OE v's Aftermarket - Yet another thread!

[June]

Again the original point is about the misleading claims of parts being sold as OEM but really are parts made by the supposed company who made the original for Volvo. That really has nothing to do with weather the original Volvo part is still available, that is a separate issue and yes a worry.

Here on MVS I learned I was getting screwed on my oil changes paying for synthetic but really getting a group 3 oil instead. No wonder the black crud exists under my oil cap. I've been throwing my money away thinking I was buying something I was not. That's straight from my dealer oil changes with Castrol full synthetic. I'm suprised Volvo allows that to be quite frank. I had no idea companies changed oil from true synthetic to modified conventional like that. MVS has so much useful information and part is when the parts are not available then what will work.

BTW I am using Redline group 5 Ester based 100% synthetic oil in my T6 now. I sure wish I knew the oil information 14 years ago and had been using 100% synthetic all these years. I sure though I was! Again completely misusing a term "Synthetic" not much different from the online misuse of "OEM". June

[scot850]

I hear you on that too June. Oil at dealers whether Volvo or others is an education for the uninitiated. One repair shop (non-franchised) I stopped using when I found the oil they were selling me was recycled oil! The 'cleaned oil' was not really the issue, but the real issue was the fact they were not up front on what they were selling me for full price.

Yes, back to the OEM parts. You are 100% correct about the claim of 'OEM' supplier. Way too many folks selling parts with that claim. We as consumers must call the suppliers out on these.

Up here I have been calling Volvo on the parts pricing v's the US pricing from dealers. Many use aftermarket parts up here due to the cost of OE parts between the countries. We get the parts from the same warehouses as they US dealers but we can pay 100% or more higher pricing. It is not just Volvo. An example (when 1US$ = CDN$1 about 2 years ago) we had to buy a replacement key and fob for a 2011 Kia Optima. Key in Canada was (with programming and key cutting) $570. Key from US dealer with shipping and key cutting about $270 programmed at the dealer. Key from Korea, with key cutting and programming at the dealer $165!!

Shock absorbers for 2006 XC70 with 4-C suspension - $1100 each for a shock from Canadian dealers. Bought 2 front 4-C shocks, 2 front springs and spring seats (Volvo OE) from FCP with shipping to Canada. $1750!

This is part of the reason suppliers get away with using the OEM as it makes those of us who are getting hosed on parts for older Volvos look elsewhere thinking we are getting a bargain. It is the age of the vehicle v's the remaining lifespan and the affordability that makes the call.

In Europe there has been a drive by manufacturers to eliminate the aftermarket parts availability to owners. They used the 'safety' card as their excuse. The EU called them on it saying that that would give manufacturers a monopoly to charge what they liked so it is back on the back burner. In fairness to the 'classic' part suppliers and users the quality of some of the re-manufactured parts is down right dangerous.

So where am I going on this? Well I suppose the point is what you are making, if the part is to be called OEM it must be made by the OE manufacturer to Volvo and be made to the same design and quality. If the part is made by the same manufacturer used by the brand (i.e. Volvo) then to be claimed as OE quality, not using the term OEM which is technically meaningless.

Neil.

[mrbrian200]

Even many of the aftermarket parts are branded coming from different suppliers.

My experience in sorting the good from the bad aftermarket parts is to determine whether (or not) the part was manufactured by a company that at least supplies some competing OEM with functionally similar parts. For example AC Delco is a well known OEM supplier for GM, and may also make aftermarket parts for other makes, such as Volvo). These are the companies with the resources most likely to successfully and properly duplicate the OEM part in both fit and function. The times I've been burned was because I didn't follow my own rules. Usually due to some slick sounding product description from a smaller company. The 'big boys' know their stuff works right and in the interest of limiting potential litigation costs in the case of a defect getting though, don't make fanciful sounding claims through long winded product descriptions that read more like door to door/telemarketing sales pitch. They just say it works to the effect of 'matching OE quality and function'.

