R50/53 Which belt tensioner?

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09-20-2018 | 11:10 AM

GTODave

Thread Starter

1st Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 38

Likes: 4

From: Hopewell, PA

Which belt tensioner?

So like so many parts the price range is crazy on these. Is the crazy high price for OEM worth it or do people have luck with any of the cheaper brands? My belt looks a bit chipped up on the smooth side and seems to have a vibration in the area as per my mechanic who adjusted my exhaust brackets. Last owner gave me the belt number to use with the different pulleys but not sure which tensioner is the fan favorite. Thanks.

Dave

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09-20-2018 | 12:30 PM

HaltCatchFire

3rd Gear

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 256

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From: Portland, OR

Litens is the OEM supplier and is less than half the price of the one without the Mini logo ground off. Can't go wrong with that.

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09-20-2018 | 12:42 PM

bergie33

1st Gear

Joined: Sep 2018

Posts: 16

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HaltCatchFire

Litens is the OEM supplier and is less than half the price of the one without the Mini logo ground off. Can't go wrong with that.

I just put the Litens tensioner in. Same as I took out and it went 134k miles.

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09-20-2018 | 01:39 PM

Fastlane

4th Gear

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Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 520

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From: Indianapolis, Indiana

I recently replaced mine and got an “ac delco” branded one from amazon. Like many of the other brands, it’s actually an OEM part that has the BMW/MINI branding ground off of it. Matched the original in every way except for the markings being removed. I’ve run into this same situation with rebranding on several parts.....like the upper engine mounts I’ve replaced.

Anyway, this ac delco tensioner was a decent deal at around $100.

ACDelco 38404 Professional Automatic Belt Tensioner Assembly with Spring and Hydraulic Damper