Morning! Hope I'm not asking a question that has been asked a million times!
I have to replace a couple things on my mini right now, today I'm planning on ordering camshaft position sensors...and I'm questioning if people think it's important to use genuine parts or if aftermarket is suitable?

TIA!

I have a P0015 Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Retarded (Bank 1) error and I've already replaced the spark plugs hoping that might help *they needed changing anyways* but the next option on the list is changing sensors so I'm going to try that in hopes I don't need to do something more expensive and labour intensive!!

 

For me, OEM all the way. I've seen too many posts of problems with after market parts..

 

The definition of OEM comes into play here. Back in the day and OEM part was made by the car company but now that has changed and complicates things a little. MINI is a BMW but BMW does not make all their own parts.

For me, a "genuine" part for a MINI would mean I buy the part at a MINI Dealer or a part that has a BMW part number on the box. I could possibly buy an OEM part that is made by the same company that makes the part for BMW but has their part number, not the BMW number. Lemforder comes to thought here as they make parts for BMW but also sells the same part in their packaging.

 

We use some OEM and some aftermarket parts in our shop. It just depends on the job as we have experience to know which ones will work and which won't as we have to use what will so we can warranty the repairs.

I would also suggest you doing more diagnosis as retard faults like that are not usually caused by the sensor, but more so timing issues or other problems so don't throw expensive parts at it to just end up wasting money.