91quattro

Researching the replacement of the cam tensioners for a D3 BFM engine . OE's range from $850 to $1200 each now. At the other end of the spectrum are Chinese replacements for $75 or so. Many lower cost options in between, but I'm wondering if anyone knows who the OEM is for this part? 077-109-087P and 088P. Thanks

MP4.2+6.0

No guaranties, but if you study a picture of the Audi OE one, this one on EBay looks the same at the detailed stamping and marking level, except all the Audi/VW logos and part number type stuff scrubbed off.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28474160052...Bk9SR4CJk4vLYw

Notice both the number cast into the body, and the way the solenoid is marked, and compare that to an Audi OE part picture. The seller has both the left and the right if you search his ads. You could message him and ask further.

MP4.2+6.0

No guaranties, but if you study a picture of the Audi OE one, the very first picture for this one one on EBay looks the same at the detailed stamping and marking level, except all the Audi/VW logos and part number type stuff scrubbed off.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28474160052...Bk9SR4CJk4vLYw

ECS listing with an OE picture as an example: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...-8/077109087p/

Notice both the number cast into the body of the EBay one, and the way the solenoid is marked/imprinted, and compare that to an Audi OE part picture. The seller has both the left and the right if you search his ads. You could message him and ask further.

91quattro

Thanks MP4.2+6.0, I also see in the seller's description that this is a VAICO part, which I have found available in the US from Rock Auto for $440 or so. This link doesn't say where the item is manufactured, but other sites list the VAICO item (V10-4409 and V10-4410) as made in China. Maybe that is where the OEM parts are all made now - including Audi branded? That's why I wondered who the OEM was - is VAICO an OEM for these Audi parts? I've leaned toward VAICO, except for that minor point.

MP4.2+6.0

I saw the Rock Auto listing on Vaico too. Didn't realize that's what it was. Not familiar with co, but here is the web site if not already found: https://vaico.de/?lang=en. Reading it critically, it could be a distributor/reseller like a Beck Arnley or others used to be.

Yes, a fair amount of Audi parts come from China these days. Even back to D3, a fair number were sold there, though they may have been assembled in Germany. I know C6 A6 was assembled there, and was once there top seller. Buy the D3 sway bar links from Lemforder and those have come from China for last ten years as another example.

Again, best indicator I can see is that printing on the solenoid and the numbers/letters in the casting. Even if VAICO is really a distributor, they may be sourcing it from the OE. More than a few parts I buy these days in the channels for D3 or D4 either come with the Audi numbers still on them (like Bosch), or were obviously ground off and are otherwise identical. Perhaps buy the Rock Auto ones and have them in hand to look at and compare to the Audi dealer ones? Return if dubious. I did see the general take is use OE to minimize risk of doing job again, but dollars here are big of course.

91quattro

Good background info on some OE parts coming from China. There are good ones and bad ones, and prices are often a good indicator. Like most of us I just want to use good quality parts and am willing to pay for them, but up to a point in this case since $2K+ for two OE cam tensioners is stratospheric. With the Vaico part, I see the casting used, the description says cast iron, and it sure looks like OE other than the missing letters/numbers and Audi logo.