How bad are these eBay caps and rotors?

[jeffbebe]

So I need to replace my caps and rotors and the stealer here in NZ wants neatly US$350 for each side. I can, and will, purchase for a lot less online but I wondered if anyone had tried these cheapie (less than a tenth of the price!!) eBay ones? https://www.ebay.com/itm/332146043831

They're not exactly complicated. Is it possible an Asian manufacturer has ripped them off and done a good job or am I wasting my time?

[taylorpatterson]

I have used those from eBay without issue. As you said, they're not exactly complicated so it's worth a try to save so much cash.

[bluptgm3]

I see a Bremi variant for $75, also on eBay


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[XAlt]

I'd take the risk.

$55 vs $180+ and shipping

[8eights]

Arizona Autohaus, I got Bosch same parts for $175.00 Both sides.

[dragon850]

So I need to replace my caps and rotors and the stealer here in NZ wants neatly US$350 for each side. I can, and will, purchase for a lot less online but I wondered if anyone had tried these cheapie (less than a tenth of the price!!) eBay ones? https://www.ebay.com/itm/332146043831

They're not exactly complicated. Is it possible an Asian manufacturer has ripped them off and done a good job or am I wasting my time?

Do not buy, those are known to bind with each other!

[XAlt]

Do not buy, those are known to bind with each other!

Hammer it off?

[jeffbebe]

Arizona Autohaus, I got Bosch same parts for $175.00 Both sides.

Just looked. Even cheaper for Bremi but $100 to ship!! Crazy.

Do not buy, those are known to bind with each other!

Causing damage to the engine or just a PITA?

I have used those from eBay without issue. As you said, they're not exactly complicated so it's worth a try to save so much cash.

Thinking of doing so. Even independent parts stores want NZ$350 for just one cap here!!

[dragon850]

No engine damage just a no start situation, look for bremi on ebay with cheaper shipping.

Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

[shogun]

One of my wrenching buddies bought some from/made in China, maybe he was unlucky, but even the bolts in the distributors did not fit exactly into the thread holes, 1 rotor cracked while installing it.
I would buy Bremi or Bosch.
FCPEURO ships cheap to Asia/Oceania and they have Bremi on sale https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/85...90&m=20&page=1
Bremi distributor $39.69, Bremi rotor $ 21.99

[jeffbebe]

Shogun is right. Unfortunately, I didn't read his post until after I'd bought and paid for the cheapies. One rotor snapped on install and the distributors had a slight curve that meant they wouldn't sit flush to the engine. Fortunately, the vendor immediately offered a full refund and Shogun supplied a pair of brand new and very reasonably priced Bremi caps and rotors which arrived in New Zealand from Japan in 2 days! Now that's service. Oh, and the car works runs beautifully once more.

[yamoda]

One of my wrenching buddies bought some from/made in China, maybe he was unlucky, but even the bolts in the distributors did not fit exactly into the thread holes, 1 rotor cracked while installing it.
I would buy Bremi or Bosch.
FCPEURO ships cheap to Asia/Oceania and they have Bremi on sale https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/85...90&m=20&page=1
Bremi distributor $39.69, Bremi rotor $ 21.99

Similar thing happenned to me.

[dragon850]

Guys, do not buy Chinese caps and rotors, they do not align well and rotor rubs on the cap or worse.
I have helped several E31 owners troubleshoot the car where they have gone though virtually everything in the car to find out why it's not starting and then find that caps and rotors are defective!

[8eights]

Just looked. Even cheaper for Bremi but $100 to ship!! Crazy

No way, Cost me $15.00 for shipping including belts tentioners and plugs.

[dragon850]

No way, Cost me $15.00 for shipping including belts tentioners and plugs.

He is in New Zealand.

[8eights]

oopz, Thanks!

[jeffbebe]

Does anyone have any experience of Facet aftermarket parts? After a crankshaft sensor and the RRP in New Zealand is $350!! Around $100 on ECS but they want $75 shipping! An eBay seller I have used before for OE parts only has a Facet sensor listed. This seller has been great before but the price (about a third of the ECS cost inc shipping) seems low, so I'm concerned about the quality and obviously, this thread shows, that cutting corners doesn't usually pan out well.

[Brucha31]

I purchased 2 of the Airtex/Wells crank sensors which i believe are Facet so far they seem to be working. The only issue I had with them was the orientation of the plugs and the bolt holes they do not have the same angle as the OEM ones and it forces you to bend the wires quite a bit as to not hit the belts or other parts.

[shogun]

Autohausaz has the Facet now on sale for $35.19. http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/12141720307 $35.19 SALE$37.44 List: $94.58
No personal experience so far on my side with them, maybe o.k.
Important for you in NZ: they offer now Discounted International Shipping 55% discount off UPS published rates on international shipping.
and: All parts are covered by a 24-month warranty (24,000 miles) , unless otherwise specified. So you might give it a try.

and here we go, personal experience is o.k. https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...S-12141720307)

comment by another member in the E34 forum:
Sudden death like that is very often the crank pos. sensor. The bitch is they are frequently intermittent( & temp sensitive) and of course won't break up when you want them to. Your description of the "rev limiter" feeling sure sounds like it lost spark momentarily. You wouldn't think a fueling issue would feel that way. Me, I'd test fuel pressure to be sure and if the pump is healthy throw a crank sensor on it. Wouldn't waste $$ on a spare, they (good ones) last a very long time. I have had 50/50 success giving dead ones a smack that wakes them up at least long enough to get home. Not sure about access for said smacking with the V-8.
by ross1

[jeffbebe]

Thanks Erich. I purchased the Facet ones and will install next weekend. Bit worried by the cable length though. Looks fine for the top sensor but the cable looks a bit short to reach the lower one by the PS pump. Hopefully just an optical illusion but any insight would be helpful.

[BMSman]

I installed Facet crank position sensors in my car. They fit and work perfectly.

[ChrisFuture8]

I installed Facet crank position sensors in my car. They fit and work perfectly.

Yup, same here. Replaced both of them with the ones from Autohausaz about 8 years ago and still going strong. Well, I've only driven about 6 thousand miles total in the past 8 years....hehehe.