Aftermarket or genuine service parts?

[Scuzi]

My Volvo V90 CC T6 is due a major service. Warranty expires next month so that’s no longer a factor. The options available to me are:

Volvo dealer - £525
Volvo specialist with genuine parts - £370
Volvo specialist with aftermarket parts - £280

Unless there is some compelling reason to do so, I’ll be avoiding the main dealer. My experience of their workmanship and professionalism during warranty repairs has been pretty poor.

I have used the local Volvo specialist for my previous XC70 and was happy with their service. This time they offered me the option of genuine or aftermarket parts. I believe the parts in question are the air/oil/pollen filters and spark plugs.

I’m leaning towards the aftermarket option and banking the extra £90 into the self-warranty pot, but am equally open to going with genuine parts if there is a tangible benefit. My experience with aftermarket filters is generally positive although this is mainly with motorbikes. I expect the spark plugs will be exactly the same except for a Volvo sticker. Amirite?

What say you?

 

[The Running Man]

Genuine oil filter

All the rest can be non genuine tbh.

 

[Conscript]

I expect the spark plugs will be exactly the same except for a Volvo sticker. Amirite?

I'd say it's probably the same for all those parts. The components will come from Bosch/Mahle/NGK or whatever, but have a Volvo sticker on them and a higher price.
So it depends who the aftermarket manufacturer is (I'd still tend toward known component manufacturers if I could), but I doubt it would faze if the car was out of warranty.

 

[Scuzi]

I’ll try to find out what manufacturer their aftermarket parts are, but a quick browse of ECP shows the filters to be generally Bosch or Mahle, and the spark plugs to be Denso.

 

[Funky-Melon]

In my experience, 100% stick with Volvo plugs, especially on turbo charged petrol engines.

Bosch make Volvo plugs yet my old S40 T4 didn't get on with them. Stuck some new Volvo ones in and they were spot on. It's commonly known on the forums that plugs and batteries are worth sticking to Volvo.

 

[Scuzi]

Interesting. It’s turbocharged and supercharged so possibly more sensitive in that respect?

 

[andy_mk3]

Aftermarket parts will be fine. As mentioned above, the genuine parts are only ever made by another company anyway. There's very few poor quality parts out there just about anything with a known brand name will be OE quality. I've been on the tools for 14 years now and have never once had an issue caused by poor quality service parts.

You also mentioned the warranty, although not an issue now but block exemption means that maintenence during the warranty period does not need to be carried out in the dealer network and does not require the use of genuine parts.

 

[mushtafa]

Specialist with genuine parts every time. - I've been a mechanic for 20 years and see a lot of problems with aftermarket stuff these days.

 

[Scuzi]

Well that’s about as polarised as it can get!

I can understand the variability in quality oil filters, which doesn’t necessarily correlate to cost. I also understand that bad spark plugs can cause all sorts of problems. However, I have previously bought ‘Genuine BMW’ spark plugs which were just NGK plugs with a sticker on the box and a trebled price tag. And is there really a noticeable difference between aftermarket and genuine air and pollen filters?

 

[jpaul]

And is there really a noticeable difference between aftermarket and genuine air and pollen filters?

they are like cleaner bags, or hob vent filters where you can see cheaper ones can be a false economy gumming-up faster, and more resistive to air flow
- so, yes, I aways get mahle/bosch air(especially) and pollens from ebay, where the premium is less.
Time before last bought a bosch oil filtet from amazon which, although certifed, was totally made of cardboard(resin impregnated), sent it back, as picture was misleading,so even bosch have their bad days

 

[The Running Man]

Well that’s about as polarised as it can get!

I can understand the variability in quality oil filters, which doesn’t necessarily correlate to cost. I also understand that bad spark plugs can cause all sorts of problems. However, I have previously bought ‘Genuine BMW’ spark plugs which were just NGK plugs with a sticker on the box and a trebled price tag. And is there really a noticeable difference between aftermarket and genuine air and pollen filters?

Nah not really just buy decent brand stuff. Not the cheapest ebay.

 

[Conscript]

Well that’s about as polarised as it can get!

I can understand the variability in quality oil filters, which doesn’t necessarily correlate to cost. I also understand that bad spark plugs can cause all sorts of problems. However, I have previously bought ‘Genuine BMW’ spark plugs which were just NGK plugs with a sticker on the box and a trebled price tag. And is there really a noticeable difference between aftermarket and genuine air and pollen filters?

I think the problem is variability within the broad "aftermarket" definition. I replaced the air filter in my car once with a Bosch replacement. It was higher quality than the OEM Toyota/Subaru one.
Conversely, I once bought a pair of tie rod ends for my girlfriend's car from Eurocarparts, which ended up being a cheap manufacturer, and despite being the right spec, they didn't fully fit into the steering knuckle. Just badly made.

So although I have no problem with "aftermarket" parts, I just try and ensure they are from a decent maker, because they are making the parts for Volvo et al, anyway. I think all that "genuine parts" gets you is a guarantee that it will be a part from one of those manufacturers in the first place.

 

[Nasher]

Depends what kind of aftermarket parts. Performance/racing parts from a good brand are stronger and made to a higher standard, but they are more expensive. Cheap copy parts are often inferior to oem. I wouldnt use cheap spark plugs, some engines are really picky and wont run right. e.g. I have to buy the oem spec NGKs for my Abarth or it missfires at high revs sometimes.

 

[Bug One]

I don't think there is any real difference in performance between a £90 set of iridium spark plugs and a £16 standard set. As long as they're the correct spec for the car and a reputable make - they're much of a muchness.

 

[bobuk]

I'd probably get Mann filters, they are used a lot as original equipment.

 

[andy_mk3]

I don't think there is any real difference in performance between a £90 set of iridium spark plugs and a £16 standard set. As long as they're the correct spec for the car and a reputable make - they're much of a muchness.

That's not so true, iridium/platinum plugs are a requirement for engines that use them. Swapping them out can cause all sorts of problems, extra strain on the ignition system, poorer running, it's just not a good idea. By all means use the Bosch/NGK over genuine but don't swap specs.

 

[adam cool dude]

I have always been one to use genuine parts for what I can get hold of or the equivalent spark plug just without the manufacturer box.

Even my trusty old Saab uses genuine GM oil filters and GM Dexos 2 oil and they have been bust for a decade!

 

[~Mike~]

I have used the local Volvo specialist for my previous XC70 and was happy with their service.

Out of curiosity what's the name of your local Volvo specialist?

 

[Scuzi]

Out of curiosity what's the name of your local Volvo specialist?

Nomansland Garage in the New Forest.

 

[andy_mk3]

I have always been one to use genuine parts for what I can get hold of or the equivalent spark plug just without the manufacturer box.

Even my trusty old Saab uses genuine GM oil filters and GM Dexos 2 oil and they have been bust for a decade!

Using genuine GM filters for my saab engine too. Think I bought a dozen a few years back for very little money!

I always use genuine parts on my Audi, but trade prices from tps means they are dirt cheap.