Bearings - OEM or Aftermarket

[Craigh1983]

Hi all,

Booking car in to have the wheel bearings done this week. Asked the garage and they said they are not the original VW ones but are an aftermarket type and he said they are just as good.

Is this true or should I stick to OEM ones? VW quotes me around £140 for each bearing whereas the aftermarket ones are coming to around £90 each.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks :)

[rich83]

OEM

[Andy]

Done a few rear wheel bearing with no issues but if thier is in little in price go oem

[Craigh1983]

I wouldn't mind if there was like £50 difference but there's £100 difference plus fitting so almost £150 :-/

[Shoy1980]

http://www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/wheel-bearing-and-wheel-hub

There's more on eBay as well starting from about £40! There's a huge variation in prices #confused

[Craigh1983]

http://www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/wheel-bearing-and-wheel-hub

There's more on eBay as well starting from about £40! There's a huge variation in prices #confused

Yea just a bit confused now lol So out of the ones that come up on Eurocarparts, which make would you recommend the most? If you have heard of any that is?

[Shoy1980]

I think the top one is recommended by Euro Car Parts, it should say on there somewhere.

[Craigh1983]

Ok great.

I may give that a go :) Will call the garage to see if they will fit one that I buy.

[xjay1337]

I'd always stick with OEM bearings mate.

[Chris92]

I wouldn't be wasting money on OEM parts when it really isn't needed, go after market with a good brand like FAG or SKF etc. probably a good chance one of them make they for vag anyways. Same with all OEM parts really look at the oil filter from vw has Mann stamped on for more money when you can buy them on eurocarparts.

Fitted a lot of wheel bearing but never fitted one single OEM wheel bearing and never had one bit of trouble with aftermarket ones.

[doylebros]

I wouldn't be wasting money on OEM parts when it really isn't needed, go after market with a good brand like FAG or SKF etc. probably a good chance one of them make they for vag anyways. Same with all OEM parts really look at the oil filter from vw has Mann stamped on for more money when you can buy them on eurocarparts.

Fitted a lot of wheel bearing but never fitted one single OEM wheel bearing and never had one bit of trouble with aftermarket ones.

+1^ as the two named above would be my first choice unless  TPS are doing a deal!

[Craigh1983]

Thanks for your replies guys.

In the end I took the advice of going aftermarket. Went to Eurocarparts and got the SNR ones which are recommend by them. I also researched online and apparently SKF are the same quality as SNR (the 2 companies joined partnership - so I read) and got them for £80 each.

Took the car and bearings to a garage and they are going to fit them tomorrow for me :)

Let's hope this gets rid of the Terrible noise while I'm driving!

[dansmith180]

How much was the labour for this out of interest? Considering getting all 4 of mine done since its nearing 110k and I'm collecting parts for a 'freshen up'. Also is it something that's worth doing or are these technically a 'lifelong' part?

[Craigh1983]

How much was the labour for this out of interest? Considering getting all 4 of mine done since its nearing 110k and I'm collecting parts for a 'freshen up'. Also is it something that's worth doing or are these technically a 'lifelong' part?

It's costing £80 to fit one front and one rear. I have no idea if that's cheap or not?

But can't answer the second part of our question mate as not sure if these need replacing every so often as a matter of routine or not. Mines done 140000 though and now 2 are dead!

[Shoy1980]

Mine's done 58k and one, at least, is definitely on its way out.