BMW original parts are better

[GSAddict]

RE: '00 R1150 Gs
I got 148,000+ km out of my original front brake pads (brembo) and replaced them with EBC organic pads FA 246 while on a trip (the dealer was out of stock on the BMW OE ones and assured me that the EBC's were just as good)
I did not like the feel of them right from the start and was even more surprised how fast they wore out - 25,000 km!!!!!
BTW: My rotors are in excellent condition.
So, back to OE I go!

[osbornk]

SOME BMW original parts are better. Aftermarket parts are like everything else. Some are higher quality and some are not. Quality aftermarket parts helpl keep the cost of OEM parts down. Competition is a good thing.

[kantuckid]

I beg to differ with you on the fact that aftermarket parts keep the OEM parts prices down-if that's true it isn't apparent with the stuff I buy-it appears that they are milking the market for everything they can get and far beyond reason! I can give miriad examples of several brands and prices for parts that are just ridiculous and it isn't limited to BMW as I find VW and Audi two in particular that are high. I don't claim to be a marketing expert, just saying that if its true it doesn't show.
The Chinese BMW engines might be an example of your theory at work?

SOME BMW original parts are better. Aftermarket parts are like everything else. Some are higher quality and some are not. Quality aftermarket parts helpl keep the cost of OEM parts down. Competition is a good thing.

[PGlaves]

"it isn't limited to BMW as I find VW and Audi two in particular that are high."

Yeah, it must be the Germans! BMW, Audi, VW!

But I'd look to the US economy first. Every BMW part could be just about half what it is if the US dollar hadn't plummeted against the Euro over the past few years.

But the US debt-ridden society, failure to save, loss of the manufacturing sector, outsourcing, and several other economic ills have caused the dollar to be worth a lot less in the global economy.

Sure, let's blame the Germans. Screw taking any responsibility for our own failures.

[ghostrider1964]

Here is a link to a BMW brake pad test by Motorrad on the GSRI forum. Peter(forum owner) translated the results but the graphs speak for themselves. Only problem is the 2 best choices do not appear to be available here in the US.

http://gsri.info/forum/technical-area/chassis/brakes/279-brake-pad-test/

[R1100RT]

"it isn't limited to BMW as I find VW and Audi two in particular that are high."

Yeah, it must be the Germans! BMW, Audi, VW!

But I'd look to the US economy first. Every BMW part could be just about half what it is if the US dollar hadn't plummeted against the Euro over the past few years.

But the US debt-ridden society, failure to save, loss of the manufacturing sector, outsourcing, and several other economic ills have caused the dollar to be worth a lot less in the global economy.

Sure, let's blame the Germans. Screw taking any responsibility for our own failures.

Truer words haven't been spoken.

[BubbaZanetti]

next time try the EBC sintered HH pads, you'll be a lot happier.

[kantuckid]

Paul,I wholeheartedly agree with you! It just so happens that the cars I build are all usually German. I have built many brands all told and there have always been certain brands that had high parts prices. The recent parts price increases are there for other brands too, from comments I get from friends in the car repair trade. I suspect(from my little perch in the world) that it is like the ice cream( the so called "half gallon" is anywhere from 1.5 to 1.75 to 1/2 gal) we buy at the grocery store- smaller and smaller contents are the norm there, but with parts they just raise the price!
I can however, give examples of parts that are priced far, far beyond any reason as to the relationship between materials,manufacturing cost and parts price.
Yep, I agree that it's coming back to bite us...
P.S. It seems to me that any pad on any vehicle that will go 148,000K must be leading a cushy life!

"it isn't limited to BMW as I find VW and Audi two in particular that are high."

Yeah, it must be the Germans! BMW, Audi, VW!

But I'd look to the US economy first. Every BMW part could be just about half what it is if the US dollar hadn't plummeted against the Euro over the past few years.

But the US debt-ridden society, failure to save, loss of the manufacturing sector, outsourcing, and several other economic ills have caused the dollar to be worth a lot less in the global economy.

