TheSamba.com :: View topic - Are "genuine" rubber seals from OE worth 2ce the p

Sun Nov 21, 2004 9:23 am

I've been reading the threads on this board about original German seals. I'm about to buy all new seals for my 69, along with the new paint. Many say the genuine fit better and are worth paying extra.

But looking at the OE Vee Dub catalogue, the price is about twice that of the non-genuine. Is it worth paying that much for? I guess if the cheeper ones don't fit... it doesen't matter how cheap they are!!!

Any thoughts.. Thanks.. Tom

Sun Nov 21, 2004 11:56 am

Yes.

I wouldn't waste my time on cheap, ill-fitting seals.
What good is it if you just have to replace them in a couple years and they leak?

Sun Nov 21, 2004 4:26 pm

I replaced my door seals and slider seal 10 months ago with german rubber from a well known vendor. They are already cracked and splitting so in my case I don't know if paying more was worth it. When I replace them I'll just use the cheap stuff if they're only gonna last a year.

Sun Nov 21, 2004 5:19 pm

yikes man that's a first for me - authentic verified made in germany seals splitting - where, on the glue joints? please pm me the vendor.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 9:30 am

I got a brazilian windshield seal for my 71 and it leaves a gap on one side of the bus. I had to fill it with silicon to prevent it from leaking.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:18 am

Yes, the OE's are worth paying more. I replaced 4 sides & rear rubbers. I ordered some from OE and some from "another" place. The OE rubbers were bigger, stronger, looked new (not that white chalky rubber) and covered more of the window. I ended up returning the other rubber.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:28 am

if the rubber has not been stored well, old, NOS seals will crack when exposed to the elements.

Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:16 pm

Avoid brazil or aftermarket. The good stuff lasts and fits, the cheap stuff won't.

The problem with seals is availability. You order one seal and unknowingly receive another. Not having seen the seals before how do you know they are the right ones until you fit them or notice flaws up close? It's hard to impossible without spending a lot of money and returning a lot of seals.

I can only vouch for the seals I bought at OEVeedub a year ago...

- all door and window seals came from OEVeedub except for:
- engine lid seal (See http://www.ratwell.com/technical/EngineLidSeal.html)
- front door seals were Genuine VW German from Bus Depot
- gray jalousie kit from Wolfsburg West

I had determined those to be the best available at the time. They had a 15% off sale back then and the prices were comparable. Here were my estimates for resealing the bus:

WCM: $387 (source Brazil or themselves)
Bus Depot: $412 (least expensive), some Genuine (German/Brazil)
Bus Boys: $454 (WCM and Brazil)
Go Westy: $581 (source OEVeedub)
CIP1: $448 (WCM and Brazil mostly)
RMMW: $647 (some Brazil, some German)
OEVeedub: $430 (all OE German)
WW: (their own, didn't check)

At the time it was a no brainer after Richard from OEVeedub explained to me were the seals came from and the problems he's had with other seals. The OEVeedub window seals were perfect fit. When I bought them to the painter we were all floored how easily they went in. Of course, the rear vent window seal was a bugger but that's typical.

The door seals were all well fitting except the passenger door was harder to close after a year I found it didn't ease up. The seal was still air/water and tight but not quite the original shape like the BD door seals.

Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:16 pm

The door seals were all well fitting except the passenger door was harder to close after a year I found it didn't ease up. The seal was still air/water and tight but not quite the original shape like the BD door seals.[/quote]

Ratwell: Are you saying the best door seals are the BD door seals?? thanks.. Tom

Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:54 am

tharmon wrote: Are you saying the best door seals are the BD door seals?? thanks.. Tom
Let me clarify. I bought the OE door seals from OEVeedub (211-831-722D) not the Genune seals (211-831-722DGen) because of the huge price differential last year. This year the prices are much lower. Their genuine seals are probably the same seals as Bus Depot's Genuine VW Germans seals but I haven't bought them to prove it.

Bus Depot's door seals are the best I've tried. The OEVeedub genuine seal may be the same thing. Call and ask.

Wed Nov 24, 2004 1:17 pm

I have replaced many a window and can tell you from personal experiance, I will NEVER buy another WCM or Brazillian seal again. Richard at OE Vee Dub has awesome quality and I will gladly pay more for a better part. The windshield seals have preformed corners and are much more pliable than the cheaper seals. They fit better, are easier to work with, and much easier to install. Anyone asks me to install a cheapo seal I just give them OE's number. Having OE only 2 hours drive (in a bus) away also helps... gotta support the local scene.

Wed Nov 24, 2004 7:59 pm

Hi Guys
Can someone give me the phone # for OEVeedub please,have to replace one rear window rubber in my westy.
I bought rubber from Bus Depot and I was not to happy !
Richard glad to see you on the air again,we all look to you for your information .
Thank's Karl
(BagsBuses)

Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:41 pm

http://www.oeveedub.com/contact.html

Fri Nov 26, 2004 6:48 pm

Ratwell: I was ready to pay the big bucks for "Genuine" door seals from OE VeeDub when I noticed the following in their on-line catalogue:

"Our OEM seals are made in the original Volkswagen moldings in Germany with the newest EPDM material -- they're the correct shape, and will last longer than the original! In this category you'll find door seals and door handles seals."

Then, immediately below are listed two choices: the "non-genuine" ($40)and the "genuine" ($80). Does this mean that the VeeDub seals "will last longer" than the "Genuine" seals but are 1/2 the price???... Are our posters on this board saying... "buy the expensive "Genuine" seals even though VeeDub says their seals are better and cheaper!!!!

Very confusing to me!!!

Thanks for your help.. Tom

Fri Nov 26, 2004 8:30 pm

tharmon wrote: Then, immediately below are listed two choices: the "non-genuine" ($40)and the "genuine" ($80). Does this mean that the VeeDub seals "will last longer" than the "Genuine" seals but are 1/2 the price???... Are our posters on this board saying... "buy the expensive "Genuine" seals even though VeeDub says their seals are better and cheaper!!!!
I would only say that their window seals fit their OEM mold description. The doors seals vary from the originals in some cases and they even give you a clue by selling two seals. If you get Genuine then it will be exactly like the original. If you spend half price it won't. The rubber is still very good but it's not quite the same shape although the best alternative to genuine out there comparing what other vendors sell.

BD has Genuine door seals for $59 so yo don't need to spend $80 at OEVeedub.