SOT; quality wheel bearings/hubs, for VW Tiguan Options

[fixer34]

Had my 2011 VW Tiguan in to the shop. They had to pull the intake manifold and media blast the intake valves to clean off carbon buildup. Computer was throwing misfire codes.

Anyway, while it was in, they said front wheel bearings noisy and need to be done in the near future. The shop price was $300/ea. I can find ones online for $50/ea, but not gonna go there. Seems like FAG and Timken are about in the middle on price, and pretty well known names. Any opinions/experience with these, or maybe another brand?

I have no problem doing this myself, just don't want to do it too often.

[Chris914n6]

Unless said part is proprietary for the OE, said part is common tech that the supplier owns and makes the 'housing' to suit a brand. So if the VW part is made by Bosch it's the same Bosch part on the aftermarket without the VW label because it's likely also used by other brands.

Examples. The intake manifold is proprietary thus aftermarket will need to show a difference, but injectors are generic so Bosch will not have 'grades'.

Dealer prices have to do with the number of hands in the supply chain.

If OEM parts are so good then why are you replacing one that failed....

[fixer34]

Unless said part is proprietary for the OE, said part is common tech that the supplier owns and makes the 'housing' to suit a brand. So if the VW part is made by Bosch it's the same Bosch part on the aftermarket without the VW label because it's likely also used by other brands.

Examples. The intake manifold is proprietary thus aftermarket will need to show a difference, but injectors are generic so Bosch will not have 'grades'.

Dealer prices have to do with the number of hands in the supply chain.

If OEM parts are so good then why are you replacing one that failed....

I probably should have qualfied; this is the wheel hub/bearing assembly. I'm not looking to have the old ones disassembled/repaired. Based on what I see, this particular unit is used on a bunch of VW/Audi cars for the last 10 years. So I'm guessing replacements are manufactured somewhat in volume.
That being said, I'm sure the overall quality can vary. I'm thinking the bearing itself is the most important, but unless I pull the old ones off and try to figure out who made the bearings before buying new ones, I have to go on name/reputation.

As for the OEM/original ones, I bought the car with 35k miles, it now has 115k. I doubt they were replaced before I bought it, so almost 10yrs, 115k miles, and being outside year round in the upper midwest. If I knew OEM ones would do that, I would pay the higher cost.

All good comments/discussion, guess I was looking for opinions on the 'name brands', if they have maintained their quality, or gone the cheap route in the past years. Even the top of line units only offer 3 yr warranty. Some suppliers offer 'lifetime', but I'm guessing they buy them so cheap they can afford to send 'free' replacements.