Years ago I had a British gentleman pull up at my shop. Before entering the work area he stood just outside the bay doors and bellowed, "So, is there any trained Technicians here or just men with tools"? I must admit "That Guy" made a 'Lasting" impression.
In terms of "Replacement" parts and the type of billing a factory "Approved" parts list provides, couldn't the same type of question be asked whenever you're trying to decide where to take your car in for repairs?
Believe it when I tell you not only your vehicle, but its individual parts will often try to "Tell' you they're about to fail. Some parts will even try to tell you before leaving their box, yet without knowing what to "Look" for it's much like finding a needle in a haystack in todays market place.
Much could be said here with regards to who the, "Professionals" are in any industry and everything that should elevate them above others.
Premature part failure should increasingly be a thing of the past given advances in Technology and unbiased "Product Tracking". A "Part" that unexpectedly fails under mass production conditions is one thing, whereas an "Independent" part failure that's measured by its expected life span & expense is a totally different species. I suppose that's why most large scale companies also have their own Legal department.
Speaking in "Clear" terms whenever debating OE parts verses a disguised After Market part and possible "Improvements" made to an "Original, I'm skeptical there's enough solid evidence that's also made available to the general Public in terms of the importance of "Factory Tolerance Specifications". The same type of information that falls under the category of a "Boring" read.
That is to suggest parts categorically "defined" that were also "Reverse Engineered'. The duly named "After Market" could be a whole separate write up on "Parts Sourcing" and the parts providers "Quality Control" protocol.
After Market products where the manufacturer of same ultimately wants the end user to see their "Individual" product without "First" considering the importance of any overlapping OEM specifications? Simply put, how any "Well" designed part ultimately incorporates into its originally "Designed" working environment without compromise.
The lead in sales pitch of some of these individual parts providers might sound like, "After years of Intensive study and research we've Managed to develop...".? Why does any mystery also 'Remain" a mystery?
In terms of Improvements made to a attaching "Part" shouldn't that be the Original Manufacturers responsibility"? The philosophy where "Remaining" on the leading edge of logic would suggest the original manufacturer should have the greatest interest in terms of any true "Improvement" of their overall product?
Is there a true reason why any real presentation also fails to clearly articulate exactly "Why" the "Questionable" product failed "Prematurely"? Once again the Legal Department comes to mind.
In my own estimation with regards to proven field and industry testing, the "History" of any automotive component requires more than rigorous testing. Circumstances where more than the elements and their long term affects can somehow be measured. In terms of life span, over a specific measure of time? A measure of time combined with the rigors of external stressors, namely 'People"?
It's always easier on the front end to make a successful claim, yet more often than not doesn't it prove to be the back side of the success story that gets to make the closing argument? Its a commonly understood notion in terms of cooking the books, yet statistic's can only speak what's true when there's not a lot of garbage mixed with the "Details" people want to trust
The type of reliable R&D that's continually evolving once the product leaves the assembly line? The type of quality that also 'proves" itself by way of minimal failure and feed back relating to same. A type product that holds true to the designers "Original" philosophical approach. I'm of the opinion, product "Outsourcing" has become one the greatest manufacturing riddles to solve. In terms of producing Quality while also keeping every aspect under the same roof has become very complex.
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 had to decide years ago as a Technician was to stop asking "Why" in terms of Mercedes, BMW and the capable engineers who've managed their craft. Managed well enough in order to maintain the philosophical approach in the making of not only industry leading 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 on the cutting edge of Automotive Technology & "Quality" as compared in the market place.
It does occasionally happen but rarely will Major Auto Makers mysteriously make "Major" changes to or switch parts manufacturer's. Especially true when the original product continues to perform as Originally intended. Don't hear what I'm not saying, because the combined affect of manufacturer recalls, public opinion & class action Law suits speak louder than do well crafted Marketing strategies. The type of marketing that revolves around public "Perception".
