Aftermarket all the way. It's more durable than OEM. If you have an option, Pilkington seems to be the best through various user reports. I went through 3 replacements with my '19 Legacy and aftermarket is definitely better.
Reviews of spare parts for Subaru Outback
I'd definitely want to at least peak at the timing belt for its condition / date stamp. Aisin kit with water pump and OEM Subaru thermostat is what you want.
I've also replaced the worn original tires with Pirellis that I keep fully inflated, much smoother quieter ride than It got with the original tires and maybe getting a little better with the new tires.
Bosch Focus blades on my 2020 Outback Limited for at least a year and a half. I think they were the FS 18 and 26 OE models but I don't have the original packaging anymore. It came with a top mount adapter and snapped right into place after putting on the correct adapter. I don't think the fitment guides said it would work back then either. The driver side blade had a tendency to chatter for a couple of minutes if the car had been through the car wash recently (probably having to do with the paint sealant they use) but that settled down as the blades wore in a bit.
The michelin ones they sell are pretty good and come with adapters so that they fit pretty much any arm. I'm in a '19 so I don't know if they switched arms going into Gen 6 but they work fine on mine, and about 2-3 times a year they go on sale from 9.99 to 6.99. I buy an extra set and keep them in the trunk.
We have a 22 OBW and are on our FOURTH windshield. The first ones we replaced with OEM. This last one we replaced with a Pilkington brand. Pilkington is still going strong and has lasted almost twice as long as the others combined.
Last glass we replaced with a Pilkington. It’s lasted twice as long (so far) as all the other windshields combined. It’s had a couple of similar ‘minor’ stone chips as what did in the OEMs. It’s still going strong.
I got a crack in my windshield the first weekend of driving my Outback in 2017. A huge rock was kicked up on the interstate, I think most cars would’ve had the same result as my car.
The OEM battery sucks I upgraded mine to an AGM with an extra 100 or so CCA. A better battery will also let your auto start stop last longer. Stock battery would never last a stop light for while under load new battery gives me a lot more time even under load.
Unfortunately this is par for the Gen 6 Outback and other Subarus. I'm on my 2nd windshield in 2 years never had one crack on me before in 25 years. Many in this sub are on their 3rd or 4th windshields in under 2 years. The Carlex OEM glass is absolute shit and is known to spontaneous crack. Those cracks don't stay small either they expand rapidly.
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