Buyers beware of Blauparts.com. I purchased a Timing Belt kit from them a few years ago for my 1997 Audi A4. Halfway through the life cycle of one of the tensioner idlers it failed (45,000 miles), breaking the timing belt, sending the pistons through the head, and destroying the engine. I contacted Blauparts to see what their response would be. Weeks later they e-mailed back stating they are not the manufacturer for that part, but they would like to take a look it. In the e-mail, they included a return authorization. Blauparts: the failed part you sold me cost me thousands of dollars and you want me to send it back so you can look at it? No apology, no sense of responsibility, nothing. Shame on you Blauparts!

 

Sean,

Sorry to hear about your plight regarding the failed tensioner bearing - this really is about as bad as it gets.

Unfortunately for you, this really isn't BlauParts' responsibility. If you'd have purchased the part from an Audi dealer, you'd be in the same situation and here's why: Generally, these parts are warrantied for just a year and their warranty typically covers replacement of the part itself, not any consequential damage. In addition, the warranty is often only valid if installed by a qualified mechanic. So in other words, if you fit parts to your vehicle and they fail some years down the road, you're on your own.

The only exception I can think of is if BlauParts knowingly sold a defective component. This is highly unlikely as their reputation is based upon not having parts fail in this manner and almost impossible to prove even if it was the case. If other people started reporting the same thing, you would have a much stronger case. No reputable reseller (and BlauParts generally have a good reputation) would ever continue to sell parts they knew to bad, especially when the result of doing so has such dire consequences.

I think your best bet would be to contact the manufacturer of the bearing and lodge a complaint with them. I don't expect it to result in them buying you a new engine, but it may make you feel better.

Start looking for a replacement engine from some of the specialist salvage yards - you can probably get a replacement for far less than you think. Still a giant pain, but I believe this would be your best option.

Good luck,


Steve

 

Dear Mr. Levell,

Please see your private message box for the Re-Submission of your Original Return Authorization (RA) number, so that you may send your part(s) back to us and we may move forward in assisting you.

When we receive your part(s) for warranty consideration, we will be happy to move forward in helping you.

We understand the inconvenience that customers face when confronted with unexpected maintenance issues. It's true that the part(s) in question aren't manufactured by us. However, when given the opportunity, Blauparts is happy to review parts for warranty consideration and move forward in assisting customers in whatever way we reasonably can to come to an equitable solution. Please understand that in order to do so and to verify claims, we must first receive the part(s) in question.

Feel free to contact our customer service department directly @ 920 758 3232 extension 104 or 107. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist you.

Sincerely,
Customer Service/Returns Team
BLAUfergnugen! Inc.
An Independent Audi, Vw Specialist
returns@blauparts.com

 

so any new issues with blauparts?

I´m going to a full belt replacement in my B5. Do you guys think it´s a good idea buying blauparts kits???

 

It certainly appears that Blauparts is trying to do what is right by the customer...

 

Forgive me please but I have no idea what the following has to do with the subject under discussion.

 

Honestly as some point everyone has a good part go bad.

However, Anyone selling "Milk Chocolate, sheet rock, childrens toys painted with led..." from China is not doing a just service to their customers. Everything that comes out of that country is not regulated.

I blame Washington for that though not Blauparts, They have to maintain some level of competition or go out of business. My vehicles are loaded with aftermarket chinese parts.I certainly had the option to by Audi Or GM parts but in these economic times I can't do it, there for ...

Chinese rubber is different though, smells different than our rubber and there is no way a good bearing or seal is coming out of that country either.

I only order original VAG seals.

Seriously though my parts bills today (maintaining a fleet) are half of what they were 15 years ago because of Chinese parts.

 

I received a timing belt kit from Blauparts & most of the parts are TEILEQUALITÄT, who are they and can anyone tell me where can I find some info?

 

It's a
German Company. Blauparts should be able to tell you what ever you want to know. Out of curiosity, what is your question?

 

Just looking for some info on the quality of TEILEQUALITÄT auto parts.Before I spend 6hrs working on my A4. I have called Blauparts they do not seem to have any info. other than they are a German OEM company.