My serpentine belt had a couple of cracks, but it was okay. I just got done driving 24 hours in two days and figure I should probably replace it before it goes on its own. The repair shop quoted a few prices for quality of the belt. Is there really that much of a difference in belts to necessitate the price difference between 25 and 60 bucks?
There is a significant difference in quality. The price difference is smaller at the manufacturer level, but gets amplified at each step in the distribution chain.
Huh. Go fig. I’ll have to get this done then, and get the 60 dollar belt unless there’s something compelling me in another direction.
So what’s the good one? IME, the local parts place will have two or three options for belts - a no-name house-brand belt, plus Gates and/or Goodyear for the name-brand options.
IMHO Gates is the standard by which other belts are measured. In over 40 years of installing and using them I have never had and issue with a Gates belt.
Aside from durability, the other main difference a better belt has is that they may be designed to run more quietly.