Was I ripped off? OEM vs. aftermarket parts

[SSO25]

I recently had my AC condenser replaced, and I specifically asked if the price they quoted was for OEM parts. They said yes, but the AC condenser they gave me does not look like the original that it replaced. Can anyone confirm whether this is an OEM part or an aftermarket part? (Are there some distinctive markings I should be looking for?) I paid $485 for it, so it had better be OEM.

[MikTip]

Thats how shops make cash! They charge you OEM prices for nonOEM parts! Hello!

[tHatOne guY]

Is that for 485$ for the part and install or for the condenser only?? I can tell you that it should not be black if it is the OEM piece it should be the natural aluminum finish.

[SSO25]

$485 was for the part only, although I know the OEM part can be found cheaper on ECS and elsewhere.

Thanks for the info about the natural aluminum finish on the OEM part. Perhaps it is correct then.

[tHatOne guY]

Whoa.

[seanf86]

Is that for 485$ for the part and install or for the condenser only?? I can tell you that it should not be black if it is the OEM piece it should be the natural aluminum finish.

Both my b6s have black condensers and judging by how beat they are I'd say that they are the original part on the car. Pretty sure black is genuine Audi.

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

[tHatOne guY]

I'd check with your local dealer. Could be dependent on your region. I'm in the SW US and I have purchased one Genuine Audi condenser which was silver and even an OEM Behr it too was silver. the only ones I've seen black are aftermarket only.

[FromS60toB61.8t]

My oem one on the car is black as well. OEM never replaced.

[hightime80]

My condenser is black too. But it said "made in china" on the sticker😝

[KHARDa4]

Mine is aluminum finish and the car originated from Indiana.

[SSO25]

Seems like there's a lot of variance. Unless someone knows that all OEM versions are either black or aluminum or stamped with four rings or some other distinctive OEM marking, then I can't really know for sure that mine isn't one of several versions of a genuine OEM part. Thanks for all your responses.

[tHatOne guY]

You're certainly right, either way 485$ condenser only... I would return it and save myself a couple hundred by using an OEM from a reputable site.