Bosch vs. Autozone/Bosch - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 01-28-2004, 07:06 PM

Hi,

yesterday I was in an auto parts place that I like to shop at (ust a local discount chain) and for kicks asked how much it was for glow plugs for my car. they looked them up, and typically sold autolite, but I requested a price for bosch. When they were pulling that info up, they had two options: Bosch and 'Autozone/bosch'
I know that autozone is a big seller of bosch products, but is that because they are actual Bosch products made by the Robert Bosch company, or is it because they are made to 'bosch specifications' by autozone or the lowest bidder, and autozone pays a royalty to bosch for the name and boxes, etc?

I just wonder because sometimes I understand that OEm parts that came witha car are far superior to replacement parts, even if purchased for the manufacturer, and I wonder if that principle stands here.

JMH

Hatterasguy · #2 01-28-2004, 09:21 PM

I just bought 6 Bosch glow plugs from autozone, for $10.99 each. They seem to be good quality, I haven't put them in yet though. When they looked them up I only saw one Bosch listing no Autozone Bosch. If you want the very best go to your local MB dealer and bend over.

JHZR2 · #3 01-28-2004, 10:39 PM

I actually thought I read on some thread that the original glow plugs that came with these cars were beru???

JMH

shear2001 · #4 01-29-2004, 12:04 AM

I just changed my glow plugs and used beru. I had one new bosh plug and saw it was made in France. The Beru plugs are made in Germany! Hmm

The Warden · #5 01-29-2004, 12:43 AM

My vote would go to Beru, but that's looking at it from the Ford perspective (Beru is Ford's OEM glow plug supplier).

In addition to Champion, avoid Autolite glow plugs like the plague (Autolite is the Fram of electrical parts!), and you should be good.

rdetoy · #6 01-29-2004, 12:51 AM

Please don't make the mistake of confusing aftermarket Bosch part quality standards with OEM part quality standards. Bosch is manufacturing its replacement parts wherever in the world the labor rate allows them to market a part at a particular price. Parts can be manufactured to a price or to a standard, but not both. Many Bosch aftermarket parts are better than competing manufacturers, but most Bosch aftermarket parts do not measure up to Bosch OE part quality. And though it does not apply to diesel engines, both Beru and Bosch aftermarket spark plug wires are junk.

JHZR2 · #7 01-29-2004, 08:47 AM

And what would glow plugs purchased at the $tealer be considered? Are they Bosch aftermerket, since they arent installed in the cars at the factory, and are being used in a 20 yr old car, or are they first, top quality?

That is very interesting about bosch wires. I have some on my car...

JMH

DJNEWK2 · #8 01-29-2004, 11:22 AM

Well, I'm standing in front of a former Bosch manager who states bosch is bosch and no matter where you get it from, there was NO way there was gonna be a difference between the bosch the dealer would give you or anyone else. He says that's absurd. The quality was never compromised for anything and the chains that did carry them at a discount rate purchased in crazy bulk which only made sense that they sold it too them at a discount.

Doug says they would never compromise the company's name just to make a buck, on the othe hand they too had loyal purchasers that deserved a break on their prices. Dealers charge what they want because of the mindset of people that they are REALLY interested in the consumer when all it is about is the $$$ (just like the salesman who sells the car to you). Get you in,get you out and THEY'D never tell you if they didn't have a part and went to an AUTOZONE and got the part for half of what they charged you for it. You'd just bring it home and say "I've got an OEM dealer installed bosch" and you wouldn't know the difference. How could you? You couldn't. So with that being said, I guess it would be safe to assume you could get the same quality bosch at an autozone. Hell, I myself picked up a bosch starter and I have a lifetime warranty to boot with no problems so I guess he has a point. Good luck

Alan (and Doug-Former Bosch Manager)

#9 01-29-2004, 03:10 PM

I went to my favorite MB indy a few years ago and asked him about the glow plug issue. I had just purchsed a set of Autolites that were not working two months later.
He had Beru and Bosch, said he would give me the Beru. They were no better than the Autolites. Said if you need them take them, but be prepared to change them out again in a little while.
Went with the Bosch.

Hatterasguy · #10 01-29-2004, 06:57 PM

Bosch plug wires are junk. I put a set on my Toyota a year ago and they are starting to fall apart. The plug ends don't want to come off the plugs and I think there starting to come apart. I hope I don't have to change these glow plugs out again soon. They are a PITA to get to on the 603.

1stimer · #11 01-29-2004, 10:07 PM

Autozone near me has bosch glow plugs at 7.99. I've never changed mine, but i'm getting an intermittent gp light and rough starting in this bitter San Diego cold.

JHZR2 · #12 01-29-2004, 10:12 PM

DOH! $10.99 at my autozone.

WHats the deal with that deal?

JMH

wolf_walker · #13 01-30-2004, 01:01 AM

Advance will price match from there website, check autozone, they might too. Thos chains do funny stuff with inventory and price in different regions.

I personaly don't believe all over the counter Bosch stuff is either a: what it used to be, or b: what you find on european autos.
Not sure which, but I've run across some really crapy and some really good parts over the years. AZ's Bosch plug wires were a good example of crapy.

I'm not saying Bosch did not make them, just that they were not made very well. ~shrug~