[ExAudiSi]

I know that genuine parts from the dealers are expensive, but don't forget that they are not cheap to design and develop and put through a full test programme to make sure that they perform as required. It can cost thousands just to test a simple trim piece, much more for safety critical or regulatory parts such as steering or suspension.

Aftermarket parts can sometimes be made from similar material to nominally the same dimensions although not necessarily to the same tolerances, but they are unlikely to be tested in the same way as the genuine parts which is why they can be so much cheaper. Agreed, you can get parts which come from the same supplier as the genuine parts just with the Audi logo ground off, but these are not always exactly the same as you would buy from the dealers, I've found that out the hard way in the past.

 

[ExAudiSi]

I'm replacing my power steering hose(s) with this

Guessing some kind of steering rack.. never seen one myself, so... what is it?
Is it some kind of upgrade/improvement?

Electrically assisted power steering rack.

 

[ExAudiSi]

The one on SWMBO's car failed a few weeks back, just when she was about to collect me from dropping my car off to have some work done [smiley=bigcry.gif]

I obviously have more money than sense as I opted to have a new genuine part fitted to save time hunting for an alternative that may or may not fit. We needed the car back on the road ASAP, which it was the following day.