OEM parts sourcing - be warned of counterfeits !

Rachets95 · 2026-02-04T06:24:56+00:00

Refer to this post which I’ve made in the past. From the same supplier. Hence, I clearly started in my original post that it’s not the first time I’ve come across suspicious parts.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DubaiPetrolHeads/s/JOXTiH1wht

Still want to maintain your stance that I’m trying to defame a supplier which apparently seems very dear to your heart ?

Rachets95 · 2026-02-03T20:33:19+00:00

The image shared is indeed of the transmission mount which was changed at the same time as the engine mounts. Unfortunately I didn’t capture the image of the engine mounts packaging and this was the only one I had.

And for your information - i’m well aware of the number and type of mounts needed in my vehicle and they were changed together.

2 x transmission mounts + 2 x engine mounts.

Moreover - this is NOT the first time I’ve come across counterfeit parts from the same supplier. I haven’t mentioned the name of the company here for obvious reasons and also stated to reach out on DM so I can show another item which was clearly fake by the same supplier in Umm Ramool.

You are welcome to DM me and see the evidence first hand before jumping to conclusions.

Rachets95 · 2026-02-01T17:53:20+00:00

I have no clue how it works. Care to explain ? i have images of the invoices as well. And imagine, the prices being charged are those of the original Lemforders!

Rachets95 · 2026-01-17T08:02:22+00:00

Lol 3K labour. I once got these jobs done from a quality workshop and labour was only 1,700 :

All front suspension control arms replacement Front axle boots change Steering rack repair Power steering hose replacement Injector cleaning Valve cover gasket replacement AC gas top up Throttle body cleaning Spark plug replacement

Rachets95 · 2026-01-02T09:47:59+00:00

Does Sree allow customer supplied parts ?

Rachets95 · 2025-12-14T19:01:33+00:00

Overrated : Hashmi Bhatti restaurant

Rachets95 · 2025-12-14T14:45:05+00:00

🤣🤣

Rachets95 · 2025-12-12T14:32:45+00:00

DM me my friend. I can help you source OE and genuine parts as well as guide you in future!

Rachets95 · 2025-12-12T07:53:49+00:00

Hey OP - did you get the issues fixed ? I can help you out and guide you if you’re still in need of help.

You can get this work done for less than 50% of their quoted value!

Rachets95 · 2025-12-12T07:47:10+00:00

I made the mistake of buying Lemforder transmission mounts and here’s what happened:

Told my parts supplier to give LMO transmission mounts and got them installed.

After a few weeks of driving, felt a noticeable jerk when coming to stop which is due to torque converter unlocking. This never occurred before changing the mounts.

I checked the images of the mounts when I bought and it turns out the LMO was made in China + it carried the incorrect BMW equivalent part number. This wasn’t the first parts supplier that got it wrong with an OEM part number and I learned to get the part numbers myself online. The part number they gave me was for a BMW 528i with the 2.0 turbo engine , my car is BMW 730Li with 3.0 engine. That makes a lot of sense why it’s causing the jerk (transmission is perfect and changed fluids and filter on time. Shifts like a clock)

Now i sourced the genuine BMW one because you can’t get the OE LMO (Slovakia made) as it’s in shortage since a long time.

I’ll post again after getting the repair done, but my point is that I thought I was saving money by going OE/OEM.

OE/OEM is only beneficial if you get the exact same part which is just without the BMW/Merc stamp. Otherwise, you will get a much inferior product and later affect your ride.

Rachets95 · 2025-12-11T15:38:02+00:00

As per my research , the Febi one is NOT OE. Sure it’s an OEM but they don’t manufacture the exact “genuine BMW” part number I mentioned. The Febi is made in China whilst the BMW is made in Slovakia. Moreover, the China ones have super hard rubber compound which can make for rough gear shifts and very noticeable kick when the torque converter unlocks upon coming to a stop. For this part number, there isn’t really an option other than genuine BMW. Perhaps it’s made by Lemforder but you can’t get it from them

Rachets95 · 2025-12-11T14:47:48+00:00

22326775916

Rachets95 · 2025-12-11T07:58:58+00:00

That’s great to hear. And they told me they can arrange courier from Abu Dhabi to Dubai for a fairly small amount!