CV axles are a good example: Suppliers to domestic OEMs (DANA/Spicer and Detroit Axle) don't make axle shaft parts to fit our Volvos-- so the only good CV parts to be found for our cars come come in a Volvo blue box because their european supplier (GKN if I'm not mistaken) are next to impossible to find here in the states.

[mecheng]

Lets face it, car manufacturers want to sell new cars. While supplying parts is actually very profitable many people avoid the Volvo dealer when buying parts leaving Volvo out of the profit game. Considering, I've never had problems buying Volvo OEM parts they were always able to source odd bolts and ends that I can't buy anywhere else and for that I'm grateful. When I don't want to be replacing with inferior aftermarket (think coolant expansion tank) I buy from the Volvo dealer and he gives me 15% off. Its a way to keep it worthwhile for them. I've noticed too that many of the OEM components switch country of manufacture which is just the economy now. Think Bosch parts that were once made in Germany, many now come from Spain but the quality has been excellent.

[abscate]

I don't know if this still holds but the dealer profit percentages (not manufacturer) used to be

60% Service
35% used cars sales
5% new cars sales

[scot850]

The money is not in selling vehicles it is in repairing them! Just like owning a pet. Buying the animal is the cheapest part (mostly) in ownership. It is the 'maintenance' that is the big ticket item!

Neil.

[June]

The money is not in selling vehicles it is in repairing them! Just like owning a pet. Buying the animal is the cheapest part (mostly) in ownership. It is the 'maintenance' that is the big ticket item!

Neil.

I have to agree totally! Back in March of 2016 at 109K I made the decision to keep my 2004 S80 T6 at any cost. I took her in for the timing belt service and found out I had both outside cv boots were broken and the control arm bushings were beginning to crack so the repair was in the neighborhood of $5,000. From Christmas 2003 through March 2016 the car basically cost nothing to keep. I did all scheduled maitnance and 3K synthetic oil changes all at Volvo oh and wear items too. Not much money over the years.

Since March 2016 109K through today 146K I have spent over $20,000 on my car at Volvo. I list the tickets in the maitnance section here. I opted to replace the entire front suspension from rack-and-pinion to struts and every part in between. Radiator and all hoses a few months ago, and engine mounts. And usual stuff like the 120K service and a couple of transmission fluid exchanges since the factory fluid was still in the car until 117K and so many on here say my car has a bad transmission and not to believe Volvo about the forever fluid. My transmission is perfect still and if it dies it's only $4,000 and comes with a lifetime warranty at my dealer. My dealer has to have made way more money on services than the original sale.

I don't care what it cost to keep my S80 perfect as possible because Nothing made since drives as good in my opinion. I love the Volvo 2.9 engines and I have had 4 over the years 2 T6 in the thousands and 2 NA in the 1990s. I hate the drive e system and don't want a car without a key. I may order a V90 in 2020 in pure electric form. But "Baby" my S80 will be with me till the end. Now not many will go that far with a old car worth $3,000 in most eyes.

Engine, transmission, a/c, turbos, muffler system, body and interior including all accessories are still factory and have never given trouble. If it does than new Volvo parts will go on. June

[PS78]

CV axles are a good example: Suppliers to domestic OEMs (DANA/Spicer and Detroit Axle) don't make axle shaft parts to fit our Volvos-- so the only good CV parts to be found for our cars come come in a Volvo blue box because their european supplier (GKN if I'm not mistaken) are next to impossible to find here in the states.

Detroit axle does have axle shaft parts for the P80 line. Just throwing it out there.

https://www.detroitaxle.com/shop/cv-axl ... -warranty/

[scot850]

Thanks guys for the input on the aftermarket parts sources and possible ways to figure out good v's bad.

June, you are as nuts as I am with my V70R! Difference is you love your car and I love to hate mine!! If it wasn't rare, it would have been in PnP years ago when the rear sub-frame corroded and cracked.

Neil.

[abscate]

I think anyone who gets in the way of June on her mission will have a bunch of tire tracks over them....