AFtermarket or factory fender

7up · 08-17-2002, 03:41 PM

I need a new drivers side front fender after being hit by the Suburban. Factory replacemts are over $300 and aftermarket are only $69 according to the body shop guy. ANyone have any experience with aftermarket fenders? Should I try my luck with the aftermarket? That's a huge difference in price.

Mach 1 · 08-17-2002, 04:02 PM

If you care about quality and keeping the car, go factory replacement. If you just want to slap something on there to get it on the road, go aftermarket.

Mr 5 0 · 08-17-2002, 04:16 PM

Factory fenders (and all body parts) are way overpriced but they're usually better quality than aftermarket replacements. The fit is better and the finish is superior.

If you care about your car and want to keep it, go factory. If you plan to sell it in a year or so or are not that fussy about it, go with the cheaper non-factory fender.

Mach 1 · 08-17-2002, 06:20 PM

Just make sure the body shop guy doesnt charge you $300 for a factory fender and then put the $69.00 cheapo on there. Actually, you should be able to tell...the quality difference is that apparant.

Your best bet is to get a fender from a salvage yard. Factory quality at a discount price.

7up · 08-17-2002, 06:48 PM

I've known the guy for a while so I know he won't jerk me around, but thanks for the warning. I think I will look around and see if I can find a used one.

87 GT MUSTANG · 08-18-2002, 07:09 PM

i was hit on the passenger side of my 87 mustang gt and i bought an aftermarket one for $125.00 canadian (since i live in Onatrio). I had absoluteley no problems putting it on, and i did so myself, your best bet would be to get one of these and don't even touch a used one cause you will probobly be paying the same price for a used one as you would and aftermarket piece and you also have to go through all the trouble to locate a descent one. I am not sure if you have a gt or an lx but if you have a gt like me all that was required was to drill out some holes for the skirt and that was it. Good luck

87 GT MUSTANG · 08-18-2002, 07:15 PM

oh yeah i forgot to mention that i can guarantee you there is no diference in material from factory stock fenders to aftermarket, same steel being used here just overpriced for factory fenders, trust me. I love my stang and i would only use quality products so from what the other people are telling you about quality, to me both are the same just ford's parts are overpriced. Plus with the money you save from buying aftermarket you can get the fender painted, Just think about it.

Mr 5 0 · 08-18-2002, 08:50 PM

87 GT:

Sorry, but I have to disagree.

I've seen side-by-side fenders and quarters from both Ford and aftermarket companies and the difference was noticable. See how your bargain aftermarket fender holds up after a few years. Maybe it will, maybe not. Hope it does.

I'm not going to advise anyone to go cheap when the factory part is superior - but overpriced. That's why buying used factory parts is the best compromise. On the other hand, if you're selling the car in a year, the aftermarket fender is fine, as long as it finishes and takes the paint well.

Anyway, it's not our decision to make but now I'm sure 7up is throughly confused and probably sorry he asked.

Mach 1 · 08-18-2002, 08:58 PM

I agree with Mr 5.0. No way aftermarket quality is the same as the factory. Its easy to see if you have them both in front of you. If not, you might not know enough to be able to tell the difference.

As far as the same metal....I wouldnt go there eithier. Maybe the same steel, but probably chemically treated differently. The factory part is probably anodized or some kind of treatment to prevent rust, where Im willing to bet the cheapo repo. piece is not at all treated to prevent corrosion.

Like I said, get a fender from a junk yard. As long as its not rusted or dented, you will be ok, after all, its gonna need to be repainted anyway, no matter what you get. Who knows, you might even get lucky and find the same color in the bone yard.

7up · 08-18-2002, 09:32 PM

After talking to numerous people and hearing your responses I am not going to get an aftermarket fender. I am going to try and find a used factory fender and if that fails I guess I will get a new one and sleep well at night.

THanks for all the help.

87 GT MUSTANG · 08-18-2002, 10:23 PM

ok, i just wanna make a point here, i took welding in college and know all about metals, i have seen aftermarket and factory fenders and like i said they are the same kind of steel, same thickness in steel and what happens to all steel if it's not treated properly, they rust. My point being that if you buy an aftermarket or factory piece they are gonna be the same if not treated properly. I had taken off the whole front end of my car and i even matched up the good side fender to the aftermarket fender to see for myself and guess what?? they were the same, You asked for help and i gave it to you, these others guys, have they been in an accident, have they tore their car apart i don't know but what i do know is i have and like i stated b4 i WOULD NOT put a piece of **** on my car, and the aftermarket fender has been on there for three and a half years now with no incident, my car is a show car, so i would not put anything but quality on there, just because something says FORD on it doesn't meen it's quality.

