at a more affordable price which usually comes in unbranded box, it only interprets into common "cents"? That is also to suggest if the manufacturer insist they're fully invested in day to day operations at every level will try to remain at the "Peak" of their industry standards.
These same parts manufacturers that have worked hard to meet the high standards of Mercedes and BMW should also have a clear understanding of what it takes to remain a "World Class" parts providers as well "Why".
Let's face it, Auto Makers pay a premium price to have their parts boxed, branded and Quality controlled. "Individual Parts" manufacturers should also clearly understand their real staying power in terms of product Branding once they do make it to the Automotive Big Leagues.
If a consumer wants only to use OE (Original Equipment) they should expect to pay more for that branding and at today's inflation indexed pricing. More often the norm for branded products will land somewhere between 15% - 25% higher.
In terms of replacement parts and their OE vs OEM differences the exception might be if a consumer plans on keeping their car until it becomes a "Classic". Such a status where "Mint Condition" truly interprets as branded "Original Equipment" with little to zero exceptions".
Buying only OE parts as if the Golden Rule doesn't always interpret "Best" quality or part Longevity expectations. Especially when the greatest "Data" consideration has leanings toward documented repairs made while under "Manufacturer Warranty".
I look at this way, if your water pump gets replaced 3 times while under factory warranty, that part is trying to say something. When dealing with the issue of color matching, part fitment (namely Trim Items) "Original Equipment" is the only way to go.
My philosophy is, try to stay informed with who the manufacturer's "Original" parts are outsourced to. Especially on a smaller scale for replacement parts such as brakes, bulbs, fluids and filters. Find out if those same parts manufacturers also make them available to the "Independent" repair industry.
Having a clear understanding as to why any individual "Replacement" parts retain their status in the market place should also point back to "Why" a particular Auto Maker was either "Chosen" or Not?
At the end of the day doesn't it all boil down to Who, Why and What we trust the "Most" in terms of the dependable functionality of our "Family" operated vehicles. DL
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