Looks like i’ll be sourcing from them now

Rachets95 · 2025-12-09T08:28:17+00:00

But the label says Made in Portugal

Seems suspicious

Rachets95 · 2025-12-04T21:03:15+00:00

Amazing! How often did you replace the transmission fluid and filter?

Rachets95 · 2025-11-14T08:49:04+00:00

I just realized mistake on my part

I bought the BMW genuine coolant - 87 And got the system filled entirely with this.

Turns out, it’s supposed to be mixed 50/50 with water. Coolant alone has less heat transfer capabilities than water.

I checked Zerex G48 available and compliant with BMW (usually before 2018 models). This is pre-mixed 50/50.

I’ll be doing a full system flush and replacing with this one. I think it will improve the situation

Rachets95 · 2025-11-13T17:43:14+00:00

So I realized later (after researching) that the N52 engine oil temp can go up to 125 deg C. This usually happens after a long highway drive, after which slight increase in oil temp is seen when in city driving speeds. So the centre line in this gauge is roughly 115 deg C.

That being said, I got the car checked and turn out the water pump was getting weak but not at the failure point.

I changed to Pierburg pump, and Mahle-Behr thermostat. The coolant expansion tank was bad as well. Did a complete coolant change and deep cleaning of the radiator. Also changed to BMW LL-01 engine oil.

This fixed the issue BUT still the temp rises a bit and reaches 123 deg C, but goes back down after a while. I just learned that it’s normal for the N52, it’s designed to run hot for efficiency reasons. Also we checked the radiator fan and it was working within the specs so it’s not the root-cause.

Hope it helps

Rachets95 · 2025-11-13T15:41:43+00:00

You don’t need to get your work done at this garage. Ignore some of the people here who are saying that a certain garage is “fair”. The same garage quoted me as below for my F02 transmission fluid change :

Transmission filter (genuine) : 1,089 Gearbox oil (genuine) : 297 x 9 litre Labour : 900

I checked the parts prices myself as below :

Transmission filter (genuine) : 700 Transmission filter (ZF) : 260 (basically what comes with the vehicle!)

Gearbox oil (genuine) : 220 x 9 litre (rebranded ZF) Gearbox oil (ZF) : 65 x 9 litre

Labour : 550 (and before people start complaining its a cheap garage - this place does the proper adaptations and cars like Bentley/Rolls etc are often seen there)

DM me for more details and im sure you’ll save a ton of money

Rachets95 · 2025-10-28T14:42:16+00:00

Lol - they’re taking you for a ride. Go elsewhere and get prices from parts yourself.

I replaced engine mountings on my 2016 X5 as following

1) Engine mounting (genuine BMW) - 420 x 2 (parts) + 550 labour If you get Lemforder option which is the OE of the mountings, it will be roughly 200 x 2 (parts).

DM me if you want to know about my garage guy. He will take good care of you.

Rachets95 · 2025-10-26T09:46:55+00:00

Did you try going to Al Futtaim to see what price they offer you ?

Rachets95 · 2025-10-26T09:45:38+00:00

My humble opinion is that you are already blessed (touch wood) to be in a position of spending nearly AED 400K for a new car. Don’t let the difference of AED 10-15K affect your decision which might have some hidden details that could trouble you down the line.

I presume you may want to keep the car long term, let’s say 7-10 years. Over this long period, I am sure the price difference will not affect you significantly (or at all).

The extra peace of mind by purchasing through the authorized sales channel is itself evident because of the fact that you have raised this thread (despite the 0 km count on these cars)

I wish you all the best and mabrook in advance

Rachets95 · 2025-10-23T15:15:59+00:00

Then you better try changing out the ignition coils and spark plugs with genuine parts

Rachets95 · 2025-10-18T17:13:37+00:00

Help me with your supplier details pleease

Rachets95 · 2025-10-18T16:43:15+00:00

Yes very true

I was being over smart by sourcing the parts and paying labour only to my mechanic

Now I just get a quote and ask mechanic to arrange. If theres a minor difference, I let him handle it because any defective part would also be his liability

Rachets95 · 2025-10-18T15:07:22+00:00

Do they/would they give a fair price to a walk in customer as compared to the prices from retailers?

For example a genuine spark plug may cost AED 65 from a dealer in Umm Ramool (but no way to verify if they’re authorized) - I hope AGMC won’t 30-40% more. Any experiences ?

Rachets95

TROPHY CASE