Pierburg replacement parts

[danbfree]

So it looks like Pierburg is an actual OEM supplier and they are made in China? I'm the last person in the world who cares where the part is made as long as it's quality piece at a great price, I'm just curious as I'm seeing "genuine Pierburg" parts, lie a Rev D diverter valve with lifetime warranty for only $23... Insight anyone?

[billyhoyle]

Is this vacuum pump related (I just saw your other thread)? I was wondering the same thing a few weeks ago (about a Pierburg vacuum pump), and the brief bit of research I did told me that Pierburg is a reputable OEM supplier, but I didn't come across the fact that their manufacturing is in China. Interested in feedback here as well.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

$23.00 for a Rev. D Pierburg valve is roughly half the price that we buy it for directly from Pierburg... in bulk...

[Charles.waite]

Most of our parts are made in China, OEM or not.

That being said, Pierburg does manufacture many OEM parts formerly produced by Bosch. As Hugh said though, sometimes the price is too good to be true, unless they're on clearance sale...

[danbfree]

$23.00 for a Rev. D Pierburg valve is roughly half the price that we buy it for directly from Pierburg... in bulk...

Thanks Hugh, this one I'm looking at on eBay for $22.59 w/lifetime warranty, clearly is stamped and in description says "Pierburg for VW/Audi." I'm thinking it HAS to be a knock-off...

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Thanks Hugh, this one I'm looking at on eBay for $22.59 w/lifetime warranty, clearly is stamped and in description says "Pierburg for VW/Audi." I'm thinking it HAS to be a knock-off...

eBay charges a fee to sell... that means that they're most likely buying it at $15.00 to make any sort of profit, and that's a ridiculously minimal profit. Add in the "lifetime" warranty and I'll bet it's a knockoff.

[miA4]

post a link of the ebay auction

[danbfree]

Is this vacuum pump related (I just saw your other thread)? I was wondering the same thing a few weeks ago (about a Pierburg vacuum pump), and the brief bit of research I did told me that Pierburg is a reputable OEM supplier, but I didn't come across the fact that their manufacturing is in China. Interested in feedback here as well.

Ya, Europa Parts has the best deal on the vacuum pump new from Pierburg for $150 and DV for $50 without any risk of it being a knockoff... I was just shocked to see a Pierburg DV for under $23 with lifetime warranty on eBay but it HAS to be a knockoff at that price... I'm just trying to get my B7 fixed up with decent parts as I plan on selling to upgrade to a B8 in a year anyway.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

[Charles.waite]

Probably some bootleg knockoff from Alibaba.

[miA4]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pierburg-Pet...tXzjxJ&vxp=mtr

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pierburg-Pet...tXzjxJ&vxp=mtr

[Charles.waite]

Air Infection Diverter Valve???

[danbfree]

post a link of the ebay auction

Didn't know if I was allowed to: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbo-Turboc...-/252402774598

There are ones even cheaper, under $20, but this one claims to be Pierburg and have lifetime warranty.

[danbfree]

Probably some bootleg knockoff from Alibaba.

Has to be... But pretty bold claim to be Pierburg w/lifetime warranty and good seller reviews... but that doesn't mean the part doesn't break after a few months, well after feedback is left either.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Didn't know if I was allowed to: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbo-Turboc...-/252402774598

There are ones even cheaper, under $20, but this one claims to be Pierburg and have lifetime warranty.

They come in a factory sealed blue Pierburg Box... the font is also off.

China has different laws when it comes to trademarks. Same with Russia, you can walk into a Gucci store in the most affluent area of Moscow and purchase a knock off bag.

[miA4]

The air infection diverter valve made me laugh.

[danbfree]

eBay charges a fee to sell... that means that they're most likely buying it at $15.00 to make any sort of profit, and that's a ridiculously minimal profit. Add in the "lifetime" warranty and I'll bet it's a knockoff.

