'Genuine Audi' parts

[Lotobear]

Just changed the front drop links on my Audi A6 Allroad. I looked at Audi parts which are aluminium bodied and ended up buying German made Febi (Bilstein) plastic versions which were less than half the price of the Audi ones.

Imagine my surprise on removing the old ones and seeing the Audi rings stamped on them with 'CHINA' alongside

[FMOB]

In truth there is nothing wrong with the quality of Chinese parts.

We just don't want to pay to have decent quality stuff made in China, the race to the bottom on price sets the quality we get, the Chinese are just happy to make it for us.

Question: will the new parts last as long as the old ones, only time will tell.

[Dr G]

Lotobear said:

Imagine my surprise on removing the old ones and seeing the Audi rings stamped on them with 'CHINA' alongside

Volkswagen makes and sells 3+ million cars a year in China.

They have ~120 factories in countries all around the world.

I assure you that your car is already very multi-national in its componentry.

[Lotobear]

FMOB said:

In truth there is nothing wrong with the quality of Chinese parts.

We just don't want to pay to have decent quality stuff made in China, the race to the bottom on price sets the quality we get, the Chinese are just happy to make it for us.

Question: will the new parts last as long as the old ones, only time will tell.

The quality on the Febi Bilstein part (made in Germany) looks better but as you say time will tell. But for half the price of the Chinese part I will take it!

...and any purchasing decision I can make, no matter how small, that avoids using China (Putin's buddy) I will happily oblige

[loskie]

Just like many premium models Q5 and Golf Alltrack to name two are made in Mexico.

[Belle427]

I buy quite a lot of febi stuff and it's been ok for me so far.
Seems to be one of the better brands.

[ninjag]

FMOB said:

In truth there is nothing wrong with the quality of Chinese parts.

We just don't want to pay to have decent quality stuff made in China, the race to the bottom on price sets the quality we get, the Chinese are just happy to make it for us.

Question: will the new parts last as long as the old ones, only time will tell.

I'll echo this. Whilst I understand why it is often assumed that "Made in China" means poorer quality, as said above it's most probably the case that we want cheap then they are happy to oblige, but they are also capable to produce high quality gear. A great example is Street Guardian dash cams. Made in China, not particularly cheap and fantastic quality with excellent reliability.

Regarding suspension, my front lower bush was making a knocking sound at 60k miles, so I decided to replace the whole front suspension with Meyle HD. I'm now on 90k miles and it's held up great, even with the horrific roads. I've no idea where it's made, possibly Turkey?

[Belle427]

ninjag said:

FMOB said:

In truth there is nothing wrong with the quality of Chinese parts.

We just don't want to pay to have decent quality stuff made in China, the race to the bottom on price sets the quality we get, the Chinese are just happy to make it for us.

Question: will the new parts last as long as the old ones, only time will tell.

I'll echo this. Whilst I understand why it is often assumed that "Made in China" means poorer quality, as said above it's most probably the case that we want cheap then they are happy to oblige, but they are also capable to produce high quality gear. A great example is Street Guardian dash cams. Made in China, not particularly cheap and fantastic quality with excellent reliability.

Regarding suspension, my front lower bush was making a knocking sound at 60k miles, so I decided to replace the whole front suspension with Meyle HD. I'm now on 90k miles and it's held up great, even with the horrific roads. I've no idea where it's made, possibly Turkey?

Ive used Meyle HD too for bottom arms and drop links, thought it was German made but may be wrong. Quite possibly a marketing thing adding the HD but it worked on me.
Looked like a quality product though.

[ninjag]

Belle427 said:

ninjag said:

FMOB said:

In truth there is nothing wrong with the quality of Chinese parts.

We just don't want to pay to have decent quality stuff made in China, the race to the bottom on price sets the quality we get, the Chinese are just happy to make it for us.

Question: will the new parts last as long as the old ones, only time will tell.

I'll echo this. Whilst I understand why it is often assumed that "Made in China" means poorer quality, as said above it's most probably the case that we want cheap then they are happy to oblige, but they are also capable to produce high quality gear. A great example is Street Guardian dash cams. Made in China, not particularly cheap and fantastic quality with excellent reliability.

Regarding suspension, my front lower bush was making a knocking sound at 60k miles, so I decided to replace the whole front suspension with Meyle HD. I'm now on 90k miles and it's held up great, even with the horrific roads. I've no idea where it's made, possibly Turkey?

Ive used Meyle HD too for bottom arms and drop links, thought it was German made but may be wrong. Quite possibly a marketing thing adding the HD but it worked on me.
Looked like a quality product though.

I think they are inspected in Germany after being made in Turkey and other locations. I found this which give a bit more info:

https://www.meyle.com/en/the-meyle-brand/productio...

[shtu]

The Meyle HD stuff is genuinely improved over the standard parts, though even their standard line is absolutely fine.

I've also been buying a lot of Febi stuff recently, at least partly because all their stuff has a 3-year warranty.