IPD or FCP Groton

[1997volvo850]

Sure. And you also have it in your signature. I think I've seen it there before.

I guess when I priced my PCV components out and compared the price to the complete dealer quote ($700)
it was so easy to submit my order while forgetting to add the discount code. Maybe you should have
a code where the discount goes to Matthew to support this site.

Just received a ~$1,000 quote for a new radiator and a ~$1,000 quote for a new
A/C compressor. I'm pretty sure I can do the radiator with the info on this site, though
I believe the folks here could produce a better tutorial than the one I found on-line or
the info in Hayes.

Seen much less info on replacing the A/C compressor so I may defer on that. Some sites
indicate to leave A/C issue to the pros. I'll have to nudge someone here to do a better
tutorial on A/C compressor replacement.

[matthew1]

FCP supports this site with their ad at the top of the page. I hope they see all the purchases that come from here (the code, in other words), but I know from doing this type of work (tracking sales) as an employee at ecommerce/media companies that you never get 100% accurate tracking.

Anyway, FCP's support and the support of the other sponsors allows me to putter around here most days, like a retiree plodding about his yard, hammering, sawing and weeding .

[cn90]

I have used both IPD and FCP, both good companies.

But here is the catch, it does not matter what company you deal with (autohausaz.com, IPD, FCP etc. etc.), research on the mfg of a particular part before you buy it.

For ex.:
1. Volvo Control Arms are made by Lemforder plus a whole bunch of other makers (Hamburg-Technic which is junk).
So if you want quality, go for Volvo OEM or Lemforder.
If you are so tight of budget and want junk, install Hamburg-Technic, but you will "pay" for it later.

2. Radiator OEM is Valeo. In this case, the alternatives are as good:
- Nissens
- Behr

3. Struts and Shocks:
- OEM is Sachs
- But many people are happier with Bilstein TC etc.

So the bottom line is that: it is not the vendor, it is the mfg of a particular part that counts.

[rommel0915]

Definitely OEM for me. Just ordered them from Breton's Speed Shop in Scottsale and ready within an hour. Priced a little higher than online stores but way lower than dealer price plus don't have to wait a few days. Great customer service as well! I would recommend it to everyone.
http://bretonsspeedshop.com/Default.aspx

[1997volvo850]

The point I see hammered away again and again in posts at this site is that OEM tends
to last longer than a cheap after market part. Some of you experts probably know more about
which brands perform like the OEM brand. In some cases I understand they are identical.

I've seen water pumps for my 850 priced at $40. The OEM is $109. My guess is there's
a quality difference. Personally, I'm going OEM, unless someone convinces me the $40
pump is the same quality. At least with OEM I know the parts will fit properly. I've heard
of cases where the fit wasn't quite OEM. I can't afford this as a born-again mechanic.

If I love working on my car and would like to redo a job more often I go with
the cheap product. The advantage of frequent service is that the various bolts in
my car won't get a chance to seize.

At this point I'm sticking with OEM. It would be great if the experts shared their views
on certain brands in an organized way. A list of the brands that should be avoided would
be a good start.

[jblackburn]

The point I see hammered away again and again in posts at this site is that OEM tends
to last longer than a cheap after market part. Some of you experts probably know more about
which brands perform like the OEM brand. In some cases I understand they are identical.

Yes and no. IPD's performance parts are very good, and in most respects better than OEM quality. That's really the only aftermarket ones I'd use on my car - for spring seats, suspension components, exhaust, etc. I have a turbo control valve I put in about 2 weeks ago, and it's fantastic - my old one was starting to act up.

For the water pump, the ones with plastic impellers (Aisin makes the OEM one, and they use them now too) are ones I would stay away from. I think it's Hepu makes the ones with metal impellers still, but hopefully someone else can confirm that.

[1997volvo850]

It's funny because I was looking at buying the Volvo OEM timing belt / water pump kit at
FCP Groton ( I thought it was there ) and now I don't see on the site.

Looks like IPD had the OEM timing belt kit.

The water pump in the after market kit ($329) at FCP Groton looks like it has metal blades
on the water pump.

Recommendations for timing belt and water pump are welcome. I'd like to stick with OEM for
timing belt.

I guess OEM may not be possible in all circumstances.

[ChiNorm]

As another has said, you can't beat IPD for upgrades from the OEM parts. For things like sway bar links, motor mounts, strut mounts, the IPD stuff is much better. In potholed Chicago, the OEM sway bar links last 6-12 months, the IPD version are now 5 years old and still excellent. If IPD has an upgrade, that's usually what I buy.

[jreed]

I have used IPD and FCP for Volvo parts for more than 5 years and I agree they are both good. Recently I heard a recommendation for Don Snyder, the parts man at Darryl Waltrip Volvo in Franklin, TN. I gave him a call and he gave me his email address and said to mail the list of parts to him. The prices he came back with were excellent... 20% less than the prices for aftermarket parts from the other suppliers, and he carries Genuine Volvo OEM parts. If you haven't tried Don Snyder, you might be missing out on a good deal. Note: the first time I tried to order parts from him, I just put all the information on the Parts Order page on the DW Volvo website. I never heard back from them! Finally, I picked up the phone, spoke with Don and got his 'secret' direct email address.

[jblackburn]

Unfortunately, as of today, DW is no longer shipping to customers outside of TN.