Thanks for the input, and yours for $50 for a genuine one is pretty much the best deal that can be found... I just hope the $150 timing belt kit I got off eBay is good! http://www.ebay.com/itm/361324330933

[miA4]

Next post by OP.... Installed new DV but still have a check engine light.

[danbfree]

Next post by OP.... Installed new DV but still have a check engine light.

But hey, lifetime warranty, right? :)

It would probably last a few months, just long enough to leave good feedback and not bother with the warranty when another new knockoff is cheaper than the 2 way shipping they want for "lifetime warranty" replacement.

[danbfree]

They come in a factory sealed blue Pierburg Box... the font is also off.

China has different laws when it comes to trademarks. Same with Russia, you can walk into a Gucci store in the most affluent area of Moscow and purchase a knock off bag.

Exactly, I just wasn't sure what to expect with so many legitimate parts being made there either that maybe they just use eBay to clear out excess inventory or something.

[Charles.waite]

Thanks for the input, and yours for $50 for a genuine one is pretty much the best deal that can be found... I just hope the $150 timing belt kit I got off eBay is good! http://www.ebay.com/itm/361324330933

Thats a joke right?????

[Charles.waite]

Exactly, I just wasn't sure what to expect with so many legitimate parts being made there either that maybe they just use eBay to clear out excess inventory or something.

Sometimes that's the case. But when its shipped directly from China you can bet your ass its not legit.

I've ordered some components straight from China. A tiny coax crimper and Fakra connectors for replacing the GPS plug that was damaged on my RNS-E. Some other odds and ends. Cheap chinese stuff has its purpose, but usually I steer clear of anything thats a more complex electronic component that relies on decently tight tolerances to operate.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Thanks for the input, and yours for $50 for a genuine one is pretty much the best deal that can be found... I just hope the $150 timing belt kit I got off eBay is good! http://www.ebay.com/itm/361324330933

There's a reason why some kits cost $150.00 and some cost double that price. It's not that the one vendor is trying to make double the profit.

For instance, a honda civic will cost a lot less than an audi a4... even though both are cars.

[Chris@EPL]

The brand is listed as generic and it says Pierburg no where on the ad, but just has the fake pierburg logo on the DV.

[danbfree]

Thats a joke right?????

Why would I joke about that? I know we are owners of a "luxury brand" but that doesn't mean we need to get screwed by high part prices either... $150 for a timing kit with name brand components isn't much cheaper than the same thing that's $200 from our "preferred" vendors.

[danbfree]

The brand is listed as generic and it says Pierburg no where on the ad, but just has the fake pierburg logo on the DV.

Further down in the description it says "Pierburg for VW/Audi." but probably still a knockoff ...

[Charles.waite]

Why would I joke about that? I know we are owners of a "luxury brand" but that doesn't mean we need to get screwed by high part prices either... $150 for a timing kit with name brand components isn't much cheaper than the same thing that's $200 from our "preferred" vendors.

When it comes to components that, if they fail, will destroy your engine, I don't chance it on eBay parts. I buy guaranteed legit parts from Europa (or another dependable place) and chalk the difference up to "insurance"

I'm not trusting a cut rate priced timing belt kit. Not with the massive proliferation of knockoff parts out there these days. I mean, sure, maybe that kit is totally legit. But you're really willing to gamble a $5000 engine (or $2000 used) over $100 or less on a timing belt kit? Yeesh...

And for the record I don't consider $250 for a Europa timing kit "getting screwed" or "high part prices". You want high prices, price out Genuine Audi kits. Caveat Emptor.

[Chris@EPL]

I have done 3 timing belt kits on my B7 and always gotten them from Blau parts for not that much more than that kit and it came with a lot more items. I also have had a real Pierburg DV for about 150-200k miles.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Why would I joke about that? I know we are owners of a "luxury brand" but that doesn't mean we need to get screwed by high part prices either... $150 for a timing kit with name brand components isn't much cheaper than the same thing that's $200 from our "preferred" vendors.

They're description is a bit hard to understand but it looks like out kit configured with those parts comes out to $211.30. Again, we purchase our parts from each respective manufacturer direct and our cost is above the $150.00 they are charging. I can bet everything I own that they do not get better prices than we do.

