What are the differences between original and non-original bumpers?
4 Answers
The main differences between the two lie in the color difference and toughness of the bumper. Detailed differences: First, there is a fundamental difference. Original bumpers are supplied directly by the manufacturer, while non-original bumpers are usually produced by secondary manufacturers or even small workshops, resulting in naturally inferior quality and potential color discrepancies (from painting). Secondly, original bumpers exhibit better toughness, making them less likely to deform even under high pressure. In terms of both quality and performance, original bumpers outperform non-original ones, hence their higher price. Function of bumpers: Car bumpers are safety devices designed to absorb and mitigate external impacts, protecting the front and rear of the vehicle. Both front and rear bumpers of cars are made of plastic, commonly referred to as plastic bumpers. Typically, a car's plastic bumper consists of three parts: the outer panel, cushioning material, and crossbeam. The outer panel and cushioning material are made of plastic, while the crossbeam is formed from cold-rolled sheet metal pressed into a U-shaped channel. The outer panel and cushioning material are attached to the crossbeam.
Last time my car got rear-ended and needed a bumper replacement, the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts was striking. OEM parts are molded precisely for the vehicle model - the clip positions fit like Lego pieces, leaving perfectly even gaps when installed. The materials are premium too, with some using modified PP plastic that has elasticity to self-recover from minor impacts. Aftermarket parts are a gamble - cheap ABS plastic can be brittle as crackers, potentially cracking over speed bumps in winter. The critical difference is crash testing: OEM bumpers have energy-absorbing boxes engineered through millions of manufacturer simulations, while aftermarket versions lack this protection. Paint mismatch is another headache - my neighbor's aftermarket bumper casts a greenish tint in sunlight, making it look like a different car.
Attention provincial comrades! The OEM bumper quoted by the 4S store costs half a month's salary, while aftermarket parts are priced at a 70% discount. However, the trade-off for the lower price is reduced thickness—I measured aftermarket bumpers to be on average 1.2mm thinner. Installation is also troublesome; repair shop veteran Wang says they often have to manually enlarge bolt holes, and if screws aren't tightened properly, there will be wind whistling noises at high speeds. Some opt for aftermarket parts to save money, only to deal with constant false alarms from parking sensors—just a 2mm misalignment in the sensor holes causes this effect. But if you ask me, aftermarket parts are worth it for minor scrapes, but for serious collisions, OEM is the way to go for safety.
The difference in plastic materials is the most critical issue! The original parts use glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene, which can withstand temperatures from -40°C to high heat. Once during a teardown comparison, I found the OEM part had internal reinforcement ribs like a skeleton, while the aftermarket one was as hollow as an eggshell. Parts made from recycled materials are even worse—they crumble into powder after two years outdoors, flaking off at a touch. Crash test data is even scarier: one institution tested an aftermarket bumper in low-speed impacts, and its energy absorption was 37% worse than the OEM part—equivalent to missing one seatbelt strap. However, major aftermarket brands have improved lately; for example, certain Leopard-standard parts now pass ECE certification.
