Opinion on Delphi Parts

[Jgkram]

I just ordered replacement drop links from pelican and ordered the TRW brand. I was sent a combination of Delphi and TRW. I really don’t like the Chinese stuff but wanted to get your opinion on the Delphi. Are they worth keeping or should I send them back? Oh, not that it matters, but Pelican charged me the TRW price for the cheaper Delphi parts. That’s a bit low ball...Thanks

[Starter986]

I've heard great things about TRW. Unless Delphi is TRW I'd tell Pelican, "Thanks, no thanks".

I like Pelican... and source from them the majority of any parts I need. Couple of times had to request "customer service", vbut they never have failed me.

It would bug the **************** out of me if I had TRW on one side... Delphi (never heard of them, btw) on the other. Just a mental challenge. OCD, maybe.

China? Flu, maybe. Parts? Not me.

[Jgkram]

Thanks Starter. Yep, you and I think alike on this one. Not only is the Delphi MUCH stiffer than the TRW, which I try to use most of the time, it is also bare metal versus the blackened color which would absolutely drive me insane just knowing it's under there.

[paulofto]

Delphi make all kinds of parts from suspension to electronics and are OEM to many brands. It used to be part of General Motors but is now a division of Borg Warner. There are Delphi parts on tons of vehicles.They were/are American owned and for a brief time UK headquartered. Not sure where China enters the conversation

[blue62]

Originally Posted by paulofto

Delphi make all kinds of parts from suspension to electronics and are OEM to many brands. It used to be part of General Motors but is now a division of Borg Warner. There are Delphi parts on tons of vehicles.They were/are American owned and for a brief time UK headquartered. Not sure where China enters the conversation

You need to do more research "both" TRW and Delphi have manufacturing plants in China. both also have manufacturing plants in several other countries.

[JFP in PA]

Rather than worrying about where the parts are made, you should be concerned about the simple fact Pelican will substitute whatever is on hand rather than what was ordered.....................

[Jgkram]

JFP, I agree. I called them twice and spoke to both the "porsche parts specialist" as well as their customer service representative expressing my concern. They are simply trying to fulfill a customers needs and in this supply constrained world it is a challenge but they could contact the customer to see if this is ok prior to making a substitution. I think this will continue to be an issue as everyone struggles to get supply chains back on track.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by blue62

You need to do more research "both" TRW and Delphi have manufacturing plants in China. both also have manufacturing plants in several other countries.

In a way that was what I wanted to say. Everyone has Chinese parts regardless of where they are headquartered not just Delphi.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Jgkram

JFP, I agree. I called them twice and spoke to both the "porsche parts specialist" as well as their customer service representative expressing my concern. They are simply trying to fulfill a customers needs and in this supply constrained world it is a challenge but they could contact the customer to see if this is ok prior to making a substitution. I think this will continue to be an issue as everyone struggles to get supply chains back on track.

Only problem with that logic is that they have been doing exactly this as far back as when Wayne owned the business; so it is not a supply chain issue.

[Jgkram]

Not to continue the thread but two issues here as I see it. First, is the substitution of parts. If it is not a supply chain issue for Pelican, as JFP points out, then as long as we accept substitutions the behavior will continue. As Starter pointed out, I chose to say thanks, but no thanks and they paid for the return shipping.

The second and perhaps more important issue is the manufacturing. As we all know, China has basically taken over the auto parts manufacturing supply for years. Does it now simply come down to price? I'm sure there are better Chinese plants than others but what becomes the criteria if brand doesn't matter? Would you buy URO over Meyle, Lemforder over TRW, "x" versus "y". Is it our collective experience shared here on the forum that guides our direction? Or, are we simply fooling ourselves? Just asking is all...

[JayG]

Many German company parts are in fact made in China.
Just because its made in China does not make it inferior. Yes, there are crap parts from China as well as high quality parts. It really depends on the actual manufacturer and what level of quality the company ordering the part asks for