MAF brands, reman, fakes, pricing discussion

gentlejax · Post by **gentlejax** » 14 Jul 2014, 09:13

I have read of some replacements using aftermarket mad cause they were much cheaper. Have located one under part # that was mentioned for $36

There are some on eBay for as low as $25.

Are these junk mafs? I mean $25 is cheap considering a Bosche labeled one is so much.

Post by **rspi** » 14 Jul 2014, 09:27

Really sounds like you already know the answer and are trying to talk yourself into buying something you will be replacing very soon.

If it doesn't say Bosch, why bother? If money is an issue, the salvage yard is always an option. I see them in there all the time, nearly new. I probably have one in my car right now. Heck, I even had a guy steal one from me this year.

Post by **rspi** » 14 Jul 2014, 09:29

Second thought, get them one at a time and use this thread to record the issues you have with them.

Please don't be shy, post the supplier so we all will know the problems we'll have with each purchase.

gentlejax · Post by **gentlejax** » 14 Jul 2014, 09:43

honestly I am sure I am not the only one who has crossed this road. I can look up the part #REPV316708 which was the recomended part off this site for cheap replacement for $31...its online from $38 to $80 for the same part. doesnt mean its worth $80 just cause its listed for $80.

I can also look up oem # 0280218108 and on ebay you get anywhere from $24-$200

maybe you make plenty of money to automatically buy Bosche for what reason I dont know but I dont so I look for ways to not just give away money based on "name" brand. thats foolish when I know many things are the same made the same and at same plant and then different part numbers and labels put on there .

just figured someone may have some experience to pass on.

if nobody does and I get one I will be sure to let you know.

oh and I am not to fond of pulling electronics off junked cars but then again my junkyards dont have all the volvos in them as your seems to .

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 14 Jul 2014, 11:38

I am on my third MAF in as many of weeks. I got the first two from O'reily's and the third from the site at the top of this page. The second one from O'reily's has Bosche on the tube part, but it doesn't say anything on the part. These parts were $127.00 from O'reily's and more from the other store. If the last one works, then the cost is still less than from Volvo ($284.00). The O'reily's have a lifetime warranty, but I hope to just get my money back and move on.
I would of liked to of gone OEM, as the first one lasted 316,000 miles, but not sure the 70 is going to last that long.
Order time, delivery time, down time, all play a factor on the cost of something like this. I did run my car over 500 miles with the MAF not connected.
Maybe no help on your post as to which to purchase, just something I am going through right now.
Good luck
Shane

gentlejax · Post by **gentlejax** » 14 Jul 2014, 11:42

hey thanks for the reply...thats food for thought. so two of the Oreilly ones were different?

Post by **abscate** » 14 Jul 2014, 11:44

You will find lots of posts on troubleshooting threads who have travelled this road. The cheap MAFS are not made at the same plant as the expensive ones.

Ebay guys will sell you a part in a Bosch box, the part wouldn't know a Bosch from a Bush.

Post by **E Showell** » 14 Jul 2014, 11:47

Bosch only on this part.

Post by **cn90** » 14 Jul 2014, 11:53

It is not the cost issue. It is the reliability of the part!!!

The issue is: the aftermarket is saturated with junky stuff. Spend $35 on junky stuff and the MAF will fail in a few days or weeks.

Spend money on Bosch and it lasts 100K miles.

gentlejax · Post by **gentlejax** » 14 Jul 2014, 12:36

im not saying you guys arent right as I have never bought a maf for this car. as for posts covering I havnt had enough time to find those but I did search and thats how I got here.

As for the "bosche" thing....why it may be very true for the MAF, other things like spark plugs are no different just because they have the name on it. my point is I dont automatically use the name brand part just because it has the name on it.

that is what I am trying to do here now and thats find out if the market is full of junk parts. prices on even the junk parts with the same junk part numbers can vary even if identical.