They might have both been made at the same plant, but it was clear that they were both not made with the same parts. Are John Deere parts more expensive? Not sure - but they do seem to have more of a "heft" to them. Does the part justify the added expense of a John Deere lawnmower? Well - I can't really say for sure other than to say I'm happy I've traded my Toro for a John Deere... Is the John Deere better than a regular MTD? Well - I think so. Is is so much better that I should have paid extra money? Well... Ummm...
On a similar note, there are Anderson windows and there are Anderson Windows sold by Home Depot for a lot cheaper. The dumbass consumer THINKS he's getting a "deal" buying name brand Anderson windows for a hell of a deal from Home Depot but if he were to buy that same Anderson window from a real hardware store and put it side by side with the Home Cheapo piece of crap that was 20% cheaper, he'd see a world of difference and realize how Home Cheapo just bent him over. Of course your average "consumer" is way too stupid to know better. How does that famous P.T. Barnum saying go...."There's a WHAT born every minute!"