That’s a genius and evil idea to be fair lmaoHalf price for the same part. Can never go wrong with that. Funny enough i remember from when i was working at a auto body place, their is also a brand called Oem.So you'd get OEM body parts just not from the OEM you expected.
New N54 All Aluminum Water Pump
- Thread starter KClemente
- Start date
There's genuine, OE, OEM, and then just aftermarket.
Examples as I keep it straight which could be just flat wrong:
Genuine = BMW M3 wishbone
OE = TRW M3 wishbone with logo ground off
OEM = Lemforder/meyle/febi etc unlicensed product replacement. The Meyle HD sway bar links which are well known to be complete trash are a good example here, as opposed to the febi links which are direct copy, or Lemforder which is who actually made the exact part for BMW. Confusing I think.
Aftermarket = Megan / Monroe /power flex etc.
I find getting the part from whoever made it for BMW generally results in a better part. Lem, corteco, and Febi are great. I'm not a fan of meyle and don't buy from them anymore. There are others which are even more obscure out there.
Examples as I keep it straight which could be just flat wrong:
Genuine = BMW M3 wishbone
OE = TRW M3 wishbone with logo ground off
OEM = Lemforder/meyle/febi etc unlicensed product replacement. The Meyle HD sway bar links which are well known to be complete trash are a good example here, as opposed to the febi links which are direct copy, or Lemforder which is who actually made the exact part for BMW. Confusing I think.
Aftermarket = Megan / Monroe /power flex etc.
I find getting the part from whoever made it for BMW generally results in a better part. Lem, corteco, and Febi are great. I'm not a fan of meyle and don't buy from them anymore. There are others which are even more obscure out there.
Makes sense I’ve bought regular bosch parts instead of the bmw taxed versions with no issues
We really need a separate thread on this lol/
Ok ...let me do it in your format:
Genuine / OE : same ... that has BMW stamped on it. From BMW.
OEM: has two meanings - 1) that the manufacturer makes some part for the brand. 2) the specific part is OEM (e.g., TRW made the M3 arms for BMW, so they are the same part, minus BMW logo)
Aftermarket: whatever
Meyle "HD" is a redesigned "upgraded" part. Typically the upgraded design is an improvement. Don't know what the story is on the sway bar end links you mentioned. BUT BUT BUT ... Meyle makes NOTHING for BMW ... so ... aftermarket.
Aftermarket does not mean it is not good. YMMV. Gotta know your parts supply SPECIFIC to application.
Yeah, I digress. FCP seems to designate between OE and Genuine.
Genuine vs. OE vs. Aftermarket - Knowing the Difference Can Save You Money
Is there really a difference between Genuine, OE, OEM, and Aftermarket parts? The short answer is YES! Since not all parts are created equally, how should you decide on what to buy? Let's break it down. Genuine Parts Simply stated, these are parts that were originally installed during production...
blog.fcpeuro.com
Yeah ... you are right, that is how they define it. Honestly I prefer the FCP definition because it disambiguates the OEM.
What I was providing was a description of how the terms are commonly used. If you go to eBay or a retail supplier (not FCP) ... OEM is the most misguiding ... could be the manufacture making the part specific for the brand .... or could be a manufacture that makes some random part for the brand.
Wish everyone adopted FCP definition. But my takeaway - as a buyer ... know OEM doesn't mean much as it is commonly used!
Any further observations by those who installed this aluminum water pump for the N54?
(My subframe is now off, pedestal and front diff removed, fan shroud removed, etc. while I do the dreaded oil pan gasket on my ‘08 335xi. My current (2nd) water pump replaced 27K miles / 7 years ago and considering replacing it although no problems).
(My subframe is now off, pedestal and front diff removed, fan shroud removed, etc. while I do the dreaded oil pan gasket on my ‘08 335xi. My current (2nd) water pump replaced 27K miles / 7 years ago and considering replacing it although no problems).
Pelican carries the aluminum Pierburg pump - 2 year / 24K mile warranty. Anybody install it yet?
BMW Water Pump Pierburg 11 51 9 455 978 11-51-9-455-978 11.51.9.455.978 11519455978 | Pelican Parts
Pierburg Water Pump Call (310)626-8765. May Qualify For FREE SHIPPING. Parts# 11 51 9 455 978 11-51-9-455-978 11.51.9.455.978 11519455978. xDrive, Z4, X6, X5, X4, X3, X1, Series, M, Gran, GT, Coupe, ActiveHybrid, 740i, 740Li, 7, 640i, 535xi, 535i, 5, 335xi, 335is, 335i, 135is, 135i, 1.
www.pelicanparts.com
I spoke with FCP today and mentioned this pump. Response was positive, and I was told it would be run up the ladder to the part's manager. We'll see...
You can definitely ask that the BMW Product Catalog Manager add items. I've had several added. They are pretty good about that. When I asked them to get on the ball with the Mercedes catalog ... well ... not so much lol ... so those parts come from elsewhere.
I also told FCP to tell their BMW guy about it. I ended up purchasing one from Pelican. It looks solid. I had the subframe removed for the oil pan gasket (335xi) and it was extremely straightforward to install with a new thermostat (from FCP 
) and the heat-shielded U-hose from ECS, which I also wrapped with the old heat shield from the old U-hose.
) and the heat-shielded U-hose from ECS, which I also wrapped with the old heat shield from the old U-hose. 
I just wish they went back to making the thermostat out of aluminum too. I bought an old aluminum one from an Ebay seller and will probably install it and this new water pump at the same time as my CSF radiator and VTT hoses. Should be pretty stout then, assuming the used thermostat even works lol.
Oh... it still needs to circulate. it needs to bypass the radiator until it warms up.
Looks like FCP will be adding the Pierburg pump when stock becomes available: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-water-pump-pierburg-11519455978
I found a few different brands available in the uk with alloy pump cover:
Came back to carpark to find a pool of water under it. You know what that means.... I've ordered the pierburg pump, cross fingers going forward.
Came back to carpark to find a pool of water under it. You know what that means.... I've ordered the pierburg pump, cross fingers going forward.
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