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So I have been working on and off on an R50 for over one and a half years now. Over a year ago I replaced both droplinks with cheap ones from the brand GSP. (spoiler, GSP=Guansheng Auto Parts) I was thinking "Droplinks aren't rocket science so what could go wrong?"
Well the answer is in the pictures...
Mind you, this a garage stored car and it drove only ~20 miles since installed. Never ever have I seen rubber deteriorate so fast. Needless to say I just replaced them with German quality Febi Billstein ones.
suspension and steering are parts that can definitely go wrong with super cheap parts, as evidenced above.
for that kind of stuff, i go to rock auto. right now they have TRW end links for like $4/ea on closeout. when i redid my suspension recently, i used lots of delphi stuff.
Right said. I used to be a VW guy. I bought a pair of BOSCH boost and oil pressure gauges for my R53. Only to find they were made in China. The boost works fine but the oil pressure gauge was a bit wonky and was off by 3-4 psi (until I fixed it). BOSCH = China?
Might I add to the concerns/[rant] - from my unfortunate experience; Please, please, please avoid PartsGeek/AutoPartsGeek (or any variation of that name) at any cost.
They're misleading, sell junk or will send you the wrong part (everytime) - no returns and no contact or communication.
I rebuilt the entire suspension on my MC40 using parts from PartsGeek and never had an issue. They sell both OEM and aftermarket parts from name suppliers like Bilstein, KYB, Moog, NSK and others and it's tough to beat their prices. They do also have Chinese off-brand parts that I stayed away from. Just be choosy.
Re: PartsGeek -
Well, 2wo different orders each (EMPI), rifled/once returned (taped up) packages with parts missing and one misleading listed as "polyurethane" suspension bushings which sent cheap foam rubber, with no response from them = 3 strikes and I'm done with them.
