| If you own a BMW chances are you have scoured | | | | Manufacturer. |
| the internet searching for great deals on BMW parts | | | | - OEM BMW Parts: OEM stands for Original |
| and accessories. Who can blame you? BMW's are | | | | Equipment Manufacturer. It is essentially the same |
| infamous for their great handling, but with great handling | | | | product as a Genuine BMW Part, however the |
| comes the associated wear and tear of the | | | | manufacturer has sold the product in their own |
| suspension and steering parts (ie BMW control arms | | | | packaging instead of sending it directly to BMW to be |
| and thrust arms). When these parts begin to wear, its | | | | packaged under the BMW name. |
| not surprising when you get an outrageous quote from | | | | - OEA/ OES BMW Parts: Stands for either Original |
| a dealership for hundreds, if not several thousands of | | | | Equipment Aftermarket or Original equipment supplier. |
| dollars to replace these steering and suspension parts. | | | | A company may manufacture genuine parts for Audi, |
| I'm just using BMW control arms as an example, but its | | | | Volkswagen, Mercedes, or other car maker, but if they |
| across the board for any European cars such as | | | | have never manufactured a part for BMW, they will |
| Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, and Volkswagen. | | | | never be considered a genuine BMW part or OEM |
| You have now made a decision to do your own due | | | | BMW part. |
| diligence and attempt to source the parts outside of a | | | | - Aftermarket BMW Part: An aftermarket BMW part |
| dealership to save you a little bit of money. You will | | | | is manufactured by a company that has never been |
| quickly become overwhelmed by the amount of | | | | contracted by a major car maker to be their Original |
| company's brands and products to choose from and | | | | Equipment manufacturer. Although the company has |
| may be confused by the jargon used in the | | | | never been contracted by a major auto maker, the |
| aftermarket and OEM parts industry. Terms such as | | | | parts are made to fit and perform as well as the OEM |
| genuine, aftermarket, OEM, OES, and OEA. I will end all | | | | since they are generally produced with the same |
| of this confusion right here and right now. | | | | materials and machinery. |
| - Genuine BMW Parts: Genuine BMW parts come in | | | | Our purpose here is not to be deceitful. As you move |
| Genuine BMW packaging. Plain and simple. If its not in a | | | | down the chain, the instances of coming across a |
| Genuine BMW box, or has a BMW stamp on it, it is not | | | | BMW part that is inferior in quality will increase. Now |
| considered a Genuine BMW Part. Keep in mind BMW | | | | that you are an educated consumer you can use this |
| does not actually manufacture these parts, they are | | | | information along with checking the warranty policy |
| subcontracted to companies that manufacture the | | | | and credentials of the company to make the best |
| specific product. The company that manufactures the | | | | decision along the way. |
| particular part for BMW is called the Original Equipment | | | | |