The oil filter I just got says Czech Republic.

Probably completely unnecessary, I put a Chinese Behr drier on my 190D a couple of years ago and it was fine. It's a really simple part that is hard to screw up. Now the Behr fan clutches are trash, OEM/Sachs is the best bet there.

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

I am not apprehensive about using parts made pretty much anywhere in Europe. It's just that the Chinese parts have gotten such bad raps and most times with good reason. I'm just leery about using them when there is an alternative, especially for critical parts or parts that are real PIA to replace.

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Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

The pads were Textar, they're good pads, I think the problem is that they are metallic pads. My old ('64) Porsche did the same thing with metallic, chrome rims got black, quick!

-c-

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"I applaud your elaborate system of denial"

What makes the made in China problem worse is you never know when your favorite company is going to start having their parts made in China or India or ???

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Well, I couldn't do it. I had to get myself a filter made somewhere other than China. It's likely this filter will be on the car for ten years or more and will likely be the last time I do this job. So I went to the dealer and for about eleven bucks bought a Mercedes filter. It is Made in Germany and made by a company called Filtran. See attached. I had that Mann filter installed and had everything buttoned up, but never added the new ATF. So if anyone wants that Mann filter, it's yours for the cost of shipping or pick it up in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. It was in the transmission for about a month with what I thought was no fluid, but I bet a good pint of fluid dripped into the pan over that time. So the new Mann filter does have some ATF in it. Just wanted you to know that it's not pristine clean.

Attached Thumbnails

         

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Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

Len,
I had the cluster out on my 107, so decided to change the bulbs. I had a few of the 1.2Ws, bought some time ago for my 300D. They are MB parts, made by Osram bought from dealer and say Made in China on packaging!

Light bulb not as critical as transmission filter though!

Filters are made in so many places these days. I just try to stay with well known brand names if I don't buy from dealer. I had filters from a company called FULL for my SL. The seals on them were completely wrong and oil would not have even passed through the filter. Have them still as a reminder not to buy unknown brands!

Bought last transmission filter for 85 300D from Rock - Mahle brand. $17.65. Not sure where they were made.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5