FW: Cheap O2 sensor [VAG-COM] Digest Number 1142

[John Larson]

"Hey gang: there is talk and banter about O2 sensor from VW
that works for the Audis at a FRACTION of the cost.
I pass along as FYI:  Maybe a wee bit easier than the Ford route?
HTH -Scott in BOSTON

Message: 1
   Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 17:02:39 -0000
Subject: Re: Both O2 Sensors go bad at same time?  '01 Audi allroad with
2.7T

Yoda,
There is a lot of..........(deleted)....
knowledge in the enthusiast community and I for one like to leverage
that rather than toe the AoA party line.

My research now revealed that VW part number 06A-906-262-Q is the
identical Bosch part with a different shaped clip at the firewall.
With even modest skill this is NOT A HACK and the part is available
through vwparts.com for $22.96 as opposed to almost $200 at the Audi
dealer.  This savings for two(2) are measured in hundreds of dollars,
not 10 cents as you suggest."

I just did a little research of my own, following your link and looking at
the Worldpac website through my account.  This is NOT a genuine Bosch part,
nor a VW part.  It's probably a Wagner or a Niehof, or even a cheap Chinese
knock off.  They reference another number in the description, and it's also
a Bosch number.  The description says "Oxygen sensor in front Cat, 4 wire
16119".  16119 is an AFTER CAT sensor.  The part number 06A 906 262A crosses
to 161212 in the Bosch book, which is the correct number for before the cat.
I'm not sure I'd trust someone selling a part incorrectly cross referenced,
much less at a great distance where returns, the time lost, whatever, comes
into play.  23 bucks is an attractive price, especially since the list price
of the Bosch part is close to ten times that much.  Bear in mind, however,
that you MAY figuratively buying a shovel when you need a tire.  John