Mach 1 · 08-18-2002, 10:42 PM

Rest assured, myself and Mr 5.0 are speaking from experience. Maybe you got a quality piece, maybe you didnt. But enough other people know better, so just keep an open mind.

The metal is protected by primer and paint from corrosion, so you wont see any difference in that area more than likely unless the paint chips or it corrodes from the inside out, or after a long time...

7up · 08-19-2002, 11:59 AM

The body shop guy I am going to use who I have known for 8 years was showing the difference in factory and aftermarket on a car he was working on. It was a Honda CRV and he was putting an aftermarket hood on instead of factory. You could see the gaps were bigger in the front than in the back and it sat too high on one side. He said sometimes you get aftermaket pieces that fit and sometimes you don't. He was pretty hesitant to even look up the aftermarket price, but since he did and it was so low I figured I would check out some other oppinions. The overwhelming majority have said only get it if you are going to sell your car soon or don't car about your car. Maybe you got a good one 87 Mustang GT, but it seems as though you were very lucky. IMO

gofastmercury · 08-19-2002, 11:30 PM

Nothing like beating a dead horse...
I've been a licensed bodyman for 8 years and there is no way I'd use any aftermarket body part on any of my cars. I've fought with trying to make them fit at work for years and it just sucks. And yes, the ODD time the dam thing fits, but not often enough for me. SOME things are just what you pay for....

08-17-2002, 03:41 PM	#1
7up Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 321	AFtermarket or factory fender I need a new drivers side front fender after being hit by the Suburban. Factory replacemts are over $300 and aftermarket are only $69 according to the body shop guy. ANyone have any experience with aftermarket fenders? Should I try my luck with the aftermarket? That's a huge difference in price. __________________ 91 lx convertible, Vortech a-trim, 2.87 blower pulley. 30lb injectors, 80 mm mass air, 255 fuel pump, flowmaster cat back, bbk long tubes and h pipe 299.3 hp, 355.5 tq(before h-pipe, headers) Ricer Hater's Club-member #16

08-17-2002, 04:02 PM	#2
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	If you care about quality and keeping the car, go factory replacement. If you just want to slap something on there to get it on the road, go aftermarket. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

08-17-2002, 04:16 PM	#3
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Fender fix Factory fenders (and all body parts) are way overpriced but they're usually better quality than aftermarket replacements. The fit is better and the finish is superior. If you care about your car and want to keep it, go factory. If you plan to sell it in a year or so or are not that fussy about it, go with the cheaper non-factory fender.

08-17-2002, 06:20 PM	#4
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	Just make sure the body shop guy doesnt charge you $300 for a factory fender and then put the $69.00 cheapo on there. Actually, you should be able to tell...the quality difference is that apparant. Your best bet is to get a fender from a salvage yard. Factory quality at a discount price. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

08-17-2002, 06:48 PM	#5
7up Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 321	I've known the guy for a while so I know he won't jerk me around, but thanks for the warning. I think I will look around and see if I can find a used one. __________________ 91 lx convertible, Vortech a-trim, 2.87 blower pulley. 30lb injectors, 80 mm mass air, 255 fuel pump, flowmaster cat back, bbk long tubes and h pipe 299.3 hp, 355.5 tq(before h-pipe, headers) Ricer Hater's Club-member #16

08-18-2002, 07:09 PM	#6
87 GT MUSTANG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oshawa,Ontario Posts: 46	aftermarket fender i was hit on the passenger side of my 87 mustang gt and i bought an aftermarket one for $125.00 canadian (since i live in Onatrio). I had absoluteley no problems putting it on, and i did so myself, your best bet would be to get one of these and don't even touch a used one cause you will probobly be paying the same price for a used one as you would and aftermarket piece and you also have to go through all the trouble to locate a descent one. I am not sure if you have a gt or an lx but if you have a gt like me all that was required was to drill out some holes for the skirt and that was it. Good luck __________________ Adam pennington

08-18-2002, 07:15 PM	#7
87 GT MUSTANG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oshawa,Ontario Posts: 46	aftermarket fender oh yeah i forgot to mention that i can guarantee you there is no diference in material from factory stock fenders to aftermarket, same steel being used here just overpriced for factory fenders, trust me. I love my stang and i would only use quality products so from what the other people are telling you about quality, to me both are the same just ford's parts are overpriced. Plus with the money you save from buying aftermarket you can get the fender painted, Just think about it. __________________ Adam pennington

