Aftermarket brands you trust for OEM replacement parts

[dwb]

Since more and more OEM parts are becoming obsolete/NLA for the DSM platform, what aftermarket brands of replacement parts do you trust to be as good or better than OEM? Maybe even an OEM supplier.
For example, if I'm shopping RockAuto/Amazon/my favorite parts store and I see Denso, NSK, Aisin, NGK, or Bosch I typically would not think twice about purchasing it at a reasonable price.
On the other hand, I'm skeptical about parts made by the likes of Dorman, Standard Motor Products, Anchor, Gates (belts), Cardone, and generic parts store brands like Duralast. I suppose at one point or another I've used these brands and either had premature failure or fitment issue.
Curious to hear what you guys think.

 

[Spleen8urLSX]

It really depends, “good” brands have been known for supplying garbage on some occasions, and other cheap name brands end up being the same exact part Mitsubishi used oem and sells in their packaging marked way up. For example, when 1g replacement knock sensors were still available at AutoZone in a Duracrap branded box, you’d pull it out and it’d be an oem one with a Mitsubishi electronics sticker right on it but for 20 bucks less than getting an “oem” one from one of the vendors. Same goes with an ITM gasket set I once purchased from rockauto for $55, majority of it was the oem gaskets including the valve seals even. I gave my buddy a hard time as he paid $45 for an oem rear main seal, for $10 more I got it with the same markings and all with every other gasket included. The trick is to dig deep and see what suppliers use what. Another good rockauto score, bought a 6 bolt timing tensioner arm (can’t remember what brand name), pulled it out of the box and it was still in oem Hyundai packaging in the box. Many of the cheap Apex brand gaskets they sell are also the same as oem.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Dorman is crap. I bought 2 door handles for a 2g from them before going with Boosted aluminum. Each one broke in a matter of months on a car that is garage kept and rarely driven. Also bought some lug nuts from them on a separate application. They only lasted 6 months before completely rusting over. Keep in mind I'm far from the rust belt so road salts and monsoons are never. Also bought a Dorman MAF sensor. Provided no reading right out of the box. I'm sure they at least make SOMETHING half decent, but so do the Ching-chang brands on Ebay.

As for Duralast it's hit or miss. I was a mechanic for a few years and with an Autozone being nearby we ordered alot of Duralast parts. Simple things like brake pads/rotors and master cylinders, or even shocks and struts they seemed good and I had no problem using those. But I stayed away from their alternators and starters. Many times they wouldn't function straight out of the box but supposedly passed a quality inspection.

I've heard some bad things about Gates here on the forums, but I've been using them on my personal vehicles for many years with no issue. Someone made a post about their timing belt quality being terrible but maybe it was just a fluke. I've used many of their timing belts and serpentine belts that lasted a long time. Even used some water pumps. Hell they make the blue RPM belt that many tuners like.

example, if I'm shopping RockAuto/Amazon/my favorite parts store and I see Denso, NSK, Aisin, NGK, or Bosch I typically would not think twice about purchasing it at a reasonable price.

That sounds very reasonable since those are OEM parts manufacturers for some vehicles. I'm not a fan of Bosch spark plugs but other than that I have no poor experiences from that brand. They make some damn good wiper blades too .

There will be flukes with every manufacturer. But if you hold a part in your hand and it feels like a piece of shit, then it probably is. That's my rule and has served me well. Sometimes I order something and end up not using it because I don't like how it looks or feels.

That's my $.02 anyway. Hopefully it gives some sort of insight.

 

[jesse12345]

I hate to be that "cheap" guy but I put my entire engine together with ebay parts (aside from headgasket,rods, and pistons of course). But I kept all of the parts from the same supplier and most were oem with a rebranded box. If it looked or felt cheap well they got tossed in the emergency bin. I've had very good luck otherwise.

 

[Dave_UK]

Digging up an old thread hoping for some new info...

I'm trying to renew a lot of the suspension components on my 2G.
* Lateral arms (MR296295 & MR296296)
* Drop links (MB892981.. Is this number for both sides?)
* Compression arms (MR296291 & MR296292)
* Rear arms (MR162571 & MR162572)

Using partsouq.com i get a lot of options for alternate brands, Febest seems to be the most common one and the cheapest (obviously Chinese) suggested on there, but any guidance on better fitting or longer lasting brands would be appreciated...