Behr Radiator - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pj67coll · #1 08-17-2007, 02:10 AM

Well I looked at my Behr radiator that arrived from Fastlane Tuesday. Phil assures me it's the one with the re-inforced neck. I'll be happy to put it in this weekend but I noticed that there is a sticker on the side says "Made in South Africa". I've had some 123 parts made in Turkey in the past. And the primary fuel filter I removed the first time I did an oil change on it which was a Bosh I think was also from South Africa. Of course Mercedes has had a factory in SA since the 50's but I didn't realise so many of their parts around the world were sourced there. Makes me wonder if there is in fact such a thing as "Made in Germany" any longer.

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #2 08-17-2007, 07:37 AM

Oh yeah, lots of the parts are still made there.

Tom W

LUVMBDiesels · #3 08-17-2007, 12:18 PM

Of course the best parts are stamped "Made in W. Germany"

Seriously, a lot of parts are bring made in Czech Republic, Turkey, etc.

My friend who works for Daimler Benz in Stuttgart has had a lot of issues dealing with Czech suppliers. However it is much cheaper to make things in the former Eastern Block countries than in the West.

rrgrassi · #4 08-17-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Well I looked at my Behr radiator that arrived from Fastlane Tuesday. Phil assures me it's the one with the re-inforced neck. I'll be happy to put it in this weekend but I noticed that there is a sticker on the side says "Made in South Africa". I've had some 123 parts made in Turkey in the past. And the primary fuel filter I removed the first time I did an oil change on it which was a Bosh I think was also from South Africa. Of course Mercedes has had a factory in SA since the 50's but I didn't realise so many of their parts around the world were sourced there. Makes me wonder if there is in fact such a thing as "Made in Germany" any longer.

- Peter.

Kinda like the "American Car". I had an Olds Gutless Calais. Radio and wheels made in Japan. Headlight relay made in Tiawan. Power seat motor made in Mexico. Etc. Etc.

#5 08-17-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Makes me wonder if there is in fact such a thing as "Made in Germany" any longer.

There is no such thing as made in anyplace, anymore. I recently heard a story that china is outsourcing some manufacturing to some african countries. It's becoming a very "flat" world.

Jim B. · #6 08-17-2007, 03:15 PM

I replaced the original Behr radiator with another Behr radiator as preventative maintenance back in 1999, to get one with the reinforced upper hose neck and to be safe. Never had a problem since.
So far as I know, Behr has supplied them with the reinforced hose neck since at least then.

The Hella H4 euro light headlights I bought from Capitol West a few years back came in a yellow Bosch box indicating "Made in Czechoslovakia" but I have not had problems with them

Hatterasguy · #7 08-17-2007, 08:45 PM

Mercedes has been making parts and cars in south Africa for a long time, probably over 20 years. I have been told they made W126's for quite awhile down there, until 1994....

Ara T. · #8 08-17-2007, 09:17 PM

It's not only American cars, go look at the sticker on a brand new Toyota Camry that says 75% of the parts come from North America and 25% from Japan.

TMAllison · #9 08-17-2007, 10:11 PM

I used to love showing an old boss the logo on the lower corner of the front windsheild of his Lexus LS400 that said "toyota". Used to show it to him every time we took his car anywhere.

Hatterasguy · #10 08-17-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

It's not only American cars, go look at the sticker on a brand new Toyota Camry that says 75% of the parts come from North America and 25% from Japan.

I noticed that, but on my moms 07 Rav4 its 100% Japanese made!

To me thats a big selling point!

charmalu · #11 08-17-2007, 11:29 PM

Just bought a new Vacuum pump, made in Spain.

I bought two starters off E-Bay a couple yrs ago, from two different
sellers. a brand called ISKARA, made in Slovakia. both were brand new.
as good or better as the "REBUILT" Bosch ones.

Charlie

Ara T. · #12 08-18-2007, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I noticed that, but on my moms 07 Rav4 its 100% Japanese made!

To me thats a big selling point!

How is that Rav4? My dad is looking at a new car since his new job will give him a car allowance, 600 or so a month for a new car. So he wants something a bit more upscale than his Accord, in the 30-40K range. So we first tried out the MB C230s, which was surprisingly nice, I was expecting, to tell the truth, a piece of junk stripped down MB. Ride was firm but not jarring... rear seat room is pretty tight for me, at 5' 11".

It was ok but I dont think he's a German car person, he likes to be more isolated and likes a softer, quieter suspension. So we tried a Lexus IS250, and the rear seat room was a joke. There was NO where to put my size 13 feet. I couldn't slide them under the drivers seat. It was a very boring car and a very regular interior. I liked the C230 better.

Then we tried a ES 350, and that is a nice car. Too bad it's FWD, but for my dad it doesn't matter. Tons of legroom (comparable, maybe even more than our old 300SDL), nice interior, lots of power out of the 3.5 V6. Perfect car for my dad, you can't hear a thing when you're going 80 mph. Me, I like to feel more out of the road but my dad really liked it and is setting his sights on that. He wants to try a G35 sedan first though but I doubt he'll like it.

So then I figured, hey since the ES350 is based off a Camry ( i think), lets try a Camry. What a POS! Totally nasty interior, it's like they went back in time to American cars of the 90's. All the plastics are hard as a rock and have a nasty feel to them. Toyota, or at least the Camry has taken quite a step backwards. I don't know how they sell so many of these things, probably just riding on their reputation.

So that's why I ask how the Rav4 is... hopefully not like the camry.