Sure, let's blame the Germans. Screw taking any responsibility for our own failures.

[osbornk]

I beg to differ with you on the fact that aftermarket parts keep the OEM parts prices down-if that's true it isn't apparent with the stuff I buy-it appears that they are milking the market for everything they can get and far beyond reason! I can give miriad examples of several brands and prices for parts that are just ridiculous and it isn't limited to BMW as I find VW and Audi two in particular that are high. I don't claim to be a marketing expert, just saying that if its true it doesn't show.
The Chinese BMW engines might be an example of your theory at work?

I was an insurance adjuster when aftermarket body parts were introduced for vehicles. Some of the "Tiawan" or "Gyp" parts were good but many were terrible. One of the first parts that became available was front fenders for Chevrolet pick-up trucks. A OEM fender was a little under $400 retail and some of the aftermarket ones were well under $100 wholesale. The aftermarket parts availability caused GM to drop the price of the OEM fender to around $150. The same thing happened with Ford pick-up fenders. Dodge pick-up fenders were not available aftermarket due to the low market for them and the OEM fenders remained at nearly $600 for several years until an aftermarket was finally produced. The same thing happened with many other commonly damaged items such as headlights, grilles, hoods, bumpers, etc.

There is no telling how much more expensive OEM parts would be for our bikes if there were no aftermarket parts. Look at the price of parts that are not available aftermarket as compared to parts available elsewhere.

[kantuckid]

It is raining here again( for the 1,004th day in a row!!!) and I need some aftermarket stuff for an ark, or entertainment from MOA Forum!
No doubt, we are both right, but the same price effect has never seemed to happen with the fenders,etc., I buy.The fender thing(as you say"commonly damaged items") is a high volume example and the parts people know how to lead you into a purchase. It remains a fact the before our economy went into the trash bin, there was a huge difference in Asian parts and OEM on most vehicles. As to bikes, I am not very parts knowledgeable but see far fewer aftermarket items(other than bling) , probably due to lower volumes. Tires are an obvious exception as they are commonly available from Asia.
I also know that the makers are changing parts so that you cannot use used parts as often. Dash airbags are an example as are SRS controls that could be reset in the past-the list goes on...
Now ,back to brake pads on bikes(my fault for diversion of thread)-how do you get 148,000 k+ out of a set of pads???????????????????????????:doh

Hard to compare EBC to something that has "everlasting life"! OEM =magic? Sintered or non sintered, has anybody ever got near that life from a pad??????

[SIBUD]

It is raining here again( for the 1,004th day in a row!!!) and I need some aftermarket stuff for an ark, or entertainment from MOA Forum!
No doubt, we are both right, but the same price effect has never seemed to happen with the fenders,etc., I buy.The fender thing(as you say"commonly damaged items") is a high volume example and the parts people know how to lead you into a purchase. It remains a fact the before our economy went into the trash bin, there was a huge difference in Asian parts and OEM on most vehicles. As to bikes, I am not very parts knowledgeable but see far fewer aftermarket items(other than bling) , probably due to lower volumes. Tires are an obvious exception as they are commonly available from Asia.
I also know that the makers are changing parts so that you cannot use used parts as often. Dash airbags are an example as are SRS controls that could be reset in the past-the list goes on...
Now ,back to brake pads on bikes(my fault for diversion of thread)-how do you get 148,000 k+ out of a set of pads???????????????????????????:doh


Hard to compare EBC to something that has "everlasting life"! OEM =magic? Sintered or non sintered, has anybody ever got near that life from a pad??????

Good morning from rainy S. Illinois.

You might not have noticed that it is 148,000 KM not miles.

[GSAddict]

Good morning from rainy S. Illinois.

You might not have noticed that it is 148,000 KM not miles.

Yes! 148,000 KM or 92,000 miles.

[Mr. Frank]

I got 95K miles out of a set of front BMW OEM pads. I've replaced them with EBC sintered HH pads which do have a bit more bite. I don't do a lot of braking. I use the throttle and tranny to regulate speed.