[danbfree]

There's a reason why some kits cost $150.00 and some cost double that price. It's not that the one vendor is trying to make double the profit.

For instance, a honda civic will cost a lot less than an audi a4... even though both are cars.

There's also overhead and not maintaining a website and/or storefront counts towards price too. But $150 for a basic kit from Hepu with just the belt, water pump and rollers/tensioners is not like outrageously cheap or out of line or am I missing something?

Edit: Nevermind, you answered right before I posted.

[danbfree]

They're description is a bit hard to understand but it looks like out kit configured with those parts comes out to $211.30. Again, we purchase our parts from each respective manufacturer direct and our cost is above the $150.00 they are charging. I can bet everything I own that they do not get better prices than we do.

Ya, this one seems to be entirely by Hepu, made in Germany... I've never seen that full combo set before anywhere and I'll send it back in a heartbeat if doesn't look legit.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

I'd also replace the thermostat while you're in there...

[Charles.waite]

I'd also replace the thermostat while you're in there...

This. The thermostats on both my b7s failed within 70k miles. They failed open, sure, but they still failed.

[danbfree]

I'd also replace the thermostat while you're in there...

This. The thermostats on both my b7s failed within 70k miles. They failed open, sure, but they still failed.

Thanks guys, I'll definitely do that... I was just considering before, but now I'll go ahead and get that ordered.

[Charles.waite]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely do that... I was just considering before, but now I'll go ahead and get that ordered.

I put an OEM on in my current b7 and a Behr one in my old b7. Both worked great with no leaks.

[danbfree]

I put an OEM on in my current b7 and a Behr one in my old b7. Both worked great with no leaks.

What about the $15 eBay ones? ROFLMAO!

Seriously, you gotta love those prices, if we only knew for sure which ones are junk and which ones are good quality but just so happens to be made in China to save on labor... Yes, some stuff from China is junk, but anyone can have have anything made there, well if they insist on it and are willing to pay for it, and still for much less due to just how cheap the labor is... Again, the whole bypass the middleman, direct from manufacturer model comes into play too, a lot of those Chinese manufacturers sell directly through people on eBay, so they could be 100% legit parts... Or could be factory seconds or full on knock-offs/complete fakes.

Anyway, just an interesting discussion, I don't want to sound too cheap... I bought an Audi for a reason: The quality and the way it drives but it's always nice to save here and there as we can... I appreciate all the efforts of the vendors to post here too, especially Hugh with Europa, whose company offers great prices on legit parts, I know exactly where to turn to.

Edit: Found and ordered a Vernet, French brand thermostat/flange, for $30... Behr and Mahle were around $35, just no $15 cheapie going on my car.

[Charles.waite]

I mean there's no reason to needlessly overpay for parts, I agree. But there is a limit to being cheap where you start REALLY sacrificing quality and saving a few bucks can backfire spectacularly.

[wding2000]

danbfree, it says Brand: Aftermarket, the other Generic. I am pretty sure this is not Pierburg. I shopped around for rev D DV and saw these ebay postings. As for "warranty", yeah sure, but are you paying international shipping to send old back to get another fake one, just to fail in several months (or maybe a year or two) to do it again?

I ended up getting one from importecautoparts.com for around $40. I can see scratched-off Audi mark (same mfg line for aftermarket sale channel) and it is made in Germany.

[wding2000]

I just hope the $150 timing belt kit I got off eBay is good! http://www.ebay.com/itm/361324330933

Read, dude, it says Brand WD Express. It does says Hepu wp and ContiTech kit though. I do not know. I would want to know tensioner is some reputable brand as well (INA/Litens/Gates) and rollers are INA/NTN. I would hesitate in putting anything less than OE for TB.

I do buy from ebay for non-essential parts for cheap - underbelly pin set, VW windshield washer fan spray (to rid off jet spray), but nothing near engine. By the way, that Chinese made fan spay works great.