The Difference Between OEM, OE and Aftermarket Parts
When your car is due for repairs, service or maintenance, you're going to be faced with a dilemma – weighing up the options of… OE parts, OEM parts or Aftermarket parts!? It is important to understand the different types of parts, before deciding on what is best for your vehicle. In the automotive world, there are three main types of parts you'll see for sale: OE, OEM and Aftermarket. But what's the difference between the three? Keep reading to find out.
What is an OE part?
OE stands for Original Equipment. OE parts are made by the vehicle’s manufacturer. So, OE BMW parts are genuine BMW pieces. These are high-quality parts and accessories and are produced specifically for your make of vehicle, ensuring perfect fit and performance every time.
What is an OEM part?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM parts are manufactured to fit your vehicle and work like they're supposed to with your car's systems. OEM parts are made to the specifications of the car manufacturer, but not necessarily made by the same company. There is often confusion between OEM and OE parts. OE parts are made by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Original Equipment Manufacturer parts are from a company that designs manufacturer parts. The vehicle manufacturer may own the design, but the manufacturing of the parts are subcontracted to another company. For example, Bosch might make spark plugs for BMWs or Mercedes vehicles to the manufacturer's specifications. That OEM part is then packaged and labeled with the BMW, MINI, Mercedes or Porsche logo on them. OEM parts have the same quality of OE parts but are more affordable as you're not paying for a brand name.
Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts are manufactured by a company different from the manufacturer of your vehicle. They come from companies that specialize in copying replacement parts for different types of vehicles sometimes making them the cheapest option. However, when upgrading a vehicle with high-performance or custom parts, aftermarket parts manufacturers like Precision Raceworks are the only option. The quality, material, and reliability of these parts and accessories are dependent upon the depth of experience and the earned reputation of the company making the parts, but often these too can be high-quality.
Which one is better than the other?
The main advantage of OE parts is that you know they will fit your vehicle perfectly and they will work with all other original equipment on your car. OEM and Aftermarket parts may also fit and work perfectly, but there's always a slight chance that something could go wrong.
When it comes time to service, repair or upgrade your vehicle, be sure to consult your local independent Euro Repair shop on which parts and parts manufacturers they recommend for the job. Whichever you choose, you can rest assured knowing you're using high-quality parts on your car.
