ABY needs new protective boot and I need opinions from fellow members!

[psiconauta911]

As per title my ABY needs a outer protective boot in the front with the part nº 441498203A and my question is:

The original ones lasted 250KKm and 20 years and this oem ones lasted less than half the distance and 4/5 years, so factory replacement not as good as factory fitting, and as the oem are very expensive compared to aftermarket ones I would like to know your opinion on the subject, should I stick with oem or buy aftermarket? and which aftermarket?

It´s a dirty job and I don´t mind paying more every 4/5 years to paying less every 2 years if the aftermarket suck more than oem ones!

Thank you all in advance!

[Lago Blue]

It may be that going with the genuine Lobro / GKN item (they make the original C/Vs) may best get you the long service life you seek:

https://www.evwparts.com/vwparts/441498203A.html

[psiconauta911]

Thank you for the response, can you tell me the Lobro GKN reference number as the nº showed is the audi only and I´ll have to source it localy and get various Lobro references for the same oem reference?

[Lago Blue]

I can't, but they likely could, they may even offer a tougher than original (see TPE type) boot:

https://www.gknautomotive.com/en/Aft...roducts/boots/

GKN UK Catalog for a '95 S2 wagon:

http://ows-cdn.tecdoc.net/gkn/home.jsp?server=2&time=30/8/2019-16:23:7#b36f5d9711e9ee44fca23a6f8d1803c3

GKN Catalog for Portugal:

http://ows-cdn.tecdoc.net/gkn/home.jsp?server=1&time=30/8/2019-16:21:27#9f0a7faf39ddd73a2e22f14a94f205fa

However, I also note:

"

PLEASE NOTE: we only accept enquiries from B2B customers of the independent automotive aftermarket and Motorsport business.

"

So you will perhaps have to make enquiries through someone who deals with them already.

It would be interesting to hear if you have success with this.