OEM vs Generic Filters

Barryng said:

I seem to stand alone with my opinion of mostly staying with the OEM branded product. It all boils down to sleeping better at night but there are a number of reasons why I feel more comfortable with the OEM branded part.

-Even if the aftermarket product comes from the same factory and looks identical to the OEM product, that does not mean it is made to the same spec, using the same production process, and with the same same testing/QC and QA program as the OEM part. The same factory might make it and put a different brand name on it but they may very well manufacture it using a different production run using a less expensive production process (e.g. less time for adhesives to set, subtle material changes, different coatings, less precision, less actual production sample testing, etc.). I think, in most cases, the OEMs (like Porsche) want a product less likely to fail or perform in a substandard manner because they care about the potential of expensive warranty claims if the part fails and the incremental cost for the higher grade product is an overall better approach with this consideration.
-Over the years (~50), I have experienced a few failures of aftermarket parts that were installed even though I insisted on all OEM parts whereas I remember very very few failures with OEM parts. I also have no way of comparing the performance of an aftermarket vs OEM part especially with filter medium.
-OEM parts are more expensive but most of the time the incremental cost difference is not sufficient to take a chance with an aftermarket product that may not be the same even though it might look the same.
-At least with respect to body parts, reputable quality body shops consistently have told me aftermarket parts frequently do not fit as well as the factory OEM parts.

I am anal about maintaining everything working well and reliably in my cars. Considering the ultra high cost of getting my brand new custom built Boxster in my driveway, the saving on a part not known for sure to be built and production tested to Porsche specs just does not sit well with me. I have taken this approach going back to a new 1974 Datsun 260Z (I did have a new 1971 Buick but that car was such a truly smelly turd I really did not care and even thought aftermarket parts, at worst, had to be better than anything GM/Buick etc. sold).

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