OE vs TRW

hxman · 01-10-2014, 08:18 PM

What is the difference between OE and TRW? I assume TRW are not manufactured by BWM and the OE parts are????

dknl · 01-10-2014, 08:28 PM

This is what i always assumed...but not sure its correct:

OE parts are also outsourced but have the BMW logo on it and meet specs with very little tolerance for variances in the spec.
OEM are parts manufactured to BMW specs but do not have the logo and have higher tolerances for variances in the spec.

Wasn't there a thread where it was found that TRW M3 front arms were in fact OE M3 part with the BMW logos scratched off?

BavarianN54 · 01-10-2014, 11:12 PM

Get comfortable, read through this and then pick a side.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...t=Control+arms

xShadows · 01-11-2014, 06:29 AM

TRW and Bosch make most of the BMW parts. So as long as most of the stuff you buy are from those 2 companies you will be fine and save some money.

Tab135 · 01-11-2014, 07:31 AM

Look on esc tuning they share the same part numbers!

hxman · 01-12-2014, 02:06 PM

Thanks for the replies...

flinchy · 01-13-2014, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dknl

This is what i always assumed...but not sure its correct:

OE parts are also outsourced but have the BMW logo on it and meet specs with very little tolerance for variances in the spec.
OEM are parts manufactured to BMW specs but do not have the logo and have higher tolerances for variances in the spec.

Wasn't there a thread where it was found that TRW M3 front arms were in fact OE M3 part with the BMW logos scratched off?

Pretty much but there's no proof the trw items don't meet spec

In fact it would be bad business to sell out of spec items for a large OEM such as TRW.. Imagine if it broke and injured someone? as discussed in that thread.

Tons of people running them and happy inc myself

BavarianN54 · 01-13-2014, 07:57 AM

I just ordered the TRW front suspension parts for my car. I don't think I've ever heard of a failure of these parts or a complaint after the fact that they weren't up to snuff and there are tons of BMWs running around with them. I'm confident that they will perform just as well as the OE factory ones.

631twentyeighteye · 01-13-2014, 10:13 AM

I've been running TRW m3 front lower control arms for months now with zero problems. They're the same as OE with the ///M grounded off.

Tab135 · 01-13-2014, 10:28 AM

Trw make these for BMW!

Zombie1 · 01-13-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

I've been running TRW m3 front lower control arms for months now with zero problems. They're the same as OE with the ///M grounded off.

They are identical, the logo is just grinded off. I'm happy with mine! Save some money!

TheSt|G · 01-13-2014, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xShadows

TRW and Bosch make most of the BMW parts. So as long as most of the stuff you buy are from those 2 companies you will be fine and save some money.

And yet there are tons of cases where just the opposite is the case. Heck, even on this forum you can see the difference in the spark plug thread in the maintenance section.

Those of us who have been in the BMW game long enough know there is a difference, and opt for OE only. I've mentioned it elsewhere, but on a meta scale the top tier indy BMW shop near me refuses to install customer OEM parts at this point as they got tired of dealer with customer complaints down the road.

BavarianN54 · 01-13-2014, 03:03 PM

We're not talking about spark plugs here. No one cares about your local indie shop and their business practices.
I just returned an hour ago from my local BMW dealer to get an idea what they would charge, I told them TRW front arms and they told me no problem and gave me a price for install and alignment.
Can you point out instances of these parts failing? Online of course, not someone you or your relative heard of in your circle of people.
There are likely hundreds of TRW suspension parts(specifically the parts were talking about here) adorning cars all over the world and the number of potential issues are probably equal to the OE failure rate. Give us some hard data, we'll be glad to listen.

Dackelone · 01-13-2014, 03:54 PM

The differences in parts from OE to OEM(aftermarket) is more than just the wrapper(box) they come in. We have been all over this topic before. The OP can do his own research and decide for himself.

One thing that no has mentioned in past threads is that with these TRW parts grinding off the "///M" logos... perhaps that could lead to stress cracks ? I think is could be possible. That point aside... there IS a reason why "part A" is cheaper than "part B" - besides the box and distribution channels it comes thru.

arcticcat522 · 01-13-2014, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The differences in parts from OE to OEM(aftermarket) is more than just the wrapper(box) they come in. We have been all over this topic before. The OP can do his own research and decide for himself.

