I believe Daimler-Chrysler owns, or owns a piece of Continental AG. When it was Daimler-Benz they di, anyway, and that was one of the excuses for putting Continental tires on their cars. So I would agree the part you got is likely an OEM part. I am not aware of the replacement strategy, but think 60,000 miles is probably ok. I usually change mine when I can see small fissures in the ribbed part of the belt that faces the pulleys. When the little fissures start to open and appear uniformly over the visible parts, I take that as a warning to get it replaced. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)