The type research where billions are spent in "Controlled Test Environments" trying to "Reinvent' the outcome of public opinion that's been weighed and found wanting? Such that has proven to have very little to do with the performance and longevity of a product once it finds itself in the possession and control of the "End" user".
There's a lot of wisdom in that saying, 'If something is 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 establish and protect their name 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's also to suggest if the manufacturer of a component insist they're fully invested in terms of "Quality Control" nearly by default they'll also remain at the "Apex" of their industries 'Standard".
Playing the guessing game can get expensive, especially in light of how difficult it has become of late to try and get Only the "Facts" as if straight from the "Factory" where it all began? I'm torn between two opinions? Manufacturing parts only for the duration of a factory warranty period or making a product that will sell itself over the "Long Haul".
Are we talking about parts manufacturers that have done their due diligence in order to keep pace with the ever changing industry "Standard" or Mercedes and BMW who seemingly stride to maintain their historical "Track" record? Why? Because they also possess a clear understanding of the requirements in order to remain a "World Class" parts provider. Simply put, selling a Car is only "Part" of the overall business.
Let's face it, Auto Makers not only pay a premium price to have their parts boxed, branded and Quality controlled. "Individual Parts" manufacturers should clearly understand the true potential of their staying power in the Automotive parts industry.
If a consumer wants to use only 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". 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 hard a line guarantee of a particular parts life span. Especially when the more telling information has leanings toward "Industry Wide" documented repairs. The more telling component to include repairs made while a vehicle is under "Manufacturer Warranty".
I look at this way, if your water pump gets replaced 2 times while under a 4 year 50k mile "Factory Warranty", that part is trying to say something. But if those type of statistics never reach public awareness, truly how valid are the publicized "Statistics"? 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 through due diligence with regards to specific "Original Manufacturer's " parts providers. If the automaker has since switched providers, try to find out "Why" especially if your truly interested in making a well informed parts purchase
Keep it simple in when it comes to high volume replacement parts such as brakes, belts, bulbs, fluids and filters. On a much smaller scale, find out if those "Original" parts manufacturers also make these routine parts 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 "Chosen" to begin with.
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 of "Replacement" parts and the type of billing a factory "Approved" parts list provides, couldn't the same type of question be asked whenever you're trying to decide where to take your car in for repairs?
Believe it when I tell you not only your vehicle, but its individual parts will often try to "Tell' you they're about to fail. Some parts will even try to tell you before leaving their box, yet without knowing what to "Look" for it's much like finding a needle in a haystack in todays market place.
Much could be said here with regards to who the, "Professionals" are in any industry and everything that should elevate them above others.
Premature part failure should increasingly be a thing of the past given advances in Technology and unbiased "Product Tracking". A "Part" that unexpectedly fails under mass production conditions is one thing, whereas an "Independent" part failure that's measured by its expected life span & expense is a totally different species. I suppose that's why most large scale companies also have their own Legal department.
Speaking in "Clear" terms whenever debating OE parts verses a disguised After Market part and possible "Improvements" made to an "Original, I'm skeptical there's enough solid evidence that's also made available to the general Public in terms of the importance of "Factory Tolerance Specifications". The same type of information that falls under the category of a "Boring" read.
That is to suggest parts categorically "defined" that were also "Reverse Engineered'. The duly named "After Market" could be a whole separate write up on "Parts Sourcing" and the parts providers "Quality Control" protocol.
After Market products where the manufacturer of same ultimately wants the end user to see their "Individual" product without "First" considering the importance of any overlapping OEM specifications? Simply put, how any "Well" designed part ultimately incorporates into its originally "Designed" working environment without compromise.
The lead in sales pitch of some of these individual parts providers might sound like, "After years of Intensive study and research we've Managed to develop...".? Why does any mystery also 'Remain" a mystery?
In terms of Improvements made to a attaching "Part" shouldn't that be the Original Manufacturers responsibility"? The philosophy where "Remaining" on the leading edge of logic would suggest the original manufacturer should have the greatest interest in terms of any true "Improvement" of their overall product?
