INA or OEM timing belt tensioner?

[gcon45]

In a bit of a quandary.

I'm in the process of gathering all my parts for the 8 year service and every item I have got so far is OEM from Honda.

Now, as I run a motor factor ordered the timing belt tensioner out of curiosity to see if INA actually stocked it.

It turns out that they did and not only that, it cost me a measly £15 + VAT.

Compare that to the £119.61 + VAT that I was quoted from Honda for the same item and you see my problem.

I'm not one to cut corners but INA make the OEM tensioners for the majority of manufacturers anyway (along with Koyo, Japan who supply the bearings) and I'm not sure if I should fork out the extra hundred odd quid for a tensioner that is essentially the same item.

I know I'm going to get the predictable wave of "stick to OEM" replies but I'm interested to hear your comments on the matter anyway.

Here are a few pics of the INA tensioner:

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2517/p1020781t.jpg
http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/5476/p1020783.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3931/p1020784x.jpg

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

Hi, gcon45.

6757 6758 6759

It looks quite different from the OEM one. The bracket, the gap at the the bearing, etc...

Consideriing the next 60,000miles or more and many years ahead, I know which one will go into my engine.
In fact, I already bought a few for the timing belt service for some of the owners and for myself.

Regards,
Kaz

[gcon45]

Many thanks Kaz.

They're clearly quite different.

OEM it is.