I'm really curious about good or bad experiences with oem parts replacement. Please don't muddy the conversation with conjecture.

I'm at a point where lots of parts need to be replaced so I thought we could discuss aftermarket alternatives to genuine mini components as suppliers.

Ball Joints:
Lemforder

Thermostat:
Calorstat
Stant

thermostat gasket:
URO

Lower Engine Mount:
Lemforder

Coolant reservoir lines:
supply - Reinz
return - Reinz

Radiator Fan:
TYC: excellent experience

Radiator:
Mishimoto: excellent experience

Coolant hose:
upper - URO

Valve Cover Gasket:
w/out spark plug seals - Reinz
w/ spark plug seals - Reinz

 

PM sent, also the thermostat and gasket are sold as one.

 

Thanks for the pm

But I wanted to keep a thread of aftermarket options we have as options or alternatives to genuine mini parts so that others in the future have something to reference

 

Anyone have experience with febi balljoints?

 

I believe a lot of the VW Audi guys use them and the quality is very good

 

Upper and Lower Engine Mounts:
Vibra-Technics

Suspension bushings
Powerflex

 

In our service shop we use Powerflex bushing for suspension repairs almost exclusively. I have not yet had a complaint about ride, and have never replaced a set of failed Mini Powerflex bushing. I have not had good luck with after market rebuilt P/S pumps, or rebuilt A/C compressors.

 

If I were to replace any parts on the car, I tend to stick with Febi, Lemb or any OEM parts.

No eBay BS as I've been there... its not worth the trouble

 

Stay away from Moog outer ball joints - the rubber cracked really fast on mine and was completely toast after 7 months. The Moog inner joints (on the subframe) seem to be ok but time will tell.

EMPI axles seem to be decent but the boots need their clamps replaced/tightened on at least the passenger side on my car as they're spitting grease everywhere not to mention the passenger side needs to have the carrier bracket "pressed" (hammered) off the bearing midway down the axle and "pressed" back on the new axle. Still a huge savings over OEM though.

Absolutely stay away from Precision hub assemblies. I made a mistake when ordering and it didnt last but 6 months or so before needed to be replaced again. The PRO hub I replaced it with is on 9 months and holding up quite well so far.

Dorman parking brake cables I'd steer away from too if possible. Their fit leaves something to be desired (one cable needed modification [albeit a simple one] to work) and their rubber boots seem to crack quickly and cause water to get in and bind them up in freezing temperatures which was one of the reasons I was replacing mine in the first place.

DEA passenger side engine mount has 7 months on it and is fine so far but didn't have enough threads to accept the long external torx bolt that goes through the bottom. I ended up spacing mine out with a nut and keeping it.

Been happy with Raybestos rotors, NGK sparkplugs/cables, Gates upper (2)/lower radiator hoses, the Beck/Arnley waterpump (you'll need to transfer some hardware; careful not to strip the torx heads -- might use a small impact driver to loosen), URO parts jack pad, Dorman oil drain plugs, Mann oil filters, Powerstop rear brake pads, Fel-Pro oil pan gasket (4 months old), and Gates belts -- all have been used for about a year or more.

OEM wise, I would say the rubber on the oil plugs doesn't seem to hold up as well as the Dorman one so far. And I would definitely stay away from OEM coolant tanks. Replaced a leaking one with OEM and replaced it 2 years later after leaking again. I'm fairly happy with my WMW aluminium one.

 

Wow good stuff keep them coming