Should I buy OE starter?

Sam Vejvoda · 10-28-2022, 04:53 PM

I know OEM is the way to go. But the starters are like $380 on FCP EURO. The OE one is $160. Would you guys not recommend buying the OE? Or do you think it would be fine?

AndrewC1989 · 10-28-2022, 05:13 PM

OE is fine

LA1Z24 · 10-28-2022, 05:36 PM

There is a starter count reset that you 'should' do with either ISTA or other compatible scan tool after you replace the starter. I'm unsure what it's used for, but it MAY disable starting of the vehicle after X amounts of starts. It is for sure used with the stop/start calculations.

Wires · 10-28-2022, 05:45 PM

The OEM will most likely be more robust for A.S.S. A simple click of the button "fixes" that defect.

Sam Vejvoda · 10-28-2022, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wires

The OEM will most likely be more robust for A.S.S. A simple click of the button "fixes" that defect.

Is OE a safe choice when it comes to BMW though?

JoHnMuir · 10-28-2022, 06:37 PM

OE is BMW and OEM will be whoever supplies the part to BMW to put in their cars. They will be identical other than the removal of BMW trademarks. If not, then it most likely isn't OEM.

WDE82 · 10-28-2022, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoHnMuir

OE is BMW and OEM will be whoever supplies the part to BMW to put in their cars. They will be identical other than the removal of BMW trademarks. If not, then it most likely isn't OEM.

Correct! Glad someone else knows.

For the uninitiated:

OE = Original Equipment = essentially identical to what came on the car. These are "Genuine BMW" branded parts

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer = also essentially identical to what came on the car, but branded as the actual supplier (ZF, Mann, TRW, Mahle, Bosch, etc). This manufacturer makes the "Genuine BMW" part on literally the same equipment/process. The BMW logo is often ground off.

OE "Genuine BMW" is almost NEVER worth the premium. Always go OEM.

toxik · 10-29-2022, 07:55 AM

what exactly is the worry if you're buying from FCP, it's lifetime warranty anyways. They're not gonna sell you some crap that won't last, otherwise their business model wouldn't make sense. That's why you never see really cheap chinese alternatives on there, only OE quality stuff

AndrewC1989 · 10-29-2022, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoHnMuir

OE is BMW and OEM will be whoever supplies the part to BMW to put in their cars.

Whoops, had this backwards 😅

F32Fleet · 10-29-2022, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxik

what exactly is the worry if you're buying from FCP, it's lifetime warranty anyways. They're not gonna sell you some crap that won't last, otherwise their business model wouldn't make sense. That's why you never see really cheap chinese alternatives on there, only OE quality stuff

Well it's a store credit these days. FCP was getting wacked by supplier price increases.

toxik · 10-29-2022, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxik

what exactly is the worry if you're buying from FCP, it's lifetime warranty anyways. They're not gonna sell you some crap that won't last, otherwise their business model wouldn't make sense. That's why you never see really cheap chinese alternatives on there, only OE quality stuff

Well it's a store credit these days. FCP was getting wacked by supplier price increases.

ah looks like they just changed it this week, i just read the blog post of the new policy going to effect on 11/01

Solidjake · 10-30-2022, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Well it's a store credit these days. FCP was getting wacked by supplier price increases.

Wow really

Didn't know about this.

I might have to order my entire front suspension (struts with all parts on it) today/tomorrow to still get the refund. I don't want hundreds of dollars sitting in store credit which I don't know when I would use.

Iapse93 · 10-30-2022, 12:03 PM

OE is a good choice .

10-28-2022, 04:53 PM	#1
Sam Vejvoda Banned 3 Rep 56 Posts Drives: Bmw 228i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Should I buy OE starter? I know OEM is the way to go. But the starters are like $380 on FCP EURO. The OE one is $160. Would you guys not recommend buying the OE? Or do you think it would be fine?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-28-2022, 05:13 PM	#2
AndrewC1989 Brigadier General 10931 Rep 4,551 Posts Drives: 2015 328d xDrive Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 328d xDrive [8.90]	OE is fine __________________ My Build Thread
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-28-2022, 05:36 PM	#3
LA1Z24 Captain 358 Rep 770 Posts Drives: 2014 435i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	There is a starter count reset that you 'should' do with either ISTA or other compatible scan tool after you replace the starter. I'm unsure what it's used for, but it MAY disable starting of the vehicle after X amounts of starts. It is for sure used with the stop/start calculations.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-28-2022, 05:45 PM	#4
Wires Brigadier General 1646 Rep 4,877 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	The OEM will most likely be more robust for A.S.S. A simple click of the button "fixes" that defect.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-28-2022, 06:37 PM	#6
JoHnMuir Private First Class 70 Rep 131 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	OE is BMW and OEM will be whoever supplies the part to BMW to put in their cars. They will be identical other than the removal of BMW trademarks. If not, then it most likely isn't OEM.
	Appreciate 2 Wires1645.50 AndrewC198910931.00 Quote

10-29-2022, 07:55 AM	#8
toxik Lieutenant Colonel 2455 Rep 1,818 Posts Drives: 2017 340i xDrive 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (7)	what exactly is the worry if you're buying from FCP, it's lifetime warranty anyways. They're not gonna sell you some crap that won't last, otherwise their business model wouldn't make sense. That's why you never see really cheap chinese alternatives on there, only OE quality stuff __________________ 2017 340i 6MT xdrive Build Journal
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2022, 12:03 PM	#13
Iapse93 Banned 8 Rep 13 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	OE is a good choice .
	Appreciate 0 Quote