Gaskets, prices - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GlennCraven · #1 11-05-2005, 09:47 AM

Howdy,

I've determined that among other relatively minor fixes, I need an oil pan gasket on my 1983 300D.

Here at the "Buy Parts" link, it's $20.22 for a Reinz-made gasket (reportedly $30 at the dealer).

At AutoZone, a Beck Arnley gasket is $32.99 -- is the Reinz at two-thirds the price also one-third inferior?

And then I notice that through JC Whitney, I can get a "Gasket, oil pan set" by Corteco (whoever that is) for $4.91. ... Under five bucks!? ... How bad must this one be?

What would you long-timers and/or experts buy?

signalredcoupe · #2 11-05-2005, 10:12 AM

Glenn,
If you're only buying one gasket, the first thing I would consider is price to ship. IMHO the price for the Reinz gasket wouldn't scare me as much as J.C. Whitney. In the past I've bought some generic weatherstripping & a rug for an old Towncar from them & that may be fine, but I would steer clear of them for any actual Benz parts. Paul central FL
'84 300CD

GlennCraven · #3 11-05-2005, 02:18 PM

Thanks for the input.

For some reason I thought somebody else had posted shortly before the forum was shut down for maintenance. Now I don't see any additional responses.

Everybody else agree with Signalred?

GlennCraven · #4 11-05-2005, 06:55 PM

Should I take the lack of responses as a unanimous agreement with the prior advice: Don't buy from JC Whitney?

phidauex · #5 11-05-2005, 07:08 PM

Yeah.. I don't trust JC... It could be some 'generic' gasket kit, or made from cardboard or something. I'd go with the mid-price gasket. One that is definately for your car, but doesn't have to be OEM/Dealer.

peace,
sam

Hatterasguy · #6 11-05-2005, 07:29 PM

Autozone parts are junk. For something like an oil pan gasket that I wouldn't want to do twice I'd go right to the local dealer and pic it up. I have noticed the OE stuff is usually a bit better.

SD Blue · #7 11-05-2005, 08:33 PM

Instead of all this hopping around, why don't you go with a gasket from Fastlane? I'm sure they will stand by the quality.

GlennCraven · #8 11-07-2005, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

Instead of all this hopping around, why don't you go with a gasket from Fastlane? I'm sure they will stand by the quality.

Hopping around? It took all of three minutes to get three prices.

A friend (actually as it turns out, a distant cousin 200 years back) runs a top mechanic's shop here in North Carolina and also advised against JC Whitney. Said it would probably be a cork gasket and basically junk.

He also happens to sell parts online and can undercut the other prices for decent-quality gaskets.

grantdcol · #9 11-07-2005, 12:38 AM

German Parts and Restoration (********.com) is an excellent source for mercedes parts; I bought a complete gasket set through them just weeks ago.

I'm fortunate enough to live in the same place they are located, and can attest to their excellent customer service and great prices.

-Colin

braverichard · #10 11-07-2005, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Autozone parts are junk. For something like an oil pan gasket that I wouldn't want to do twice I'd go right to the local dealer and pic it up. I have noticed the OE stuff is usually a bit better.

I side with you completely on this. And if the dealer's price is just too much, get it for a reasonable price from Fastlane.

SD Blue · #11 11-07-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennCraven

A friend (actually as it turns out, a distant cousin 200 years back) runs a top mechanic's shop here in North Carolina and also advised against JC Whitney. Said it would probably be a cork gasket and basically junk.

He also happens to sell parts online and can undercut the other prices for decent-quality gaskets.

Sorry, did not mean anything, only trying to recommend the folks who provide this forum. I get the suspicion with many parts requests, not necessarily yours, that Fastlane is often overlooked. I have read, on this forum, of people driving to three or four different parts stores, in a weeks' time, trying to save $1.95.

(BTW, nothing against your friend, it sounds like he is going on a rumor from 30+ years ago. JCW has improved their quality significantly in just the past 5 years. He also has an alterior motive of competition.)

GlennCraven · #12 11-08-2005, 01:08 AM

I'm not quite $1.95 cheap, but I'm willing to be $5 to $15 cheap. After all, $5 will almost pay for a gallon of the Rotella for the oil change -- $6.60 at (blech) Wal-Mart.

And if the JC Whitney prices were on products I could trust, I'd be giddy to pay $5 for the oil pan gasket. Then I could afford the valve cover gasket and maybe intake-exhaust gaskets, too, all for the price of a dealership (and AutoZone!) oil pan gasket.