One thing that no has mentioned in past threads is that with these TRW parts grinding off the "///M" logos... perhaps that could lead to stress cracks ? I think is could be possible. That point aside... there IS a reason why "part A" is cheaper than "part B" - besides the box and distribution channels it comes thru.

one has a M logo, the other doesn't....bmw gets paid something from the one, not so for the other....save the extra cash and buy TRW

Dackelone · 01-13-2014, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticcat522

one has a M logo, the other doesn't....bmw gets paid something from the one, not so for the other....save the extra cash and buy TRW

Sure, thats ONE possibility. There are also "other" reasons involved too, for a price difference.

Freon · 01-13-2014, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

there IS a reason why "part A" is cheaper than "part B" - besides the box and distribution channels it comes thru.

Ok, I'll bite. What are these differences, and where is your proof? You are putting extra emphasis on "IS" so it seems you have quite the conviction about it. So spill the beans already!

Whatever the claim it should be testable.

Dackelone · 01-14-2014, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freon

Ok, I'll bite. What are these differences, and where is your proof? You are putting extra emphasis on "IS" so it seems you have quite the conviction about it. So spill the beans already!

Whatever the claim it should be testable.

READ all about how I and other feel about this topic here... (its been hashed to death!)

PLEASE continue this discussion here...

M3 front control arms (Upper and lower) - A couple of $hundred less than everywhere
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...736789&page=12

01-10-2014, 08:18 PM	#1
hxman Private First Class 18 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	OE vs TRW What is the difference between OE and TRW? I assume TRW are not manufactured by BWM and the OE parts are????
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01-10-2014, 08:28 PM	#2
dknl Private First Class 1 Rep 101 Posts Drives: none Join Date: May 2012 Location: here iTrader: (0)	This is what i always assumed...but not sure its correct: OE parts are also outsourced but have the BMW logo on it and meet specs with very little tolerance for variances in the spec. OEM are parts manufactured to BMW specs but do not have the logo and have higher tolerances for variances in the spec. Wasn't there a thread where it was found that TRW M3 front arms were in fact OE M3 part with the BMW logos scratched off?
	Appreciate 0

01-10-2014, 11:12 PM	#3
BavarianN54 Banned 6 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Get comfortable, read through this and then pick a side. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...t=Control+arms
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01-11-2014, 06:29 AM	#4
xShadows Lieutenant 137 Rep 455 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW M4 Comp xDrive Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Sanford, NC iTrader: (2)	TRW and Bosch make most of the BMW parts. So as long as most of the stuff you buy are from those 2 companies you will be fine and save some money. __________________ 2022 M4 Comp xDrive in Wildberry Metallic
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01-11-2014, 07:31 AM	#5
Tab135 Banned 18 Rep 268 Posts Drives: My10 BMW 135 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Look on esc tuning they share the same part numbers!
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01-12-2014, 02:06 PM	#6
hxman Private First Class 18 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies...
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01-13-2014, 07:57 AM	#8
BavarianN54 Banned 6 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I just ordered the TRW front suspension parts for my car. I don't think I've ever heard of a failure of these parts or a complaint after the fact that they weren't up to snuff and there are tons of BMWs running around with them. I'm confident that they will perform just as well as the OE factory ones.
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01-13-2014, 10:13 AM	#9
631twentyeighteye Colonel 198 Rep 2,239 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Long island iTrader: (7)	I've been running TRW m3 front lower control arms for months now with zero problems. They're the same as OE with the ///M grounded off. __________________ 08 e93 335i MT
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01-13-2014, 10:28 AM	#10
Tab135 Banned 18 Rep 268 Posts Drives: My10 BMW 135 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Trw make these for BMW!
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01-13-2014, 03:03 PM	#13
BavarianN54 Banned 6 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	We're not talking about spark plugs here. No one cares about your local indie shop and their business practices. I just returned an hour ago from my local BMW dealer to get an idea what they would charge, I told them TRW front arms and they told me no problem and gave me a price for install and alignment. Can you point out instances of these parts failing? Online of course, not someone you or your relative heard of in your circle of people. There are likely hundreds of TRW suspension parts(specifically the parts were talking about here) adorning cars all over the world and the number of potential issues are probably equal to the OE failure rate. Give us some hard data, we'll be glad to listen.
	Appreciate 0

01-13-2014, 03:54 PM	#14
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	The differences in parts from OE to OEM(aftermarket) is more than just the wrapper(box) they come in. We have been all over this topic before. The OP can do his own research and decide for himself. One thing that no has mentioned in past threads is that with these TRW parts grinding off the "///M" logos... perhaps that could lead to stress cracks ? I think is could be possible. That point aside... there IS a reason why "part A" is cheaper than "part B" - besides the box and distribution channels it comes thru. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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