Total junk. I just threw the one that was on my SDL away after only two years! It was starting to crack really badly. Dayco's don't really fit in the groves of the pully's either, I have one as a spare thats about all its good for. Now I have a Continental, which I think is what you would get from the dealer. So it should last.

I love aftermarket parts, I have seen two OE MB serp belts go for 8-10 years, and 100k-150k miles. So what if its more from the dealer its cheaper in the long run. This Goodyear POS cost me $40 and only lasted two years, I need to check the service records for the mileage.

Aftermarket parts never last, I hate having to replace stuff twice. If your going to keep your MB for awhile, like 10+ years OE is the way to go. They way I see it the original part last 20 years and 250k miles, so I'll pay extra for a new OE part that should last about that. Its pretty sad that the orignal factory belt on my friends 1997 S320 looked better than my 2 year old Goodyear.

I'm to the point now where if it doesn't have a MB star and part number on the package or part I don't want it. I have sent some stuff back to Fastlane that was aftermarket Worldpac crap. Nothing against Phil its not his fualt in any way, shape or form. All the online guys get their stuff from the same place.

Phil is great BTW can't say enough good things about him.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I feel the same way as you about most of the parts. But most importantly tools. I just end up buying snap-on niw because in the end you buy multiples of crappy house brand tools because they always just break. In the long run even if it costs a little bit more it's worth not having the hassel of returning/replacing crappy tools.

Goodyear.........

That sums it up rather well.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I have the Conti-Tech Made in Germany belts on all of our diesels....so far so good. Of course they are all V-belts.... Our van has a serpentine though....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I don't know about belts but goodyear tires are junk. When I bought my SD it had two new good year tires from the po. My front end was vibrating so I went to discount tire for a rotate and balance. They told me the the two older goodyears were out of round. So I had them put two new ones to match. A couple of k later front end vibration was back. One of the new tires and one of ones the po put on were out of round. The car has new shocks and front end was checked out real good. Lucky for me the po bought the tires from discount too and I had the reciept. they told me they would put 4 new goodyears on and I refused. I ended up getting a new set of michilens (spelling) for a additional 60 dollars. Smooth sailing ever since.. Discount tire has always been good to me and will beat anyone elses price. I will take this thread to heart and buy only oem parts.


Jim

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Jim Messina

1983 300 SD
2006 Silverado Z71

I would agree, the Continental and Bando are top notch, I had both last over 6 years with ease and that too in NYC weather. Even for hoses, Gates are no fun, their max life was around 3 years. I won't even mention tires.

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

It seems to me that the point of the thread is that you need to buy OE parts, not OEM parts. (Which is not to say that I agree with that position.)

Gates was the OE belt on our '02 wagon. It started to slip around 65k miles. It's nice that it's very easily changed.