08-18-2002, 08:50 PM	#8
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	New, used or aftermarket? 87 GT: Sorry, but I have to disagree. I've seen side-by-side fenders and quarters from both Ford and aftermarket companies and the difference was noticable. See how your bargain aftermarket fender holds up after a few years. Maybe it will, maybe not. Hope it does. I'm not going to advise anyone to go cheap when the factory part is superior - but overpriced. That's why buying used factory parts is the best compromise. On the other hand, if you're selling the car in a year, the aftermarket fender is fine, as long as it finishes and takes the paint well. Anyway, it's not our decision to make but now I'm sure 7up is throughly confused and probably sorry he asked.

08-18-2002, 08:58 PM	#9
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I agree with Mr 5.0. No way aftermarket quality is the same as the factory. Its easy to see if you have them both in front of you. If not, you might not know enough to be able to tell the difference. As far as the same metal....I wouldnt go there eithier. Maybe the same steel, but probably chemically treated differently. The factory part is probably anodized or some kind of treatment to prevent rust, where Im willing to bet the cheapo repo. piece is not at all treated to prevent corrosion. Like I said, get a fender from a junk yard. As long as its not rusted or dented, you will be ok, after all, its gonna need to be repainted anyway, no matter what you get. Who knows, you might even get lucky and find the same color in the bone yard. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

08-18-2002, 09:32 PM	#10
7up Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 321	After talking to numerous people and hearing your responses I am not going to get an aftermarket fender. I am going to try and find a used factory fender and if that fails I guess I will get a new one and sleep well at night. THanks for all the help. __________________ 91 lx convertible, Vortech a-trim, 2.87 blower pulley. 30lb injectors, 80 mm mass air, 255 fuel pump, flowmaster cat back, bbk long tubes and h pipe 299.3 hp, 355.5 tq(before h-pipe, headers) Ricer Hater's Club-member #16

08-18-2002, 10:23 PM	#11
87 GT MUSTANG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oshawa,Ontario Posts: 46	aftermarket fenders ok, i just wanna make a point here, i took welding in college and know all about metals, i have seen aftermarket and factory fenders and like i said they are the same kind of steel, same thickness in steel and what happens to all steel if it's not treated properly, they rust. My point being that if you buy an aftermarket or factory piece they are gonna be the same if not treated properly. I had taken off the whole front end of my car and i even matched up the good side fender to the aftermarket fender to see for myself and guess what?? they were the same, You asked for help and i gave it to you, these others guys, have they been in an accident, have they tore their car apart i don't know but what i do know is i have and like i stated b4 i WOULD NOT put a piece of **** on my car, and the aftermarket fender has been on there for three and a half years now with no incident, my car is a show car, so i would not put anything but quality on there, just because something says FORD on it doesn't meen it's quality. __________________ Adam pennington

08-18-2002, 10:42 PM	#12
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	Rest assured, myself and Mr 5.0 are speaking from experience. Maybe you got a quality piece, maybe you didnt. But enough other people know better, so just keep an open mind. The metal is protected by primer and paint from corrosion, so you wont see any difference in that area more than likely unless the paint chips or it corrodes from the inside out, or after a long time... __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

08-19-2002, 11:59 AM	#13
7up Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 321	The body shop guy I am going to use who I have known for 8 years was showing the difference in factory and aftermarket on a car he was working on. It was a Honda CRV and he was putting an aftermarket hood on instead of factory. You could see the gaps were bigger in the front than in the back and it sat too high on one side. He said sometimes you get aftermaket pieces that fit and sometimes you don't. He was pretty hesitant to even look up the aftermarket price, but since he did and it was so low I figured I would check out some other oppinions. The overwhelming majority have said only get it if you are going to sell your car soon or don't car about your car. Maybe you got a good one 87 Mustang GT, but it seems as though you were very lucky. IMO __________________ 91 lx convertible, Vortech a-trim, 2.87 blower pulley. 30lb injectors, 80 mm mass air, 255 fuel pump, flowmaster cat back, bbk long tubes and h pipe 299.3 hp, 355.5 tq(before h-pipe, headers) Ricer Hater's Club-member #16

08-19-2002, 11:30 PM	#14
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	Nothing like beating a dead horse... I've been a licensed bodyman for 8 years and there is no way I'd use any aftermarket body part on any of my cars. I've fought with trying to make them fit at work for years and it just sucks. And yes, the ODD time the dam thing fits, but not often enough for me. SOME things are just what you pay for.... __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

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