In 40 years of DIY car repair I've developed my own opinions on when to go OEM, when to use known after market brands and when to go used. Curious what other forum members use as their guidance... For example, I'd offer:

OEM - control arms/ end links / various rubber suspension parts, water pump, oil filters and any hard to find components
Trusted brand name aftermarket parts - tune up items (ie Bougicord wires, Bosch O2 sensors, Bosch or Champion copper core plugs, Mann oil filters, Nissens radiators/heater cores, exhaust and CAT systems etc
Rebuilt - alternators, turbos, AC compressors, ETMs, ABS computers, ECMs
Used - fenders, tested cylinder heads/blocks or transmissions, body parts and trim

Also for discussion - electrical and sensor components, fuel pumps, MAFs etc. Background: I was shopping for a new ignition coil for my '00 S40 and found 5 different brands ranging from $30 to $60 (OEM) including some I've never heard of so I figured my fellow DIYers have the same interest in hearing/sharing on their experiences with various brands.

Cheers,

MT

 

Same as you pretty much.
For ignition coils and sensors I will go aftermarket from a local vendor. Makes returns easy if need be. Some sensors are notoriously picky, so OEM for those.

Martin

 

Pretty much the same here. I learned the hard way to avoid the cheapo places like AutoZone, Advance Auto, etc., when at all possible. I use IPD, Rock Auto (trusted names), and a local foreign parts specialty shop that I trust to be mid grade or better. Of course the higher the miles the more I cheat if the only trade off I see is longevity.