mikep

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping for that response. I feel like most dealers would tell me I should use dealer parts, but this is my first experience with a high-end European car, I wasn't sure if there really was something to what they were telling me.

Hello, I recently acquired a 2010 535i Xdrive sedan, 140,000 miles. It needs front axle shafts due to salt corrosion. (I Live in the rust belt of Ohio, USA.) genuine BMW axles from my local dealer are over $1,000 each. Aftermarket on rockauto.com are less than $100. I have been a mechanic for 30 years, mostly American cars and Hondas, always used aftermarket parts. I have been told that I must use genuine BMW parts, aftermarket parts just will not work at all. Can someone please comment? And, if I must use BMW parts, is there a more cost-effective source instead of the dealer? Thanks.