Maintenace can be pricey

[VehicleCityAWD]

Going to be doing the timing belt on my '99 Legacy soon, well I'm not my buddy that has a shop is gonna do it for me as he's done a few before, I'm just gonna be helping.

Kinda went the expansive route with it, but I really didnt spend much more than I would have through my work (AutoZone). Plus the guy at the dealer gave me a good deal. So everything will still all be OEM :smt023

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/Picture11981-1.jpg

[r3v_v3ng3]

How much did you pay for all those?

[Wiscon_Mark]

My mechanic said that OEM > parts stores for that stuff anyways.

[02_Legacy]

Anything critical I usually go OEM. If i'm in a pinch and can't wait to have it shipped to me then I will go aftermarket, but I try to stay away from super cheap aftermarket stuff. Any maintenance items that I buy aftermarket I usually replace at 75% of the recommended lifespan just because it usually is sub-par to OEM.

[VehicleCityAWD]

Alot of stuff I would trust aftermarket but with something as critical as the timing components where if something fails it'll be a new engine i'll stick with OE. My buddy did say that Subaru stuff is far suppierior to say Ford or Chrysler OE.

For everything pictured came in just under 4 bills.

[anothernord]

Remember, OEM is not necessarily a Subaru-made part. A lot of the parts are made by other companies. for example, I got a tensioner from Advance Auto, and it was advertised as a Dayco part. Upon inspection, I found that it had the Denso logo on the outside, and was identical to the "OEM" one I pulled off. So parts stores aren't always bad.

[VehicleCityAWD]

^^ exactly!

[kimokalihi]

Next time buy online. Screw the dealerships. I mean, you'll be purchasing through a dealer anyway but screw them nonetheless. Use either subarugenuineparts.com or the site I always use is 1stsubaruparts.com. They have 1/3-1/2 off the prices in the dealership. That should not have cost you $400. Probably more like $275-$300. I would buy all that stuff OEM as well or get the timing belt from Gates which is probably the same maker that they use.

[VehicleCityAWD]

I'll keep that site in mind thanks. From what my buddy said, out of all the timing belts he's done only the OE belt has timing marks on it. Which aren't required but make the job a little easier.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Next time buy online. Screw the dealerships. I mean, you'll be purchasing through a dealer anyway but screw them nonetheless. Use either subarugenuineparts.com or the site I always use is 1stsubaruparts.com. They have 1/3-1/2 off the prices in the dealership. That should not have cost you $400. Probably more like $275-$300. I would buy all that stuff OEM as well or get the timing belt from Gates which is probably the same maker that they use.

Some dealerships charge a higher markup than others. My most local one charges pretty comparable to www.subarugenuineparts.com (http://www.subarugenuineparts.com) and they have everything the next day, so I go through them. Plus, I don't like supporting subarugenuineparts anymore. Jamie Thomas built the web portion of their business, and they never valued here, and treated her like crap. After she quit, I never got responses about parts questions from them. She was always prompt & answered my questions. Any business that doesn't value their most valuable employee isn't getting my business.

/rant