Is there a true reason why any real presentation also fails to clearly articulate exactly "Why" the "Questionable" product failed "Prematurely"? Once again the Legal Department comes to mind.
In my own estimation with regards to proven field and industry testing, the "History" of any automotive component requires more than rigorous testing. Circumstances where more than the elements and their long term affects can somehow be measured. In terms of life span, over a specific measure of time? A measure of time combined with the rigors of external stressors, namely 'People"?
It's always easier on the front end to make a successful claim, yet more often than not doesn't it prove to be the back side of the success story that gets to make the closing argument? Its a commonly understood notion in terms of cooking the books, yet statistic's can only speak what's true when there's not a lot of garbage mixed with the "Details" people want to trust
The type of reliable R&D that's continually evolving once the product leaves the assembly line? The type of quality that also 'proves" itself by way of minimal failure and feed back relating to same. A type product that holds true to the designers "Original" philosophical approach. I'm of the opinion, product "Outsourcing" has become one the greatest manufacturing riddles to solve. In terms of producing Quality while also keeping every aspect under the same roof has become very complex.
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 had to decide years ago as a Technician was to stop asking "Why" in terms of Mercedes, BMW and the capable engineers who've managed their craft. Managed well enough in order to maintain the philosophical approach in the making of not only industry leading 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 on the cutting edge of Automotive Technology & "Quality" as compared in the market place.
It does occasionally happen but rarely will Major Auto Makers mysteriously make "Major" changes to or switch parts manufacturer's. Especially true when the original product continues to perform as Originally intended. Don't hear what I'm not saying, because the combined affect of manufacturer recalls, public opinion & class action Law suits speak louder than do well crafted Marketing strategies. The type of marketing that revolves around public "Perception".
The type research where billions are spent in "Controlled Test Environments" trying to "Reinvent' the outcome of public opinion that's been weighed and found wanting? Such that has proven to have very little to do with the performance and longevity of a product once it finds itself in the possession and control of the "End" user".
There's a lot of wisdom in that saying, 'If something is 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 establish and protect their name 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's also to suggest if the manufacturer of a component insist they're fully invested in terms of "Quality Control" nearly by default they'll also remain at the "Apex" of their industries 'Standard".
Playing the guessing game can get expensive, especially in light of how difficult it has become of late to try and get Only the "Facts" as if straight from the "Factory" where it all began? I'm torn between two opinions? Manufacturing parts only for the duration of a factory warranty period or making a product that will sell itself over the "Long Haul".
Are we talking about parts manufacturers that have done their due diligence in order to keep pace with the ever changing industry "Standard" or Mercedes and BMW who seemingly stride to maintain their historical "Track" record? Why? Because they also possess a clear understanding of the requirements in order to remain a "World Class" parts provider. Simply put, selling a Car is only "Part" of the overall business.
Let's face it, Auto Makers not only pay a premium price to have their parts boxed, branded and Quality controlled. "Individual Parts" manufacturers should clearly understand the true potential of their staying power in the Automotive parts industry.
If a consumer wants to use only 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". 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 hard a line guarantee of a particular parts life span. Especially when the more telling information has leanings toward "Industry Wide" documented repairs. The more telling component to include repairs made while a vehicle is under "Manufacturer Warranty".
I look at this way, if your water pump gets replaced 2 times while under a 4 year 50k mile "Factory Warranty", that part is trying to say something. But if those type of statistics never reach public awareness, truly how valid are the publicized "Statistics"? 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 through due diligence with regards to specific "Original Manufacturer's " parts providers. If the automaker has since switched providers, try to find out "Why" especially if your truly interested in making a well informed parts purchase
Keep it simple in when it comes to high volume replacement parts such as brakes, belts, bulbs, fluids and filters. On a much smaller scale, find out if those "Original" parts manufacturers also make these routine parts 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 "Chosen" to begin with.
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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