20:07 16-12-2025

Car parts you shouldn't skimp on: tires, brakes, oil, timing

Wanting to trim repair costs is understandable, especially when prices are climbing and shop labor can outstrip the cost of the parts. But there are areas on a car where cheap almost always means a shorter lifespan, weaker safety and a second bill for the same job. In practice, the saving turns into a familiar trap: you spend less on the part, then a couple of months later you pay again for removal, installation and the side effects.

Start with tires: on wet pavement, the gap in grip and stopping distance between budget models can be critical. Next come engine oil and the oil filter—poor formulations and weak filtration speed up wear and can even lead to oil starvation. The same red flag applies to internal engine components during a rebuild—rings, bearings, head bolts and so on. Tearing an engine open is costly by itself, and filling it with dubious metal is a bad bet.

Bearings and seals deserve a separate mention: they often trigger noise, vibration and leaks that snowball into fresh failures. The timing belt or chain is another case where the risk dwarfs the savings—if it fails, you may end up with a major overhaul. At the same time, journalists at SPEEDME.RU reported that, right now, a timing belt is preferable to a chain.

Clutch, brake pads and discs are also worth buying from trusted brands: this is directly about control and the ability to stop in an emergency. Even shock absorbers and struts affect more than comfort—they influence stability, tire wear and braking distance. Finally, wiper blades seem minor, but clear vision in the rain is a safety issue, especially if the car has miles on it and the windshield is already tired. Experience suggests that skimping here feels cheap only until the first downpour.

If you have to choose where to save, do it on cosmetics and secondary consumables. Tires, brakes, the timing drive and oil are the foundation that preserves the car’s life and your calm behind the wheel, even when you’re shopping for the best car your budget allows.