I like AutoZone tools mainly because if I know I have to use a long breaker bar on them and plan on ruining them that they'll take it back. Once I bought both of them on their shelf and told them I'd be bringing at least one back broke, they said no problem just bring the receipt. So I took it back and got another size to help complete the kit.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I say go with quality, ie Snap-on. I know this is biased because I am in the tool business, but when you see tools day in and day out you appreciate what goes into a tool. Everyone today has the "lifetime warranty", but it only takes one incident of a tool breaking and you ruin the part or worse injure yourself. There is a reason why Premium tools cost 2X, 3X or even 4X as much and people will still pay the price.

There is definately a difference in a generic tool and a premium. Here is a little test you can do to prove it. Take a 10mm bolt to your local tool store (wherever you shop) and pick up a handful of 6pt 10mm sockets and try tehm on the bolt. You will see how some fit tight, some fit loose and some fit just right.

For every Snap-on socket that is sold the 1st fits EXCATLY the same as the 1,000,000 socket does.

8mm is used on the bolts on flex disks (rear ones somtimes have regular bolts) 10mm are used on the bolts that hold the rotors on if I remember right........
William Rogers.......

Oh ok, I've never dealt with either of those.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

FYI, the rear differential plug is just that a plug. It requires a 14mm hex bit. I have found that 8,9,10,12,13, 17 and 19mm are the most common size bolts/nuts on Mercedes. Though I think the main fuel filter bolt is 20mm. Also for the transmission/torque convertor drainplugs, 5mm hex bit.
For brand I have a mixed bunch, though mostly Craftsman.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Thats is more than you need to spend for hex sockets...you don't need a set of 1/2 inch drive anyhow...I have been parting out pre-1985 Mercedes Benz cars and a inexpensive set of 3/8 drive hex sockets up to 8-10 mm for 15 dollars or less is all you need...the differential drain and refill require a large hex tool but most of the others are 10 and under....You would probably be able to buy a set at harbor freight for less than 20 easy....I bought mine in a hurry at autozone for 12-14 dollars and other than the diff drain I have never needed any others...We are supposed to be discussing hex sockets and not sockets....Jim

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James A. Harris

Parts like brake calipers require 19mm, brake lines 14mm flare wrench, front shocks require 17 mm (on top), rear shocks 17 mm., wheel bolts are 17mm, oil pan drainplug is 13mm as is the oil filter housing. Other than these, Jim is right about most being 10mm and under.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

You MUST be careful about your tool selections at Harbor Freight.
Their black impact sockets are great and so too are their black oxide coated wrenches made in India. VERY hard steel. Their main warehouse in Camarillo, CA. has a bin of individual impact sockets and wrenches from broken sets at less than $2 each.
However, I think some of their stuff may be made of peanut butter and simply painted to look like steel.
Their little aluminum floor jack @ $139 has been wonderful. Their long breaker bars have been useful in my trunk tool kit for wheel removal. $10
Their black socket extensions are as tough as any major tool supply brand.
Their floor standing bead blast cabinet, hydraulic press, and cut off saw has served me well also.
And in closing, anything they sell in a cordless tool has been worthless.

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You can get farther with a smile and a gun than you can with just a smile.

1984 300D
1985 300CD
1980 300SD
1993 SL500

I'll further that, anything electrical through them with a no name company is worthless.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I've had mixed results with them. A feeble electric impact wrench (from them) actually broke the impact sockets I got from them. Warranty is useless since they replace the crap w/crap. BUT, the do have some good stuff too. Lincoln Electric grease gun has been flawless. The tools I'm looking at are S-K and will be fine I expect. An air compressor I got from them, albiet kinda weak, has worked ok for years. They are OK for a lot of lightly used tools and oddball items like magnifiers and special lights. Being a tool junky, I have a mix of crap and gold. The gold is used on my 58 220, the crap on my Mazda. The diesels rarely need tools, a kiss , a hug, and a kick in the tailpipe usually fixes them. Now that one's sick, I want some good tools to fix it, hence the S-K set. Harbor sells some good stuff at fair prices, name-brand even. The 50 bucks free ship is a big determinant too, you know how much you're spending. All-in-all I'd have to give them good marks for their selection and prices. Happy to hear the jacks are OK, might do one of them too.