Simple things they are not.  But I get your point.

A universal O2 sensor is usually much cheaper and will work fine assuming
the electrical connections are done right.
I like NTK personally.

You can and should test your O2 sensor at described in previous posts.  A
graphing multi meter is nice for this if you don't have a scope.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Don Hanson
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 12:55 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: O2 sensors brand quality difference?

  I am replacing what's almost surely a failing O2 sensor in my inline VW
motored van and I wanted to see what the List take is on O2 sensors.
There is a pretty wild difference in cost.   But they seem to be simple
things and every car has a few now a days, not many of them seem to fail
too often...
  Is it worthwhile spending nearly a hundred bucks for a Bosch to put into
my van, or can I use a generic autoparts store brand and expect to get a
few years of service from that and much less cost?

  What say ye? and thanks
  Don Hanson